The Ex-Con Who Conquered the World novel Chapter 120

A menacing glint flashed in Marcus' eyes as he pointed a finger at Stefan. "Tonight's auction is filled with distinguished guests, which is why I'm concerned that some unsavory characters might have slipped in, potentially disrupting the proceedings and negatively impacting the respectable attendees. I have reason to suspect this man is here to cause trouble. As head of security, it's your duty to investigate thoroughly."

Alexander couldn't afford to ignore the warning.

Maintaining order and protecting the guests were his primary responsibilities. If someone with ill intentions had indeed infiltrated the venue, the blame would fall squarely on him.

Yet, he was no fool. Acting rashly without first verifying the man's identity could backfire spectacularly if he happened to offend someone influential.

"Mr. Winter, who is this gentleman?" he asked, addressing Marcus while keeping a wary eye on Stefan.

"Him?" Marcus let out a derisive snort. "That's the notorious Stefan who's been making waves in River City lately. A freshly paroled ex-con who somehow got engaged to a heiress from the Stewart family through sheer luck. Someone like him has no business being at an auction of this caliber. Look into this carefully!"

Satisfied, Alexander turned back to Stefan. The recent rumors swirling around River City had reached his ears, too.

After learning that this was indeed the ex-convict in question, his expression hardened. "Stefan, is it? Your invitation, please. Show it to me."

"Invitation? I don't have one. I came with someone," Stefan replied calmly.

"What? You don't have one?" Alexander was momentarily stunned. He had been racking his brain for a pretext to deal with this man, and here Stefan had handed him the perfect excuse.

A burst of laughter erupted from Marcus.

"Just as I thought! A worthless ex-con like him could never have received an invitation from the Locke family. He clearly snuck in. And his motive isn't hard to guess. Knowing this room is full of wealthy people carrying valuables, he probably planned to do a little 'shopping' once everyone was distracted by the auction," he said, his voice dripping with mockery.

His words sent a ripple of alarm through the small crowd. People instinctively clutched their bags and checked their belongings, the unfavorable preconceptions about a recently released prisoner making them all too ready to believe Marcus' insinuations.

Alexander frowned deeply. The Locke family's auction was an exclusive affair; an invitation was mandatory for entry.

The only exceptions were individuals of immense status and influence—rare figures who needed no invitation and could bring guests at will.

Alexander was not just a Hidden Force Grandmaster; he represented the authority of the Locke family itself.

Most assumed Stefan would back down now, and Marcus was already savoring the anticipated humiliation.

Contrary to expectations, Stefan remained utterly composed. An air of serene, unshakeable confidence seemed to surround him. "You alone aren't enough to teach me anything. Not even a hundred like you could manage that. I'd advise you to stand down, unless you want to embarrass yourself," he stated, his tone even and dismissive.

"Such arrogance!" Alexander roared.

With a surge of hidden force energy, he lunged forward, his hands morphing into vicious claws aimed to seize Stefan in a powerful grappling technique.

The move was swift and fierce, the air whistling sharply around his strike—an attack impossible for an ordinary person to evade.

Yet Stefan didn't even flinch. He stood with his hands clasped calmly behind his back, as if he had already surrendered to his fate.