The Goldmaster

003. Insults

The Diamond District—one of the city’s most elite neighborhoods.

And today, with a grand celebration drawing in swarms of socialites and luxury cars, Lucas, in his plain and understated attire, looked utterly out of place.

“Are you lost, sir?” A well-built man in a sleek black suit and dark sunglasses stepped forward.His tone held the sharpness of someone used to turning people away.

“I’m here to see Rebecca Esmeralda.” Lucas met his gaze.

The man raised an eyebrow, then tapped his earpiece. “Hold on,” he said.

“Thought you’d breeze through? You’re out of your depth, Lucas. Maybe you should turn back before you embarrass yourself further.” He leaned in, voice dripping with mockery.

Lucas met his gaze steadily, voice low and even. “Underestimate me all you want. Just don’t be surprised when you’re proven wrong.”

The gatekeeper’s smirk faltered. Maybe this guy’s more dangerous than he looks.

Lucas folded his arms. A minute later, footsteps clicked from inside the estate.

A tall man appeared—broad-shouldered, clean-cut, grey streaks running through a sharp head of hair. His suit screamed of money, tailored and crisp. Elias Esmeralda, patriarch of the Esmeralda family and CEO of Diamond Corp. Also,he is Rebecca’s father.

“Lucas,” Elias greeted, his voice smooth but distant. “You’re Antonio’s apprentice, aren’t you?”

Lucas gave a slight nod, “I used to be.”

“I heard of his passing,” Elias said, his eyes narrowing. “He was a good man, saved my daughter once.”

“I know, and that’s why I’m here.” Lucas lowered his head.

“Then tell me—how much of your mentor’s skills have you mastered?” Elias asked eagerly.

“Not even a fraction of his greatness,” Lucas replied solemnly.

Antonio was a world-renowned healing master, unmatched across ages.

But in truth, even while his mentor was still alive, Lucas had already surpassed him—though he cared little for fame and never wished to overshadow Antonio’s honor.

But Elias’s expression darkened slightly, a hint of impatience flickering across his face.

“You’re not dressed for a formal gathering, nor were you invited.”

“You should’ve written ahead if this was about business.”

“I wasn’t here for business, just here to deliver this.” Lucas reached into his side bag and pulled out a slim black case.

“What’s this?” Elias sneered. “Some kind of trash that needs to be taken out?”

“You know what you sound like right now? One of those shameless scammers—showing up at my door, pretending to offer something valuable, when all you’ve got is junk.”

“Now get the hell out of my house before I have security throw you out!”

Elias finally dropped the act. The disgust he’d barely been holding back now poured out without restraint.

Lucas narrowed his eyes, coldly scanning the man who once knelt and begged his mentor for help.

Was this his true face?

Fake. Ungrateful. Sickeningly hypocritical.

“Elias,” Lucas said calmly, “I think you’ve forgotten—I’m still, technically, your daughter’s fiancé.”

“If I walk in there right now and tell everyone the truth, do you really think your family will keep enjoying this little fantasy of wealth and status?”

He smiled.

Lucas was no Antonio—he didn’t do mercy.

When someone spat in his face, he made damn sure to return the favor.

“You... you shameless parasite!” Elias growled, chest heaving.

He’d taken Lucas for a clueless country bumpkin.

But now?

Now the bastard stood there, bold as ever, throwing threats in his face.

“Well, well. I knew that face was too stubborn to stay away.”

Lucas looked up and Rebecca Esmeralda stood at the top, dressed in silver, her eyes laced with irritation. Behind her, her fiancé Bruno stood.

“What are you doing here? Scrounging for free food and drinks? Looks like you’ve really hit rock bottom,” Rebecca sneered at Lucas with cold eyes.

“And what about you?” Lucas shot back. “Marrying someone else before we’ve even called off the engagement? That’s how horny you are?”

Though Lucas never cared much about the engagement, it was still a formal agreement—Rebecca should have at least given him a heads-up before breaking it. Instead, she shamelessly takes advantage and plays the victim.

“You—” Rebecca’s face flushed, but Bruno, her current fiancé, stepped between them.

“Hey man, you don’t talk to a woman like that. It’s a matter of principle.”

“As for your outdated engagement nonsense—this is the twenty-first century. No one plays those damn games anymore.”

“But you? What virtue do you have that makes Rebecca worth keeping pure for? Rude, useless, and still trying to sponge off the Esmeralda family like a parasite?”

“Wake up! You’re shaming all men!” Bruno’s voice cut sharp.

Rebecca melted into Bruno’s arms, whispering, “I really picked the right one.”

Lucas laughed coldly at the pair, like watching a puppet show unfold—but then he turned serious.

“Rebecca, don’t you even know your own condition? I’m giving you one chance. Take these life-saving meds quietly, or else...”

“Shut up!” Rebecca screamed, eyes blazing with disgust. She didn’t believe a word.

“I know why you’re here—to demand compensation, right?”

“An old scammer dies, and the little con artist thinks he can survive?”

“I was willing to give you a few hundred bucks before, but now? Don’t expect a single cent from us. Not a damn penny!”

Lucas sneered. He had warned his mentor not to waste mercy on everyone—some people simply don’t deserve to live. But Antonio never listened, healing everyone who came, only to burn out his own life early. The Esmeralda family? They were the real villains. He felt nothing but pity for his master.

“Keep your lousy money. It’s worth more than your worthless life.”

He walked toward the door, ignoring the cold stares behind him.

Until the front entrance opened.

The air shifted, the conversations paused. Even Rebecca fell quiet.

A woman stepped into the room—heels clicking, coat slung over one shoulder, eyes scanning the space with deadly calm.

Pamela.

And in that single breath, the entire room changed.