"What is the meaning of this?!" Arthur Livingston roared, stepping into the center aisle as his glass of scotch sloshed violently over his hands. His face was purple with rage as he pointed a trembling finger toward Kovacs and Aliya. "Security! Where are the rest of the guards?! Who let this baseline lunatic into my son's venue?!"
"Did you just call my sister a baseline lunatic, Arthur?"
The voice was neither loud nor rushed, but the absolute, freezing authority behind it made every voice in the Grand Hall die down instantly.
Jake Rivers stood up smoothly from the second row of the alumni section, unbuttoning his charcoal suit jacket. Beside him, Elias—Jake's chief bodyguard—stepped directly into the main aisle, his broad frame blocking any potential path toward the stage.
Jake walked leisurely out of the row, his expression placid, but his dark eyes carrying a flat, dangerous intensity that made the surrounding air feel stifling.
