Chapter 13 Arrogance Meets a Mountain

The main ballroom floor was tightly packed with groups of wealthy investors and corporate heirs.

Ares and Vivienne walked smoothly into the center of the space, completely drawing the attention of the surrounding crowd.

Vivienne kept her hand wrapped around his arm, her head held high as she ignored the quiet whispers spreading through the room.

It did not take long for Julian Vane to notice them.

His face darkened instantly, the proud smile disappearing from his lips as he handed his empty glass to a passing waiter.

He gathered a few of his rich friends—young heirs from the Vance family and other top logistics companies—and marched straight toward them. Three hotel security guards followed closely behind his group.

"You really have a lot of nerve showing up here, Vivienne," Julian said loudly, stopping a few feet away so the people nearby could hear him clearly.

"This is a private gathering for the true elite of New York. It is not a place for failing businesses, and it is definitely not a place for charity cases."

One of his wealthy friends, a young man in a shiny blue suit, let out a mocking laugh. "Is this the famous new husband, Julian? The one who spent his entire life running up gambling debts in the dark alleys?"

"The very one," Julian sneered, crossing his arms as he looked down at Ares with pure contempt. "He is nothing but a penniless bastard who married for a meal ticket.

He thinks wearing a nice suit makes him part of our world. But everyone in this room knows he is just a shadow living off whatever scraps the Sterling family has left."

Vivienne stepped forward, her eyes flashing with cold anger. "Watch your mouth, Julian. Ares is my husband, and we were invited to this gala. You do not get to disrespect him in front of my peers."

"Invited?" Julian mocked, stepping closer into their space. "My father owns this event, Vivienne. We control who stands in this room. And I do not want a broke nobody dirtying up our carpet. He is a security risk."

Julian turned to the three large security guards standing behind him. "Guards, escort this man out of the building immediately. He does not belong here, and if he resists, use whatever force is necessary."

The head guard nodded roughly and took a step toward Ares, reaching his hand out to grab his shoulder. "Sir, you need to come with us right now. Do not make a scene."

Ares did not move an inch. He stood completely relaxed, his hands loosely tucked into his pants pockets. He looked at Julian and the guards with an expression of pure, unbothered calm, as if they were nothing more than a minor annoyance.

He did not flinch or show a single trace of fear, completely ignoring the hands moving toward him.

Before the guard's fingers could even touch the fabric of Ares's jacket, the massive double doors of the ballroom were violently thrown open.

The heavy wood banged against the walls, creating a loud, echoing sound that instantly silenced the entire room. The lively band stopped playing mid-note, and every single guest turned around in shock.

A sea of heavy, synchronized footsteps flooded into the grand hall. Fifty large, dangerous-looking men dressed in matching black coats marched into the ballroom, completely splitting the crowd down the middle.

They carried themselves with the cold, hardened presence of professional soldiers, and the faint outline of weapons was visible beneath their jackets.

They quickly moved along the walls, completely taking control of every exit and surrounding the entire room.

The wealthy guests began to panic, stepping backward and whispering in pure terror. Julian’s friends instantly turned pale, and the three hotel guards froze in their tracks, their hands dropping away from Ares immediately.

Through the path of armed men, Natasha Romanov walked into the center of the ballroom.

Her bright red hair was perfectly visible under the bright chandeliers, and her bare arms showed her dark, intricate tattoos.

She walked with an immense, terrifying grace, her eyes locked firmly on the front of the room. Two of her top enforcers, including the massive guard Boris, walked right behind her.

Thomas Vane rushed down from the main stage, his face sweating as he tried to stop her.

"Miss Romanov! What is the meaning of this? This is a peaceful charity event. You cannot just bring your syndicate into my venue!"

Natasha did not even look at Thomas.

She walked right past him as if he did not exist, stepping directly into the circle where Julian, Vivienne, and Ares were standing.

Julian swallowed hard, his knees trembling slightly as the dangerous woman stopped right in front of him. "Miss... Miss Romanov," he stammered, trying to sound confident. "I was just having security remove this broke nobody from the party. He was causing trouble."

Natasha turned her sharp, calculating gaze toward Julian. The coldness in her eyes made the young heir instantly freeze.

"A broke nobody?" Natasha's smooth, low voice echoed clearly across the silent ballroom. She let out a short, cold laugh that sent a shiver down Julian's spine. "You foolish, arrogant little boy.

You are talking about the supreme guest of the Crimson Syndicate."

The entire ballroom let out a collective gasp. Thomas Vane’s eyes widened in pure horror, and Julian’s rich friends quickly took several steps back, completely abandoning him.

Natasha turned away from Julian, her fierce expression instantly softening into one of absolute respect. She faced Ares, lowering her head slightly in a deep, public bow that shocked every single billionaire and executive in the room.

"The Crimson Syndicate is at your service, Lord Ghost," Natasha said clearly, her voice full of total dedication. "If anyone in this room has offended you, just give the word, and my men will ensure they never breathe the air of this city again."

Ares slowly pulled his hands out of his pockets, looking down at Julian, whose face was now completely white with pure, unadulterated terror.