Chapter 3

Tribeca District, "Crown Club".

This is New York's most exclusive private club, bringing together the core venture capital resources of Wall Street.

Those who can enter here are truly at the very top of the pyramid.

I took a taxi to the clubhouse entrance, intending to check out the assets in New York.

Sebastian suggested that the pioneering mission required me to establish my own network of influence in this city.

As soon as I reached the door, I saw a familiar figure—Lucas was holding Selena's hand, walking out of the house with a smug look on his face.

What a small world!

"Honey, the company's crisis is a big problem for you, it could lead to bankruptcy, but it's a piece of cake for me ." Lucas straightened his suit and tie. " Many big shots within this club have the ability to invest in us , and a partner I know has even agreed to inject capital into us, as long as we can get in and discuss it in detail with him today ."

Selena's eyes lit up with excitement: "Really? The company is saved? "

"Of course," Lucas patted his chest. " Don't you know who I am! "

Hearing this, I couldn't help but laugh.

Sebastian has investigated everyone in my network. Lucas is a gigolo and a conman who specializes in conning rich women with playboys and unscrupulous businessmen.

that idiot Selena really think this clown has any power to save her company that Lucas is about to empty out?

I walked towards the door, but the security guard stopped me . "Sir, this is a private club. Please show your membership card."

"I don't have a membership card, but I have other proof."

Lucas and Selena turned to see me, their eyes widened in surprise, and then a malicious excitement appeared on their faces.

"Hahaha!" he burst into laughter, deliberately raising his voice, "Gentlemen, what do you see? A stalker!"

The upper-class people in the club lobby all turned around and focused their attention on me.

"This guy is my girlfriend's ex-husband. He just went bankrupt and left with nothing, and now he's actually following me here!" Lucas continued, adding fuel to the fire. "Security, get this lunatic out of here! What a spoilsport!"

Selena shook her head in agreement, "It's so pitiful, Adrian, please stop bothering me like this, okay?"

People around started pointing and gossiping.

Someone took out their phone and started filming, preparing to post this melodramatic story of a "bankrupt rich second-generation stalking his ex-wife" on social media.

I watched all this silently, my heart unmoved. These people will soon learn what true terror is.

The security guard at the entrance approached me: "Sir, please leave, or we will call the police."

I ignored their performance and simply said, "Please tell your boss that the Sterling family needs to speak with him."

"The Sterling family?" The security guard was taken aback.

I took out my phone, dialed the butler's number, and pressed the speakerphone button: "Sebastian, I'm at the Crown Club entrance right now. I need to confirm the club's ownership structure."

"Young Master, Crown Club is an affiliate of Sterling Financial, currently managed by a local New York agent. Do you require me to activate the acquisition authority immediately? Your family's control of funds has now recovered to the tens of millions level, fully capable of acquiring them. "

The aged voice coming from the phone instantly silenced the entire hall.

I saw Lucas's smile freeze on his face, and an expression of disbelief flashed in his eyes.

"I want to acquire it outright."

"Received, young master. The acquisition agreement will be communicated within three minutes, and Sterling's legal team will arrive on site within five minutes."

After hanging up the phone, I looked at the security guard . "Now, may I go in?"

The security guard's face had turned deathly pale, and he said in a trembling voice, "Please...please wait a moment, I'll contact the manager right away..."

Before he could finish speaking, a middle-aged man in a black suit rushed out, followed by several lawyers and secretaries.

"Mr. Sterling!" The middle-aged man was sweating profusely. "I'm William Gray, the general manager of Crown Club. I'm so sorry to have kept you waiting!"

He turned and glared at the security guard . "Are you blind?! This is the heir to the Sterling family!"

Then he bowed respectfully to me: "Sir, the acquisition documents are ready; please take a look."

A lawyer handed over a folder.

I didn't even look at it; I just signed my name on the last page.

William Gray's voice trembled with excitement: "From this day forward, you are the sole owner of Crown Club and all its venture capital projects! Everything will be done as you wish!"

The entire hall was completely silent; everyone was staring at me as if I were a monster.

Those upper-class people who were just laughing at me now wish they could disappear into a crack in the ground.

Lucas's face was as white as paper.

His proud "5 billion venture capital project" and his boasted status as the "predetermined main beneficiary" vanished in an instant.

"No...this is impossible..." Lucas stammered, "How could you possibly have this kind of authority? This must be fake!"

I finally turned to look at him, as if he were an ant: "Mr. William, I recall someone claiming earlier that a venture capital project had already been pre-selected?"

William Gray immediately understood my meaning: "Sir, all previous pre-arranged agreements are hereby void. Any attempt to deceive the club will be subject to legal action."

Lucas's legs began to go weak: "Wait... I can explain..."

"No explanation needed." I waved my hand. "Throw this fraudster out."

Indeed, dark clouds had gathered in the New York sky at some point, and large raindrops began to fall.

Several burly security guards immediately surrounded him and, without saying a word, lifted Lucas up.

"Let me go! You can't do this to me!" Lucas struggled frantically. "Selena! Help me!"

However, Selena was completely stunned. She stared at me blankly, as if she were seeing this man for the first time.

"Bang!"

Lucas was thrown directly into a mud puddle outside the clubhouse. His expensive suit was instantly turned into a rag, and his Patek Philippe watch, which he had been so proud of just moments before, was smashed to pieces.

The torrential rain relentlessly pounded his face, and he scrambled to his feet like a drowned rat, covered in mud from head to toe.

The facade of the "Silicon Valley upstarts" has been completely torn off, revealing their true, ugly faces.

I didn't even look at him, turned around and walked into the club. Everyone respectfully made way for me, as if they were welcoming a real king.

Selena tried to follow, but was stopped at the door by security.

"Miss, you are not qualified to enter."

"I...I am his wife!" Selena cried out frantically.

"Madam, according to our understanding , you and Mr. Sterling have already finalized your divorce," William Gray said coldly. "Please leave."

Through the clubhouse's floor-to-ceiling windows, I saw Selena standing in the rain, her eyes filled with panic and disbelief.

I shook my head, ignoring the stupid woman, and turned to enter the club.

Late at night, I checked into the presidential suite of the Waldorf Astoria Manhattan.

Lying on the silk sheets, I pondered my next steps in planning the New York City map .

The doorbell rang suddenly.

Who could it be at this time?

I walked to the door and saw a familiar figure standing outside through the peephole.

Selena.

She was wearing a black trench coat, but you could see from the neckline that she was wearing black lace lingerie underneath.

I have to say, I quite like this style. Was it something I told her about over the past five years?

interesting.

This woman actually wants to use her body to get back everything she has lost?