Theo’s face twisted with disdain. He let out a derisive snort. "You? The sky beyond the sky? Don’t make me laugh."
He stepped closer, his voice dripping with mockery. "Kid, just because you’re the Harper Family’s son-in-law, don’t think you can act like some big shot here."
Then he smirked, his next words sending a cold chill down my spine. "You probably don’t even know it yet, do you? Ms. Harper—she’s about to divorce you."
The moment Theo’s words left his mouth, the room filled with laughter and mocking sneers. The so-called business elites of Boston seemed to take great pleasure in my humiliation. Their faces, twisted with derision, only deepened my disappointment. So, this is the Boston business world?
I had only refused to drink because of my alcohol allergy, yet these men treated it as if it were some great crime. They called me names—son-in-law, gigolo—as if their words carried weight. I never cared about such trivialities, but what truly struck me was the realization that I couldn’t even control my own company’s people. Was this the result of my decision to keep a low profile?
For years, because of my unique status, I had remained in the background, staying out of the public eye. Even when I heard whispers and mockery behind my back, I chose to ignore them, thinking such things beneath me. But it seemed my indifference had emboldened others, turning my silence into their justification for disrespect.
Theo, mistaking my quiet for submission, pushed a tray of ten wine glasses toward me. “Rudy, drink these ten cups and you can leave. We’ll forget everything that happened tonight and you can go back to being the little white boy of the Harper Family.” His smirk widened. “But if you refuse, I’m afraid you won’t be walking out of this room.”
I clenched my fists beneath the table, reigning in my anger as I locked eyes with him. “Assistant Theo, you know very well I’m allergic to alcohol.”
Theo scoffed, rolling his eyes. “It’s just a few glasses. It won’t kill you.” His voice dripped with contempt. “Drink or don’t drink—it’s your choice.”
His arrogance almost made me laugh. Even Zayden, the head of the Harper Family, would not dare speak to me in this manner. Where did this mere assistant get such courage? Unless, of course, he had someone powerful backing him.
I leaned back, a cold smile playing at my lips. “Theo, there’s no point in talking to you any longer. Why don’t you call out the person hiding behind you? Or is he too much of a coward to face me himself?”
As if on cue, the door to the private room swung open.
A man, roughly my age, sauntered in, his presence commanding immediate attention. His tailored suit, his air of confidence—everything about him screamed power. The moment he stepped into the room, the atmosphere shifted. Even Theo, who had been so brazen before, straightened up nervously.
“Mr. Rudy,”, the man said smoothly, “seems you’re not as clueless as the rumors suggest.”
Theo’s eyes widened and he nearly stumbled over himself to greet the newcomer. “Mr. Mark Roosevsalt? Why are you here?”
