Craved by the Wrong Volkov-Chapter 248: war declaration

Braelyn’s POV

The summit continued as the delegate from New Horizon gave his speech. He stood in front of so many figures without the smallest bit of fear.

The summit hall did not return to normal after the award announcement. Everyone was buzzing with a strange excitement. Some still held their curiosity about Lucien’s entrance.

The room was elegant, suiting the event despite the tension. Crystal chandeliers glowed warmly from the high ceiling, spreading their golden light and reflecting off polished marble floors and glass-paneled walls that overlooked the city skyline.

Several round tables draped in deep navy linen filled the vast room, each marked with sleek nameplates and company insignias. Waiters moved quietly along the edges like shadows, refilling glasses no one was drinking from. The waiters knew these people were the ones who held the power in the business world.

But the elegance felt strained now.

An undeniable tension had settled over the audience like the air before a thunderstorm. Conversations were quieter, laughter sounded forced, and many eyes drifted again and again toward the New Horizon section behind Volkov Apex.

Braelyn sat stiffly in her chair, hands folded in her lap, her pulse still unsteady from everything that had just happened beside her.

On stage, the New Horizon delegate adjusted the microphone.

He looked to be in his mid-forties, with faint lines around his eyes and streaks of grey at his temples that spoke more of stress than age. His suit was well-fitted but not flashy, suited for his position.

His posture was straight. His expression was composed despite being before a formidable crowd, but there was something in his expression that betrayed emotion: a deeply rooted, hard-earned pride.

Today he was standing before a crowd that, four years ago, it would have seemed impossible. This was not a man who had joined New Horizon at its peak. This was someone who had survived its lowest days.

Four years ago, he had been part of a sinking ship: an overlooked company bleeding resources, ignored by investors, dismissed by competitors. Most employees had left when the collapse seemed inevitable.

He had stayed. Then Killian Orlov had appeared.

Killian had bought the company when no one else saw value in it, restructured it piece by piece, flushed the staff who were the problem, survived, and watched as Killian turned what had once been a failing firm into a rising force that now had industry giants watching their backs.

A small company had become a problem for Volkov Apex. The man on stage carried that history in the way his voice didn’t tremble.

"It is an honour to stand here tonight," he began, his tone steady but filled with restrained pride. "On behalf of our CEO, who unfortunately could not be here due to personal reasons, I accept this award with deep gratitude."

Braelyn almost rolled her eyes at that. Personal reasons, she repeated in her head—more like narcissistic reasons. She felt like snickering.

Beside her, the real culprit of that excuse sat back in his chair, long fingers resting lazily on the armrest. Lucien’s expression was calm, unreadable, as if he were listening to a weather report instead of a speech written in his shadow.

The delegate continued.

"Four years ago, New Horizon was a company people had already given up on. We were a small, struggling company which was easy to overlook, but our CEO saw potential where others saw loss. He believed in us when no one else did."

A murmur of approval rippled through parts of the audience.

"He didn’t just invest money. He invested vision, direction, discipline, and because of that, a company that once fought just to stay alive now stands here recognised among industry leaders."

More applause followed, warmer this time, filled with adoration.

Braelyn felt it too, that reluctant flicker of admiration. Whoever Killian Orlov truly was... he had built something real.

"We are also grateful to the summit committee for this recognition," the man said, offering a respectful nod toward the organisers. "And to the investors who trusted us when trusting us was a risk."

His eyes swept briefly across the hall as his smile shifted to something sharp, with a subtle, malicious hint. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"In our growth, we learned something important," he went on smoothly. "Size is not always strength. And history does not guarantee the future."

Several heads turned. Raphael’s jaw tightened almost imperceptibly. Lucien didn’t move; his gaze sharpened. The good part was about to start. Although indirect, everyone knew he was talking about Volkov Apex.

"Sometimes," the delegate added lightly, "the largest giants forget to watch their feet... and overlook what’s moving below them."

A few quiet chuckles echoed from distant tables. Braelyn felt the shift like a drop in temperature.

"And so," the man concluded, voice calm but edged with quiet challenge, "on behalf of our CEO, I leave you with his message."

He paused. The hall stilled, as if everyone were holding their breath.

"New Horizon is not afraid of titans. After all... even an elephant can be unsettled by a mouse."

The words landed like glass shattering in a silent room. Gasps exploded; eyes drifted toward the Volkov Apex delegates. In so many eyes, no one had dared challenge the titan. New Horizon had been attacking Volkov Apex, but it wasn’t out in the open. People knew in rumours.

Braelyn’s fingers tightened in her lap. Raphael’s agitation rolled off him in waves now, his controlled expression stretched thin. He understood exactly what had just happened.

That wasn’t a speech. That was a declaration. And beside her, Lucien remained perfectly still; his posture remained relaxed, his gaze locked forward with an unreadable expression, like he wasn’t involved.

The delegate bowed his head slightly. "Thank you for this honour," then he stepped away from the microphone.

The applause that followed was loud, the kind people used when they didn’t know how else to react, but it felt like mockery to Volkov Apex.

As the man returned to his seat, which happened to be directly behind Volkov Apex, he slowed just slightly. His gaze brushed over the Volkov Apex delegates.

He offered them a polite smile, but it wasn’t friendly. It was a challenge.

Around them, the hall buzzed, whispers spreading like wildfire. Some were impressed. Some were scandalised. Most were simply stunned that a company like New Horizon had just thrown a public punch at an industry titan.

Did they really understand what they were provoking? No one noticed Lucien then.

No one saw the faint, satisfied curve that touched the corner of his lips before it disappeared.

This was just the beginning.