Help! the four Alpha's are obsessed with me.-Chapter 209 A trip to the past Iv

From a distance, Daniel caught sight of his father. Their eyes locked, and he instantly felt the weight of the displeasure etched into Mr. Lancaster’s face—a scowl that had curdled into something dark and predatory in his gaze.

Daniel’s body stiffened. Fear consumed his ability to move any closer, so he stopped right there. In the middle of the shifting crowd, he was pushed and set aside, left alone like some kind of freak while people rushed past him toward the main auditorium where the musical conference was about to begin.

Suddenly, a hand grabbed his arm with such force that a blinding pain shot through him, making him screw his eyes shut as the sensation pulsed against his brain.

"You ass! Why didn’t you wait for me, boy? Or do you want to have a taste of my belt?" Mr. Lancaster’s voice was a raging snarl. He had forgotten they were in public until he realized that, all of a sudden, the movement around them had paused. He was now the center of attention.

The surrounding guests gasped at his outburst.

"Belt? Did he mean a metal one? Is the poor boy being abused?" they whispered to one another, their eyes darting between the man and the small boy he was still clutching.

Alessandro should have known better. This was a place for the elite—a world where the wealthy didn’t touch their children in anger and didn’t appreciate seeing others do it, either. His words were a taboo, and for a moment, he didn’t know how to escape the stern, judgmental looks coming his way.

Quickly, he forced a laugh. Pretending to tap Daniel’s head affectionately, Alessandro shifted his tone to sound like a doting father.

"Oh, my son! I was just saying that if anyone disturbs you on that stage, I, your father, will chase them away with my belt! I’m telling you this so you won’t care what others say. Just focus on what you want to achieve." His voice grew somber and faux-emotional. "Follow your dream. As sad as I am that you’re growing up and leaving us soon, I am happy you’re living to see your dream through, my baby boy."

These emotional words worked like a charm. The crowd’s view shifted instantly; they decided they must have judged the man too quickly. Looking at him now, he seemed so supportive he was almost moved to tears. One by one, the onlookers returned to their business.

In that moment, Alessandro secretly gripped Daniel’s ear and whispered, "All those words I just said? Bullshit. My money is on you. I spent a whopping fortune to make us rich. Bring back nothing, and you’re dead meat."

That threat hung in Daniel’s throat like a heavy lump. He inhaled sharply, fighting the rising tide of anxiety. His father had shown his true colors; in this game, no matter what Daniel did, the only winner was ever going to be Alessandro.

"Now, son, let’s go to the auditorium. The event isn’t waiting for anyone." Holding his son’s hand like a sweet father, he led the way—though he dragged Daniel harshly whenever the boy lagged behind.

Finally, they reached the entrance of the main theater. It was a magnificent space, opulent and vast, with aesthetics that were simply magical. It wasn’t just rich; it was out of this world. Daniel realized the person in charge of this theater really knew their business.

As they entered, Daniel’s eyes immediately met Xylander’s. The boy wasn’t with his friends anymore; he was standing with a man in an expensive suit and a glamorous woman whose face Daniel could never forget. She was the face of the Music Palace, a woman famous for her independence and style. Seeing her holding onto Xylander, the truth hit Daniel plain and square.

Xylander Wayne wasn’t just a "nepo baby"—his entry was a guarantee. Who would fail the son of the establishment? If Xylander was already destined for the top spot, what would be Daniel’s fate? God help him, the competition hadn’t even started and he already felt doomed.

Alessandro noticed the shift in the room, too. Though they were ushered to seats according to their ticket purchase—which were far from the best—Alessandro looked around to see who occupied the reserved sections.

Daniel’s face paled further. Every kid he had met after separating from his father—all of Xylander’s friends—were in the special section. From the way they waved to the flashy adults around them, it was clear they were the privileged few with direct connections to the management.

Alessandro smirked. To him, they were just a bunch of talentless nepo babies who probably couldn’t even sing. He was certain his son was better than all of them combined.

"You see what I’m looking at?" Alessandro asked. Daniel was shivering now. How could he not? His father had threatened his life, and now he saw that his competition’s positions were already determined by blood and money. It was so unfair. He realized he might be the only one there without a safety net; he even wondered if his father had lied about their own status just to get him through the door.

"So, you better try your absolute best and score in the top three," Alessandro hissed. "I want number one, but if you have to scramble, just don’t fall below three. Number three doesn’t get much appraisal, so get the top or meet your end. You won’t be coming home to me otherwise."

The cold look in Mr. Lancaster’s eyes was terrifying. He sat down, leaving Daniel standing there, trembling.

When the names were finally called, Daniel climbed onto the stage. As he did, his hair, his eyes, and the sheer beauty of his face drew a collective gasp from the audience. Every head turned. While the crowd whispered about who the boy’s father might be, Alessandro sat in his seat, prideful and boasting about his son’s beauty as if the boy were merely a trophy—his golden ticket to the life he craved.