***** In a dimly lit room, illuminated only by the weak glow of a lantern, Ronan Ashmore lay helplessly on the freezing floor.His hands and feet were tightly bound, while blood covered his battered body, slowly hardening beneath the unbearable cold.Waves of agony coursed through his broken body, yet the physical pain was nothing compared to the disbelief in his eyes as he stared at the people surrounding him.They were the very people he had spent years trying to please: his father-in-law, Joren Frost; his mother-in-law, Helena Frost; his brother-in-law, Rael Frost; and Varek Rim, his wife's closest male friend.Each held a weapon, and none showed the slightest trace of pity."I should have gotten rid of a useless bastard like you long ago!" Joren snarled as he brought his iron baton down against Ronan's leg.Crack!Ronan's body jerked violently as a scream tore from his throat."Blame yourself for being worthless before the apocalypse and remaining worthless even during it!" Rael s

*****Helena stood outside with her hands on her waist, glaring daggers at him.“I hope you don't still call yourself a man!” she snapped. “It's past six in the morning, yet you're still sleeping while men your age are already out making their daily millions!”She continued berating him without giving him a chance to respond.But Ronan merely stared at her. In his previous life, he would have lowered his head and apologized while enduring every insult.This time, he felt nothing but disgust.Before he could speak, the front door opened.Celeste walked inside.She was beautiful, elegant, and visibly exhausted after a night at the hospital. The moment Helena saw her, her expression immediately softened.“Daughter, you're finally back. How was work?”Celeste ignored the question and rubbed her temples. “Mother, why are you shouting this early in the morning? I'm exhausted.”Helena immediately pointed toward Ronan.“It's because of this lazy fool you call a husband! He does nothing all day

*****For several seconds, Ronan nearly lost his mind. But then he inhaled deeply.‘Not yet. Killing him now would be too easy on.'He forced the murderous intent back down and walked toward the villa.Even before opening the door, he heard happy laughter from inside, belonging to Joren, Helena, and Varek.Ronan didn't need to ask why. They were celebrating his divorce from Celeste.A cold smile touched his lips, then he pushed the door open."Look who finally decided to come back." Joren's mocking voice greeted him immediately."What a failure," Helena added with disgust. "Men your age are busy building their futures, while you waste your life wandering around without aim or direction."Varek remained silent.He wore the same gentlemanly smile he had always used, but his eyes betrayed him. Disgust, irritation, and contempt filled them as he looked at Ronan.It was the gaze of someone who believed a servant had dared to stand in the same room as him.Ronan didn't react. He glanced brie

*****Ronan headed straight for the first brokerage house, hoping it wouldn't be crowded so early in the morning.He was wrong… the place was already packed, even more than the previous day.No one paid him much attention until he reached the desk where he had placed his previous orders.Then one of the traders recognized him and laughed. “If this isn't the same person who burned $600 yesterday, who would it be?”Laughter spread through the brokerage house. Some people shook their heads in pity, while others looked at Ronan like an ignorant newcomer wasting money.He quickly realized that word of his ridiculous trades had already spread through the brokerage house.He merely smiled, not appearing offended or embarrassed in the slightest.“Confirm my trades,” he said indifferently, handing his trade confirmations to the broker.The broker accepted the documents with an indifferent expression, clearly expecting nothing unusual.But the moment he entered the transaction ID and pressed Ent

*****Once inside, the agent opened a bottle of champagne, poured him a glass, and brought out several brochures.“Here are the apartment buildings that meet your requirements, sir.”Ronan accepted them and slowly scanned through the options, his expression unchanged. Then he stopped at a particular picture.“This one.”The agent's eyes lit up. Even the smallest building that met Ronan's requirements cost several million dollars.But when she saw his selection… she froze.It wasn't an ordinary apartment building.The recently completed property was a luxurious development that had failed to attract buyers because wealthy residents were unwilling to move into a middle-class neighborhood.As a result, the company had decided to sell the entire property.Yet now...“Are you sure, sir?” she asked, her breathing hitching.“What is the payment plan?” Ronan asked indifferently.‘He's serious.’ The agent quickly composed herself.“Wouldn't you like to inspect it first?”Ronan shook his head.“