Until the morning of the third day, Vivian finally sent me a message, inviting me to attend Gabriel’s press conference.
Just as I reached the entrance of the venue, a security guard stepped forward and blocked my way.
“Sir, may I ask your last name?” he said.
I remained silent. He handed back my invitation and said coldly,
“Sorry, you’re not allowed in. Our boss gave strict orders: no one with the surname Cole is to be admitted—ever. Please leave immediately.”
The crowd waiting behind me started whispering, their eyes sharp with disdain.
“Isn’t that Richard’s husband? Still clinging to the title of Cole family heir? What nerve to show up here.”
“If Richard hadn’t honored his promise and married him, he’d have no place in Toronto at all. After all, the Cole family’s antidote killed the hotel owner’s parents!”
“The Cole family may be old and prestigious, but that’s no excuse. I heard Richard sold off his entire empire to back his research 99 times in five years—and failed each time. What a hopeless man wasting a good wife!”
Their words stung like venom, but before I could reply, Gabriel appeared, flanked by his entourage.
Immediately, the crowd parted respectfully, and the security guards hastened to open the doors for him.
“Mr. Ford is here! Please come in, the venue is all prepared. If there’s anything amiss, just say the word—we’ll fix it immediately.”
“We hope you’ll say a kind word to Richard, so we can secure future Chambers family events here.”
The security guard roughly pushed me aside.
“Get out of the way! Didn’t I tell you to leave? We don’t welcome anyone from the Cole family here. Don’t make me get rough.”
Gabriel’s humble facade vanished as he stepped forward, eyes flashing with pride.
“Stop this nonsense,” he said, voice calm but commanding. “This hotel’s attitude is embarrassing. I welcome whoever wants to attend my banquet.”
“Brother Ethan, here is my benefactor. Without him, I wouldn’t have even met Richard. Call your boss and tell him this is Gabriel’s guest—he’ll have to respect that.”
“But this time, Brother Ethan,” Gabriel continued with a sly grin, “if you want the formula for my new medicine, just ask. Don’t sneak around stealing it like last time.”
His words reignited the murmurs and whispers in the crowd, many of them dripping with contempt.
“Did you know why he hasn’t achieved anything despite the Chambers family backing? Because everything he has is copied! He took in President Ford before just to exploit his talents!”
“So shameless. I pity his parents—they must be spinning in their graves.”
Once, I would have fought back fiercely to protect Vivian’s reputation.
But now? I just wanted to disappear.
The crowd’s accusations rumbled louder, praising Gabriel as the nation’s paragon of gratitude and success.
I was completely isolated, surrounded by eyes filled with scorn.
I couldn’t stop the bitter sneer curling in my chest.
Gabriel—let’s see how long you’ll be laughing.
After what felt like an eternity, Vivian finally emerged.
She weaved through the crowd with effortless grace and casually took my arm.
“Why aren’t you going in? What are you standing around for?” she said lightly.
Gabriel immediately stepped forward when he saw her.
“Brother Ethan, let’s go in together. It’s my fault—I forgot the boss here hates the Cole family,” he said with a forced smile.
Vivian pulled me inside the banquet hall and began introducing me to the guests.
She stayed close to Gabriel, helping him network with influential figures.
Toronto had never liked me, and now, no one paid me the slightest attention.
Their laughter echoed through the room, light and easy, as Gabriel’s hands often found their way onto Vivian’s waist.
