Ryan's jaw dropped at the sheer absurdity of what Jasper had just said, especially the way he had compared himself to his father. The insult struck a nerve. And not only that, Jasper was nothing more than a pathetic simp for his sister. How dare he humiliate me like this together. He shot to his feet. “Look, you can't keep insulting me like this! Why should I call you Daddy? Because of a $2,000 meal?” Jasper sneered. “If you think it's just $2,000, then pay for it. Oh, you can't, can you? Because you're nothing but a parasite who has been living off me!” Emma could no longer take it. “You can't keep insulting my brother like this! You're going too far. Do you even want to marry me? Because I can't marry someone with this kind of attitude. Why have you suddenly changed?” Jasper gave her a cold, mocking smile. “Marry you? Do you seriously think you're some kind of catch? Why are you so sure I'm desperate to marry you?” Emma froze. His behavior today was completely out of character.

Jasper his eyes just landed on a woman standing a few meters away, she was with a couple, attending to them, his entire body stiffened, and his eyes widened in disbelief. “Claire...” he muttered. Claire had been high school classmates. Back then, Jasper's family had been ordinary, and no matter how hard he worked, he could never compete socially with the wealthy heirs around him. He had even been bullied occasionally, but among that privileged crowd, Claire had been practically the only person who never looked down on him. Whenever others mocked him, she would quietly help him. Offered her with his note, assignment, and even played with him. Those moments had meant everything to him. He had remained deeply etched in his heart, making it impossible for him not to develop feelings for her. Yet the gap between their family backgrounds had always been enormous. Claire's family was very rich!. Jasper understood that no matter how hard he tried, reaching her world would be diffic

“You… you really slapped me?” Mrs. Adrain muttered, her voice trembling with disbelief. “You are doomed. Do you understand that? You are completely doomed.” The entire lobby was in an uproar. Emily was the wife of the president of Grand Horizon Bank, and everyone knew how brutal her husband was. Yet Jasper had not only confronted her; he had actually slapped her across the face. People exchanged nervous glances as whispers spread through the lobby. Did he know what consequences awaited him? Ding! The elevator doors opened, and a tall man in a well-tailored dark suit stepped out with a cold expression. Adrian Sterling, president of Grand Horizon Bank and Emily’s husband, had been upstairs for a meeting. After hearing about the incident in the lobby, he immediately came down. The moment he stepped out, he saw his wife with one hand against her cheek while Jasper stood calmly before her. Adrian’s expression turned frighteningly cold. Any ordinary man would have been furious.

Claire immediately covered her mouth, her eyes widening as she stared at Jasper. “It’s really you, Jasper! It's been a long time! Wow!” Jasper smiled back. Keeping his cool. “Really long time. Nice meeting you again.” Claire then took the initiative to hug him, still grinning. The moment Claire's hair drifts over, he could smell the scent, he feels as if he has been taken right back to their school days life. After that, she looked at him from head to toe. The first thing she noticed was his suit. It was clearly expensive, perfectly fitted, and nothing like the simple clothes he used to wear back in school. She could feel the aura coming from him. “You have changed so much,” she said, her eyes moving over him curiously. “And this suit… You look completely different. You seem really wealthy now.” Jasper chuckled. “It’s nothing special. Just pure luck.” Then she laughed it off. “By the way, thank you so much for helping me back there. Seriously. Who knows what might have happene

Jasper looked up at Emma, his expression as calm as ever. There was no surprise in his eyes. This was typical of Emma—always rude and intrusive, as though everything he did was somehow her business.Jasper slowly put down his glass. His gaze settled on Emma. “You're talking as though I owe you an explanation.”Emma's face stiffened. “I asked you a question. Just answer me.”Claire looked back and forth between them, wondering who this rude girl was and why she was speaking to Jasper that way.Jasper leaned back in his chair. “She is an old acquaintance who invited me out for a meal,” he replied calmly. “Do you have a problem with that?”Emma opened her mouth but couldn't immediately answer. An old acquaintance?“And you're actually dining here? You told me you are broke!” she asked, almost as though she still couldn't believe it. Then she turned her attention toward the woman beside him. “Then what about you? What are you doing here with him?”The woman blinked twice, seemingly puzz