The Househusband Was a Hidden Monarch

Chapter 6

Cassian slowly turned when he heard the mocking voice and immediately saw Fiona walking toward him like she was stepping onto a stage prepared just for her. 

She was dressed in a glittering silver gown that hugged her figure tightly, chin lifted high with the confidence of someone who believed tonight belonged to her. 

Her hand was wrapped possessively around the arm of a tall young man in a designer suit who looked like he had spent more time perfecting his hairstyle than understanding business. The two of them walked together with matching arrogant smiles, as if they had already decided who deserved to exist in this hall and who didn’t.

Cassian’s eyes swept over them lazily.

“Well,” Cassian said lazily, “you upgraded fast. I see the replacement model comes with built-in confidence and factory-installed stupidity.”

Fiona’s smile twitched.

“What are you doing here?” she demanded coldly.

Cassian shrugged. “Breathing. Walking. Existing. None of which require your permission. Now move aside, you’re blocking the scenery.”

Her expression darkened.

“You don’t belong here,” she said. “This is a banquet for elites. Not a reunion for unemployed househusbands.”

Several nearby guests began to turn subtly, sensing tension and whispers spread quickly around. 

Cassian tilted his head.

“Strange,” he replied. “I was just thinking the same. Why are you still here? Didn’t we finish our conversation this afternoon?”

Fiona let out a sharp laugh filled with pure contempt.

“You really have no shame,” she said. “Do you think standing here will make you look important? You were nothing in my house and you’re still nothing outside it.”

Zora watched the whole exchange with interest and from the short time she'd known her new husband, one thing was certain, he has a foul mouth and he never runs out of what to say... and the bonus, he's sarcastic and might never lose in wars that involve roasting one.

"If you are here for the money, then it's too late, I'm done with trash like you." 

She tightened her hold on the man beside her and pulled him forward proudly.

“This,” she announced loudly, “is Young Master Leon Hartley of the Hartley Financial Family. The one who helped me secure the Skyline Dominion Strategic Contract. The one who arranged tonight’s banquet.”

A ripple moved through the crowd.

The Hartley family name carried weight. Banks listened when they spoke. Some investment boards trembled when they moved. Leon immediately straightened his back even more, clearly enjoying the attention.

“That’s right,” he said smugly. “Miss Fiona has talent. I simply recognized it before others did.”

Cassian raised his brows slowly.

“Are you… absolutely sure he secured the contract for you?” he asked.

Fiona scoffed loudly. “What kind of stupid question is that? Of course I’m sure. Without Young Master Hartley, do you think someone like me would be standing here tonight?”

Leon smirked. “Some people should know their limits. Big projects are not decided by washing machines and grocery lists.”

A few people chuckled and Cassian stared at him quietly for a moment then he nodded thoughtfully.

“Incredible,” he murmured. “So you’re telling me the entire Skyline Dominion Group personally handed you a billion-level development contract because they were impressed by your jawline?”

A louder wave of laughter spread through the surrounding guests and Leon’s face tightened while Fiona’s expression turned ugly.

“You’re just jealous,” she snapped. “You wasted three years of my life and now you can’t stand seeing me succeed.”

Cassian smiled faintly.

“No,” he said. “I’m fascinated. I spent years building a stage and today I finally got to meet the clown performing on it.”

Beside him, Zora suddenly covered her mouth but a sound escaped anyway.

A sharp, uncontrollable laugh.

She tried to stop herself but her shoulders shook slightly as she turned her face away. The more she tried to hold it in, the worse it became.

Fiona’s eyes widened with rage.

“Why are you laughing?” she demanded.

Zora looked back at her calmly, her expression almost polite.

“I was just thinking,” she said lightly, “I have attended many banquets in this city. But I have never seen someone this foolish in real life before. It’s educational and refreshing”

Leon’s face flushed red.

“Who do you think you are?” he snapped."You are asking for trouble. "

Fiona immediately raised her hand and signaled the guards nearby.

“Throw them out,” she ordered coldly. “Both of them. This instant.”

Several guards began moving toward Cassian and Zora. Guests stepped back to watch openly now, sensing a dramatic scene unfolding. Phones were subtly raised and whispers grew louder.

Cassian suddenly laughed though not loudly but enough to make the approaching guards slow down.

“If I’m kicked out,” he said calmly, “this banquet won’t hold.”

The guards hesitated.

Fiona scoffed. “Stop bluffing. Seriously, you're just a lovebrain dog I fed for years, stop thinking you are some big shot here cause you are not.”

Cassian slipped his hands into his pockets and looked around the grand hall lazily.

“You won’t sign that precious contract tonight” he continued. “The one your new lover… hmm… what should I call him…”

He looked Leon up and down thoughtfully.

“Young Master Sponsorship?”

The crowd chuckled but they immediately hid for fear of being discovered and marked.

Leon’s fists clenched and Fiona’s nails dug into his arm.

Cassian smiled faintly.

“Because the moment I leave,” he added quietly, “everything you’re celebrating here will collapse.”