"Stop dreaming. I would rather be in love with a pig than with you!" Lydia said angrily.

'I didn't even like any of the outstanding young men pursuing me. Why would I like you?'

"Lydia!"

Meanwhile, an eye-catching woman approached them.

She was gorgeous, and dressed up provocatively.

Her hot pants barely covered her hips, matched with a tight crop top that perfectly showcased her body.

She glanced at Henry casually.

'Dresses plainly but looks decent. But what does a bumpkin from the mountains like him have to match with Lydia? He's aiming for the moon.'

"I'm here." Lydia greeted her, then turned toward Henry. "This is my best friend, Sarah."

"Hello!" Henry extended his hand and smiled.

Sarah did not even spare him a glance and grabbed Lydia's hand instead and said, "Let's go. Lewis and the others are waiting for us."

Lydia nodded and invited Henry with her. "You can come with us!"

Sarah was there to embarrass Henry so that he would eventually give up.

They got into Lydia's car and drove quickly to their destination.

It was a fencing club with opulent facilities that drew wealthy and powerful members.

"Finally! You two beauties are here. Lewis has already started his match." Several young people greeted them as they went into the club.

They completely ignored Henry. However, Henry did not take it personally.

Lewis played elegantly on the fencing piste, and each swordplay drew the girls' attention.

"How handsome! That swordplay is too graceful." Sarah praised him.

"That's right, we are far behind Lewis in fencing."

Meanwhile, Lewis defeated his opponent effortlessly.

"Impressive! Randy is also skilled, but Lewis defeated him." Lydia praised the man.

Lewis removed his helmet, approached them, and said, "Lydia, Sarah, you're here."

He noticed Henry and asked, "Who is this?"

"Him?"

"He's the bumpkin I told you before." Sarah mocked.

Lewis turned toward Henry.

'So, this is Henry Truman—nobody but a bumpkin. How dare you compete for Lydia with me?'

'He has overestimated himself and is looking for trouble.'

He quickly regained his smile and said, "Oh, it's him. He's a guest now, regardless. Let him join us.

"How about joining us for a match?"

"Not interested." Henry shook his head.

"Are you afraid?"

"That's right. I don't want to be embarrassed."

"Forget it, my bad. Fencing is a noble sport. A bumpkin like him probably can't even hold a sword properly, let alone come up the piste and make a fool of himself," Lewis said.

Henry chuckled and said, "Not really. I simply have no interest in fancy stuff."

"What did you say? How dare you, a bumpkin, look down on fencing?

"Hiding your fear by insulting such a noble sport? Shame on you."

"It doesn't matter if you don't join the game right away, but you have insulted this noble sport, so I must teach you a lesson today. Step up to the piste and fight like a man." Lewis sneered.

"Fine, I'll give you the chance since you insist on making a fool of yourself."

Henry shook his head and walked onto the piste.

The crowd was stunned momentarily, then burst into laughter.

"This is hilarious! How can a bumpkin like you brag so much?"

Henry could not be bothered with their mockery of him. He picked up a sword and asked, "Are we doing this?"

Lewis was confused. "Don't you want to wear protective gear?"

"No need."

"Fine, don't blame me if you get hurt." Lewis got annoyed and sneered.

He even thought of crippling Henry.

"Stop talking." Henry frowned.

Everyone was speechless, and Lewis was getting mad.

'From his posture, I can see that he is a beginner. Yet, he is so arrogant. He must be looking for trouble.'

Lydia felt a bit nervous for Henry.

She despised Henry and wished to rid herself of him. However, she did not want to get him into serious trouble.

"Relax, Lydia. Lewis knows what he's doing. Nothing will happen," Sarah said.

Lydia nodded in agreement.

Meanwhile, Lewis had taken a step forward, thrusting his sword rapidly.

"How handsome is he? His movements are sharp, and there aren't any unnecessary moves."

"Look at that guy, standing loose and unprepared, completely defenseless."

"If Lewis hits him, that guy's finished."

"He's still acting cool. Let's see how he—"

Lewis uttered a pitiful cry, and his sword fell to the ground before he could finish speaking.

How could that have happened?

Everyone was dumbfounded, looking at each other in disbelief.

Lydia was shocked.

She thought Henry would be seriously injured.

Henry threw the sword aside and walked down calmly.

"That's impossible. You must've played a dirty trick."

"That's right."

"Shameless!"

"Show some guts and have a rematch."

Everyone was dissatisfied.

Lewis awakened as he heard the crowd proposing a rematch.

The others might not notice, but Henry's movements were quick and precise.

He might not have been good at fencing, but he had to be skilled in martial arts.

A rematch would have no effect other than to embarrass him even more.

"Forget it. No matter what, I lost. There's no need for excuses," Lewis said quickly.

However, a cruel thought flashed in his mind.

That damn bumpkin had embarrassed him, but it was useless in a world where power and influence mattered most.

He would teach that bumpkin a lesson.

The crowd praised him.

"How generous! Lewis was clearly tricked, but he took it like a champ."

"His generosity is incomparable. I wonder who will be lucky enough to marry him," Sarah said.

Lydia nodded at Lewis. She appreciated what he had done.

Henry must have done something ungrateful even without using dirty tricks to win.

Lewis was pleased by the praise, especially the nod from his goddess.

He looked at Henry with mockery and contempt.

'Even if you win, you are still a clown.'

Henry remained calm and ignored Lewis.

"Actually, I have something important to tell you today, Lydia." Lewis smiled as he spoke.

"Oh?"

He had drawn everyone's attention.

"Mr. Ford, the chairman of Everising Chamber of Commerce, will be hosting a banquet tonight to welcome a distinguished guest."

"We didn't hear about that. Who is the guest who could make Mr. Ford greet him personally?"

"He's definitely a big shot. Only families that have joined the chamber are invited."

"The Millers have applied to join the chamber, right? This is their chance," Lewis said to Lydia and smiled.

"What do you mean?" Lydia responded immediately, showing great interest.

Even though the Millers applied and were on the waiting list, their chances were slim.

"I can bring one person to the banquet tonight. I'll introduce you to the chamber members if you come with me. Sounds good?"

"Well, if that's the case, I'll need to prepare for it." Lydia agreed instantly.

"No need to prepare. The banquet won't happen." Henry shook his head upon hearing that.

Everyone looked at Henry.

Lydia was stunned at first, then she was furious. "Do you even know what you're talking about, Henry?"

"I'm serious. I've turned down Jeffery Ford's offer," Henry said.

Pfft—

Everyone burst into laughter. They looked at Henry as if he were a fool.

Lydia was so angry that she could not speak.

How could he say something so embarrassing?

Furthermore, it could harm their family because he mentioned Jeffery Ford's name in full.

After all, they were nothing compared to Jeffery Ford.

What a fool with such ignorance and fearlessness.

Lewis smirked and said, "I am not sure why you are against me. But I am sure that the banquet will take place tonight."

"And if it doesn't?" Henry asked.

"Enough, Henry!" Lydia was infuriated.

"The Millers' top priority is to join the chamber. Stop trying to cause trouble."

She turned to Lewis and said, "I'll count on you tonight, Lewis!"

"Don't worry, I'll take care of it," Lewis replied confidently.

At that moment, his father called him on the phone.

"Speaking of the banquet, my father is calling me."

His father promised to call him once the banquet was confirmed.

So he picked up the call with confidence. "Father!"

Unfortunately, his father sounded depressed and was clearly upset. "The banquet has been canceled."

He hung up right after that.

The Brandons were in big trouble, and they were considering asking for a second chance at the banquet. However, the plan had been completely ruined.

Lewis was stunned.

He even wondered if something was wrong with his ears.

Everyone had heard it because it was on loudspeaker.

The whole room fell silent, and people looked at Lewis with doubts.

The banquet was canceled?

Did they hear it correctly?

They thought about Henry's previous words as they gazed at him.

"Were you serious just now?" Lydia asked.

"Of course," Henry replied.

It was true!

Jeffery Ford must have decided not to hold the welcome banquet because Henry had refused to attend.

Who was he?

A young master from the capital?