Chapter 188

Chapter 188

The villa's main hall was brightly lit, as bright as day.

Crystal chandeliers sparkled with colorful lights. The long banquet table was covered with fine Western dishes, top red wines, and high-end desserts.

The air was filled with the rich smell of wine.

The room was packed with guests, every seat taken.

Every one of them was a true top-tier elite in Harborview City.

At the main table on the left sat Vincent Shaw, chairman of the famous Shaw Group in Harborview City. He was worth tens of billions and was extremely low-key, rarely attending private parties. Yet here he was tonight.

Next to him was the president of Titan Industries Inc., who had designed half the city's landmark buildings and had strong ties in government circles.

There were also top executives from the three major families.

Each of these people was a heavyweight who could shake Harborview City with a single move.

In the past, even at the Spencer family's peak, inviting any one of them to a family dinner was just a fantasy.

But now, all these powerful elites had gathered in this villa, surrounding Isabelle like stars around the moon.

"Isabelle, congratulations on landing that ten-billion-dollar project. Your future looks bright!"

"From now on, if our company has any good projects, we'll give you first pick!"

"Isabelle, you're young and capable. Your vision is way ahead of the old guard in this city. We're impressed!"

Everyone took turns toasting her, speaking with respect and no trace of arrogance.

Frank stood at the door watching this scene, completely stunned. A wave of regret hit him hard.

He stared at Isabelle, who was surrounded by the crowd, his nails digging into his palms.

He was wrong!

Completely wrong!

Isabelle, the one he'd always looked down on and pushed aside, was the Spencer family's real lucky star—the only one who could actually carry the family.

Meanwhile, Evelyn, the one he'd spoiled and protected, was nothing but vain and arrogant.

Huge regret washed over him.

At the same time, a greedy thought suddenly grew in his mind.

If he hadn't been kicked out of the family, if he were still the head of the Spencer family, these big shots would be showing him respect instead.

All this glory, connections, wealth, and status should partly belong to him!

The more he thought about it, the more unwilling he felt. His eyes turned red. He straightened his ragged clothes and tried to push his way into the crowd to enjoy the attention.

But just as he was about to step forward, he heard voices from the table.

"Did you hear? Frank got kicked out by Evelyn."

"I heard that a while ago. People have seen him around town. He's basically a homeless guy now."

"I saw him the other night under a bridge, dirty and curled up to stay warm. He looked completely down and out."

"Some people say he sleeps on park benches during the day. Doesn't even have a proper place to stay."

"It's his own fault. He was so biased back then, drove away the capable Isabelle, and spoiled Evelyn instead."

"He deserves what he's got now."

"Short-sighted and too snobbish. He brought this on himself."

Every word was loud and clear, like slaps to Frank's face.

His whole body went stiff, like he'd been struck by lightning. His face burned red.

He had wanted to go up and talk to them, but now he was wide awake.

With his beggar-like appearance, stepping forward would only make him the biggest joke in the room. He wouldn't get any respect.

All his courage disappeared. He froze in place, unsure whether to move forward or back, looking completely pathetic.

Kane watched coldly from the side, a mocking smile on his lips. "Not going in?"

"You seemed so confident earlier. Want to go say hello to the big shots?"

Frank suddenly looked up and saw his reflection in a nearby mirror.

His clothes were torn and filthy, his face covered in dirt. He looked like a dirty old beggar on the street. There was no trace of his old dignity.

Hearing the mocking voices around him, he lost whatever confidence he had left.

He couldn't stay any longer. His face went pale with shame. He turned and hurried out of the hall in disgrace.

Kane watched him flee, then pulled out his phone with a blank expression and called Marcus.

The call connected.

Kane said, "Book me the best presidential suite at Sapphire Sky Hotel."

Marcus answered respectfully right away. "Got it. I'll handle it personally. Everything will be ready in ten minutes."

A moment later, Marcus called back to confirm the room was ready.

Kane noted the room number, walked outside, and tossed a slip of paper with the hotel address and room number to Frank.

"Sapphire Sky Hotel, top-floor presidential suite. Just give them the room number and check in."

Without another glance, he turned and walked back inside, shutting the door behind him.

As soon as he entered, Jason asked curiously, "Who was that at the door? What's all the noise about?"

Kane replied casually, "Nothing. Just some homeless guy hanging around. Didn't want food, just money. Thought he'd get something out of us. I sent him away."

Marilyn nodded. "You did the right thing. A lot of these homeless people are run by gangs. They pretend to be pitiful to scam money. You can't feel sorry for them."

Everyone moved on, and the lively chatter returned to the table as if nothing had happened.

Outside.

Frank held the slip of paper.

Sapphire Sky Hotel, presidential suite. A few thousand dollars a night.

He'd never been willing to stay in a place like that before.

But Kane had arranged one for him without a second thought, like it was nothing.

The Spencer family had really made it.

He turned and walked slowly toward Sapphire Sky Hotel.

The night wind outside was freezing.

Frank was already old, and days of sleeping rough had left him weak and sick.

The cane Isabelle had bought him at great cost because of his bad legs had long been stolen by other aggressive homeless people.

Now he could only use a rough wooden stick to prop himself up, barely keeping his shaky body upright.

It got darker, and the wind grew colder, making his thin, ragged clothes shake.

He clutched his torn clothes tightly, his lips turning blue, his body trembling. Step by step, he struggled toward the hotel on the next street.

The walk was long, but thinking about the soft, warm bed, good food, and heated room at Sapphire Sky Hotel gave his tired eyes a bit of hope.

At least tonight he wouldn't have to sleep under a bridge or freeze in the wind. He could enjoy one good night.

He gritted his teeth and kept going. After more than half an hour, frozen stiff and pale, he finally saw the shining lights of Sapphire Sky Hotel in the distance.

His heart lifted. He quickened his steps to go inside.

But as soon as he reached the entrance, two tall security guards stepped forward and blocked him.

They looked him up and down with disgust.

"Where'd this dirty beggar come from? Get lost!"

"This is Sapphire Sky Hotel. Not a place for the likes of you. Try coming any closer and don't blame us for what happens."