Chapter 5

Everyone looked in the direction I was pointing.

Seeing that I was pointing at Scarlett herself, they all thought I'd lost my mind.

Even Scarlett was amused by my accusation.

"Madison, do you know what you're saying?"

"I'm Marcus's wife! Me having an affair with him? Does that even make sense?"

Nathaniel also looked at me with utter disgust.

"If I'd known you were such a stupid con artist, I should have let Shadow tear you apart before you even spoke your first word!"

"Take her to the beast arena. Notify the fireworks crew to postpone tonight's fireworks display. I, Mr. Harper, invite everyone to watch a show of human versus beast combat!"

Nathaniel spoke cruelly, and I was dragged toward the beast arena by the bodyguards.

I struggled desperately to explain, but they found me too noisy and gagged me.

Just as I was about to be taken out of the banquet hall, a business card fell from my shirt pocket with a soft sound.

The bodyguards looked closely, and the next second their faces went white with fear. Trembling, they handed the card to Nathaniel.

I also straightened my clothing and told Nathaniel.

"To be honest, my real identity is Chief Securities Analyst for Oceanic International Corporation."

"I came to this family banquet today to evaluate whether the Harper family qualifies for Oceanic International's first investment opportunity domestically..."

"Ha ha ha!" Before I could finish, Marcus was laughing so hard tears came out.

He clutched his stomach, pointing at me.

"Madison, though your con is clumsy, I really admire your imagination."

"First a high-achieving overseas student, now Chief Securities Analyst for Oceanic International."

"Oceanic International is the world's largest financial company. Even a janitor there makes more in a month than you do in a year!"

"You're just a nanny who wipes shit and piss. Stop putting gold on your face! Just go perform in the beast show!"

Scarlett's face also wore mockery as she casually tore up the business card and tossed it in the air.

"I've seen this kind of trick plenty of times. You can't fool people just by randomly printing some business cards."

"Your mouth is too stubborn. Shadow alone might not be enough to handle you."

"Nathaniel, didn't you just buy me a few lions and tigers from Africa as gifts? Why not release them today and let everyone see?"

Nathaniel's gaze fell on the gold-embossed business card on the ground. The special watermark shone in the Smithlight so brightly he could barely open his eyes.

But he still nodded, signaling his subordinates to throw me into the beast arena with the predators.

Lions and tigers that had been starved for days immediately stood up, roaring excitedly at me through the bars.

Marcus grabbed my hair, forcing me to make eye contact with the beasts.

He didn't forget to lower his voice by my ear, speaking in a volume only the two of us could hear.

"Madison, you're very clever. You almost got close to the truth."

"What a pity—you had bad luck. Just be good and let the beasts tear you apart, and no one will discover my secret."

He laughed arrogantly, raising his hand to signal the bodyguards to lift the bars.

I watched helplessly as the bars were slowly raised.

Death was only one step away from me.

Just as the entire barrier was about to be opened, a hearty laugh suddenly rang out from outside the door.

"Mr. Harper, congratulations on your great-grandson!"

Seeing that it was the U.S. representative from Germany's Oceanic Corporation, Nathaniel's eyes lit up, and he enthusiastically invited the man to sit and watch the beast show.

But when the man's gaze fell on my disheveled appearance in the beast arena, his expression changed dramatically. He rushed into the arena regardless of everything, shielding me with his body.