"Booth Reed, are you trying to scald me to death with this boiling foot water?"

"If you don't finish the chores today, don't even think about eating!"

"You disgusting bastard, how dare you touch your sister-in-law? Get the hell out of our house!"

"Useless trash! You don't deserve to live! If you died, Sophia could’ve married into wealth by now!"

South China Province, Lijing Grand Hotel, Jiangcheng City.

The night had just fallen, and a light drizzle blurred the city lights.

Booth Reed stood in the rain, wrapped in a black trench coat, the echo of a woman’s curses still ringing in his ears.

Neon lights flickered along the busy street. People hustled about, cars passed in a blur.

He lit a cigarette, took a long drag, and blew the smoke into the night air, trying to clear away the lingering voices in his mind.

Raindrops soaked his hair and coat, but they couldn’t wash away those three years of humiliation.

Eight years ago, Booth had arrived in this city with nothing to his name. To repay a debt and survive, he’d become a live-in son-in-law to the Thomas family.

And even though the Thomases weren’t a big shot family, in those three years, he had less dignity than a servant.

His wife’s family never treated him like a person.

He couldn’t help recalling how five years ago, they kicked him out without a second thought, using low-handed tricks.

Now, standing here again, he couldn’t help but feel a mix of emotions.

"Boss... it’s raining hard. Let's head inside."

A voice snapped him back. A large black umbrella opened above his head.

The man holding the umbrella stood in the rain, his pricey suit already soaked, but he didn’t care.

Booth glanced at him with a faint smile. “Lucas, would you say I've returned with style?”

Lucas Bennett. Vice President of Longway Group. Booth’s most trusted right-hand man.

He was in charge of Longway Group’s investments in Jiangcheng.

Lucas paused before replying with full respect, “As long as you give the word, not just the Thomas family—even the whole city could be yours, boss.”

Booth waved it off. “Will the Thomases show up?”

“They will.”

Booth exhaled, flicked the cigarette aside, and made his way to the hotel entrance.

Lijing Grand Hotel—Jiangcheng’s top five-star spot, as fancy as they came.

The moment Booth returned to this city, Lucas had bought the entire hotel, making it Longway Group's first official asset in Jiangcheng.

Inside, a grand banquet was underway to welcome the group. The who’s who of Jiangcheng’s elite were gathered here.

They stepped into the elevator, Lucas by his side.

Suddenly, Lucas spoke up, “Boss, tonight’s event is hosted by David Collins himself—the president of Jiangcheng’s business alliance. He's eager to meet you personally.”

“I’m not showing up. You handle it. You know what to do,” Booth said casually.

When the elevator stopped at the eighth floor, they stepped out. Booth headed straight for a quiet corner of the banquet hall.

Inside, the place was packed. Wealthy families and top business figures mingled and networked, laughter and chatter in the air.

Booth entered a private room next to the hall. As soon as he stepped in, a wave of heat and noise hit him.

Chandeliers glittered above. He squinted against the lights.

Men and women dressed to the nines toasted and chatted, laughing like they had no cares in the world.

These were the city’s elites—socialites, heirs, business whizzes—flashing bright smiles and expensive watches.

And every single one of them was here for one reason: to lay eyes on Longway Group’s mysterious owner.

Making a good impression might just change their lives.

Booth found an empty seat in a quiet corner and sat down, calm and composed.

Eight years ago, all these folks had looked like distant stars.

Now, everything had changed.

“Well, well... isn't this the good-for-nothing who mooched off our Thomas family for three years? Booth Reed, is that really you?”

A shrill voice rang out across the hall.Booth Reed glanced up, brows slightly knitted. A middle-aged woman in her late forties, elegantly dressed and swirling a wine glass in hand, strode toward him.

Martha Smith—his former mother-in-law. The woman who spent three years belittling and humiliating him.

Booth couldn’t even be bothered to look at her twice.

His eyes had already fallen on the woman seated not far away.

Sophia Thomas—his ex-wife, the woman he’d shared three long years with.

She wore a sky-blue spaghetti strap dress, the soft fabric hugging her figure perfectly, her pale shoulders glowing under the light. Her jet-black hair cascaded down her back, and her stunning face carried a cool, aloof expression.

Truly, a beauty in seclusion.

Their gazes met. Just ten steps between them, yet it felt like an eternity.

Booth quickly turned his eyes away, but her voice hit him before he could do anything else.

“Well, well, if it isn’t the useless Booth Reed. You’ve got the guts to show your face back in Jiangcheng? What’s your deal?”

He picked up a tart, took a slow bite, and said mildly, “I came to pay respects to Mr. Clarke.”

At the mention of Harold Clarke, a hint of sorrow crossed Booth’s face. His appetite vanished.

Eight years ago, the Reed family villa in the capital went up in flames, and Booth, poisoned, could only lie there helplessly. At death’s doorstep, it was Harold Clarke who braved the fire and saved him, bringing him back to the Clarke household.

But not long after that, Harold passed away from lung cancer—likely from the fire.

That was a life-saving debt Booth could never repay.

Which was why, for all the humiliation and contempt the Clarke family had thrown his way, he endured it silently for years.

Martha scoffed loudly. “Don’t make me laugh, Booth. You stopped being part of this family five years ago. What right do you have to mourn my father-in-law?”

Booth didn’t argue. No point.

But Martha wouldn’t stop. “You freeloaded off us for three whole years, wasted Sophia’s youth, and now that we’ve finally cleared out the trash, you’re back to stir up trouble?”

Their conversation quickly drew the attention of nearby guests. The Clarke family’s messy history was no secret in Jiangcheng.

“So that’s the loser son-in-law who got kicked out? Huh, he looks even worse in real life.”

“I heard Sophia never even let him hold her hand in three years, and he snapped and hit on her younger sister. Total scumbag.”

“What’s a guy like that doing here anyway? This isn’t some random gathering—this is a Dragonforce welcome banquet!”

Booth barely heard them. Eight years of enduring the continuous bile from the Clarke family had trained his ears to tune it all out.

Martha narrowed her eyes suspiciously. “How the hell did someone like you even get in here?”

“None of your business,” Booth said flatly, dropping half of the tart on the buffet table.

Martha’s face turned thunderous, but when she saw the discarded tart, her sneer deepened. “So, just here for the free food, huh? Figures. Still the same pitiful state you were in when we kicked you out.”

Her tone shifted sharply again. “But do you even see where you are? This is the Dragonforce Group's event. Everyone here is somebody. You really think you belong?”

“Out of respect for Sophia, I’m giving you a final chance. Take what you’ve stuffed in your mouth and get lost. Once the security shows up, I won’t be this nice.”

Looking at her smug face, Booth exhaled quietly. Five years had passed and she hadn’t changed a bit.

Suddenly, he looked straight at her, voice cold, “And how exactly are you so sure I don’t belong here?”