I took a deep breath, pushing the irrelevant thoughts from my mind. Arguing with these fools was a waste of breath.

I lifted my head, looked Kathy straight in the eye, and said calmly, "Well, you're here to pick me up, right? Let's go."

The air grew tense, and the hall fell silent. The group exchanged bewildered glances before erupting into even more exaggerated laughter.

Nate let out a scornful laugh, as if he had just heard the funniest joke in the world. "Pick you up? Are you still dreaming?"

He pointed at the sign. "Open your damn eyes. We're here for a VIP from the Weyland Group. You've probably never even heard of them."

My wife was the sole daughter of the Weyland Group. How could I not know who they were waiting for?

"We are waiting for Ms. Weyland's husband! The queen of finance, known for her iron fist and ruthless tactics, who just happens to dote on her husband to an unbelievable degree. Everyone in our circle knows she was single for years, saving herself for the man who is now her husband."

"Everyone knows the fastest way to get to Rhea Weyland is through her husband. He's the person she values most."

Hearing them talk about Rhea, I couldn't help the gentle smile that spread across my lips.

In the five years we've been married, Rhea has not only expanded her business empire to its absolute limits but has also shown me what it truly means to love and be loved by a powerful woman, to support each other in a deep, mutual partnership.

Nate could never stand to see me happy and would never miss a chance to show off his "worldly knowledge."

"I heard that not long ago, President Weyland was at a top auction in St. Niva and, without batting an eye, bought a priceless sapphire watch, just to make her husband happy."

"That watch is a one-of-a-kind masterpiece worth a cool eight million dollars. The man is the envy of everyone in high society."

He was in the middle of his grand speech when his eyes inadvertently swept over me. His voice suddenly rose. "Wait a minute... That watch looks just like it!"

Everyone fell silent. They held their breath, their eyes glued to the watch on my wrist.

Seeing that I showed no sign of shame at being called out, Kathy's expression hardened. Without warning, she lunged forward, trying to grab my wrist to inspect the watch.

I was quick enough to step back, evading her touch.

Nate, seeing this, sauntered over for a closer look and sneered. "The craftsmanship is definitely better than those high-end replicas."

"A person should know their place. I wouldn't have the nerve to walk around wearing a fake like this, just asking to be ridiculed."

"What, are you going to claim you're the distinguished guest from the Weyland Group? The mysterious Mr. Weyland that President Weyland supposedly spoils rotten?"

As soon as he finished, the crowd erupted in another round of unbridled laughter. To them, the idea was utterly absurd.

Who was Rhea? A business legend who could turn the tides with a flick of her wrist, a ruthless and decisive woman who struck fear into the hearts of her competitors.

And me? In their eyes, I was just a pathetic wretch that Kathy had thrown out like trash five years ago.

In their minds, even if the world were to end, the names Rhea and Simon could never be connected in any way.

Nate smugly lifted his chin at me. "Simon, that replica is actually quite nice. Why don't you sell it to me? I'll give you double whatever you paid for it."

I watched them with cold eyes, hiding my wrist behind my back, and warned in a low voice, "Don't touch it. It was a gift from Rhea."

Before I could finish, Kathy, apparently taking my protectiveness over a "fake" as a personal affront, slapped me hard across the face.

I fought through the stinging pain in my cheek and stared at her with icy eyes.

"Shut up!" she glared at me. "Who do you think you are to say Ms. Weyland's name? Are you trying to start rumors and drag me down with you?!"

Her sycophantic followers chimed in, their eyes burning with hostility.

"Simon, have you lost your mind?"

"This is a huge day for our group. We need to make a good impression on Mr. Weyland for a massive collaboration between our companies! If you dare to screw this up, we'll kill you!"

"Kathy worked her ass off to get where she is. How dare a loser she threw away show up and pretend to be Mr. Weyland? Do you have a death wish?"

I wiped the blood from the corner of my mouth and slowly turned my head to meet Kathy's gaze.

Perhaps my calm, cold stare unsettled her. She frowned, a flicker of unease in her eyes.

Nate, sensing the shift in atmosphere, raised his voice and cursed.

"Simon, you ungrateful bastard! Kathy was kind enough to offer you a lifeline, and this is how you repay her? Have you no shame? Even if you're still bitter, you don't get to joke about something this important!"

Listening to his twisted logic, I felt like I was back five years ago. Back then, no matter what I did, Nate was always there, fanning the flames and shifting all the blame onto me.

At first, Kathy would occasionally argue with him. But over time, she was completely brainwashed and started using the same tone to manipulate me.

Just like always, Kathy gave me a disappointed look and murmured, "You'll never learn, will you?"

But this time, she didn't launch into one of her endless lectures. After a pause, Kathy pulled out a check for two hundred thousand dollars and held it up to my face.

"For the sake of our past years together, I'll let what you did today slide. Take this money and go buy yourself some decent clothes. If you really don't want to be a bodyguard for the child, I'll have the administrative department find you a menial position in a few days."

"Take it. With my current status and wealth in the company, this little bit of change is nothing to me."

I glanced at the check. Then I looked at her.

The condescending posture, the stench of new money in her words... it all made me feel a little sad for her.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, I raised my hand and pushed away the hand holding the check.

I said flatly, "Keep your money. I don't want it."

Ignoring a furious Kathy, I turned and started to leave.

I had only taken a few steps when she rushed up and grabbed my arm, her voice low. "Simon, you won't even take my money? What's that supposed to mean? Are you trying to burn this bridge for good?"

I looked at her. "Since we broke up a long time ago, we should keep our distance. I don't want my wife to get the wrong idea."

An image of my fiercely protective wife flashed through my mind. Rhea would never tolerate another woman getting this close.

But Kathy clearly misunderstood. She glanced smugly at Nate, who was standing nearby, thinking she had seen through my game of playing hard to get.

"In three days, our group's CEO is hosting a top-tier welcome banquet for the representative from the Weyland Group. I was originally planning to take you and show you what a real high-society circle looks like. But on one condition, you have to get rid of that shabby outfit. I can't be seen with you looking like that."

Before she could finish, I cut her off. "No, thank you."

Being rejected so bluntly again, Kathy's face turned ugly. The hand she had raised stiffly fell back to her side. I could almost hear her grinding her teeth.

"Simon, you've certainly grown a temper, but you still have that cheap, unrefined air about you. It's probably for the best that you don't go. I'll take Nate instead."

Nate's eyes lit up at the prospect of attending such a high-profile banquet. He took Kathy's arm, pledging his loyalty.

"Kathy, don't worry. I'll be on my best behavior. I absolutely won't embarrass you at an event like that."

I had zero interest in their third-rate soap opera. I shook her hand off and walked away, leaving them with one last sentence. "I hope you're all still smiling in three days."

Stepping out of the airport terminal and breathing in the cool, fresh air, my mood finally began to lift.

Five years ago, facing an arranged business marriage forced upon me by my family, I made one last desperate attempt.

I ran to Kathy, my girlfriend of seven years, and begged her to marry me first. As long as we were legally married, my family would be powerless.

Kathy readily agreed. But when I arrived at City Hall, full of hope, I found her standing beside her childhood friend, Nate.

"Nate's son needed legal papers. The only way was for me to marry Nate."

"As soon as the boy's situation is settled, I'll file for divorce and marry you. It will only be a month at most. It's all for the child, so don't overthink it."

Watching Kathy and Nate walk hand in hand into the registry office, my heart died completely for our relationship. That same night, I signed the marriage agreement.

A month later, I had a wedding of the century and became Rhea's husband. In our first year of marriage, we welcomed our eldest son.

Recently, my wife found out she was pregnant with our second child.

If it weren't for her wanting me to take the opportunity to visit my parents and share the good news, I would never have set foot in this city again, let alone run into Kathy and her cronies.

Three days later, I arrived at the welcome banquet alone.

Thanks to the exclusive black card Rhea had arranged for me, I breezed through security. I had cleaned myself up a bit but was still wearing a simple suit.

The moment Kathy saw me, her eyes lit up, and a satisfied smile played on her lips. "So you do want me back after all."

"But if you're trying to win me back by playing hard to get, you could have at least dressed for the occasion. This is a complete embarrassment."

I completely ignored her arrogant tirade and walked straight past her, heading towards the VIP head table at the far end of the hall.

I had only taken two steps when Kathy rushed to block my path. "Simon, did you not hear me talking to you? Our company's seats are over here. Where do you think you're going?"

I forcefully shook off her hand, my voice calm. "That's your seat. My seat is over there."

Following my gaze, Kathy looked towards the most prestigious and heavily guarded head table in the entire ballroom. Her face instantly turned incredibly pale.

Nate, who had been holding court with a glass of champagne among other rich kids, noticed the commotion and pointed at me, shouting, "Simon, how did you get in here?! Did you steal someone's invitation?! Security! And how dare you show up here wearing that fake watch and embarrass yourself?!"

His sharp voice cut through the noise, drawing everyone's attention.

"That watch… doesn't it look a bit like the 'Heart of Eternity' that President Weyland bought for a fortune at auction?"

"This is supposed to be her husband's first public appearance. How dare this guy parade around with a fake? Is he trying to sabotage the event?"

"Kathy, is this guy with you?" a nearby executive asked, frowning.

Seeing that I hadn't so much as glanced her way, Kathy adjusted her collar and quickly distanced herself from me. "I don't know him."

Hearing this, Nate looked at me triumphantly, as if an idea had just struck him. "You hear that? Now take off that piece of junk and get out of here!"

I stood my ground, coldly watching him jump around like a clown. "Are you sure you want me to leave?"

The more composed I appeared, the more his jealousy flared. In his mind, I should have been on my knees by now, sobbing and begging for mercy.

His usually refined face contorted as he pointed at me and yelled, "Stop acting so high and mighty! Take off the watch! Security, get this man who snuck in out of here!"

The next second, he actually rushed towards me, his hand reaching out to tear the watch from my wrist.

I instinctively slapped his hand away and took a step back to dodge him.

But in the chaos, someone stuck out a foot. I stumbled, caught off guard, and crashed into the banquet cake.

My mind went blank.

Seizing his chance, Nate stomped his heel right onto my hand!

The heel of his leather shoe ground into the back of my hand. I cried out as he tore the watch from my wrist.

"Only gutter trash like you would treat a piece of junk like a treasure!"

A piercing pain shot through my hand. The skin was torn open by the sole of his shoe, and blood instantly gushed out, mixing with the cream on the floor.

However, I just stared numbly at the broken watch on the ground and the rare blue sapphires that had scattered everywhere, reflecting the blinding lights.

Several security guards immediately surrounded me, grabbing my shoulders from both sides. I fought through the pain and said, "How dare you! I am President Weyland's…"

Slap!

Before I could finish, Nate cut me off with a sharp backhand slap.

"Oh, let me guess, you're going to try that 'I'm Mr. Weyland' crap again? A pathetic bum like you? Look in the mirror! You think you're worthy!"

Still not satisfied, he followed up with a punch.

I was pinned to the ground, my hand throbbing with excruciating pain. If I wasn't being held down, I never would have let him get away with it.

To be honest, I had no intention of dealing with them on this trip back. My life was happy. These clowns weren't worth an ounce of my energy.

But at this moment, I swore I would make him pay for his actions.

Kathy knelt in front of me, her hand reaching for the wound on my wrist. I instinctively pulled away.

She looked at me, her tone icy. "Simon, are you done making a scene? Showing up to an event like this wearing a fake watch and these rags…"

"You see that I've made it, and now you're trying to get my attention with these pathetic stunts, aren't you? You want me to take you back, to keep you by my side again?"

"If you get on your knees and beg me right now, I can help you clean up this mess. I might even… consider taking you back."

I almost laughed out loud. "Kathy, you really think too highly of yourself."

Kathy's brow furrowed sharply. She was about to lash out when she sensed a sudden shift in the ballroom's atmosphere.

The once noisy ballroom fell instantly silent, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Everyone was straightening their clothes, holding their breath, their gazes fixed on the double doors of the ballroom.

She pulled me to my feet, whispering a warning. "The guest of honor is about to arrive. You better behave."

"But don't worry. I've already signed the divorce papers with Nate. As long as you behave, I can let you come back to me."

I was busy cleaning the stains and blood off myself, completely unable to comprehend her foolish behavior.

Just then, the doors were respectfully pushed open. Rhea, dressed in a stunning evening gown, walked in, holding the hand of our five-year-old son, William.

A crowd of deferential people surrounded her. As they reached the center of the ballroom, little William started squirming, wanting to be put down.

The moment the little heir appeared, dressed in a custom-tailored suit and looking as perfect as a porcelain doll, all eyes were on him.

Two top-tier bodyguards immediately shadowed his every step, terrified he might trip.

Kathy suddenly turned to me.

"Simon, as long as you put away your ridiculous jealousy and stop competing with Nate, I'm willing to forgive your childish behavior these past five years. I might even give you a chance for us to have a child of our own."

I had no time for her. All my attention was on my wife and son standing in the middle of the room.

Rhea saw me, and the moment our eyes met, both her and my son's eyes lit up instantly.

The next second, Rhea followed little William and walked straight towards me.