Standing to the side, Sophia Quinn was visibly shaken. She instinctively stepped back, her expression pale.
Although she had always disliked Ryan Hale's persistence, she had never imagined things escalating to this level.
Only Lucas Reed, after a brief moment of surprise, showed a flicker of disdain and anger.
To him, Victor Hale's actions were nothing but crude brutality—an outdated display of authority.
Worse…
Victor had completely ignored him.
Ignored him.
The central figure of this entire situation.
That… was unacceptable.
"Enough!"
Lucas stepped forward suddenly, his voice ringing with righteous authority.
"Stop!"
Victor paused.
Slowly—
he turned around.
For the first time, his cold, abyss-like gaze fell on Lucas.
That single glance—
felt like a mountain pressing down on his chest.
But Lucas straightened, forcing himself to stand tall.
"Mr. Hale," he said coldly, "this may be your family matter, but I cannot stand by and watch."
"Ryan made mistakes, yes—but he still has dignity!"
"Your violence will only push him further down the wrong path. Even beasts don't treat their own like this!"
His tone sharpened.
"And yet, for the sake of your so-called reputation, you beat your own son like this?"
"A man like you doesn't deserve your wealth—nor respect."
A faint smirk appeared on his lips.
"Let's be honest. You're only doing this to put on a show for me."
"Trying to gain my favor?"
A soft scoff.
"Pathetic."
Murmurs spread instantly through the crowd.
"So that's it…"
"He's backing down?"
"Even Victor Hale is wary of Lucas?"
Even Ryan, lying on the ground in pain, was stunned.
Lucas… was speaking for him?
But then—
Victor smiled.
A faint, almost imperceptible smile.
"Mr. Foster."
He casually tossed the belt aside.
The old butler caught it immediately, bowing his head even lower.
Victor took out a pristine white handkerchief and slowly wiped his fingers.
One by one.
Calm.
Precise.
As if the brutal scene earlier had nothing to do with him.
The silence became suffocating.
When he finished, he tossed the stained cloth onto Ryan.
"It's just flesh wounds."
"Stop pretending."
Then—
he raised his head.
His gaze locked directly onto Lucas.
"You'll show me?"
His voice was calm.
Too calm.
"Who do you think you are… to make me act?"
Lucas's expression stiffened.
"What did you say?"
Victor's tone didn't change.
"You're nothing more than a slightly stronger ant."
A brief pause.
"I wouldn't even bother dirtying my shoes stepping on you."
"Arrogant!"
Lucas exploded.
A surge of power erupted from his body. His clothes fluttered despite the still air, his aura expanding outward.
"Don't think money makes you untouchable!"
"I, Lucas Reed, may have nothing today—but fortunes change!"
"Never underestimate a young man!"
His voice echoed across the hall like a declaration.
Sophia's eyes shimmered with admiration.
The guests were stunned.
But Victor—
just shook his head.
"Fortunes change?"
A cold glint flashed in his eyes.
"I don't keep problems for later."
Step.
His figure vanished.
Like a ghost.
Before anyone could react—
he was already in front of Lucas.
Lucas's pupils shrank.
A suffocating sense of death engulfed him.
"How is this possible—?!"
SMACK!
The sound cracked like thunder.
Lucas's body was sent flying, slamming violently into a marble pillar.
Cracks spread instantly.
Silence.
Dead silence.
One move.
Just one move.
The man who had dominated moments ago—
was crushed completely.
Victor stood there, looking down at him.
Cold.
Unmoved.
"Those words are meant for people who can endure hardship."
His voice was indifferent.
"And you?"
A pause.
"You're just a fool who got lucky—and mistook it for strength."
His fingers tightened slightly.
A faint cracking sound echoed.
"On my territory, you attack my son…"
"Pursue my future daughter-in-law…"
"And dare raise your voice at me?"
His gaze turned icy.
"Forget thirty years."
"I don't even intend to let you live past tonight."
For the first time—
fear appeared in Lucas's eyes.
This wasn't how things were supposed to go.
Where was his chance to turn things around?
Why wasn't this man following the rules?
Victor, however, had already lost interest.
He released Lucas like discarded trash.
Then turned.
His gaze fell upon a trembling figure in the corner—
Chairman Quinn.
"Mr. Quinn."
His calm voice made the man nearly collapse on the spot.
"It seems…"
"The Quinn family values this waiter quite highly."