Chapter 5- Irritating Son of Heaven
"Don't cross the line, Damien!" Edward cried out, his eyes shot red and his feet lifting to approach that man and tear him to pieces upon hearing such words against Amelia.
"It was you, Mr. Edward, who crossed it first," Damien retorted, his gaze shifting from Amelia to Edward. His tone remained composed, a small smile playing on his lips as he addressed Edward directly, amused to see him becoming agitated over a woman who hadn't spoken a word in her defense.
Indeed, it was Damien who reacted first, catching Amelia off guard but her trembling pupils betrayed her shock at his accusation.
She couldn't fathom how he could condemn her in front of so many people, especially since everyone knew he had been the one pursuing her.
'Are you serious, Damien?' Amelia thought, looking towards him with a mix of emotions upon hearing the false accusations.
She noticed the scrutinizing gazes of others, realizing Damien's deliberate use of Edward's behavior to underscore his own status was now tarnishing her reputation to elevate his.
"Damien, please stop. We will leave," Amelia said, sensing the evening was spiraling out of control.
She wasn't sure what was going through Damien's mind, but she knew this was over.
He was using her to polish his image while manipulating others to achieve his selfish goals, prompting her desire to leave.
'Not so fast,' Damien thought, noticing Amelia preparing to leave and willing to let the night end like this.
After all, he still had a job to do and scores to settle for the previous owner of the body he inhabited who was made to run after a woman for four years who seemed unhinged by his presence.
"Miss Amelia, forgive my earlier aggression. It seems I may have been too hasty. I would greatly appreciate it if you reconsider staying, as this is a memorable day for me," Damien said, changing tactics once again, directing his words towards Amelia's retreating figure, causing her to hesitate before turning back to him.
His approach was simply to push Edward until he burst and attacked.
'...What do you want?' Amelia's inner thoughts trembled slightly as she looked at Damien's smile and heard his apology, unsure of his true intentions.
Unnoticed by her, Damien glanced at Edward with a sly grin, observing the frustration boiling beneath his surface.
Edward's clenched fists and visibly pulsing veins betrayed his internal conflict, torn between displaying his power or maintaining composure—clearly intending to kill Damien or not.
'Very good, keep it up,' Damien thought to himself, noting Edward's tightening smile and clenched fists, understanding the turmoil within him.
Indeed, the man named Edward before him was not just an ordinary human but a veteran returned from battlegrounds while possessing a weapon.
A weapon called Cultivation.
Indeed, Edward was at the Core Foundation Realm (Middle stage of Foundation Establishment), which in itself was rare to achieve at his age.
This made the whole situation one-sided if he decided to attack right now.
Of course, Damien had intentionally not invited his parents today; otherwise, not only he but even Edward's Master would have a hard time escaping unscathed.
Indeed, Raphaels weren't just a hollow name in this high society and still existed in a world were cultivators roam around freely.
Damien had even switched his bodyguards from veterans to normal ones; after all, he couldn't let his dear 'Son of Heaven' dodge bullets, could he?
Because technically, this isn't a movie where some random guy enters, beats dozens of armed bodyguards, insults a business tycoon, and still leaves unscathed.
So this whole venue was prepared for Edward, someone who was, in reality, the star of the night.
"Mr. Damien, I can't exactly understand what you are trying to achieve," Amelia said, looking directly at Damien, unable to comprehend why he would go to such lengths to pressure or seek attention.
If he really wanted to make her feel jealous, then he had to be aware that he was going about it the wrong way.
She would definitely start hating him.
"Sigh, it seems the surprise I have prepared for my bride will have to be revealed before our marriage," Damien sighed, shaking his head in apparent dismay, revealing a defeated smile as he looked toward Emilia before placing his palm on her cheek making her gaze at him with confused, saddened eyes.
Seeing his genuine acting, Emilia began to understand the tale about how a devil could appear beautiful and alluring yet harbor deeper darkness than anyone.
"More bullshit," Edward muttered, now seeing how much he despised this guy, the visible anger boiling within him wanting to teach Damien a lesson after witnessing how disrespectful he was.
First, he was clearly using that woman, referring to her as his bride.
Second, he was targeting Amelia in front of so many people.
Everything was really getting under Edward's skin and pissing him off.
"Miss Amelia, please control your guard dog; he seems to bark too much," Damien taunted Edward, though he didn't look towards Amelia, knowing she was a minor target tonight. The main target was this guy who seemed ready to snap at his words.
"DAMIEN!" Edward cried out, feeling deeply humiliated but managing to restrain himself somewhat, realizing Damien was trying to provoke him.
Yet, his cultivation strength meant he cared little for Damien's status.
Simply put, if Edward wanted, he could easily kill Damien here and flee the country with his team, leaving Damien's fate to cool down and return back.
But the issue was Amelia.
Knowing that even if he left, the Raphaels would take out their grudge on her family made Edward pause.
After all, he was slowly starting to develop feelings for her.
"Edward, we need to endure this," Amelia gestured for Edward to stop and not fall for Damien's provocation, though she herself was struggling to keep her composure.
The issue was the presence of many high-ranking people, including major investors in her new company.
One mistake and everything could fall apart.
"....I understand," Edward said, glaring at Damien, who maintained a mocking smile before turning his attention to the crowd.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, let me first introduce you to my soon-to-be bride, Emilia Blake," Damien smiled, clapping with a narrowed gaze as he nudged Emilia's shoulder, prompting her to look towards the people who, instead of mocking, began to applaud her loudly.
Indeed, the Blakes were known for their criminal activities in underground casinos and several weapon businesses—activities spearheaded by her uncle.
"Congratulations, Lady Emilia."
"Indeed, you are very beautiful and noble."
Pleasantries were showered one after another by those individuals who would have mocked her at any other party.
'Are they...' Emilia started, confused by Damien introducing her using her family name, which could clearly alter his image. She also noticed that her uncle was notably absent from this party. Turning towards Damien, she politely inquired, "Where is he?"
Damien, with a nod and a strained smile, glanced towards the floor before meeting her eyes. "You see, your uncle is in my basement in one piece, for now"
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