Chapter 367: Chapter 366: Introductions

Rex slipped the Ferrari’s key into the valet’s hand, his movements smooth, casual, like he’d done this a thousand times. The valet almost bowed from the waist, treating the keys like they were made of solid gold.

The valet practically jogged to Rex’s door, posture snapping straighter than a cadet under inspection. When Rex handed over the Ferrari SP3 Daytona’s key, the man accepted it with two hands, like receiving a sacred artifact. The car itself drew glances, of course, this was the Biltmore Los Angeles, where expensive cars were as common as bottled water, but a Daytona SR3? That was an S-tier drop, the kind of limited-edition beast that made even seasoned collectors twitch with envy.

And the driver? Well, the driver strolled toward the Sterling family, who had already spotted him. Their faces carried a range of expressions... curiosity, caution, subtle calculation... but above all, gratitude.

And then... chaos, well a mini chaos.

Before anyone could deliver a single polished line of greeting, Arabella launched herself forward like a pint-sized missile.

"—?!"

Rex barely had time to blink before she was airborne. His reflexes kicked in on instinct, arms snapping open. She landed in his grasp with surprising weight, her little giggles filling the air. If he hadn’t reacted fast enough, it would’ve been a very un-glamorous scene: her forehead smacking into his stomach like a failed comedy sketch.

"Brother, you’re finally here!" Arabella declared, clinging to him like a koala. Her big eyes sparkled as she added, "Arabella has been waiting forever and ever!"

Rex chuckled, adjusting her easily in his arms. "Forever and ever? That sounds serious. If I’d known, I would’ve flown straight here." He lowered his voice in mock drama. "Maybe even hijacked the plane myself."

She gasped theatrically. "You can fly planes too?"

"Of course," Rex replied with a straight face. "Didn’t your mother tell you? I’m secretly a superhero. My day job is well... just eating fancy dinners."

Arabella squinted at him, suspicious, then broke into giggles. "Liar! Superheroes don’t wear suits!"

"They do now. It’s called an upgrade. Even superheroes need to look stylish. Gone are the times when superheroes needed to wear their underwear outside"

Her mischievous grin widened. Rex realized quickly that the quiet, timid girl he’d met before was a temporary version, shaken by the accident. In reality, Arabella was bold, cheeky, and far too clever for her age. She fired back with playful jabs, clinging to him like they’d known each other for years.

Behind them, the Sterling family exchanged glances. The sight of Arabella’s unrestrained joy clearly softened their formal expressions.

Vivienne stepped forward first, relief in her eyes as she said, "Thank you for coming, Rex." Her tone was warm, touched with sincerity. Then, with composed dignity, she introduced him to her family.

"This is my mother, Eleanor."

The older woman stepped forward with the kind of poise money couldn’t buy. Her hair was silvering at the edges, pinned neatly, her dress elegant but not loud. She wasn’t wrapped in diamonds or screaming for attention, yet people instinctively straightened their backs in her presence. The kind of woman who could walk into a room full of socialites and have everyone behaving like schoolchildren in church.

Rex inclined his head politely. Eleanor’s eyes softened, studying him for a moment longer than expected. There was no sizing up, no cold calculation... just the quiet intensity of a mother who had nearly lost her child. Finally, she let out a small breath and spoke, her voice gentle but carrying more weight than any jewel she could’ve worn.

"Thank you, child... for saving our little doll," she said, the words trembling at the edges before smoothing into a smile. "You don’t know how precious she is to us. I–I... I don’t know what I would’ve done if something happened to her."

Her composure held, but for a heartbeat, Rex caught the flicker of raw fear that only parents knew.

He scratched the back of his neck, a little awkward in the face of such naked sincerity. "You don’t have to thank me like that. Honestly, anyone in my place would’ve done the same."

Eleanor tilted her head, the smile turning knowing, almost teasing. "Maybe. But she didn’t cling to ’anyone,’ did she?" She nodded toward Arabella, who was still latched onto Rex like a stubborn koala.

Arabella giggled at the jab, hugging him tighter as if to prove her mother’s point. "See! I told you, Brother Rex is different!"

The bystanders watching this exchange practically combusted. Here was Eleanor Sterling... the woman people described in whispers as regal, untouchable, smiling warmly and calling some unknown young man child, her tone carrying gratitude so personal it almost felt too private to witness.

Vivienne continued. "And my father, Henry Sterling."

Now this was a figure who looked like he belonged in the old portraits of powerful men. Silver at the temples, tailored suit cut to perfection, posture so straight it made Rex wonder if the man had ever once slouched in his life. The kind of guy who could silence a boardroom with a single cough.

But when he extended his hand to Rex, the gravitas melted. His handshake was firm, steady, but his smile had the warmth of a grandfather next door. "You must be Rex," Henry said, voice deep but not intimidating. "I’ve heard a lot about you... though not nearly enough, it seems. You’ve caused quite a stir in this household."

Before Rex could respond, Henry leaned down slightly, eyeing the little girl still glued to his chest. "And you, little rascal—aren’t you forgetting someone? How about coming to Grandpa for a bit, hmm?"

Arabella turned her head dramatically away from him, tightening her arms around Rex like a vice grip. "Nooo! I already waited so long for Brother Rex, I’m not letting go!"

The crowd actually chuckled at that, the tension breaking in a ripple of amusement. A couple of guests at the hotel who had been pretending not to stare nearly choked on their champagne.

Henry raised a brow, feigning offense. "Oh? So Grandpa’s not good enough anymore?"

Arabella peeked at him, then stuck her tongue out in playful rebellion. "You’re always here, Grandpa. But Brother Rex came from far away! He’s mine today!"

The words landed with childish innocence, but to the bystanders, it was like a tiny bomb went off. Conversations halted, and more than one fork paused mid-air at the restaurant terrace nearby. Mine? Brother Rex? The Sterling heiress clinging to some unknown young man like this?

(End of Chapter)