So they weren't even bothering to pretend anymore.

The only question was how Marlene's parents—and the rest of the Henson clan—would act when I got there.

I arrived at the Henson family villa to find every elder already assembled.

The way they looked at me was different.

"Sit down."

Spencer Henson waved a dismissive hand.

He used to greet me warmly, calling me his "wonderful son-in-law." Now his voice dripped with cold indifference and barely concealed arrogance.

Every detail told me this dinner was anything but ordinary.

I didn't say much. I took my seat at the table and had just picked up my chopsticks when Marlene walked in—with Miles Sullivan at her side.

"Uncle Henson, and greetings to all the elders." Miles flashed a brilliant smile.

Beside him, Marlene kept her head slightly bowed, stealing glances at me when she thought I wasn't looking.

She wanted to see my reaction.

Unlike the reception they'd given me, Spencer and the others all rose from their seats, falling over themselves to welcome him.

"Miles! It's been too long. More handsome than ever, and such presence! So much better than some backwater nobody."

"How can you even compare some stray mutt to a top-tier talent like Miles?"

"With you on board, Henson Group is sure to become world-class!"

One by one, the Henson relatives heaped on the flattery—each compliment a thinly veiled jab aimed squarely at me.

To my ears, they were nothing but a flock of chirping sparrows.

I didn't even bother looking up.

Spencer deliberately seated Miles and Marlene directly across from me.

They sat shoulder to shoulder.

This time, I did raise my head. "Marlene, we're still married. Sitting that close to another man doesn't seem appropriate, does it?"

For a split second, panic flickered in Marlene's eyes. She started to stand—but Miles caught her wrist.

She stayed put.

Spencer dropped all pretense and laid out his real purpose. "The Henson name is on the rise now. We're going international, and we need someone like Miles to help us get there. You have no power, no influence. You're simply not a match for my daughter."

"I'd like us to part on good terms."

"So—name your price."

My gaze swept across every face in the room.

I remembered a time when they needed something from me. Back then, they'd tucked their tails between their legs, practically licking the soles of my shoes.

Now the Hensons had barely tasted success, and they'd already turned on me without a shred of gratitude.

Worse than wolves. At least wolves had the decency not to pretend.

When I didn't respond right away, Miles couldn't sit still. He looked down his nose at me, sneering. "Jacob, don't push your luck. Take a good look in the mirror and see what you really are."

"You're nothing but a backwater nobody. It was the Henson family that gave you a platform—that let you shine at all."

"Without the Hensons, you'd still be a nobody in this city."

"So show some gratitude."

The others nodded along eagerly, as if they expected me to drop to my knees and kowtow.

I turned to Marlene, who had been silent this whole time. My voice was ice. "Is this what you meant when you said you'd be grateful to me for the rest of your life?"

"That 'rest of your life' didn't last very long."

Marlene bit her lip. "Jacob, you know how it is. Water flows downhill, and people reach for higher ground."

"Who wouldn't want to be with someone more accomplished?"

"If you want to blame anyone, blame yourself for not measuring up to Miles—or matching the status I have now."

I looked at her earnest face.

I shook my head and let out a quiet laugh. "You really have no idea what you're throwing away."

"Enough!"

Spencer's patience snapped. He slapped two documents onto the table.

One was a divorce agreement.

The other was a compensation offer: a small two-story house in the countryside and a thousand dollars a month in living expenses.

Three years of everything I had. I'd taken a crumbling, insignificant Henson Group and built it into a top-three company in the city.

And all I got in return were two sheets of paper.

What a joke.

"A thousand dollars is more than generous, Jacob. Fits your station perfectly."

Miles sneered again.

"If you won't sign, you won't see a single cent!" Spencer threatened.

Every gaze in the room bore into me—cold, predatory, as if they wanted to tear me apart.

"Dad!" Marlene shot her father a look. "Jacob may not have achieved much, but he put in the work."

Then she turned to me with a sigh. "If you have conditions, name them."

"Forget it."

I let out a cold laugh, signed the divorce papers, and tossed the pen aside. I didn't spare the settlement agreement so much as a glance.

The room went silent with shock.

"Jacob!"

Marlene's voice stopped me. I turned.

She frowned. "You can't seriously go back to that run-down shack. You can't keep growing your own vegetables just to eat. That's no way to live."

"Are you pitying me?"

I raised an eyebrow. Before she could answer, I continued. "I don't need your pity."

"But you? All of you?" My gaze swept the room. "Don't come crying to me later."

The moment the words left my mouth, the entire hall erupted in laughter.

Every Henson in the room mocked me—called me delusional, said I was writing checks my mouth couldn't cash. They boasted that with Miles on their side, the Henson family would only grow stronger.

I didn't say another word. I walked out through the front doors of the Henson estate, their laughter chasing me every step of the way.

Outside, Doreen was leaning against a car, waiting. She shook her head with a sigh. "Marlene really can't tell gold from garbage. Not like me—I've always had a thing for your type."

She reached up and hooked her arms around my neck.

"Did you go over the plan?" I asked, keeping my tone even.

"You're such a block of wood! Zero romance!" Doreen pouted, then let her arms drop. "Fine. We'll do it your way. I'll bring my team in, fold your people into my company, and we'll crush Henson Group completely."

"As for equity, I'll only take ten percent. The rest is yours."

"We announce tonight and cancel the signing ceremony with Henson Group."

I shook my head, a faint smile tugging at my lips. "The Hensons think they've latched onto you—their mighty oak, their ticket to the top."

"So let's give them their signing ceremony. And on the day of, I'll deliver a surprise they'll never forget."

Doreen blinked. Then a slow, wicked grin spread across her face. "Ruthless. I love it."

Over the next few days, the Hensons threw themselves into preparing for the signing ceremony.

Marlene texted me, urging me to swallow my pride and apologize. She said there might still be a place for me at the company.

I declined without hesitation.

The day of the signing ceremony arrived.

The Hensons had invited every media outlet in the city to witness what they called a historic moment.

"Since we're all gathered on such a wonderful occasion, I'd like to make an announcement of my own." Spencer beamed, pulling Marlene and Miles to his side before the cameras. "From this day forward, Miles Sullivan is officially my son-in-law."

"As for Jacob Gilbert? He knew he wasn't worthy of my daughter and filed for divorce himself."

"Miles has returned from overseas, highly regarded by major international investors!"

Something ugly and underhanded, smoothed over with a few polished words.

Miles, shameless as ever, flashed a charming grin and waved at the press.

Marlene smiled beside him. "I believe in Miles's abilities. With him leading the way, Henson Group will make its mark on the global stage!"

The words had barely settled when car horns blared outside.

"That must be Miss Delgado!"

Marlene and the others rushed to the entrance, lining up in front of the arriving motorcade with their biggest, brightest smiles plastered on.

Then the car door opened.

I stepped out.

Every smile in the Henson family froze. Their eyes went wide—one pair after another, like dominoes falling.