Clap...Clap... clap... clap...

The applause slowly faded after Aiden’s speech. Soft classical music began playing once again throughout the Grand Aurora Hall while waiters moved between the guests carrying drinks and expensive desserts. The atmosphere became lively. Businessmen resumed conversations and investors discussed partnerships. Employees laughed together proudly after hearing Aiden’s speech.

Near one side of the hall, Toma stood beside Mr.Nobody while looking toward the crowd.

Then....

Aiden finally walked toward them after finishing conversations with several guests. He loosened his tie slightly and let out a breath. "Well...?" he asked.

Toma tilted her head innocently. "Well what?"

Aiden narrowed his eyes slightly. "My speech."

Toma immediately smiled teasingly. "Ohhh... look who’s here." She placed a hand dramatically over her chest."The great leader of Nathan Industries. Aiden Sullivan himself."

Aiden sighed instantly,"Will you stop making fun of me?"

Toma laughed softly. "Sorry, sorry. I was kidding."

Nobody crossed his arms while nodding seriously. "Not gonna lie though, bro..." He pointed toward Aiden. "You actually looked cool up there."

Aiden blinked slightly. "Cool?"

"Yeah." Nobody shrugged. "You really gave off that ’main character CEO’ energy."

Toma laughed again.

Aiden shook his head helplessly. "You two are impossible." Then his expression softened slightly. "But thanks."

For a moment, he looked around the massive hall quietly. "It wasn’t easy building all this." His voice became calmer."There were years where the company almost collapsed."

Toma listened quietly.

Aiden continued, "My father and the older executives sacrificed a lot to keep Nathan Industries alive. Even after I joined, things weren’t magically fixed." He gave a small bitter smile. "There were lawsuits. Rival companies. Financial losses."

Nobody listened carefully.

Aiden rarely talked seriously like this. "We had to work endlessly to make the company what it is today."

Toma smiled softly, "You did well, Aidi."

Aiden looked slightly embarrassed hearing that directly. Then he cleared his throat. "Anyway..." He pointed toward the drinks table. "I’m gonna grab some juice."

Nobody immediately raised a finger. "Bring me food if possible."

"You already ate half the dessert table," Aiden said

"That accusation lacks evidence." Nobody said.

Toma covered her mouth trying not to laugh.

Aiden shook his head while chuckling. "Unbelievable." Then he walked away into the crowd.

As soon as he left....

Nobody looked at us and said,"Huh... guys it seems Aiden is getting more character development than before. Maybe the higher being has finally realised he had made Aiden too arrogant at first."

Toma asked Nobody," Who are you talking to?"

Nobody with a blush in his cheeks with embarrassment, said," Uhh... its nothing."

Toma looked with confusion.

Aiden poured himself a glass of juice quietly. His expression had finally relaxed slightly after the speech.

Then....

A calm voice appeared beside him. "You seem happy tonight."

Aiden’s eyes sharpened instantly. He turned.

Mr.Kuroda stood there calmly holding a wine glass. The older man wore the same unreadable smile from earlier.

Aiden answered coldly,"Why wouldn’t I be?"

Kuroda swirled the drink slowly inside his glass. "Your company’s anniversary event turned out successfully."

Aiden remained silent.

Then Kuroda added quietly,"I wonder though..." His eyes shifted slightly toward Toma in the distance. "...whether your company is more important to you than your precious friend."

Aiden froze. The atmosphere changed instantly. His gaze hardened dangerously. "What do you mean?"

Kuroda smiled faintly. "Aiden...Aiden...." He took a small sip from his glass. "You already know what I mean."

Aiden’s fists tightened.

Instantly....

The memory of Toma’s kidnapping flashed through his mind. For weeks, he had suspected Mirai Corporation’s involvement.

But he never had proof.

Now....

Kuroda’s words almost confirmed it. He doubts turned to belief.

Aiden stepped forward sharply. "You bastard."

Before anyone nearby could react....

Aiden grabbed Kuroda by the collar and tie aggressively.

Several nearby guests gasped. "Aiden!"

Kuroda looked completely calm despite being grabbed.

In fact....

He looked amused. "Oh?" A sinister smile slowly formed on his face. "So the young CEO finally loses control."

Aiden’s voice trembled with anger. "You think this is funny?!"

Kuroda leaned slightly closer. "Go ahead then." His smile widened. "Show everyone how immature Nathan Industries’ CEO really is."

Aiden’s blood boiled, "I’M GONNA FUC***** KILL YOU!!"

The pressure around them became heavy enough that nearby conversations slowly stopped.

People started noticing. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

On the other side of the hall....

Toma widened her eyes. "Aiden?!"

Nobody immediately noticed the dangerous atmosphere. "Oh hell nahh..." He quickly grabbed a nearby glass of juice. "Things are getting out of hand."

Toma looked worried. "What’s happening?"

"Narrative conflict," Nobody muttered automatically.

"What?" Toma asked.

"Nothing," Nobody replied.

Meanwhile....

Kuroda kept provoking Aiden calmly. "Interesting." He smirked. "So emotional over one girl."

Aiden’s grip tightened harder. "You really are trash."

"And you’re predictable like a child," Kuruda replied.

The tension reached its peak....

Then suddenly....

Splash!

Cold juice spilled directly onto Kuroda’s expensive leather shoes. The old man froze.

Everyone looked downward.

Nobody stood there awkwardly holding the empty glass. "Oops."

Kuroda slowly looked up. His expression twitched. "MY SHOES!!"

Nobody blinked innocently,"My hand slipped."

Kuroda’s eye twitched harder. "These shoes cost ten thousand dollars!"

Nobody looked genuinely shocked. "Ten thou..." He looked at the shoes again. "...For feet?"

Aiden instantly looked away trying not to laugh. Toma covered her mouth.

Kuroda stared in disbelief. "You idiot."

Nobody scratched his head awkwardly. "Sorry?"

Then....

Very subtly....Nobody winked toward Aiden. Aiden froze for a second. Then suddenly chuckled.

Kuroda noticed immediately. His irritation grew even worse. "Who the hell are you exactly?"

Nobody straightened slightly. "Aah..." He pointed at himself calmly. "I’m Nobody."

Kuroda stared blankly. "...What?"

"Nobody."

"...That’s not a real answer."

"It unfortunately is."

Aiden finally burst out laughing quietly. Then he looked at Kuroda and said,"Welcome to the world of Nobody."

Kuroda looked completely annoyed now. "This banquet keeps getting more ridiculous."

He adjusted his tie sharply. Then glared at both of them one last time. "This conversation isn’t over."

Aiden’s smile disappeared instantly. Kuroda turned and walked away through the crowd. The atmosphere slowly relaxed again. Nearby guests resumed talking after realizing the situation had ended.

Toma finally exhaled deeply. "That almost became a disaster."

Nobody nodded seriously. "Rich people are terrifying."

Aiden rubbed his forehead tiredly.

For a moment, none of them spoke.

Then Nobody looked toward him. "What actually happened?"

Aiden stayed silent briefly. His eyes remained fixed toward the direction Kuroda left. "How can someone fall that low..." he muttered quietly.

Nobody’s expression softened slightly. "Aiden?"

Aiden immediately shook his head. "...It’s nothing."

But both Toma and Nobody could tell....

It definitely wasn’t nothing.