The Billionaire Husband They Humiliated

Chapter 005

“Why?” Isaac asked, genuinely confused.

Sara Davis looked at him as though the answer ought to be obvious.

“Because someone like you doesn't deserve a seat next to me.”

Isaac glanced down at his clothes. They weren't expensive, but he had washed them the night before. What exactly was so offensive about them?

He was about to answer when someone caught his arm.

“Come on, man. Let it go.”

It was Andy Howell, the classmate who had sat beside him all through high school. Back then, the two of them had been inseparable. Tonight, Andy seemed to be the only person at the reunion who still wanted to talk to him.

Andy led him into a quieter corner.

“Look around,” he said in a low voice. “These people have money, connections, and egos to match. They already think they're better than us. There's no point giving them another chance to put us down.”

Isaac shrugged and helped himself to some food.

Later, after a few drinks, Sara took the microphone and began singing. Colored lights swept across the room as she danced, drawing the attention of every man in sight.

The evening passed quickly. One by one, people started to leave. None of their old teachers had been able to attend, so Frank suggested getting everyone together again the following week.

Several men offered Sara a ride home. She declined them all and walked straight toward a waiting Ferrari. That ended the offers.

“She's still stunning,” Andy said as they stepped outside. “Whoever ends up with her is one lucky guy. I can see why you wanted to talk to her.”

Isaac said nothing. If Sara wanted a contract with Aether Group, their paths would cross again soon enough.

Then his phone rang.

Someone nearby glanced at his outdated handset. “Seriously? People still use phones like that?”

Isaac looked at the caller ID and winced.

His mother-in-law.

“Where are you?” she shrieked the moment he answered. “Get home right now! The Pugh family gathering is tonight! Do you have a death wish? How could you forget?”

Isaac slapped his forehead.

Damn it. The family banquet.

He jumped on his scooter and hurried home.

Ruby was waiting outside an upscale residential complex, looking irritated. Isaac pulled up, short of breath.

“I'm here!”

Something at her feet caught the light. Isaac looked down and saw the Elysian Slingback heels he'd arranged for the Thornton family to send her. They fit perfectly.

A small smile crept across his face. She really did love them.

Ruby wasn't smiling.

“Listen carefully. Tonight matters to my family. If you embarrass me, I swear you'll regret it.”

“I understand.”

He barely made it into the car before his mother-in-law started again.

“What are you wearing? Are you trying to humiliate us?”

She had dressed up for the occasion, but no amount of elegance softened her words.

“My daughter must have been cursed to end up with you,” she continued. “I wouldn't give a man like you a second glance.”

“Mom, enough,” Ruby said, without much conviction.

“After tonight, you're filing for divorce. I refuse to let my daughter waste another day with this useless man.”

Isaac kept quiet.

The banquet was already in full swing when they arrived. Expensive sports cars filled the parking lot, and the Pugh family's relatives were mingling inside.

People greeted Ruby warmly. They passed Isaac as though he were invisible.

That suited him fine. If he could get through the evening and enjoy a good meal, he'd consider it a success.

Then a familiar voice cut through the room.

“Well, look who decided to show up.”

Jordan Pugh strolled toward them with a mocking smile. He never missed an opportunity to make Isaac look small.

“Did you seriously come to the family banquet dressed like that? Have you no shame? You're making the whole family look bad.”

Heads turned. Laughter spread.

“This is the best outfit I own,” Isaac said.

“That's your best?” Jordan burst out laughing. “I wouldn't let my dog wear something that cheap.”

Ruby's cheeks burned. She had already been worried about bringing Isaac, and now everyone was staring.

Jordan straightened his expensive jacket.

“Look at what your husband's wearing. Forty dollars, tops. You can buy clothes like that anywhere. But this?” He smoothed the front of his own outfit. “You couldn't even guess what it cost. Six figures. Easy.”

Several relatives murmured admiringly.

Ruby glanced down at her own clothes, suddenly uncomfortable. She had thought she looked perfectly respectable. Next to Jordan's display of wealth, she felt underdressed.

Then Isaac reached out and pinched the fabric of Jordan's collar between two fingers.

Jordan recoiled. “What the hell are you doing? You think you're allowed to touch this?”

Isaac rubbed the material thoughtfully.

“This fabric is cheap,” he said. “And the stitching's wrong. Whoever sold you this as a limited-edition designer piece took you for a fool. You might want to learn how to spot a fake before you start bragging about it.”