To my surprise, Eleanor didn’t let go of my arm, nor did she stop walking. Instead, she did something shocking. She pulled me forward.

Andrew, however, grabbed me, gritting his teeth.

"Tonight is important for the Carney Family. Don’t screw it up."

I smiled and nodded, showing no resistance.

To me, the Carney Family were all people that I needed to obey. After all, I was nothing but just an employee. So, it made sense for me to listen to any of the Carney Family members.

What I saw before me was something I expected from the Carney Family’s cocktail party. Inside the mansion’s hall, classical music floated through the air like a melody from heaven. Those elite guests were already deep in conversation, while their glasses filled with the finest champagne.

As always, Eleanor and I attracted attention the moment we arrived. After all, I was known as a walking joke in Toronto’s elite society. Wherever I went, people mocked me. They didn’t just tease subtly. Rather, they publicly humiliated me.

"The Cuckold King of Toronto is here again!" someone chuckled.

"Matthew, I heard Francis was at your house yesterday. How much did you make this time?" another asked, grinning.

They were, of course, referring to my infamous "100,000 dollars per minute" deal.

I kept my smile in place as I told them calmly, "My wife wasn’t feeling well, so no money was made from my end."

At that moment, I felt a sharp pinch on my arm. It was obviously Eleanor who did it.

Her voice was low and cold in my ear as she angrily whispered, "Look at you being so humble, Matthew! But the more you act like this, the more people see me as a slut!"

I glanced at her, responding, "Don’t you want to maintain a good relationship with Mr. Henderson?"

Eleanor looked down, saying nothing.

I couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. Why would Eleanor fight me regarding that? Besides, she could just stay in her seat as the most beautiful woman without trying to prove anything.

After a few more rounds of mockery from the guests, both Eleanor and I settled in a corner. She sat on the sofa, staring into space, while I stood nearby as I was waiting.

Waiting for what?

For her suitors to come to us, of course!

Officially, I was there to keep them at bay. In reality, I used the opportunity to chat, negotiate benefits and build connections. That was the most important thing for me.

"Ah, Mr. Powell is here!"

I spotted a bald, middle-aged man approaching and immediately reached out to greet him.

It was Robert Powell, Toronto’s jewelry king. We had worked together many times before. I smuggled jewelry through my import-export routes, while he handled the sales.

Among Eleanor’s many suitors, he was the oldest and the most persistent. Every time we met, he would dramatically kneel and confess his love. Even Eleanor had grown numb to his antics.

Expecting another grand confession, I braced myself. The onlookers did the same, eager for the spectacle.

But to my surprise, Robert grabbed my hand and said, "Mr. Jackson, I’ve tried meeting you in private so many times, but you’re always busy! Now that I finally caught you, I must thank you in person for what you did for me!"

I hesitated, then suddenly remembered what he was talking about.

"Mr. Powell, we’re old friends. We help each other. No need for thanks."

Robert shook his head firmly as he said, "My family ran into trouble abroad. I even contacted the embassy, but nothing worked. You solved it with a single phone call. I have to thank you properly!"

With that, he pulled a stack of documents from his briefcase.

"Mr. Jackson, this is 15% of the shares in my jewelry chain, the Powell Jewels. Just sign and they’re yours!"

The room fell silent. Gasps rippled through the crowd. It was already shocking enough that I could resolve an international crisis, but Robert’s jewelry chain was a national empire. That 15% share? It was a fortune.

Even Eleanor turned to me with a rare expression of surprise.

Just then andrew stepped forward.

"Matthew, take it if Mr. Powell is offering," he said with a cold tone, narrowing his eyes.

"But don’t you ever forget something! What’s yours belongs to the Carney Family!"

Everyone was stunned at first, then burst into laughter.

"I bet he just used the Carney Family's connections. Mr. Powell probably thinks he’s someone important," someone sneered.

"What strength could a weak man who married into the family possibly have?"

"Still pretending. Acting like he and Mr. Powell are old friends. Disgusting."

The people who were used to humiliating me never missed an opportunity.

Francis walked over, his expression cold.

"Matthew, you should be grateful. Everything you have was given to you by Eleanor. You’re not thinking of keeping it all for yourself, are you?"

My father-in-law arrived next. He nodded at Robert first, then turned to me as he said, "Matthew, you're the Carney Family's son-in-law. So, even though you're a man, you belong to the Carney Family. Everything you have should belong to us. Do you understand?"

Mrs. Carney nodded in agreement, adding, "That's right. You didn’t even bring a dowry when you married into this family. Consider this your dowry."

I looked at them carefully, but then I suddenly wanted to laugh. The reason was because I saw it plainly. Their greed.

A family that prided itself on being wealthy and powerful was now shamelessly scrambling for Robert’s shares. It only proved how valuable they really were.

I smiled as I responded to them, "You can treat me like a dog, but you can't steal my money. I became a son-in-law for the sake of money. If I give it back to you, wouldn’t that defeat the whole purpose?"

Francis glared at me as he snarkily said, "But don’t forget, Matthew! If it weren’t for Eleanor, you wouldn’t have met Mr. Powell!"

I nodded, saying, "That’s true. But when I married Eleanor, I made it clear. She needed me as a husband to escape a marriage she didn’t want and I needed her money and connections. That was our deal. These connections were part of it. They’re mine by right, aren’t they?"

The logic was sound, so they struggled to argue back.

Francis was silent for a long moment before saying, "I gave you your import and export business. I introduced you to the right people. You used my contacts to help Mr. Powell. I don’t want the shares. Just give them to Eleanor."

I shook my head and told him firmly, "Let’s not twist things, Mr. Henderson. You introduced me to some local gangsters. But the people who helped Mr. Powell? That had nothing to do with you."

Francis let out a mocking laugh as he said, "I know who you're talking about. It’s the CEO of O'Connell Security Corporation, right? I was the one who invited him. We have a great relationship. He helped Mr. Powell's family because of me."

I raised an eyebrow, asking, "He’s here tonight?"

Francis smirked as he asked me in turn, "What? Are you scared now?"

I shook my head, answering his questions, "Oh, no. Not at all. It’s just that … the O'Connell Security Corporation thing, I'm actually the real CEO behind the scenes. If he’s back, why didn’t he check in with me?"

The room erupted in laughter.

"Seriously? There’s a limit to how much you can brag!"

"That’s the O'Connell Security Corporation we’re talking about. They’re the strongest security company in Vancouver! If you want to run an import-export business there, you need their protection!"

"Half the people in this room rely on Mr. O'Connell to survive!"

"If you're really Mr. O’Connell’s CEO, I'll eat my own shoe right here and now!" Andrew cackled.

Mr. Carney scolded men angrily, "Enough, Matthew! Stop embarrassing yourself."

Mrs. Carney sneered in disgust as she shouted, "Get out! And don’t come back to the family home. You’re a disgrace!"

At that moment, my sister-in-law, Marianne, arrived. She shot me a sharp glare but said nothing. I never understood why she was so hostile toward me.

After all … I had saved her

Without me, Marianne would have been abused long ago.

But then something shocking happened.

Eleanor suddenly spoke with a calm yet firm tone, "I believe my husband."

Everyone, including me, stared at her in disbelief.

Francis gritted his teeth, arguing with her in response, "Eleanor, did you just call him your husband in front of me? Are you slapping me in the face? Does the Carney Family not care about surviving this crisis?"

Crisis? Was the Carney Family in trouble? I glanced at Eleanor, but she remained calm. She simply smiled at me.

Just then, a group of people entered the room.

Leading them was a tall, broad-shouldered man with a strong, chiseled face. His presence radiated power and dominance. It was Phillip O'Connell, or more known as Mr. O’Connell, from O'Connell Security Corporation.

"Mr. O'Connell!"

Francis immediately trotted over and everyone else followed. My father-in-law and mother-in-law ran even faster than those old couples who often scrambled for eggs at a supermarket sale.