The following morning, at exactly ten o'clock, the Harper family's villa was already overflowing with guests.
Sterling Heights was the most exclusive residential district in Riverforge.
Tall iron gates separated enormous private estates from the public roads. Expensive cars lined the driveways, security guards stood outside the entrances, and the people who lived there generally considered anyone earning less than six figures beneath their notice.
The Harper family owned one of the district's largest villas.
Three floors.
A private garden.
An indoor swimming pool.
An enormous ballroom.
And enough antique furniture to furnish a small museum.
Today, the entire estate had been decorated for Old Madam Eleanor Harper's eightieth birthday.
The main banquet would take place that evening at the Metropolitan Grand Hotel, but Eleanor had demanded that every family member gather at her villa beforehand.
Naturally, nobody dared refuse.
After all, the Harper family's fortune—approximately $1.2 billion in assets—remained under Eleanor's control.
Her two sons had spent years trying to secure her favor.
Michael Harper, the eldest, managed several divisions of Harper Family Holdings.
Robert Harper, Emily's father, oversaw the family's property development interests.
Both men wanted to inherit control of the company.
Both believed they deserved it.
And both were perfectly willing to embarrass themselves if it meant earning another approving smile from their mother.
"Mother! Happy eightieth birthday!"
Michael approached Eleanor carrying an elaborate gift box.
The old woman sat in her favorite antique mahogany chair, a small white poodle resting comfortably in her lap.
She smiled.
"Michael."
He bowed slightly.
"I had this custom-made for you."
He opened the box.
Inside rested a beautiful jade ornament.
Eleanor examined it.
"Very nice."
Michael smiled proudly.
Robert immediately stepped forward.
"Mother, Susan and I prepared something as well."
He presented an expensive gold bracelet.
Eleanor examined it.
Then nodded.
"Acceptable."
Robert's smile stiffened.
Across the room, Michael looked pleased.
Their competition had begun.
The grandchildren were no different.
Brandon Harper, Michael's son, arrived wearing a designer suit and a watch worth more than most people earned in a year.
His younger sister, Jessica, stood beside him.
Jessica had become an internet celebrity through short videos highlighting expensive fashion, glamorous vacations, and her carefully maintained figure. Most of her enormously popular videos avoided showing her face clearly, allowing followers to speculate endlessly about the mysterious beauty behind the account.
She had over ten million followers.
And an ego considerably larger than the family villa.
Unfortunately, she was deeply jealous of her cousin Emily.
Whenever Emily entered a room, men tended to notice her immediately.
Jessica hated that.
Today was no exception.
Emily arrived with her parents, wearing an elegant pale-pink dress.
Jessica looked her up and down.
Then smiled.
"Cousin Emily! You look beautiful."
Emily returned the smile.
"Thank you, Jessica."
Jessica glanced toward the entrance.
"Where's your husband?"
Emily's expression tightened.
"He's busy."
Jessica raised an eyebrow.
"Busy?"
Brandon overheard.
He laughed.
"Delivering food, probably!"
Several cousins chuckled.
Brandon adjusted his watch.
"Honestly, I still can't believe Emily married that loser."
Michael smiled.
"Now, Brandon."
His son looked at him.
"What? It's true."
He gestured toward the driveway.
"Last month, I was driving my Maserati when I saw Jeff delivering takeout."
Jessica laughed.
Brandon continued.
"I was sitting with three friends from wealthy families. They asked whether I knew him."
He grinned.
"Obviously, I said no."
More laughter.
"Can you imagine admitting that a delivery driver is your cousin-in-law?"
Robert chuckled uncomfortably.
Susan, however, looked perfectly satisfied.
"Well, nobody could blame you."
Emily lowered her eyes.
Nobody noticed how tightly she was gripping her handbag.
Because unlike everyone else, she knew exactly why Jeff wasn't there.
And she knew something much worse.
For the first time in three years, he'd left without asking permission.
Eleanor Harper was examining her gifts when her poodle suddenly jumped from her lap.
The little dog circled the antique chair.
Sniffed the carpet.
Then relieved itself beside one of the carved wooden legs.
Eleanor looked down.
Her expression darkened.
"Honestly!"
The dog wagged its tail.
The old woman looked toward the servants.
Then stopped.
"Where's Jeff?"
Several people turned.
Michael blinked.
"Jeff?"
Eleanor pointed toward the carpet.
"That useless son-in-law. Tell him to clean this up."
A maid stepped forward.
"Old Madam, I can take care of it."
Eleanor immediately frowned.
"No."
The maid stopped.
"Madam?"
"That's Jeff's work."
Silence.
Eleanor lifted her chin.
"For three years, he's been responsible for cleaning up after Princess."
The poodle barked.
Eleanor patted its head lovingly.
"Such a good girl."
Jessica covered her mouth to hide a laugh.
Brandon didn't bother.
"Grandmother, I don't think Jeff is here."
The old woman's smile disappeared.
"What?"
Michael looked around.
"He's right, Mother. I haven't seen him."
Eleanor's expression turned severe.
"Today is my eightieth birthday."
Nobody spoke.
"And that worthless man dares not attend?"
Susan hurried forward.
"Mother, perhaps he's working."
Eleanor stared.
"Working?"
Jessica immediately laughed.
"Oh, that's right! He has deliveries!"
Brandon grinned.
"Maybe someone ordered a birthday cake and he had to carry it across the city!"
Several relatives laughed.
Eleanor struck the arm of her chair.
"ENOUGH!"
The room went silent.
She looked directly at Emily.
"Where is your husband?"
Emily swallowed.
"Grandmother..."
"Answer me."
Emily lowered her eyes.
"He might still be working."
Eleanor's expression hardened.
"Then call him."
Emily hesitated.
"Grandmother..."
"Immediately!"
Susan nudged her daughter.
"Emily, do as your grandmother says."
Emily looked at her mother.
Then at the floor.
She hadn't slept particularly well.
Not because she regretted what happened at the hotel.
At least, that was what she'd told herself.
She was furious that Jeff had dared leave.
Her husband.
The man who'd always cooked for her.
Cleaned for her.
Apologized to her.
The man she'd grown accustomed to ordering around.
He'd simply packed his belongings and walked out.
Without asking whether she wanted him to stay.
Without promising to change.
Without begging.
The humiliation had kept her awake.
And now her grandmother was demanding an explanation.
Emily suddenly lowered herself to her knees.
"Grandmother!"
Eleanor blinked.
"Emily?"
Tears gathered in Emily's eyes.
"There's something I need to tell you!"
Susan gasped.
"Darling?"
Robert frowned.
"Emily, what's happened?"
Emily covered her face.
"Jeff... Jeff wants a divorce!"
The living room fell silent.
Then everyone began talking at once.
"Divorce?"
"That delivery driver?"
"How dare he!"
"After everything the Harpers did for him?"
Eleanor's face turned crimson.
"What did you say?"
Emily sniffled.
"Jeff told me he wanted to divorce me!"
Eleanor slowly stood.
Her poodle jumped down.
"Who gave him permission?"
Nobody answered.
The old woman struck her cane against the floor.
"WHO GAVE HIM PERMISSION TO DIVORCE MY GRANDDAUGHTER?"
Robert hurried forward.
"Mother, calm down."
"Calm down?"
She glared.
"That man entered this family because Emily chose to marry him, and we permitted him to join our household despite his lack of status!"
Susan nodded.
"Exactly, Mother!"
Eleanor continued.
"Your late grandfather believed that hardworking young man might amount to something, Emily. We respected your choice to marry him."
Her eyes narrowed.
"And now, after three years of enjoying our family's generosity, he thinks he can walk away?"
Emily began crying harder.
"Grandmother, I wouldn't have asked for this!"
Eleanor's expression softened.
She stepped forward and helped Emily to her feet.
"Child, stop crying."
Emily sniffled.
The old woman patted her shoulder.
"You're a Harper granddaughter."
She spoke with enormous pride.
"Your family's reputation is worth more than anything that useless man could earn in his lifetime."
Emily nodded tearfully.
Eleanor continued.
"Tell me what happened."
She smiled coldly.
"How did that beast bully you?"
Emily hesitated.
Then lowered her head.
"Grandmother..."
"Yes?"
"Jeff has another woman."
Silence.
Complete silence.
Then Eleanor trembled.
"What?"
Emily nodded.
"He cheated on me!"
Susan gasped.
Robert clenched his fists.
Brandon's mouth fell open.
Jessica raised her eyebrows.
Eleanor gripped the arm of her chair.
"That..."
Her voice shook.
"That ungrateful animal!"
Michael quickly stepped forward to steady her.
"Mother!"
Eleanor pushed his hand away.
"Three years!"
She pointed toward the entrance.
"THREE YEARS WE FED HIM!"
Susan nodded furiously.
"We housed him!"
Robert added, "We allowed him to use our cars!"
Eleanor's eyes blazed.
"And this is how he repays us?"
Emily covered her face.
"I tried so hard, Grandmother."
Eleanor immediately embraced her.
"My poor child."
Emily sniffled.
"I did everything I could."
Susan stepped forward.
"Of course you did, darling."
Emily continued.
"But Jeff was never satisfied."
She lowered her eyes.
"He always complained that we didn't respect him."
Robert scoffed.
"Respect? Respect is earned!"
Michael folded his arms.
"That boy should've been grateful we allowed him into the family."
Brandon grinned.
"Apparently he decided he deserved a better woman."
Several relatives laughed.
Emily's shoulders trembled.
Jessica stepped forward.
"Cousin."
Emily looked up.
Jessica tilted her head.
"Aren't you supposed to be the most beautiful woman in Riverforge?"
Emily frowned.
Jessica smiled sweetly.
"How could another woman possibly steal your husband?"
Emily's face tightened.
Jessica continued.
"Unless..."
She paused.
"...Jeff simply got tired of being treated like a servant."
Susan immediately glared.
"Jessica!"
Jessica smiled.
"What? I'm only wondering."
Brandon burst out laughing.
"Actually, she's got a point."
Robert frowned.
"Brandon."
But his nephew continued.
"Come on, Uncle Robert. Everyone knows Emily never even let Jeff into her bedroom."
Emily's cheeks reddened.
"Brandon!"
He grinned.
"Three years married and the poor guy never even got to hold her hand!"
Several cousins chuckled.
Brandon spread his hands.
"What did everyone expect?"
Susan stepped forward angrily.
"That's enough!"
Brandon looked amused.
She pointed at him.
"Emily is a Harper granddaughter! Why should she have to share a bedroom with a worthless delivery driver?"
Brandon shrugged.
"Then why marry him?"
Susan's face reddened.
He smirked.
"Unless you were just waiting until someone richer came along."
Emily flinched.
Jessica noticed.
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
Susan snapped, "Watch your mouth!"
Brandon laughed.
"I'm just saying what everyone else is thinking!"
"ENOUGH!"
Eleanor's cane struck the floor.
The room immediately fell silent.
The old woman looked furious.
"Whether Emily allowed that man into her bedroom is irrelevant!"
She pointed toward the entrance.
"That worthless son-in-law had no right to betray her!"
Nobody disagreed.
Eleanor continued.
"He ate our food!"
Robert nodded.
"He lived in our property!"
Susan added, "He wore clothes our family occasionally purchased for him!"
Eleanor lifted her chin.
"And he had the honor of marrying a Harper granddaughter!"
Her eyes narrowed.
"Yet he still dared commit adultery."
Emily lowered her head.
A tear rolled down her cheek.
She was getting exactly the reaction she'd hoped for.
Because she understood something about her family.
They didn't need evidence.
They didn't need witnesses.
They certainly didn't need to hear Jeff's side.
They only needed to believe a Harper had been insulted.
And they would do the rest.
Eleanor turned toward Michael.
"Bring that beast here."
Michael nodded.
"Mother, I'll call him."
"NOW!"
She struck the floor again.
"And prepare the family disciplinary cane!"
Several relatives exchanged excited looks.
Brandon grinned.
Jessica folded her arms.
Susan smiled with satisfaction.
Emily remained silent.
Eleanor's expression twisted with fury.
"Today, I will teach Jeff Sterling what happens when someone disrespects the Harper family!"
I was halfway through my second cup of coffee when my phone began vibrating.
Again.
I glanced at the screen.
MICHAEL HARPER
I stared.
Then took another sip.
"Interesting."
The call ended.
Five seconds later, it rang again.
MICHAEL HARPER
I sighed.
Across the breakfast table, Sebastian looked up from his tablet.
"Another call, Chairman?"
I nodded.
"Apparently."
He raised an eyebrow.
"The Harpers?"
"Yes."
I checked the time.
10:23 a.m.
They'd certainly started early.
I'd spent the previous night in my private penthouse overlooking the river.
It was quiet.
Comfortable.
And considerably larger than the apartment Emily had spent three years reminding me I couldn't afford.
Breakfast had been excellent.
The chef had prepared eggs, toast, fresh fruit, and coffee.
For the first time in months, nobody had complained that I'd made the eggs incorrectly.
Nobody had ordered me to clean something before eating.
Nobody had called me useless.
It was wonderful.
Then the phone rang for a third time.
I answered.
"Hello."
Michael's voice exploded through the speaker.
"JEFF!"
I moved the phone away from my ear.
"Good morning, Michael."
"WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU?"
I glanced toward Sebastian.
He looked distinctly unimpressed.
I returned my attention to the call.
"Having breakfast."
Silence.
Then:
"BREAKFAST?"
"Yes."
"DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT TIME IT IS?"
I glanced at my watch.
"Ten twenty-four."
Michael made an angry noise.
"YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO BE HERE AT TEN!"
I considered that.
Then replied calmly.
"No."
He froze.
"What?"
"I wasn't."
Michael's voice sharpened.
"Grandmother ordered the entire family to attend!"
I took another sip of coffee.
"Then I hope everyone is enjoying themselves."
"JEFF!"
I sighed.
"Michael, shouting isn't going to improve my hearing."
For several seconds, there was silence.
Then his voice became dangerously quiet.
"Listen here, you worthless little bastard."
I raised an eyebrow.
"Go on."
"Grandmother knows what you did to Emily."
I stopped moving.
For a moment, I stared at the coffee cup.
Then slowly set it down.
"What I did?"
"Don't pretend!"
I looked toward Sebastian.
He noticed my expression change.
Michael continued.
"Emily told us everything!"
I leaned back.
"Did she?"
"YES!"
I waited.
"Apparently you've been sleeping with another woman!"
Silence.
I stared.
Then laughed.
Not loudly.
Just a short laugh of genuine disbelief.
"Really."
Michael sounded furious.
"YOU THINK THIS IS FUNNY?"
I shook my head.
"No."
I paused.
"Actually, Michael, I find it fascinating."
He growled.
"What?"
"Emily told you I cheated."
"YES!"
"And you believed her."
"OF COURSE!"
I nodded slowly.
"Interesting."
Michael continued.
"Grandmother is furious!"
"I'm sure."
"She wants you here immediately!"
I looked toward the windows.
Below me, the city shimmered in the morning sunlight.
I could see the distant outline of Apex Tower.
My building.
My company.
My empire.
And here was Michael Harper shouting at me as though I were still the family's unpaid servant.
I smiled faintly.
"Michael."
"WHAT?"
"I'm not coming."
Silence.
Then:
"What did you say?"
"I said I'm not coming."
He sounded genuinely stunned.
"Jeff, do you understand what Grandmother will do to you?"
I raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
"She'll discipline you!"
I considered that.
"Discipline me."
"YES!"
I glanced toward Sebastian.
He looked appalled.
I returned to the phone.
"Michael, I'm an adult."
"YOU'RE A HARPER SON-IN-LAW!"
"Not for much longer."
Silence.
Then he shouted:
"YOU UNGRATEFUL BEAST!"
I sighed.
"Goodbye, Michael."
"JEFF, DON'T YOU DARE—"
I ended the call.
And placed the phone facedown.
Sebastian stared at me.
"Chairman."
I looked up.
"Yes?"
"Did I hear correctly?"
"Probably."
"Miss Emily has accused you of infidelity?"
I nodded.
"Apparently."
He went silent.
Then slowly removed his glasses.
For anyone else, the gesture might have meant nothing.
For Sebastian, it meant he was furious.
He cleaned the lenses carefully.
Then asked:
"Would you like our legal department involved?"
I considered that.
Then nodded.
"Yes. Preserve the messages and any other relevant evidence."
"Immediately."
"And Sebastian?"
"Yes, Chairman?"
"Don't contact the Harper family."
He paused.
"Understood."
I looked toward the window.
Emily Harper.
Yesterday, she'd stood in a hotel room wearing a bathrobe while Ryan Caldwell wrapped his arm around her.
She'd laughed at me.
Called me worthless.
Told me she never loved me.
And now...
Now she was telling her family I'd been the one who cheated.
I shook my head.
"Unbelievable."
Sebastian watched quietly.
Then asked:
"Young master, are you all right?"
I thought about it.
"No."
He nodded slowly.
"But I'm getting there."
I stood.
Walked toward the enormous windows.
And looked out over the city.
Somewhere across Riverforge, Eleanor Harper was probably sitting in her favorite chair.
Her sons surrounding her.
Her grandchildren laughing.
Emily pretending to be the innocent victim.
And every one of them waiting for the worthless son-in-law to arrive and kneel.
I smiled without warmth.
"Sebastian."
"Yes?"
"Cancel my afternoon meetings."
He raised an eyebrow.
"Chairman?"
I turned toward him.
"I think I'll pay the Harper family a visit."
He studied me.
Then nodded.
"Shall I arrange the limousine?"
I considered that.
Then shook my head.
"No."
Sebastian sighed.
"The scooter?"
I smiled faintly.
"Exactly."
He closed his eyes.
"Young master..."
I chuckled.
"Don't worry."
He looked at me.
I continued.
"I'm not going to reveal anything."
His expression softened slightly.
I glanced toward my phone.
Then toward the city.
"I just want to hear Emily repeat that lie while looking me in the eyes."
Sebastian nodded.
"Understood."
I walked toward the door.
Then stopped.
"One more thing."
"Yes, Chairman?"
"Keep the financial investigation going."
"Of course."
"The Caldwell proposal?"
"Everything."
Sebastian nodded.
"Certainly."
I paused.
"And don't make any decisions yet."
He bowed.
"As you wish."
I smiled faintly.
"After all..."
I thought about Ryan Caldwell.
His hundred-dollar bill.
His arrogant grin.
The way he'd laughed while demanding that I kneel.
Then I thought about Eleanor Harper.
The old woman who believed her family's $1.2 billion fortune entitled her to treat people however she pleased.
I shook my head.
"...I haven't even begun to understand how much trouble these people are going to cause themselves."
I left the room.
Behind me, Sebastian returned to his tablet.
And across the city, the Harper family continued waiting for the man they believed had nothing.
They were certain Jeff Sterling would arrive frightened.
That he would kneel.
That he would apologize.
That he would accept whatever punishment Eleanor demanded.
They had no idea that the man riding toward them on a battered delivery scooter was worth approximately $3.8 trillion.
And more importantly...
They had no idea he was finished obeying them.
At the Harper villa, Eleanor struck the floor with her cane.
"Well?"
Michael lowered his phone.
His face was red.
"Mother..."
She glared.
"Where is he?"
Michael swallowed.
"He refused."
Silence.
Eleanor slowly straightened.
"What?"
"He said he isn't coming."
The old woman's hands began trembling.
Brandon stared.
Jessica raised her eyebrows.
Robert looked furious.
Susan gasped.
Emily froze.
For three years, Jeff had never refused a direct order from Eleanor.
Not once.
The old woman rose from her chair.
Her poodle jumped down.
"That..."
She swallowed.
"THAT UNGRATEFUL BEAST!"
She pointed toward the entrance.
"Call him again!"
Michael hesitated.
"Mother—"
"AGAIN!"
Brandon grinned.
"Grandmother, don't worry. We can have someone drag him here."
Susan nodded eagerly.
"Exactly."
Emily remained silent.
Something about Jeff's refusal unsettled her.
She remembered the night before.
His suitcase.
His calm expression.
The way he'd simply walked away.
He'll come crawling back.
That was what she'd told him.
And yet...
He hadn't called.
He hadn't apologized.
He hadn't asked to return.
Emily clenched her fists.
Fine.
If Jeff wanted to behave arrogantly, she'd make certain he regretted it.
She lifted her chin.
"Grandmother."
Eleanor turned.
"Yes, child?"
Emily smiled faintly.
"If Jeff refuses to come..."
She paused.
"...perhaps we should announce what he did at tonight's banquet."
The room went quiet.
Then Brandon smiled.
"Oh, that's good."
Jessica nodded thoughtfully.
Robert grinned.
Susan clasped her hands.
And Eleanor Harper slowly smiled.
"Yes."
She returned to her chair.
"That's exactly what we'll do."
She looked toward the family.
"Tonight, every important business family in Riverforge will learn what kind of man Jeff Sterling really is."
The relatives nodded.
Eleanor smiled coldly.
"And once we're finished with him..."
She paused.
"...he won't be able to find work anywhere in this city."
Emily smiled.
Finally.
That would teach Jeff a lesson.
After all, what could a worthless delivery driver possibly do against the Harper family?
Outside, the distant sound of a motorcycle approached the villa gates.
And nobody inside noticed.
Not yet.