Chapter 185

Chapter 185

Outside on the street, Frank sat in his car, watching the entire spectacle unfold.

He stared at the banquet hall blazing with lights, packed with the city's elite. Even the mayor of Harborview City had shown up in person. Frank's fists clenched so tight his knuckles went white, regret burning behind his eyes.

He finally understood. What he'd pushed away with his own two hands was wealth and honor his entire family could never reach in a lifetime.

The driver let out a quiet sigh. "Mr. Spencer, what we're seeing tonight—this is beyond ordinary wealth."

Frank stayed silent for a long time, his face drained of color. In the end, all he could do was shake his head bitterly.

The celebration went on until late into the night before finally winding down.

Every high-ranking official, power player, and family connection in Harborview City filtered out.

As the night deepened, the hotel lights dimmed one by one.

Kane took Isabelle's hand, and they walked slowly out of the banquet hall together.

The evening breeze was gentle. Starlight spilled down around them.

Isabelle looked up at Kane, her voice soft with a smile. "Today was the most incredible day of my life."

Kane looked down at her, his eyes full of warmth. "From now on, every day will be like this."

"Because I'm here. For the rest of your life, no one will dare lay a finger on you."

Meanwhile, inside the Jones family estate, the atmosphere had turned suffocating.

After Jeremy fled back to the manor, he shut himself in and refused to come out. Every time he thought about Kane being the Mercenary King, he woke up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat.

He knew exactly what kind of power the Mercenary King wielded in the underground world overseas. One word from him could collapse the Jones family's entire domestic operation overnight.

The hundred-billion-dollar investment he'd been planning to pour into Evelyn's projects? Canceled on the spot.

Evelyn had shown up at his door for days in a row, demanding the funding he'd promised. Every time, the manor's security turned her away.

Jeremy, who used to dote on her endlessly, refused to see her.

Overnight, Evelyn went from being the center of attention to falling off a cliff.

The friends who used to fawn over her scattered. Everywhere she went, people whispered and pointed. She'd become a punchline.

Night fell over the Spencer family home, and the air inside felt thick enough to choke on.

Evelyn dragged herself through the door after a full day of getting shut down everywhere she went. Frustration simmered under her skin, and her face was dark with anger.

She pushed the door open and froze.

The living room was packed.

Frank sat in the head chair, his face like stone. Every elder and extended family member had gathered, all of them silent and grim-faced.

Even Ethan was there, his brow furrowed.

Evelyn blinked, caught off guard. "What are you all doing here?"

She was too irritated to deal with this right now. All she wanted was to go upstairs, shut her bedroom door, and forget this miserable day ever happened.

She turned toward the stairs.

"Stop right there!"

The sharp command cut through the room. Frank's voice was old but unyielding, brooking no argument.

"Evelyn, get back here. I have something important to discuss with you. You're not going anywhere."

Evelyn stopped mid-step. Reluctantly, she turned back around, her tone edged with impatience. "Grandpa, just say what you need to say. I'm exhausted."

Frank stared at her, his eyes cold—nothing like the warmth he used to show her. His voice came out hard and final.

"I'm ordering you to go to Isabelle tomorrow and apologize. You will bring her back to the Spencer family."

"This is not up for discussion. You will make this happen."

"And if you can't, I will remove you from the Spencer family. You'll lose your title, your position, everything."

The words hit like a lightning strike.

Evelyn's eyes went wide, disbelief flooding her face. She felt like the ground had been yanked out from under her.

She'd been Frank's favorite granddaughter her entire life. Spoiled, adored, given everything she ever wanted. He'd never so much as raised his voice at her, let alone threatened to kick her out.

"Grandpa, what did you just say?"

Her voice shot up, shaking with shock. "You're going to throw me out of the family? Over Isabelle? Why?"

Frank's expression didn't budge. "Why? You still don't see what's happening here?"

"Isabelle is sitting on a three-billion-dollar project. She's connected to everyone who matters in this city."

"The three major families treat her with respect."

"Mateo bows his head to her."

"Even the mayor of Harborview City and top city officials personally showed up to support her."

"She has power now. Real power. If she comes back to this family and lifts a finger to help us, the entire Spencer family could rise to the top overnight."

"This is good for you. Good for the family. Good for everyone."

Jealousy and resentment exploded inside Evelyn. She bit down hard, her eyes red-rimmed, her voice trembling with accusation.

"So you're willing to throw me away just to get Isabelle back?"

She locked eyes with Frank, each word sharp and deliberate. "Grandpa, are you planning to strip me of my position as head of this family and hand it straight to Isabelle?"

Frank didn't hesitate. He nodded firmly. "Yes."

"Compared to Isabelle, you're impulsive, vain, and shortsighted. You can't hold this family together. Only Isabelle can lead the Spencer family to real success."

In that moment, something shattered inside Evelyn. All the years of favoritism, all the so-called family love—it crumbled to dust in the face of cold, hard profit.

A cold laugh escaped her lips. Her gaze turned sharp, her presence commanding. "Fine. Perfect."

"If you're going to abandon me for money and power, don't blame me for what happens next."

"As the current head of the Spencer family, I'm making an announcement. Starting right now, Frank—you are removed from the Spencer family."

"Now. Immediately."

The room went dead silent.

Everyone stared, frozen in shock. No one had expected Evelyn to defy Frank so openly—let alone turn around and kick him out.

Frank's whole body shook with rage. His face turned purple, and he jabbed a trembling finger at her.

"How dare you! You're out of control! I'm a family elder—your elder! And you think you can throw me out? Who gave you the right?"

"You've lost your mind! You're completely out of line!"

Evelyn didn't back down an inch. She stepped forward, her voice dripping with scorn, each word cutting deep. "Out of line?"

"You're the one who threw Isabelle out of this family for no reason!"

"You were the one who kicked her to the curb!"

"You looked down on her because her husband was a convict. You said she was worthless and threw her out without a second thought. Now that she's powerful and successful, you want to grovel and beg her to come back?"

"Frank, you're the one who's shameless. What gives you the right to order me to go crawling to her?"

"And another thing—I'm the head of this family now. What makes you think you get to make decisions?"

Every sentence landed like a slap.

Frank's face went from red to white. His whole body trembled violently, and he looked like he might actually spit blood.

"You—!"

He pointed at her, unable to form a coherent sentence, shaking with fury.

The relatives around the room rushed forward, voices raised in outrage.

"Evelyn! You've gone too far! How can you speak to Frank like that?"

"Apologize to him right now! Take back what you said!"

"You have no respect! You're reckless! You don't deserve to lead this family!"

Faced with the chorus of accusations, Evelyn didn't flinch. If anything, her presence grew sharper. Her eyes swept across the room, cold and unyielding. "I don't deserve it?"

"I'm still the head of the Spencer family."

"If anyone here doesn't like my decision, if anyone thinks I'm wrong, then pack your things and get out. Right now."

"Let's see who dares to go against me."