Rise Of The Disgraced Heir

Ian soon realized that memorizing the list was not as difficult as he had initially thought. Many of those on the list were people he had met in the past or he had heard others gossip about.

He was disappointed to find out that a majority of the people invited were from newer families. Ian had somewhat expected that tonight's event would have mostly members of old families. Those that had helped build the city from the ground up.

Unfortunately, it was quite rare for those people to gather together.

"Times up." Marco said as he looked at the watch on his wrist. "I hope you memorized as much as you could. The guests will be arriving in a few minutes and Mr. Reyes will most likely want to have a word with us."

Ian and Camilla nodded as they placed the dossiers down on the table.

"Let's go." Marco said as he got up and led them out of the room.

"Did you manage to memorize them?" Camilla whispered as they walked down the hallway they had come through earlier.

The hallway was now abuzz with activity, several maids and butlers walked through the hallway making sure everything was in order.

Some were even wiping the fixtures and making sure all of the portraits in the hall were in order.

"Yeah, I memorized them." Ian said. "I've met many of them and for the others I have heard of them. Of course, I doubt anyone on that list would remember me."

"There are so many bigshots coming over for dinner." Camilla whispered.

"It's to be expected." Ian said flatly. "I mean it's the Reyes Family, everyone will flock just to catch a glimpse of this mansion, let along to wine and dine with the Reyeses."

"You have a point." Camilla said with a nod as they began to ascend an elaborate staircase at the entrance of the house.

"I expect both of you to be on your best behavior." Marco warned as they reached the top of the staircase. "This is your first event, so behave appropriately, and do not lose your temper." As he gave his warning about their temper he looked directly at Ian.

Ian was well aware he had anger issues, something he believed was associated with all the pain and suffering he had to live through.

It wasn't easy falling from the top of both the social and economic pyramid.

When his family lost it all he didn't just have to struggle with finances, he had to struggle with a lot more.

People who he thought were his friends turned their backs on him, some even tried to bully him. But Ian was tough, he wouldn't let people step on him, so he worked tirelessly to fight them.

It was from then on that he started to get easily triggered, getting angry at the slightest things.

"Ian!" Marco called out, pulling Ian back to reality.

"Yes, sorry about that, I got distracted." Ian said as he apologized.

"Don't let that happen again tonight." Marco warned. "You need to give your full attention. If we miss any detail that the CEO may need then we will have a problem. Also if the guests think you are not paying attention to them they will find it offensive."

"Sensitive snobs." Ian hissed.

"Keep your opinions to yourself tonight, Mr. Lim." Marco warned.

Ian simply nodded and apologized, he hadn't meant to say it out loud. Marco was right he needed to be one hundred percent mentally present tonight.

Ian and Camilla walked wordlessly behind Marco as he led them Mr. Reyes' office on the second floor.

When they reached two large oak doors, Marco stopped and knocked.

"Come in." Emilio Reyes called from the inside.

Marco pushed the door and let the three of them in.

Inside there were four other members of the Reyes Family sitting in various spots all over the room.

Ian and Camilla recognized all of them except for a woman seated on the couch.

She looked to be a little bit younger than Emilio Reyes, but she carried the same regal air. She sat elegantly as she read through a document in her hands.

"Have they studied the list of the guests?" Emilio Reyes asked Marco from behind his desk.

"Yes." Marco said with a nod.

"Good." Emilio Reyes said with a nod.

"Dad, what about this one?" A young woman in a navy blue dress asked as she got up and walked over to Emilio Reyes.

Ian recognized her to be Ayanna Reyes, the CEO's daughter. He had met her a few times with their most recent encounter being at the lobby of the Reyes Group.

"Interesting. . ." Emilio Reyes said as he looked through the documents.

"Ian." Emilio Reyes called out, making Ian stand in attention.

Ian caught as both Camilla and Ayanna laughed at his reaction.

"Calm down Ian and come over here." Emilio Reyes ordered, to which Ian dutifully followed and walked to Emilio's desk.

"Are you familiar with them?" Emilio Reyes asked as he pointed at a name on the document.

It was for a piece of property located in the business district of the capital. It was owned by Derrick Lopez.

"I am familiar with them." Ian said with a nod.

"Good, this is why I hired you." Emilio Reyes said as he smiled. "What is the latest gossip about them?" He asked, shocking Ian.

"I'm sorry sir, but what?" Ian asked, he was so confused that he wasn't sure if he heard things right.

"One of the easiest ways to find out someone's deep dark secret is through gossip." Emilio Reyes said in a confident tone.

"Not always." The elegant woman on the couch said.

"But my love, I can't launch a full blown investigation now, it will take too long." Emilio Reyes reasoned in a sweet tone.

It led Ian to conclude that the woman on the couch was none other than Emilio Reyes' mysterious wife.