(Chapter 137) The Big Announcement

"WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE!? Hitting my daughter like that! You should be..." Mrs. Diter ran up screaming in hysterics to Astrid and Lewis with tears in her eyes...

But she was promptly quietened. Winoa had already moved down to where Leah was lying and had stuffed Mrs. Diter's mouth with a cloth. "Impertinence to my Misstress will not be tolerated." Winoa's voice was ice cold. As the disguised waiters came out to get Mrs. Diter and Leah out of the building.

"..." Mr. Diter was silent, he knew it was over now. His dreams of expansion, his daughter had been feeding him false information... Now the humiliation he had faced today will haunt him forever.

"Mm, smart choice. I'll be more careful around your daughter Mr. Diter, who knows what she may plan... Oh, and also your wife had been seen shopping for some male jewelry recently... But I'm sure you don't wear anything apart from that watch no? Oops... I said too much." Astrid spoke with a smile, but everything she said was daggers to Mr. Diter's heart.

Mr. Diter left with his head hung, while Mrs. Diter struggled and Leah had to be carried outside. The guests couldn't feel any more uncomfortable right now.

"Hmm, I guess I made a mistake in getting angry. Please excuse me for my behavior earlier. I have a few words to say quickly." Astrid started to speak louder, as she walked up to the stage.

The men in the hall didn't dare breathe, they were businessmen for many years, but they felt the enormous pressure that the model-like woman was putting out. And the performance from earlier... None of them saw her move her fist, so they were silenced into fear.

Not only were they put into a state of fear, but so was Louise. One would need to be a fool to not be able to see how defensive Astrid was of Lewis. And she easily recognized Astrid to be the same woman who she had seen before...

She started to backtrack what she said on that day, but the more she thought back. The more nervous she got... She couldn't remember if she said she had a crush on Lewis or not! But she knew she made fun of this 'poor' woman, even though she seemed to be richer than her family doubled...

Zenith felt a spark of fear go through her as well, but then a slight chuckle came out of her mouth. 'It will only take unorthodox methods... She would expect no one to act after today, so...' Zenith then went back to the bathroom...

Astrid walked up the stage and was followed by Lewis, her family, and Winoa and Moustof.

"Well... Good evening everyone. I'm quite happy that everyone accepted the invites from myself, Lewis. Or my personal assistant. Now I'm sure you all are wondering what this banquet is for, and that is very simple." Astrid smiled as she went into her blazer pocket, and pulled out a document.

"As you can see on the projector behind me, I am the daughter of Howard Tuhs, and Siccily Tuhs. Or better known as Sicciliy Urzhokov, a direct descendant of the royal Russian line. Beside my mother is my aunt. Veronica. Obviously, beside me is Lewis Guilliano. I'm sure you know of him." Astrid casually spoke as someone within the crowd had a deep smile.

Astrid locked eyes with the man and nodded. "Now... Hanxi has an important business announcement to make, if the shareholders would like to come up please." Astrid announced as 4 selected shareholders started to walk up the stage.

*Cough* "As per the documents in my hands, Hanxi has been under my control for a few years now. This was a quiet deal made between me and my father, where I would take over the business. But you may ask, if I'm only the chairman of Hanxi, how did I get into contact with so many varying businesses? Well, I'm glad you would ask that. Winoa, if you would please." Astrid pulled aside as Winoa put a thick sheet of paper under the projector.

"The names of the people are the CEO's of some major companies across the world which my mistress holds a chairman position and holds 51% or higher shares. The CEO's you spoke to and met with were all trained under the premise of being proxies. That is written in their contracts to work under my mistress." Winoa spoke calmly as the projector screen showed everything on the pieces of paper.

Not only were the guests surprised, but so were Mr. and Mrs. Tuhs! They were stunned at how many big companies Astrid had under control, some were even in direct competition of each other! But Old Master Guilliano was the most shocked.

Why? It was because he never expected to be such a massive profit turnover on some of her businesses. It was unimaginable how much money Astrid was making per year. And based on her attitude and the earlier showing, he was sure Astrid also laid in the dark sides of business as well...

Some of the guests muttered, but most were stunned. They had no idea what to say, such a young woman managed to control so many business proxies. She must have been a monster!

"With that, I have an announcement from Hanxi. We will be initiating a new business proposal, those interested must give my secretaries an acceptable proposition to be considered partnering. I can't tell any details unless under a non-disclosure agreement. But I can confirm that the Guilliano businesses will profit with the proposal, and that even Mr. Bagna is invited to invest and share in the profits." Astrid revealed, making many of the guests excited at her speech.

"This I can confirm." Lewis then started to speak, in which his colder tone softened slightly, since he was in Astrid's presence...

"But, there is also another announcement we wish to make." Lewis then suddenly said, as he went to hold Astrid's hand.

"We are in a relationship. To be exact, I'm waiting for a proposal from him, but I'm sure with the Old Master so desperate for his grandson to be married, that will be no problem right?" Astrid said with a suggestive smile. Making the hall drop dead in silence.

*Cough* Old Master Guilliano simply coughed his embarrassment away. He now realized that he had been played by Mr. Tuhs. Since he already acknowledged Astrid... He would have no qualms with anything whatsoever.

"Wow. I thought she would want to keep quiet... I guess she doesn't want to deal with any pests." Carmin mumbled under his breath. He had felt he learned some about Astrid's character, but he didn't think they would go public with a relationship like this.

'Wait, public?' Carmin widened his eyes, this banquet hall didn't have any paparazzi right? There were a few directors and actors inside, above all, massive public business figures...

That was when it hit the Old Master, looking at Astrid's suit. It clearly had a pattern ingrained in red, but it seemed to be cut off into half... The mark on Lewis's blazer in red seemed to be the other half...

"Anyway, I shall also reveal that there is another member of the Tuhs family who can't make it tonight. But I wouldn't worry, in a few years she will also come into the limelight on her decision... If she doesn't want to, then that is her decision." Astrid revealed with a lazy smile, locking eyes with the smirking man in the crowd.

"With all that said, I believe the last thing to say is about our heritage. The return of the Russian nobility will happen. However, it will all be a figure of power. To the businessmen in the crowd, I know none of your are stupid. Being connected to Russian nobility with power across the world apart from America... The number of benefits would be immense no?" Astrid said as she slightly chuckled. As Mr. and Mrs. Tuhs looked at her with a confused look.

Lewis's face turned somber. "The Urzhokov family will return. From tonight forth, the Tuhs family will be no more. Only the Tuhs-Urzhokov family. And I here declare that when we marry, I will be double-barreling my name to Guilliano-Urzhokov." Lewis revealed causing a tear to swell in Veronica's eye.

Mrs. Guilliano smiled and the Old Master just nodded. They weren't against the decision, it would be an honor for their family to carry royal lineage, but also it was Lewis's decision.

"Ah, with that, the announcements from us are over. I will let our shareholders take over for some information on the business deal. If you have any questions make sure to go through the proper channels, I don't care for people thinking they can skip the queue." Astrid said as she took a light bow and walked off the stage with Lewis.

"Woah... I certainly felt that one." Leone muttered, he was to the side with Francesca. He had bare basics of what would be happening, but to think Astrid would be announcing to the world her identity and the fact she was of royal lineage was very overwhelming.

Francesca smiled. They knew this announcement would end up on global-wide news. All because of Astrid's plan... And that she knew who would be getting a recording of this first...