Chapter 184

Chapter 184

Pride wouldn't let Frank back down and admit he was wrong.

He forced down the regret churning in his gut and doubled down stubbornly with a cold snort. "What's there to be so smug about? It's just fifteen minutes of fame."

"My favorite granddaughter is Evelyn, and her boyfriend is Jeremy—head of the Jones family!"

"Their pedigree and connections are on a whole different level from these local officials!"

The driver watched Frank's stubborn posturing, helplessness filling his eyes.

Frank was just trying to salvage his dignity.

He wanted to argue back but ultimately stopped himself, closing his mouth in silence.

At the hotel entrance, Kane's gaze swept coolly across the crowd before he spoke with easy authority. "Everyone, it's windy out here. Let's head inside."

As soon as the words left his mouth, the heads of the three major families, Mateo, all the government officials, and their relatives filed toward the hotel entrance.

As he passed Jeremy and Evelyn frozen in place, Kane paused slightly, turning his head with a hint of mocking amusement in his tone. "So, do you still think the people I invited aren't good enough?"

That single sentence hit both of them where it hurt most.

Evelyn's face twisted with humiliation and fury. She quickly turned to urge Jeremy on. "Jeremy! Don't waste time talking to him! Do something! Make these people see! Humiliate Isabelle completely!"

Jeremy gritted his teeth and nodded. "Fine! Watch me!"

But just as he was about to make another scene, Kane raised a hand and gestured for him to follow him to a secluded corner.

Once they were alone, the warmth drained from Kane's eyes, leaving only bone-chilling coldness and lethal intent. His voice dropped to a low, indifferent murmur. "Jeremy, that night at The Jones Manor, I spared your life."

"Instead of being grateful, you've only gotten worse. Do you actually have a death wish?"

Jeremy felt like he'd been struck by lightning. His entire body jerked, his mind going completely blank.

He never imagined that the globally feared Mercenary King was actually Kane.

Terror consumed him instantly. Jeremy's legs buckled, his courage completely shattered.

Just as he stood there in shock, Evelyn rushed over, still oblivious to the danger, shouting loudly. "Jeremy! What are you standing around for?"

"Stop wasting time on this criminal Kane!"

"Use your connections and deal with them!"

"Today we have to humiliate Isabelle completely!"

That sentence lit the fuse on Jeremy's pent-up rage.

If Evelyn hadn't kept stirring up trouble, he never would've provoked Kane again and again—never would've offended a towering figure like the Mercenary King!

Crack!

A sharp, resounding slap exploded through the air.

Jeremy backhanded Evelyn so hard she flew backward, completely unprepared.

Evelyn stumbled and crashed to the ground, hair disheveled, makeup smeared.

She sat there in total shock, mind blank, staring up at Jeremy in disbelief.

The entire crowd erupted in gasps, all eyes snapping to the two of them.

Evelyn's eyes welled with tears—furious and humiliated. She screamed at him. "Jeremy! Why did you hit me? Are you insane?"

Jeremy's eyes blazed with violence and fury. "Hit you? I wish I could get rid of you, you disaster!"

"If it weren't for you, you idiot, constantly picking fights, I never would've offended someone I absolutely cannot afford to cross!"

"You're dragging us both down—hopelessly stupid!"

The words hit like a thunderclap.

Evelyn's mind reeled.

Someone even Jeremy couldn't afford to offend? Kane, the criminal?

Had Jeremy lost his mind?

"Jeremy, are you out of your mind?" Evelyn stammered.

Jeremy didn't even spare her another glance.

Trembling with fear, he immediately turned back to Kane, bowing deeply with the most abject humility, and apologized earnestly. "I was wrong! I was blind and deserve to die! Please forgive my mistakes!"

"This is a banquet. I don't have time to deal with you. Get lost," Kane said coldly.

"You're truly generous and merciful!"

Without another word, Jeremy didn't dare linger a second longer. He fled the scene in disgrace.

Evelyn was left alone on the ground, makeup ruined, clothes disheveled, as everyone pointed and whispered. She'd become the biggest joke of the night.

She couldn't take it anymore. Covering her face, sobbing, she scrambled away in humiliation.

The moment they left, the atmosphere flipped completely.

All the relatives swarmed around, faces full of flattery and fawning praise for Isabelle.

"Isabelle, you're amazing! You're the pride of our family!"

"We totally misunderstood you earlier—you two have such vision!"

"From now on, we'll fully support your business! Take care of your own family!"

Facing their enthusiastic sucking up, Isabelle just smiled faintly. "Thank you all. No need for formalities—everyone, please take your seats."

Once everyone had filed into the hotel, only the two of them remained at the entrance.

Isabelle looked up at Kane, curiosity in her eyes. "Honey, what exactly did you say to Jeremy just now?"

"Why did he suddenly change so drastically—not just stop being arrogant, but actually hit Evelyn in front of everyone and then run off?"

Kane rubbed his chin, a hint of amusement flickering in his eyes as he replied casually. "Nothing much. I just scared him a little."

"I told him if he kept acting out and refused to leave, I'd make sure he could never have kids."

Isabelle burst out laughing and playfully punched his chest. "You're terrible! Always scaring people! That's about all the mischief you can manage."

Kane chuckled softly, slipping his arm around her waist. The two of them turned and walked side by side into the grand, glittering hotel ballroom.

The celebration officially began.

The heads of the three major families, the mayor, and other high-ranking officials mingled with Isabelle, raising toasts.

Mateo sat quietly at a side table with several senior members of his organization, their street thug edge replaced by tailored black suits and restrained manners.

The relatives who'd flip-flopped so many times now took turns crowding around Isabelle with their wine glasses, toasting and flattering her. "Isabelle, we were so shortsighted before, talking nonsense. Please don't take it to heart!"

"That favor I asked—about finding work—that's still on the table, right? My kid's a hard worker. He'd do great at your company!"

Isabelle handled it gracefully. "If there are openings, of course we'll consider family first. Don't worry."

Kane sat quietly to the side, watching the scene unfold with a smile.

Isabelle was happy. This banquet had been more than worth it.

Watching all of this, Marilyn and Jason were glowing, standing tall, grinning ear to ear.

Marilyn sighed in wonder. "I never thought our family would have this kind of status. Even the mayor came."

Jason nodded eagerly, beaming with pride. "Right? Look at all those relatives—they used to look down on us. Now they're all kissing up to us. This feeling is incredible!"

"Our good days are finally here!"