CHAPTER 325: THE GATHERING OF HEIRS

The Stern manor loomed into view, every bit as grand and imposing as Max remembered. Its sprawling architecture stretched farther than his eyes could follow, the sheer size so massive he doubted he had ever seen more than a fraction of it, perhaps a hundredth of the building at best.

The closer they came, the heavier the weight in his chest grew. Looking at it from the outside, Max finally understood why the heirs fought tooth and nail for the Stern empire. The manor alone was enough to make sense of their obsession. Every window glittered with wealth, every column and wall radiated power.

And behind it all lurked the empire itself, the hidden industries and networks that stretched across the nation. Max knew there was far more to discover, connections buried deep, ties between the Stern family and the White Tiger gang that he still didn’t fully understand.

There’s no doubt in my mind, Max thought grimly. The Stern family must have received one of those invitations as well. Dennis himself, at the very least. And with their wealth and power, it wouldn’t surprise me if they were behind the invitations altogether. Pulling the strings from the shadows.

He forced the thought away, telling himself to focus on the present. This wasn’t the time to spiral into suspicion. Today wasn’t about the invitations. It wasn’t about the White Tiger. It was about surviving the gathering. Getting through the day with as little conflict as possible and walking away with information that could help him later. That was the real goal.

When they finally passed through the gates and stepped inside, the staff greeted him politely, bowing their heads before directing Max toward one of the grand halls.

The room he entered was nothing short of breathtaking. It was vast, so vast it could have hosted a wedding with ease. The polished marble floor gleamed under soft light, and the tall ceilings were strung with elegant chandeliers. Tables lined the sides of the room, stacked high with trays of appetizers, polished silver gleaming beneath the glow.

At the center stood a long dining table, wide enough for an army and stretching nearly the full length of the hall. Chairs had been placed carefully along its sides, enough for every heir to take a seat, including Dennis himself at the head.

Banners stretched along the back wall, congratulatory messages written in gilded lettering. Balloons of gold and silver shimmered in clusters. The decorations made it clear what the event was supposed to be: a celebration for Max. Yet standing in that room, surrounded by reminders of the family’s wealth and dominance, it didn’t feel like his day at all. It felt like theirs.

Several of the younger heirs were already inside, gathered near the food or leaning against the walls as if they owned the place.

Bobo was there, one of Karen’s daughters. Max had dug into the family history before, and the irony of it still amused him in a bitter way. Chad, technically, was older than Bobo, but Bobo was considered the legitimate child. Chad, in contrast, had been born from an affair. Max wondered if Chad had ever truly gotten over that stain.

Next was Cici, Dave’s daughter, Max’s cousin on his uncle’s side. She stood apart from the others, graceful in posture, her eyes observing more than her mouth spoke.

And then there was Donto, the son of Randy, who carried himself with the swagger of someone who believed he was already destined for greatness.

The younger heirs had gathered first, their parents still to come. The adults always arrived later, as if fashionably late entrances somehow proved their authority.

Behind Max, Aron leaned close to Na, his voice a low warning. "Remember what I said. Stay back. Don’t get involved, no matter what. Today, the whole family are our employers. That includes you."

Na gave a silent nod, though his eyes remained sharp, scanning the hall with the instincts of a soldier.

It didn’t take long before the attention in the room turned toward Max.

"Oh, it’s Max," Cici said, her voice calm, her gaze shifting briefly to Chad. "And Chad too. Did you two come together?"

Bobo laughed, sharp and dismissive. "Don’t be stupid. Chad wouldn’t be caught dead walking in here with Max." Her words carried the casual cruelty that came so easily to the Stern heirs, designed to sting whether Max reacted or not.

She turned toward Chad, expecting him to smirk and add fuel to the fire. But Chad didn’t. His lips moved, mumbling something no one could catch, and then he walked away, head lowered, choosing silence instead of confrontation.

Cici ignored Bobo’s jab, drifting gracefully across the floor until she stood directly in front of Max. Her smile was soft, though unreadable. "Congratulations on graduating, Max. I hope things are peaceful for you from here on. They don’t need to be stressful, not unless you make them so. From here, it’s up to you."

Max studied her carefully. The last time they’d all gathered, Cici hadn’t defended him when the rest of the family tore into him. But she hadn’t joined them either. Out of all of them, she was the only one who had stood in that middle ground, indifferent, as if she had no desire to pick a side. Neutral. Max made a note of it again.

Then another voice boomed across the hall.

"Come on, Max!"

Donto, broad-shouldered and grinning, strode over with heavy steps. His presence filled the room almost as much as his voice. Max had seen his face before, even on advertisements plastered across social media, proof enough that he was making strides in business already.

But his eyes, sharp and mocking, locked onto Aron instead.

"Do you really have to drag that sorry excuse of a guard everywhere you go?" Donto sneered. "We’re family. You think we’re going to hurt you here? Do you see any of us walking around with guards at our side?"

Max tilted his head, his voice calm. "Is it not allowed? Today is supposed to be my celebration. Shouldn’t I be allowed to bring whoever I want? And besides, " his gaze flicked toward Aron, "Aron is more than a guard. He’s a friend."

For a moment, Donto froze, caught off guard by the retort. It was the first time Max had ever talked back to him so directly.

His grin slipped into a sneer. Reaching out suddenly, he grabbed Max by the chin, tilting his head up. "Getting a little brave, aren’t we? You graduate, and suddenly you think you can talk back to me? It was a joke, cousin. Don’t forget your place."

The grip tightened, fingers pressing into Max’s skin, until it didn’t.

In a blur of motion, Aron stepped forward. His hand shoved into Donto’s stomach with force, sending the larger boy stumbling backward. Donto gasped, his footing breaking as he staggered into a marble pillar. A vase wobbled on its stand before toppling, crashing into the ground in a thousand glittering shards.

The room went still, shock rippling across the heirs.

Aron’s chest rose and fell evenly, his eyes locked on Donto without hesitation. Too many times before, he had failed Max. Too many times, Max had been forced to face threats alone. But not anymore. Aron had made a choice, the kind of choice he wouldn’t turn back from.

Maybe he had forgotten his position, or maybe he finally remembered it with perfect clarity. His duty wasn’t to bow to the Stern family. His duty was to protect Max. Even from his own blood.

From the side of the room, Na crossed his arms, a smirk tugging at his lips. "And he told me to stay back and do nothing," he muttered under his breath.