Chapter 16

Tariq stood in the center of the hall, the lights of the Farsi Estate catching the edges of his calm expression. He looked at the faces of the family who had spent years treating him as an invisible burden. "There is no need for Khalid to facilitate any investment," Tariq said, his voice slow and steady, cutting through the celebratory chatter. "I am the new CEO of Mansour Corporation. The decision on whether the Farsi family receives a single dirham rests with me." The silence that followed lasted only a second before it was shattered by a burst of sharp, jagged laughter. Khalid Saab leaned back, his shoulders shaking as he looked at Kamal Al-Farsi. "Mr. Kamal, I knew your son-in-law was a bit of a dreamer, but this?" Khalid wiped a mock tear from his eye, his voice cold and dripping with amusement. "To claim the presidency of the Mansour Corporation? He's more delusional than I thought." Rami Al-Farsi stepped forward, his face twisted in a sneer. "Tariq, do you even know what a CEO does? You spend your days riding a broken scooter and your nights waiting on Layla. Pretending to be the head of the most powerful corporation in the city won't make it true." "He's just bragging because he can't handle being overshadowed," Nour Al-Farsi added, her voice mocking as she scanned Tariq's modest clothes. "Look at him. Does that look like the attire of a man who controls billions? He's a joke." Lina Haddad's face was pale, her hands trembling with a mixture of anger and shame. She grabbed Tariq by the arm, trying to pull him back. "Tariq, stop this right now! You are making us the laughingstock of the entire elite circle. Haven't you embarrassed us enough today?" Layla Al-Farsi moved closer, her eyes filled with a deep, pained worry. She didn't look at him with the same spite as the others, but with a flicker of pity that stung worse than Rami's insults. "Tariq... please. Maybe you're not feeling well. The stress of the divorce talk, the pressure... we can go to a clinic. You should consult a doctor." Tariq didn't pull away from Lina, but his gaze remained fixed on Layla. "Layla, look at me. I'm not sick. I'm telling you the truth. Just trust me this once." He reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. He swiped through the screen until he found a specific contact and held the device out toward Khalid. The name *Nadia Hale* was clearly visible on the screen. "Khalid, you work at the corporation," Tariq said, his voice remains calm. "You should recognize this name. Nadia Hale. She was the personal secretary to the previous president, and she is now my direct subordinate." Khalid glanced at the screen, his expression shifting into a mask of pure disdain. "Nadia Hale? Everyone in the business world knows who she is. She's the gatekeeper of the Mansour family's interests." He let out a sharp, cold bark of laughter. "Having a name saved in your phone proves nothing. I could save a number as 'The King of Dubai' right now; does that make me royalty? You probably found her office number on a public business card and saved it to play this pathetic game." Tariq didn't blink. He tapped the dial icon and hit the speakerphone button. "Then let's see what happens when she answers." He extended his arm, holding the phone out toward Khalid so the entire room could hear. The Farsi family huddled closer, the air thick with anticipation and the desire to see Tariq finally crushed under the weight of his own lie. The ringing tone began. *Ring... Ring...* The sound echoed through the silent hall. Kamal Al-Farsi watched with narrowed eyes, his grip tightening on his cane. Khalid smirked, crossing his arms as he waited for the inevitable failure. *Ring... Ring...* Suddenly, the tone changed. Instead of a voice answering, a series of rapid, staccato beeps filled the air. "The number you have dialed is currently unavailable or outside the coverage area," a mechanical voice announced. "Please try again later." The call disconnected with a sharp *click*, leaving the room in a heavy, suffocating silence. Tariq stared at the darkened screen of his phone, his brow furrowing slightly as the mocking grins began to return to the faces of the Farsi family. ════════════════════════════════════════