"You're absolutely right! Keeping a useless piece of trash like you in my company is just a waste of resources!"

I shook my head with a faint smile. "Willa, I can take you saying I'm idle, but I won't stand for you saying I'm useless to the company. Do you really think you got to where you are today all on your own?"

When Willa saw that I dared to speak back in addition to refusing to take responsibility, she became enraged. "Frederick! Open your damn eyes and take a good look! I am the chairwoman of Baker Group! Do you think the company went public because of you, a worthless loser?"

I nodded earnestly. "Exactly. You're spot on. The Bakers were able to rise to become one of Stormford's four great families precisely because of me."

As soon as I said that, the dinner table erupted. "Kid, you're really full of hot air, aren't you? The Bakers are a respected name in Stormford and what are you?"

"Mr. Lawson is right. How dare a man who can't even get respect from his own wife sit with us?"

"I suggest you leave now. Everyone here is a big shot in the business world. We don't welcome gigolos."

I rubbed my ears, tuning out their words. "Whether or not I have the right to sit here isn't up to you."

"The moment those words left my mouth, the entire room fell silent. Everyone in attendance tonight was a powerhouse in Stormford's business scene, from top executives to major investors. Even Baker Group had only just managed to secure an invitation this year.

My statement spread like wildfire, drawing all eyes to me. One by one, sharp and hostile gazes locked onto me as if they were ready to tear me apart. As the crowd grew larger, I soon found myself surrounded."

Seeing this, Jacob grinned from ear to ear. "Everyone, let me clarify. This man is indeed Mrs. Baker's husband, but he's already been fired from the Baker Group. You can hit him, you can yell at him; we won't stop you."

Hearing his words, I almost couldn't hold back my laughter. "Jacob, I'd suggest you don't cut ties with me so quickly."

I flashed him a small smile. "Because without me, Baker Group will go bankrupt in less than ten minutes. Want to bet on it?"

Jacob slammed his hand on the table. "Frederick, are you dreaming? A freeloader like you thinks he can bring down the company? You must be out of your mind."

I nodded, looking at him calmly. "That's the truth. If you don't believe me, feel free to test it."

Jacob raised an eyebrow and scoffed. "Test it? Someone who doesn't even know his own worth dares to act tough in front of me."

His mocking didn't faze me in the slightest. Instead, I smiled confidently. "Unlike you, I, Frederick Larkin, never rely on anyone to get things done."

The moment I said that, the expressions on the faces of the business elites at the table shifted. "Tch, I was wondering who was acting so arrogant. It's just Baker Group's pet."

"Well said! A kept man living off his wife's fortune, yet he still dares to look down on others? What a joke!"

"Everyone at this table is worth billions and you? You don't have a hundred bucks in your pocket.

I cleared my throat and scanned the room. "You're mistaken. It's not that I look down on others. I look down on every single one of you."

I may not be a business expert, but at least I know how to be a decent person. From the moment I stepped into this banquet hall, all these so-called business elites have done nothing but discuss shady ways to exploit loopholes, never how to actually grow their companies. One was bragging about underpaying his employees. Another was boasting about dodging taxes. With bosses like these, it's only a matter of time before their companies go under.

The second those words left my mouth, I became the number one target of everyone's anger. Even the event host couldn't take it anymore. "Sir, this is a professional business gathering. We don't welcome people like you here."

I slowly raised my head and looked towards the stage. "Oh? And what kind of person am I exactly? Go on, enlighten me."

Before the host could speak, Jacob rushed onto the stage and snatched the microphone. "Frederick Larkin, you're nothing but a worthless freeloader!"

The words echoed through the hall, blasting through the speakers. The business moguls at my table immediately burst into applause, enjoying the show. Even Willa, who had been quiet all evening, clapped along with them.

Seeing this scene unfold before my eyes, I finally understood Willa's true motive for inviting me. Unfortunately for her, her scheme of using others to do her dirty work was completely ineffective against me. Even if you searched the entire city of Stormford, no one would dare look down on me.

Seeing that I remained silent, Jacob thought I was intimidated and raised the microphone again. "Hey, Frederick, now do you understand why Mrs. Baker didn't want you at her table?"

He paused, then grinned. "Because ... you're simply not worthy."

I stared at him coldly, my voice devoid of any emotion. "Alright. I've played along with your little show long enough. Now tell me, what's the real reason you dragged me here tonight?"

Jacob smirked, his eyes filled with contempt. "Since you already figured it out, I won't bother pretending anymore. To put it simply, Mrs. Baker brought you here so you could finally understand your place and stop shamelessly clinging to the Bakers."

I casually slipped my hands into my pockets and smiled. "And then?"

Jacob gave me a once-over, his expression full of disdain. "Mrs. Baker is divorcing you."

I froze for a moment, then turned to look at Willa. "Is that true? You really want a divorce?"

Willa raised an eyebrow, looking at me with disdain. "Jacob is right. I've wanted a divorce for a long time, but I've only been delaying it because of my father's pressure. Since all the business leaders are here today, they can witness this. I, Willa, want a divorce from you, you good-for-nothing who only knows how to freeload!"

After hearing her words, everything suddenly became clear. Julian Baker, the founder of Baker Group, knocked on my door three years ago when the Bakers' business was still modest. He declared his desire to wed me to his daughter. Before I could even refuse, he pulled out of the marriage contract. I took one look at it and immediately recognized my father's handwriting. I was young at the time and had little understanding of love. Still, I unwillingly consented to fulfill my father's final wish.

However, Willa abruptly changed her mind on the day we were meant to receive our marriage certificates, stating that she would only consent to the marriage being registered and not to have a wedding. After giving it some thought, I granted her request because relationships take time to grow. Still, I never expected that not only did our relationship fail to grow over three years, but now she was trying to force me into a divorce. The more I thought about it, the more my anger surged.

"Willa! I'll ask you one last time, are you sure you want this divorce? Even if it means putting your precious Baker Group on the line?"

Before Willa could respond, Jacob jumped in again, adding fuel to the fire. "Of course, she does! With Mrs. Baker's status, she can find a man a hundred, no, a thousand times better than you!"

"Jacob, who the hell do you think you are? You're just her assistant. Do you really think you have the right to make decisions for her?"

As soon as I finished speaking, Willa's face darkened with anger. "Enough! Stop talking! Frederick, let me make this clear: you were never anything to me. To me and the Bakers, you've always been a burden. You're nothing but dead weight."

"Jacob, who the hell do you think you are? You're just her assistant. Do you really think you have the right to make decisions for her?"

As soon as I finished speaking, Willa's face darkened with anger. "Enough! Just stop it! Frederick, let me be perfectly clear. I've never had any feelings for you. To me and the Bakers, you've always been a burden. You're nothing but dead weight."

I let out a quiet sigh, disappointment flickering in my eyes. "So, you've already made up your mind, huh?"

Willa frowned, looking at me like I was something disgusting. "That's right! I never loved you, not in the past, not now and not in the future!"

The moment she finished, Jacob immediately started clapping. The crowd followed suit, showing their support for Willa. I scanned the room out of the corner of my eye and the smirk on my lips deepened. "Fine. Have it your way."

I gave Willa a long, meaningful look. "I just hope you won't regret this decision later."

When Willa heard me agree to the divorce, her face lit up with excitement. "Good! Since you're willing to end this, let's settle things quickly. Tell me, do you want money or property? I'll try to meet your demands."

I waved my hand dismissively, my expression turning icy. "Forget the money. Baker Group is going bankrupt soon anyway."

Then, my voice turned even colder. "But there's one thing I need to know. Besides all the reasons you've already given, is there another reason you're pushing for this divorce? Or let me be more direct, who's really pulling the strings behind today's events?"

I knew Willa well. She cared too much about her reputation. If no one was manipulating her, she would never have aired our private matters in front of so many people. Something was definitely fishy. Willa's reaction confirmed my suspicions. She avoided my gaze, unable to meet my eyes.

Before she could say anything, Jacob stepped in again. "You're not even qualified to know his name, but I will tell you this. He's from the Capital. He's someone you can never afford to cross."

At that moment, everything clicked. So, Jacob had been stirring the pot all along. No wonder he kept cutting in at the most crucial moments. Too bad for Willa. She didn't even realize she was just a pawn in someone else's game. Despite the constant provocation, I didn't lash out. Instead, I kept my composure, giving them chance after chance.

After all, everyone here was a big name in the business world. I didn't want to cause an unnecessary scene, but my patience had only been met with endless ridicule. "Enough!"

My voice cut through the noise like a blade. "This so-called business summit might as well end right now. So, here's how it's going to go. You all have two choices: leave now and I'll let you walk away unharmed. Or stay and you can go down with Baker Group."

As soon as I finished speaking, the business elites in the room exchanged amused glances before bursting into laughter. "Kid, you sure have a big mouth for someone so young. Do you think you can threaten us?"

"Do you believe that with just a word from us, you won't have a place to stand in the entire Stormford?"

"I advise you to just leave quietly, otherwise, no one will be able to save you later."

I suppressed my anger and slowly opened my mouth. "I used to keep a low profile, but today, I really want to make a scene."

As I spoke, I slowly walked towards the stage. "Today, whoever stays, I, Frederick Larkin, will take on all of you."

I looked at the provocative faces below the stage, feeling a little disappointed. So, was this the business world in Stormford like? Driven by profit, colluding with officials and businessmen, a complete mess!

"Frederick, get the hell down from there! That's not where you belong!" Jacob's voice rang out as he waved his arms, riling up the crowd.

I simply chuckled. "Alright, enough playing around. You've done your part. Now, why don't you tell your boss to come out? Hiding behind others and pulling strings from the shadows, does he not even have the guts to face me himself?"

As soon as I finished speaking, the door of the venue suddenly opened. A man about my age swaggered in. "You're Frederick Larkin, right? I've taken a fancy to your wife. Name your price."