My wife had asked her assistant to accompany me to a restaurant for a business discussion. At the dinner table, the assistant deliberately made things difficult for me, encouraging the client to pressure me into drinking. I politely refused, citing my alcohol allergy and got up to leave. But before I could take a step, the assistant, Theo Emerson forcefully stopped me.
“Rudy, you’re just a kept man living off your wife. If you’re told to drink, you drink. What’s with all the nonsense?”
I gave him a faint smile, tore up the contract on the spot and dialed my wife.
“I just heard from your assistant that the Harper Family doesn’t need me anymore. Is that true?”
——
Before she could respond, the assistant, Theo, snatched my phone away with one hand and sneered. “You think whining to Mrs. Harper will help you? Let me be clear—you’re drinking this wine tonight, whether you want to or not.”
I met his gaze coldly. “And what if I don’t?”
“Well, well, seems like we have a rebel here. Looks like you’re about to set a new precedent—I’ve never been defied before.”
The call was still connected and soon, my wife’s voice came through the speaker. “Rudy, stop being difficult, okay? Theo is only doing what’s best for the company. Just listen to him.”
Her words amused me. Since when did I need an assistant telling me what to do in business negotiations? The client hadn’t even spoken yet, but Theo had already taken the initiative to offer a 20% profit cut. And even that wasn’t enough—Mr. Carson insisted I drink an entire bottle of liquor before he would sign the contract.
It was an absurd demand, especially considering that everyone in the company knew about my alcohol allergy. But beyond that, this contract itself was a disaster waiting to happen. I was about to question her when Theo abruptly hung up the phone. He grinned smugly.
“Did you hear that? Even your wife told you to listen to me. You still want to argue?”
I slowly lifted my head, my tone devoid of emotion. “Who said I have to listen to her?”
The moment those words left my mouth, Mr. Carson, the client, leaned back in his chair with a smirk.
“If I’m not mistaken, you’re just the Harper Family’s errand boy, right?” His gaze was openly mocking. “Honestly, some people just aren’t cut out for business. I asked you to drink and instead, you tore up the contract. If your wife finds out about this, she might just divorce you.”
Hearing his words, I chuckled slightly. “Mr. Carson, you and Assistant Theo are working together, aren’t you?”
A skilled businessman must have keen insight and from the moment I walked in, I noticed the silent exchanges between them. Theo, who was supposed to be working for the benefit of the company, was instead colluding with the client to target me. This dinner wasn’t about business—it was an ambush.
Mr. Carson’s eyes flickered with hesitation but quickly regained composure. “Nonsense. I’m just stating the facts. Everyone at this table earned their success through hard work—except you. You’re just a freeloader. And as a client, if I tell you to drink, you drink. Understand?”
Laughter erupted around the table, their mockery filling the air.
I let my gaze sweep across the circle of men before I spoke, my voice chillingly calm. “Mr. Carson, I admit that I am quite good-looking, but I don’t particularly like being called a ‘kept man.’ I suggest you refrain from using that term in the future.”. My smile faded. “Because if you don’t, I might just get angry.”
By the end, my eyes had darkened and a sharp chill filled the air. “If I get angry, I’m afraid no one sitting here will have a good time.”
The moment those words left my mouth, Theo shot up from his seat, his expression twisted with disdain.
“Rudy, stop acting tough. You think anyone here is scared of you?” He sneered. “Others might not know your true status, but I do.”. His voice dripped with contempt as he continued, “Mr. Harper told me long ago that you only managed to join the Harper Family because of old family ties. From beginning to end, General Manager Harper never truly acknowledged you.”
I narrowed my eyes at him, my gaze turning cold. “Oh? Is that so? Did Anna really say that?”
Theo nodded smugly, his eyes gleaming with malicious excitement. “Of course. Ms. Harper has wanted to divorce you for a long time. You’re the one shamelessly clinging on and refusing to leave.”
For a moment, his words left me stunned. I couldn’t immediately tell whether he was fabricating things or if there was some truth behind them. But one thing was certain—an assistant wouldn’t dare to challenge me so openly unless someone was pulling the strings from behind the scenes.
I needed to get to the bottom of this. I had to confront Anna in person.
As I moved to stand up, a heavy hand clamped down on my shoulder, forcing me back into my seat.
“The wine hasn’t even been drunk yet. Where do you think you’re going?”
I slowly lifted my head, my expression unreadable. “Where I go is none of your concern. You’re just an assistant. Know your place.”
Theo snorted, his eyes unwavering. “As long as I’m here, you’re not going anywhere.”
I studied the man before me, baffled by his audacity. Just where did he get the nerve to act this way?
“Assistant Theo,” I said calmly, “I am officially informing you that you are fired.”
Rather than backing down, Theo’s arrogance only grew. He burst into laughter. “You? Fire me? Do you even have the authority?”
He scoffed, crossing his arms. “You should take a good look at your own position before speaking so recklessly.”
I exhaled sharply and stood up, shoving him back. “Theo, you’ve provoked me again and again. Do you really think I’m someone you can just trample over?”
The second my words landed, Theo’s face darkened. His hand shot out, grabbing me by the collar.
“Rudy,” he spat, his grip tightening, “you’re just the Harper Family’s lapdog. How dare you raise your voice at me?”
He leaned in, his tone dripping with mockery. “No one in Harper Group can fire me except Mr. Harper himself.”
For a second, I almost wondered if I was the one who had been drinking tonight. Even if the Harper Family were powerful, I never considered them untouchable. Yet here was a mere assistant, acting as if he owned the world. It seemed I had been too low-key for far too long.
“Theo,” I warned, my voice dangerously calm, “let go of me now, or not even your connections will be able to protect you.”
I reined in my anger, giving him one last chance. But some people simply refuse to recognize when they’re out of their depth.
Theo’s bloodshot eyes locked onto mine. “And what if I don’t? What can you do to me?”
He scoffed, tightening his grip. “I am the chairman’s assistant. Everyone in the industry respects me. But you? You’re nothing.”
Before I could respond, the other guests chimed in.
“That’s right! Everyone in this city even knows that Assistant Theo played a huge role in Harper Group’s success.”
“He’s not just some useless son-in-law sitting here thinking he’s important. He’s just a kept man, isn’t he?”
“Exactly! Some people live off their wife and still act like they’re important. It’s honestly pathetic.”
I understood then. In the eyes of these people, my position as the company’s sales manager held less value than that of a mere assistant. I had no idea who gave them this level of arrogance.
Theo seemed to bask in the approval of the people around him, his smug expression almost unbearable. “Rudy, if I were you, I’d just obediently drink the wine. Otherwise, you might have a hard time explaining yourself to your wife when you get back.”
I met his gaze with ice-cold eyes, my tone indifferent. “Theo, this is the last time I’m warning you. Don’t push me past my limits.”. I leaned in slightly, my voice steady but firm. “The General Manager Harper that you keep boasting about—she only got to where she is today because of me.”
I let that statement linger in the air, allowing it to sink in. The reason behind it was not something these people needed to know, but I wanted to make one thing clear: they had no idea who they were dealing with. More than Theo’s provocations, I was far more interested in uncovering the mastermind pulling the strings behind all of this.
And if that mastermind turned out to be my own wife, Anna… well, that would be truly amusing.
My mind drifted back to three years ago. Back then, the Harper Family was nothing more than a third-rate household, teetering on the edge of bankruptcy.
Then one day, Anna’s father, Zayden Harper, came to see me. The first words out of his mouth were that he wanted me to marry his daughter. He claimed it was a marriage arranged by my late father before his death. I had always been a filial son. To fulfill my father’s last wish, I had no choice but to agree.
On the surface, I was nothing more than the Harper Family’s live-in son-in-law. But in reality, the reason the Harper Family had risen to its current heights was because of me—because of the efforts I made behind the scenes. But now, it seemed that some people had grown bold enough to believe they could kick me aside and soar on their own.
Theo looked around at the gathered businessmen before speaking again. “You all heard that just now, didn’t you? This little white boy actually has the audacity to claim that the Harper Family’s success is thanks to him!” He laughed mockingly, shaking his head. “What a joke. The Harper Family is now at the top of Boston’s Four Great Families and you? You’re just a worthless piece of trash.”
“To be frank, if it weren’t for you holding them back, the Harper Family might have already moved up another level and broken into the New York elite.”
Hearing those words, a realization dawned on me. This dinner wasn’t just a simple business gathering—it was a setup. These so-called business elites weren’t just casual acquaintances. They were handpicked actors, planted here to push me into a corner, to force a divorce between me and Anna. That meant whoever orchestrated this had an influence that wasn’t to be underestimated.
Even after enduring endless provocations, I had held back. I had tolerated them because I knew that these men were prominent figures in the business world. I didn’t want to cause an unnecessary scene. But my restraint only invited more ridicule. Enough. I stood up abruptly, my sharp gaze sweeping across the room.
“There will be no business discussions tonight,” I declared, my voice firm. “I’m giving everyone here two choices.”
“The wise ones will leave now. The rest? Consider yourselves my enemies.”. I let my words settle before continuing coldly, “And I do not show mercy to my enemies.”
A burst of laughter filled the room.
“Did you all hear that? This little white boy actually thinks he can make demands!”
“Rudy, do you really see yourself as someone important?”
“Every single person in this room is worth over a hundred million. And you? You think you can threaten us?”
I clenched my fists but forced myself to remain composed. Slowly, I turned my head and met their eyes, my voice calm yet filled with an unmistakable edge.
“I don’t know if any of you have heard the saying—there is always a sky beyond the sky and a man beyond the man.”
I leaned forward slightly. “I suggest you all choose wisely. Otherwise, by the time you regret it, it’ll be far too late.”
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?”
At Theo’s outburst, the other businessmen in the room shot to their feet in reverence.
Mark Roosevsalt, was a powerful heir from the capital. A man whose influence far outstripped that of anyone present in this room. I didn’t need an introduction. I had already figured out his identity the moment he walked in.
“Looking at the situation, you must be the one pulling Theo’s strings,” I said coolly.
Mark didn’t deny it. He strolled over and took a seat directly across from me, his posture relaxed, exuding the arrogance of someone used to having the world at his feet. “You guessed right. Theo works for me. And since the Harper Family wants to expand into the capital, they’ll need my support.”. He spoke as if he owned the Harpers, as if he controlled their fate.
I merely glanced at him, uninterested in his posturing. “I assume you’re here for my wife.”
Mark chuckled. “Sharp and to the point. I like that.” He flicked open a cigarette case, pulling one out and lighting it lazily. “Mr. Rudy, as I understand it, you and Miss Harper have been married for three years and yet, from what I hear, you haven’t even held her hand.”
The room filled with quiet laughter, mocking murmurs among the gathered businessmen. Mark exhaled a slow stream of smoke, smirking. “That’s a shame, truly. But don’t worry—after tonight, your wife will be my woman.”
His words were meant to provoke me, to get a reaction. But instead of rage, I simply smiled. “Oh? Is that how it is?” I said nonchalantly. “Well, if you’re so interested in my wife, you’re welcome to have her.”
Mark’s smirk faltered, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studied me. He had expected fury, resistance—anything but my complete indifference.
Now, things were about to get interesting.
“Isn’t Mr. Rudy angry at all?”, he smiled.
I waved my hand dismissively, a faint smile playing on my lips. “Why should I be angry?”
I leaned back slightly, my tone casual yet laced with warning. “In fact, I should be thanking you, Mark. If not for your interference, I wouldn’t have had such a convenient excuse to finally have a real conversation with the Harper Family.”
I paused, letting my words sink in before adding, “That being said, you should remember one thing—whoever crosses me never meets a good end.”
Mark’s smirk faltered for just a second, his arrogance briefly shaken before he scoffed. He hadn’t expected me to be even more unfazed than he was and it visibly irritated him. His face darkened with fury and he immediately snapped his fingers. “Theo! What are you waiting for? Do it!”
As soon as the order left his lips, Theo grabbed a bottle from the table and swung it viciously toward my head. The impact sent me crashing to the ground.
Before I could react, he was on me, raining down punches and kicks with a fervor that screamed desperation to impress his master. The blows came relentlessly, each one fueled by his pathetic need for validation.
Pain spread across my body like wildfire, but I clenched my jaw, refusing to let them hear a single cry of agony.
“That’s enough. Don’t kill him,” Mark finally spoke, stepping forward.
He crouched beside me, his expression smug as he patted my cheek condescendingly. “Consider this a lesson, kid. Next time, don’t try to act tough in front of me. Or I might just decide to end you.”
Gritting my teeth, I struggled to sit up, my gaze locking onto his without an ounce of fear. Despite the blood trickling down my face, my voice remained steady. “The Roosevsalt Family of New York… is that all you amount to? Pathetic.”
Mark’s smirk disappeared instantly, his face twisting with rage. Without hesitation, he grabbed a chair and lifted it high, ready to smash it down on me.
But then— A sharp gasp echoed through the room.
“Mr. Harper, what brings you here?!”.
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