On the eve of Valentine's Day, the entire Ravenport is waiting for Vivian Grayson's scores to be released. They're all watching to see if my score is high enough to attend her family banquet this year.

The Grayson family has made it clear that their future son-in-law will be chosen at that banquet. Yet, after seven years of dating Vivian, I come in second every single time. This had made me the biggest joke in the city.

This year is no exception.

Vivian throws herself into the arms of the male model, Jason Carter, who ranks first.

She says matter-of-factly, "I really like the way he smells. You understand, right, Noah? Next year, I'll definitely make you number one."

The lively atmosphere in the banquet hall drops to freezing point. Everyone is waiting for me to tear that smug look off Jason's face.

But I don't lose my temper like before.

I simply say calmly, "Congratulations."

A victorious smile appears on Vivian's face. "You've finally learned to control your temper, Noah. You're not far from becoming the Graysons' son-in-law."

I nod indifferently.

I am about to become someone else's son-in-law, but not the Grayson family's.

I have disagreed and argued with my family for the past seven years. Now, it's time to follow their arrangement and go abroad to honor the marriage they set up for me.

Jason Carter walked up to me with his arm around Vivian Grayson's waist, smirking.

He said with a mocking tone, "Sorry about that, Noah. I just got lucky and won this year. But Viv said you've been getting better and better lately. She even said you could take first place next year. Even though she's said that at least three times already, I believe it'll actually happen in a few years."

I nodded. "Congratulations."

The amusement in Jason's eyes deepened. He raised his glass. "So, for the time being, Viv's mine. Don't worry, though. I'll put in a good word for you at the family dinner."

He pulled Vivian closer, his left hand drifting lazily along her waist.

I let out a self-deprecating laugh. There was a time when I actually believed in that so-called score.

I raised my glass toward Jason's. Just as they were about to meet, Jason suddenly shoved hard, and both glasses shattered instantly. Deep red wine and shards splashed across my forearm.

Jason immediately looked horrified. "Noah, I didn't mean it! Please don't be mad! There's still wine here. You can throw it back at me as many times as you want. I'm begging you—just let me go."

I couldn't help but be amazed at how easily Jason switched between emotions. When I saw Vivian quietly shield him behind her, my heart, which had long since gone numb, ached slightly.

I said nothing. I simply pulled out a handkerchief and wiped my arm. "It's nothing serious. You don't need to worry."

Then, I gestured for the waiter to come over and clean up.

At the sight of it, a hint of satisfaction flashed in Vivian's eyes. She took out a watch and fastened it on Jason's wrist. It was a limited-edition piece I had wanted for years.

Vivian looked it over with satisfaction. "Since you're coming back to the Grayson residence for dinner with me, you should have something to dress it up."

Even though I had already decided to let go, I still instinctively glanced down at my wrist. On it was a worn, cheap watch that Vivian had given me.

The first time I met Vivian was on a stormy night. She lay by the roadside, too weak to move, her eyes filled with hatred for the whole world.

I took her to the hospital and cared for her carefully, but she kept refusing to let anyone get close to her. Over the next six months, I stayed by her side, helping her slowly get back on her feet and move forward.

When she learned that I liked watches, she spent every last dollar she had to buy one from a street vendor and gave it to me. "From now on, I'll take care of all your watches."

"I promise I'll buy you every expensive watch in the world," Vivian said.

Back then, I thought happiness was within reach.

It wasn't until a year later that I found out she was the long-lost heiress of the Grayson family. She said she was going to take back everything she had lost. I didn't say a word and stayed by her side.

Abductions, setups, poisonings, accidents—I went through every kind of ordeal.

She fought hard and clawed her way to the top, becoming the rightful heiress of the Grayson family. But after that, everything changed.

She spoke in an unhurried tone, "If you want something, you have to fight for it yourself. Since you didn't get the highest score, that means this watch isn't yours, right?"

Perhaps she noticed I had spaced out, so she added, "Of course, it's rare for you to be this well-behaved today. You should get something for that."

She gave a small nod, and a server walked over carrying a watch on a tray. With just one glance, I recognized it as the complimentary piece that came with the watch now on Jason's wrist.

I let out a self-deprecating laugh. Instead of taking it, I took off the watch I had worn for seven years and set it down on the tray.

"I'll pass. Jason might become the Grayson family's son-in-law one day, so it's better to give him more watches instead," I said.

After taking the watch off, I instinctively rubbed the ugly scar on my wrist. I got it while protecting Vivian during a staged car accident.

The watch dropped onto the tray, and the sharp sound made the room fall silent. Even though the watch was old, it was the most famous watch in all of Ravenport.

Back when Vivian was still fighting for control of the Grayson family, one of their spoiled sons came after me and smashed the watch in front of everyone. After that, he never had the chance to wear a watch again.

It was the first time Vivian had ever spoken so fiercely in front of everyone. "Before you lay a hand on Noah, think carefully about whether you can still keep those hands of yours."

…

Vivian's voice turned cold. "I thought you had finally come around. I didn't expect you'd have the nerve to give away something I gave you."

So, she still remembered it was a gift from her. I had assumed she'd forgotten the watch along with the promise she made.

I laughed at myself and said, "The third time you scored us, you gave another man the highest score because he knew how to share—unlike me, who only wanted to keep you to myself.

"Well, I get it now. I'm not holding onto you anymore. Isn't that what you wanted?"

A flicker of panic crossed Vivian's eyes, but it quickly vanished. "You'd better mean that. If anything happens to Jason again, I won't be giving you another chance."

I did come around, but I no longer wanted Vivian anymore.

I pointed at my sleeve and walked straight out. "I'm going to clean up."

I got home and looked at my familiar room, countless thoughts running through my mind.

Back then, I had come back to Brightvale to honor my ancestors and only planned to stay a few days. I never expected to end up staying all these years for Vivian's sake. I had even come close to cutting ties with my parents entirely.

I stopped hesitating, took a deep breath, and started packing. To my surprise, after packing for a while, I hadn't even filled a single suitcase.

At first, I had a huge fight with my family over staying in Brightvale, and they cut off my allowance. Supporting Vivian through work alone was already a stretch, followed by years of helping her fight for power. I hardly bought anything during that period, let alone afterward.

I finished packing quickly, but the pendant Grandma had left me on her deathbed was nowhere to be found.

I searched every corner of the house but couldn't find the pendant. Just as I was about to call Vivian, the front door opened, and a strong smell of alcohol drifted in.

Vivian leaned weakly against Jason. When she spotted me in the living room, she pulled free and spoke with a hint of urgency, "Noah, didn't you hear me calling you?"

But soon, her urgency turned into anger the moment she saw the suitcase by my feet.

She stumbled forward and grabbed me by the collar. "For a second, I actually thought you had learned your lesson. Noah, have I been too lenient with you? Is that why you think you can joke about leaving?"

As soon as she finished speaking, she slapped me across the face. The blow was unusually strong, maybe because she had been drinking. "If you ever threaten me with leaving again, I'll break both of your legs."

Vivian looked completely unhinged. It was the first time I had ever seen her like this.

I wiped the blood from the corner of my mouth and said evenly, "This isn't a threat. It's a notice. I'm going home."

Vivian's chest began to heave.

Jason spoke gently, soothing her with just a few words, "Viv, calm down. Noah is probably just too upset and needs some air. There's no way he'd actually leave you. Let me take you back to your room to rest."

"Noah, there won't be a next time," Vivian said.

She took several deep breaths. In the end, she shot me a sharp glare and returned to the bedroom with Jason supporting her.

Within moments, laughter and playful sounds spilled out from behind the bedroom door. It was as if everything that had just happened hadn't affected Vivian's mood at all. I looked at the half-open door for a long moment, then slowly zipped up my suitcase.

Before I could leave, the bedroom door opened, and Jason stepped out. The moment the door closed, the flattery on his face turned into mockery.

He spoke like a host trying to coax a guest to stay, "Noah, it's so late. Where are you going? Aren't you staying another night?"

I had no interest in humoring him and picked up my suitcase. Jason quickly stepped forward, blocked my path, and yanked at his tie.

"Drop the act," he said. "Everyone in Ravenport knows you can't live without Vivian. 'Noah is always there, while the men around Vivian come and go.' That saying didn't come out of nowhere.

"I know I'm only temporary. Once I get my money this year, I'll leave right away. So, how about we make a deal?"

Jason patted my shoulder as if we were close. "You stay out of my way, and I'll speak well of you to Vivian. Maybe you'll actually become the Grayson family's son-in-law next year."

His tone was flippant, his eyes full of disdain. "What do you say? If that's not enough, I promise not to wear her out every night so she still has some energy left for you. How's that?"

I took a step to the side to go around him. "No, thanks. Do whatever you want."

But he wouldn't let up. "I've only slept with your girlfriend a couple of times. It's not like I'm the only one who's done it. You didn't say a word about all the others before me, so what's with the act now? Man to man, just give me a straight answer. Deal or not?"

I was sick of listening to him. As I pushed past him, I suddenly caught a glimpse of the pendant hanging around his neck.

I thought I wouldn't lose my temper because of Vivian anymore, but the moment I saw the pendant, my anger flared up. I grabbed Jason by the throat.