From Bullets To Billions novel Chapter 325

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?"

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