Chapter 28 – The Truth of Blood and Shadows

The air in the grand hall thickened with tension. The music had stopped. The chatter had died. All eyes were on Haruto and the mysterious man standing before him.

He wasn't a mirror of Haruto. His features were different. He was taller, leaner, with sharp eyes that carried the weight of experience. His presence wasn't as suffocating as Haruto's, but it had an undeniable authority.

" I am your brother Haruto"

Haruto remained seated on his throne, his expression unreadable. But his golden eyes burned with cold amusement.

His family was frozen. His father. Hemari. Hemari's mother.

And then the man spoke.

"Father is summoning you." His voice was deep, unshaken.

The words echoed like a thunderclap in the silent hall.

Haruto didn't flinch.

His real father. The man who had abandoned him. The man who had lived in the shadows while he built his own empire with his own hands.

Haruto knew exactly who he was.

And he had no intention of ever acknowledging him.

Then the man added:

"Not the man beside you. He is not your real father "

A wave of shock hit the room

Haruto's golden eyes narrowed, his lips curling into a dangerous grin. "Oh?"

The man's gaze was unwavering.

"Your real father is—"

A gunshot.

The sound ripped through the air.

Before anyone could react, Haruto moved.

In a blur, he was on his feet. His gun was aimed at the man's forehead.

The crowd gasped.

Satsuki licked her lips. Takashi grinned.

Haruto's voice was calm. "I don't like riddles. Don't Say his name."

The man didn't even flinch. His eyes burned with the same fire as Haruto's.

And then… he smiled.

"You already know."

Silence.

Haruto's gun didn't waver. His finger hovered over the trigger.

And then—laughter.

Haruto chuckled. Then he laughed louder. A deep, cruel, knowing laugh.

The entire hall stood still, watching the scene unfold.

And then Haruto lowered the gun.

He stepped closer to the man, invading his space. His golden eyes gleamed with something unreadable.

"Tell him… I'll come when I feel like it."

The man's smile didn't fade. "He said you'd say that."**

He turned and began walking away.

Before he left, he turned back one last time and said:

"And Haruto… Happy Birthday."

Then he was gone.

The hall remained silent.

Haruto's father—no, the man who raised him—stood frozen, his hands trembling.

Hemari reached out. "Haruto…"

But Haruto turned his back to all of them.

He walked back to his throne. Sat down. Crossed his legs.

Then, he smiled.

"Well, that was entertaining."

And just like that, the celebration continued.

As if nothing had happened.

But deep down… Haruto knew.

The past was catching up.

And he was ready.

To be continued…