"Hey, isn't that Han Huming? Look at him now—scraggly as a stray dog!"

Most guests at the banquet knew Hu Ming. At every gathering, he’d pull some jaw-dropping stunt.

Now that he’d tumbled from the clouds to the dirt, plenty were eager to kick him while he was down.

Still, they kept glancing at the Khan Family’s newly returned true heir.

Han Shuyi’s every gesture and word radiated inherent grace.

This only deepened their disdain for Hu Ming.

"Wonder how the Khans really feel about him? Maybe we should send someone to test the waters."

A man stroked his chin, scanning the crowd.

His gaze locked onto one figure. A sly smile curled his lips as he whispered his plan to his companions.

Meanwhile, Hu Ming twirled a pen between his fingers, stifling a yawn.

He’d just returned from the restroom.

The banquet’s elegant music lulled him to sleep. If not for this event, he’d be cozied up in bed right now.

Han Shuyi chatted effortlessly with children of renowned tycoons—clearly fitting right in.

Han Yunxi, laughing freely with her sisters, showed no airs. The girls around her dropped their "young lady" pretenses, acting like ordinary friends.

Han Litian and his wife held wine glasses, deep in discussion with officials and elites.

Han Litian’s expression remained calm, looking completely at ease.

Yet his eyes kept flicking toward Hu Ming, as if worried he’d cause trouble.

Each time, Hu Ming slightly raised his own glass—a silent "I’m fine."

Only then would Han Litian relax.

Hu Ming spotted Li Yue in the crowd too.

She now walked openly among guests, shedding her former shadowy demeanor.

Her father’s influence drew many seeking partnerships, so admirers clustered around her.

Watching this, Hu Ming recalled Li Yue’s words to him—

Her apology, heavy with a trace of regret.

Now he understood what was coming.

"A public annulment? Must be Han Shuyi’s idea again."

The clock’s hands crept slowly. Hu Ming drained his wineglass and signaled a waiter for another.

A flippant voice cut through the air beside him.

"Well, if it isn’t Han Huming. Once lifted high on a pedestal, now ignored like trash. Quite the fall from grace."

A woman in a revealing blue gown sauntered over, her cleavage on full display. Her stilettos clacked sharply against the floor.

Hu Ming almost felt like he was in a bathhouse.

She stopped before him, holding two fresh wineglasses.

"Remember when I approached you? You said my status wasn’t worthy of your time. And now?"

She arched a brow, flashing a flirtatious smile.

Her cloying perfume made Hu Ming’s nose wrinkle.

"And you are?"

"Tsk. Important people forget easily. Zhou Lili. Remember now?"

She thrust a glass toward him.

"Others may look down on you, but I’ve kept you in my thoughts."

"Kept me in your thoughts? Planning revenge?"

Zhou Lili’s heart skipped at his smile, but her face stayed smooth.

She leaned closer, her crimson heel teasing his leg.

"Let me share a secret: your fiancée Li Yue will announce her engagement to the Khan heir today. And you? You’ll be the discarded one."

Her mocking tone aimed to provoke.

Hu Ming calmly took the wine. A faint smile played on his lips.

"Seems I’m in for quite the humiliation today."

"Friends, then? This secret earned us that."

"Friends? Absolutely. And as thanks, I’ll give you something."

Hu Ming placed his fountain pen in her palm, raising an eyebrow.

His effortless confidence made Zhou Lili falter for a second.

"It’s priceless. Can’t be bought with money. Keep it safe for me."

Hearing "priceless," Zhou Lili hastily tucked it into her dress pocket.

She watched him drain his wine, then slip away with an excuse.

Hu Ming followed her retreating figure, his eyes drifting toward a group of men.

He’d noticed their stares from the start.

...

"Miss Zhou? How’d it go?"

The men had watched Hu Ming and Zhou Lili intently. She’d circled back to avoid suspicion.

Zhou Lili crossed her legs, radiating smug certainty.

"He drank it. I saw him swallow every drop."

"So later—"

"Don’t worry. I took the money—I’ll deliver. And since no one knows Han Huming’s real standing in the family, if the Khans still treat him as a son? I’ll waltz right into their mansion."

Her confidence looked absurd to the men.

Everyone here knew Zhou Lili’s reputation.

She’d climb into any rich man’s bed for cash. Half the tycoons present had shared her sheets.

But she was just a plaything. Marrying her? A joke.

Soon, Han Huming would put on a public spectacle right here. Han Litian’s reputation would shatter. Hu Ming would be thrown out.

The thought made them giddy with anticipation.

"Miss Zhou, mind if we... assist later? One man might tire you out."

"Hmph. You just want a free ride while making a fool of Han Huming."

She didn’t refuse.

The men ogled her figure, already picturing the scene.

Their eyes snapped back to Hu Ming—he was slumped, head propped on one hand, clearly drowsy.

He staggered toward an exit. The hallway to the hotel rooms.

"Opportunity!"

They hurried after him, pulses racing.

And Hu Ming?

The moment he rounded the corner, he yanked out his earpiece.

He stretched leisurely, pulled on black gloves, and strode toward the hallway’s end.