Chapter 3

The dazzling crystal chandelier in the Hilton Hotel's rooftop ballroom almost hurt my eyes.

I pushed open the heavy door, wearing the only old, barely-fitting dark blue suit in my closet.

The air was thick with the scent of expensive perfume and insincere laughter. My arrival was like a drop of cheap ink splashed into fine white silk.

"Look, isn't that the real young master of the Foster family?"

"Dressed like a cheap salesman. So what if he's your biological son? He's still an outsider."

Whispers swarmed into my ears like venomous bees. I casually picked up a glass of champagne from the waiter's tray and found the most secluded corner to stand in.

The microphone emitted a sharp beep, drawing everyone's attention to the stage.

My dear father, Richard Foster, is standing in the spotlight, beaming with pride.

"Today, I'm announcing an important decision." He excitedly grasped Sebastian's hand beside him.

"I hereby entrust 51% of the group's voting rights to Sebastian!"

The entire room fell into a deathly silence, which was then broken by gasps of amazement from the audience, who exclaimed that the performances were superb.

But that wasn't all. With trembling hands, Richard pulled a platinum badge that gleamed coldly from the velvet box and solemnly pinned it to Sebastian's chest.

Tokens of the Foster family's successive heads.

The biological son stood in a dark corner below the stage, while the adopted son was crowned on stage. This play was utterly absurd.

Amidst thunderous applause, a chilling gaze pierced through the crowd and landed squarely on my face.

Victoria, wearing 12-centimeter high heels, walked onto the stage and took the microphone.

“To celebrate the promotion of vice president,” her voice was devoid of warmth, “the downtown twin towers owned by the Blackwood Group are officially renamed ‘Sebastian Tower’ from today onwards.”

The crowd erupted in uproar once again.

Victoria sneered, her gaze fixed on me: "I want to prove one thing—some people, even if they are forced to bear the Foster surname, do not deserve anything from Foster."

Hundreds of eyes instantly focused on me like searchlights. They were waiting to see me break down, go crazy, or even kneel down and beg, just like I had in the past.

But all I found was noise.

I tilted my head back and downed the champagne in my glass in one gulp. The icy liquid suppressed the nausea rising in my stomach. I ignored the mocking looks, turned around, pushed open the glass door, and walked straight to the terrace.

"What, you've been touched on a sore spot, and you're planning to jump off here again?"

The glass door behind her was flung open abruptly. Victoria's voice was sharp and sarcastic.

The night wind ruffled her skirt. She stood two steps away from me, arms crossed, her eyes filled with disdain, as if she were looking at a rat in a sewer.

"Jump. This is the thirty-sixth floor." She took a step closer. "Even if you jump a hundred times in front of me, it won't change the fact that you're a despicable liar!"

I turned around and calmly met her eyes, which were filled with hatred.

Victoria's brow furrowed sharply when she didn't see the expected hysteria on my face.

“I don’t remember anything from the past.” I looked at her as if she were a complete stranger.

“But I’ve already signed the divorce papers. I’m leaving with nothing; I didn’t ask for anything.” I said, emphasizing each word, “From now on, I will never appear in front of you again.”

The surrounding air seemed to freeze instantly.

Victoria stared intently at me, her fingers trembling slightly involuntarily at her sides. She opened her mouth, as if to say something.

“Victoria…”

A weak voice suddenly cut in.

Sebastian, leaning against the door frame, his face pale, clutched his forehead. "My head is throbbing... I left the painkillers the doctor prescribed in the car. Could you come with me to get them?"

What a terrible acting. He was just afraid that Victoria's emotions would waver even slightly.

Victoria's gaze lingered on my face for two seconds.

Just two seconds.

Then, she quickly walked to Sebastian's side, firmly grasped his arm, and turned to walk towards the brightly lit banquet hall.

She never looked back at me again.

I watched them walk away hand in hand, and casually placed the empty wine glass on the cold stone railing.

It's time to put an end to this farce.

I straightened my collar and strode into the night.