Seeing the silence, Alexander slowly walked over to Ryder, leisurely explaining.
"For low-grade projects, like ordinary residential buildings, the kind of cement you brought is sufficient. However, for major projects, industrial structures, bridges, high-rise buildings, you need premium-grade cement with better load-bearing capacity, higher durability, and suitability for heavy structural demands…"
Alexander explained with a string of technical terms, and Ryder's surprised expression gradually shifted to one of pallor. In the end, even the faint smile on Ryder's lips nearly vanished completely.
"If you've already gone through the trouble of researching a gift, then don't give something of such low quality."
Alexander continued slowly, emphasizing each word.
"And before you decide to use this way to humiliate me, you should at least bother to do your research properly, instead of handling everything so carelessly."
"Otherwise, the one being laughed at won't be me. It'll be you."
Hearing Alexander's words, a man standing nearby couldn't help but burst out laughing. Realizing that everyone's eyes had suddenly turned to him, he hurriedly covered his mouth, though his shoulders were still trembling.
Several others also lowered their heads, faces slightly flushed as they tried to stifle their laughter.
"Alexander, are you calling me ignorant?"
Being mocked made Ryder both flustered and ashamed, humiliation twisting into anger as he raised his voice. He had intended to use this trick to ridicule Alexander, yet instead he had been caught off guard by his own scheme.
He glared fiercely at Alexander, eyes burning with hatred, his voice sharp and grating. But Alexander simply shrugged with calm indifference.
"I would never mean that, Ryder. I'm only kindly explaining things so you can understand."
"I merely wondered whether you always do everything this carelessly."
"If that's the case, then I understand why our grandfather never entrusted the Knight family's assets, Starluxe Entertainment, to you and waited until I was found to hand them over to me."
Alexander spoke slowly, his tone even yet cutting with cold mockery. Ryder's face flushed red, then drained pale, shifting colors like a paint palette.
"Well then, have your security take these half-hearted things away."
"I don't need such mediocre quality."
Alexander said lightly, almost leisurely, emphasizing that such things were far more fitting for Ryder.
"Damn it, what the hell are you saying?"
"Who gave you the right to insult me? You bastard!"
At last, Alexander's mockery pushed Ryder beyond his limit. He lunged toward Alexander, raising his right hand to strike him, but Alexander effortlessly caught it.
With just a light exertion of strength, Alexander immobilized Ryder's arm, gripping it so tightly Ryder couldn't move, forcing a pained scream from him.
"What do you think you're doing, Ryder? We're having a civil conversation, why resort to violence?"
Alexander asked with a cold smile, looking down at Ryder from above. Then, using force, he flung Ryder's arm away, sending him stumbling backward and crashing to the floor.
With a heavy thud, Ryder's right hand slammed against the ground, pain shooting through him.
"Take Ryder out of the banquet hall. He's enraged to the point of losing control."
"Don't let him embarrass the Knight family."
Alexander lazily waved his hand as he gave the order to the guards nearby. They immediately obeyed, stepping forward. Lifting Ryder off the ground with ease, they dragged him across the luxurious hall in a pitiful state.
"Damn it, let me go!"
"Who allowed you to treat me like this?"
"You idiots really follow Alexander's orders?"
Ryder, completely unhinged, screamed and thrashed wildly, his voice shrill enough to make those around him frown.
Alexander stood calmly, then nonchalantly instructed Ryder's own security to clear away the pile of cement bags on the floor.
"Take them back to wherever you dragged them from."
His icy voice echoed through the hall, leaving no room for argument.
The commotion, for now, was over.
…
The following day,
Alexander could already imagine how turbulent the public opinion would be.
One side praised him, lauding his calm and noble demeanor, his swift and decisive handling of the situation.
The other side hurled curses at Ryder, condemning him as ignorant and ill-mannered.
A flood of newspaper articles and headline news swept through the upper-class circle, shaking the elite world and forcing everyone to learn of Alexander's newly revealed identity.
Of course, that public opinion was also orchestrated by William.
"All right, Alex. Prepare yourself and come to the company with me today," William said seriously as he calmly adjusted his shirt.
Alexander blinked, momentarily taken aback.
"Grandfather, didn't you say I would only start running the group next week?"
William merely gave a faint smile.
"That's true. But your performance was excellent, so I'll let you take over the group earlier."
"Today is the annual board meeting. All the shareholders will be present."
"Today, I'll introduce you as the new CEO of Starluxe Entertainment."
William spoke in an even, composed tone, yet Alexander's heart surged with emotion. He maintained a calm smile, softly thanked him, and then stood up together with William.
Naturally, William's personal assistant, Denis, accompanied them as well.
Their private driver, Rogue, drove the three of them to Starluxe Entertainment.
Upon arrival, the luxurious scene inside the building still left Alexander slightly overwhelmed.
The group was headquartered in a massive, well-known building in the city, its opulence evident even from the outside.
An exceptionally prime location.
"Young Master, at present, Starluxe Entertainment is focusing on expanding…"
As they walked along, Denis enthusiastically briefed Alexander on the company's current key projects as well as its recent development goals. Alexander simply nodded calmly, doing his best to commit everything to memory.
Finally, they stopped in front of the conference room doors.
"Are you ready, my grandson?"
William turned his head to look at Alexander and asked in a measured tone.
Alexander let out a soft smile.
"Very ready, my grandfather."
William nodded in satisfaction.
Then Denis opened the doors, and the two of them stepped together into the crowded conference room.