Chapter 4

Over the next few days, Richard indeed threw all his energy into preparing for this "divorce banquet."

He booked the penthouse ballroom of the city's most luxurious five-star hotel and sent out invitations far and wide, inviting every business elite, friend, and acquaintance he could think of.

The city's elite knew the Hayes banquet was never just about celebrating the company's revival. It was a stage to publicly dissolve a "mismatched" marriage and present Scarlett's wealthy new suitor.

I had become a complete joke.

Scarlett called me once, her voice hesitant.

"Alex, do we really have to do this? I think... it's too much."

"Isn't this what your father wanted?" I countered.

Silence on the other end of the line.

"Scarlett, there's no turning back now," I said, and then hung up.

Chloe was furious, ripping into me over the phone.

"Alex, are you out of your mind? You're really walking into their trap? What's your game here?"

"Just want some peace," I said calmly.

"You..." Chloe was too angry to speak. "Fine, have it your way! I'll be there to see how you clean up this mess!"

On the day of the banquet, I walked into the opulent ballroom wearing a perfectly ordinary casual suit.

Richard and Eleanor, in resplendent gowns and suits, were greeting guests with beaming faces.

Scarlett, in an expensive custom-made evening gown, was arm-in-arm with the impeccably dressed Eric Sterling, accepting congratulations and envious glances from everyone.

Seeing me, the smile on Richard's face instantly vanished. He quickly walked over, whispering in a warning, disgusted tone.

"You actually dared to come! Remember, today you're here to play your part, don't you dare pull any stunts!"

Eric also approached, sizing me up before sneering, "Alex, with that outfit, are you here to be a waiter? Don't say I didn't warn you, only important people are here today. You'd best hide in a corner so you don't embarrass the Hayes family."

I didn't speak, just smiled.

Scarlett's gaze briefly met mine, then she quickly looked away, her eyes complex.

I found an inconspicuous corner to sit in, watching this absurd yet very real drama unfold.

I watched Richard move through the crowd, boasting about how he had turned the tide for his company.

I watched Eric Sterling, acting like the man of the house, introducing the grand vision of the Hayes family to everyone.

And I watched Scarlett, the woman I had loved for three years, the woman I thought I would spend my life with, smiling radiantly in this socialite circus, drifting further and further away from me.

Halfway through the banquet, the host invited Richard to the stage to give a speech.

Under the spotlight, Richard, microphone in hand, looked full of vigor.

"Good evening, esteemed guests and friends!"

"Today is a day of great joy for me, Richard! The first joy is that my Hayes Group has risen from the ashes, stronger than ever!"

A thunderous applause erupted from below the stage.

He reveled in the moment, then his tone shifted.

"The second joy is my daughter, Scarlett. She will bid farewell to the past and embrace a brand new life!"

Saying this, he beckoned Scarlett and Eric.

The two walked intimately onto the stage, standing beside Richard.

"Some people are only suited to share hardships, not prosperity," Richard said, his gaze falling on me with a chilling intensity. "The Hayes family is sailing ahead, and we don't need a heavy anchor holding us back."

All eyes turned to me.

There was sympathy, pity, but mostly morbid curiosity and mockery.

I had become the superfluous person in their eyes.

Scarlett kept her head down, not daring to look at me.

Eric, beaming with triumph, put his arm around Scarlett's waist, subtly flaunting his victory to me.

Richard cleared his throat, about to announce my divorce from Scarlett and hint at Eric and Scarlett's impending engagement.

I stood up, slowly walking towards the stage.

Everyone was stunned, and the music stopped.

Richard's face went pale with rage, and he roared into the microphone. "Alex! What do you think you're doing? Get off this stage!"

I ignored him, walking directly to the center of the stage, plucking another microphone from the stunned host.

The lights shone on me. I could clearly see every astonished face in the audience.

"Don't be so hasty, Richard."

I smiled, a sharp, quiet thing, as my voice filled the silent ballroom.

"After all, isn't this my stage too?"