"That brand was a custom line by Astoria's top designer," Dylan said. "Money alone couldn't buy it. Only people in Mr. Prescott's social circle had access to pieces like that. A tiny company like yours was nowhere near qualified. Don't tell me some rich woman is keeping you.

"We graduated from Eldridge University, one of the best universities in the state. You could have chosen any respectable career, but you insisted on doing… this. You're really making us look bad."

I was taken aback, but I still managed a polite smile. "Oops. What a coincidence."

Riley looked displeased but still greeted me with courtesy. "It's been a long time."

She couldn't stop herself from looking me up and down. When her gaze finally landed on the diamond ring in my hand, her expression shifted instantly.

The others noticed something was off and followed her gaze. Once they saw the ring, their scorn deepened.

"Jared, they're getting engaged. Why are you holding a ring? Don't tell me you're trying to crash the engagement."

I was speechless but kept my composure. "You're misunderstanding."

One classmate snatched the ring from my hand. "Look, there's an R engraved on it. It must stand for Riley?"

Dylan scoffed. "What else could it be if not a proposal? Jared, you should know your place. How dare a kept man like you try to steal the richest man's fiancee?"

Riley glared at me and impatiently said, "Jared, I thought I made myself clear years ago. We're from two different worlds. It has been so long. Why can't you let me go?"

Anger flashed in Benjamin's eyes, though he kept a pleasant smile as he walked over and took the ring.

"Come on, don't be harsh. Jared seems like someone who knows his limits. This ring is just a gift. Even if he got it from questionable sources, it's still a gesture from an old classmate," he said, giving my shoulder a patronizing pat.

"Since we're classmates, here's some advice. Being a kept man is still a job, but you can't let your desires wreck your health. What if you get sick?" he added, clicking his tongue.

He frowned, quickly pulled his hand back, and continued, "I'll have my personal physician give you a check-up later. Don't worry, I won't charge you."

The moment he said that, everyone stepped back as if I had brought in a plague. Their faces twisted with disgust, as if I truly carried a contagious disease.

I didn't bother reacting. "There's no need. Thank you," I said and stepped forward to reclaim the ring.

I sat off to the side and carefully wiped away the fingerprints on the band.

After the crowd drifted away, Riley suddenly walked over. She snatched the ring from behind me, slipped it onto her finger, and sat down in the chair next to mine.

"Jared, I know you've never truly let me go," she said, "not in your last life, not in this one. But look at me now—I'm getting married, and I'm happy. Please stop waiting for me.

"I've taken your feelings to heart. Didn't you once say all you wanted was to see me wear a ring? That wish has been fulfilled. Now, please go. I don't want Ben to get upset."

I stared at her in confusion. "Who said I came for you?"

Riley slammed her palm on the table. She frowned and rubbed her temples. "Stop pretending. I know exactly what kind of person you are. Do you really need me to tear off the last bit of politeness before you finally back off? You already ruined my life once. Do you really have to do it again?"

In my past life, Riley and I had grown up together. We were inseparable from childhood and fell in love naturally. As soon as we graduated from college, we got married.

The Langleys and the Sawyers were both affluent, upper-middle-class families and longtime business partners. Our households were harmonious, our careers flourished, and everyone envied the life we led.

However, that happiness didn't last. The Sawyers were reported for tax evasion. Sawyer Group went bankrupt, and Riley's parents were arrested. My family got caught up in it too, and overnight, our world turned upside down.

We didn't complain. I worried that Riley wouldn't be able to handle the blow, so I was more attentive than ever. I reminded her that as long as we were alive, there was still hope.

Riley's pride was unyielding. To make sure she never had to be embarrassed in front of anyone, I slept only four hours a night, worked three jobs to support her, and bought her every luxury I could.

My parents stepped down from their status to work as well, paying off the Sawyers' debts so the family could be reunited sooner.

Our classmates were moved by our love and offered words of encouragement. However, Riley couldn't bear the humiliation of having once been the admired school beauty reduced to this state. She even interpreted our kindness as mockery.

"Are they laughing at me because I'm pathetic now?" she muttered.

One day, a close-up of Benjamin at some event appeared on TV. The host introduced him as the youngest, most accomplished heir in the city.

A strange light flickered in Riley's eyes.

"If I had chosen Benjamin back then, even if my family had faced trouble, we wouldn't have ended up like this."

Once that thought took root, there was no undoing it. Riley grew increasingly resentful toward me and even hurled cruel words in my face.

I was exhausted to the point of mental breakdown, and her sharp remarks kept me awake at night. I lost so much weight that I looked like a skeleton. Yet I still blamed myself, thinking I hadn't done enough.

I pushed harder to win her back, sometimes going days without sleep. Finally, on our anniversary, I scraped together enough money to buy the diamond ring she had been longing for.

"Riley, wear this ring. I've always wanted to see you smile while wearing it. Trust me. I'll give you the life you've always wanted. No one loves you more than I do."

Riley flew into a rage and threw the ring into the sewer.

"Look at yourself! Are you trying to make me feel guilty, or are you just trying to use our past to earn sympathy? If I hadn't valued our childhood bond, I never would have agreed to your proposal. I gave up a better choice for you. Now I realize that nostalgia is the cruelest thing in the world!"

She vented all her anger, shoving me so hard that the gas valve on the stove was knocked open. Even after punching and kicking me, she wasn't satisfied. She grabbed my clothes and forced me toward the window. When it opened, a deafening explosion blasted both of us across the room.

My parents died soon after from heartbreak-induced heart attacks.

It wasn't meant to happen this way. Who had truly destroyed whose life?

I gathered myself and calmly took back the ring. "Sorry, you've misunderstood."

I cherished my current life too much to be dragged down by the past.

Riley pursed her lips and stood there with a resentful glare fixed on me, unwilling to leave.

Benjamin watched silently, his knuckles turning white from anger. But due to his status, he forced a calm smile, picked up a glass of wine, and wrapped his arm possessively around Riley's waist.

"Riley, these are all guests. How could we turn them away just because of their lower status?"

He smiled and, whether on purpose or not, spilled red wine onto my head.

"Oh, sorry. My hand slipped. Jared, you're not going to misunderstand, are you?"

Benjamin pretended to help me take off my coat. "I'll take it to the cleaners for you."

I yanked my arm away, annoyed. "No need."

I immediately grabbed a tissue to blot the red wine from my hair. Today was too important to let this ruin it.

Fortunately, the glass had only held a little wine. My hair was damp but still looked fine, and the tiny stains on my black suit didn't matter much.

A few of my old classmates rushed over, yanking my coat off. One of them even jabbed me in the back.

"Jared, Mr. Prescott didn't mind at all and even offered to get your clothes cleaned. Why are you acting all high and mighty?"

"Exactly! We all saw it. You bumped into Mr. Prescott's hand yourself and spilled the wine. Don't tell me you're trying to scam him for money?"

The fabric tore under their tugging. The suit wasn't expensive, but it carried sentimental value, and I didn't have time to change into another outfit.

I glared at them and said sternly, "Give it back."

They ignored me and tugged even harder. I had no choice but to try and pull it back.

Riley sneered. "Jared, some things never change. What now? Are you going to drop to the floor and play the victim to get sympathy? I know you're good at that pathetic pity act. It's disgusting."

Benjamin's driver hurried in from the entrance. "Mr. Prescott, Ms. Prescott has arrived."

Everyone's faces lit up with anticipation.

"I heard that Ms. Prescott left right at the height of the financial boom. She's spent all these years building her career abroad. The Prescotts wouldn't be where they are today without her. She's done most of the work herself."

Benjamin puffed up with pride. "Of course. My aunt is the backbone of our family. Even my dad respects her. She's always doted on me. She flew back for my engagement and brought her husband with her.

"They got married in secret, and he's a young, formidable entrepreneur himself. They're here this time to merge our family businesses in the country."

Gasps echoed across the room. "Is the Prescott family about to become the richest in the country?"

"Mr. Prescott, Riley, with your companies growing this big, you'll definitely need more hands. Don't forget your old friends. We're all ready for you to take us to the top!"

Riley beamed, basking in the praise.

Outside, the sound of confident footsteps announced Rose Prescott's arrival.

Taking advantage of the crowd crowding the doorway, I quickly picked up my coat and slipped it on. After smoothing down my hair, I put on my ring and walked to the entrance—only to have someone yank my hair.

"Jared, don't tell me you're trying to cozy up to Prescott Group too. What could you even do? Serve the executives?" Benjamin jabbed my shoulder. "Stop dreaming. Do you think that my family runs a clubhouse where you can just waltz in?"

I lost my balance, tripped, and fell to the ground. My ring dropped, and Riley ground it under her high heel.

"Jared, don't tell me you're scheming to get close to me. How pathetic."

They snapped their fingers at the security guards. "Drag him out."

My temper flared, and I growled, "Touch me if you dare!"

Benjamin punched my right cheek. "And what if we do?"

Riley kicked the ring across the floor, then drove her heel into my knee. "Jared, you think you can win me over with something that disgusting? Get lost!"

Just then, the bodyguards chorused, "Welcome back, Ms. Prescott!"

Two rows of black-clad bodyguards stood at attention, offering a respectful greeting to the woman with the cold, sharp eyes.

Rose's expression remained icy as she gave a slight nod and walked straight into the banquet hall.

Benjamin immediately plastered a smile on his face, striding over with Riley. "Aunt Rosie, you finally came!"

"Ms. Prescott, you must be tired from the trip," Riley said, trying to butter her up. "Let me help with your shoulders."

Rose radiated such overwhelming authority that everyone instinctively shrank back. Even Benjamin chose his words carefully, speaking with the utmost respect.

Rose said nothing. When her gaze landed on me, her eyes turned cold, and her expression hardened into a frozen mask.

No one noticed the deep concern buried beneath that gaze. They assumed she was angry that her nephew's engagement party had been disturbed.

Benjamin quickly signaled the guards. "Drag him out! How dare a kept man like him show up here?"

Riley quickly added, "Hurry up! Don't let Ms. Prescott sees this disgrace!"

Rose's expression darkened. Without hesitation, she slapped them both.

"Unbelievable! How dare you insult my husband like this?"