The Househusband Was a Hidden Monarch

Chapter 9

Fiona’s smile froze on her face immediately the old man said those words. 

Just seconds ago, she had still been standing proudly in the center of the banquet hall, basking in admiration and envy. 

She had spent time showing off the contract like a trophy, mentioning it in every conversation, exaggerating the details, making sure everyone understood just how important she had become. 

Some of her friends in the social circle had even been offended by her arrogance, but she had not cared. Why would she? This contract was her stepping stone into a higher social circle. It was her proof that leaving Cassian and some other trash had been the best decision of her life.

But now… now the expressions around her have changed.

The polite smiles were gone and the whispers had returned.

Her heartbeat quickened.

“What… what is happening?” Fiona asked, her voice trembling despite her attempt to sound composed. “How could this happen?”

Her fingers tightened around her clutch bag as panic slowly crept into her chest. Losing this contract was not just about money. It was about reputation and about face. She had bragged to too many people. She had mocked too many rivals. If this deal collapsed tonight, she would become the laughingstock of the entire social circle.

No.

That could not happen.

It must not happen.

Her mind raced wildly as she tried to find an explanation.

“Did I do something wrong?” she blurted out suddenly. “Is someone upset with me? Or… or is it because of him?”

Her sharp gaze darted toward Cassian for a brief second, filled with resentment.

“Is this because my useless ex-husband caused a scene and disrupted the banquet?” she continued quickly. “If that’s the case, I can deal with it. I can have him arrested. I can even have him crippled if necessary. Just tell me what needs to be done.”

Her words came out rushed and desperate.

For the first time that night, she was no longer the elegant woman who had strutted in confidently. She looked like someone trying to plug a sinking ship with bare hands.

Cassian simply chuckled.

It was a soft and almost amused sound that only made Fiona’s nerves tighten further but she did not have time to deal with him.

Not now.

Her future was on the line.

“I don’t have time for your nonsense,” she snapped coldly. “I will fix this first. After that… I will personally show you what hell looks like.”

Her threat sounded hollow even to her own ears.

Before Cassian could respond, the old man who had been observing everything from the side finally scoffed.

The sound was loud enough to cut through the tension.

“You’re wasting your breath,” he said dismissively. “If you want answers, go and meet the person who supposedly helped you secure this contract.”

His gaze shifted meaningfully toward one side of the hall.

“The Hartley family.”

Fiona blinked, confusion spread across her face and slowly, she turned her head and looked at Leon.

He had been standing there the whole time, dressed impeccably, still maintaining the posture of a young master. Just minutes ago, he had been proudly basking in the reflected glory of Fiona’s deal, enjoying the admiration it brought him.

But now… the moment Fiona’s eyes met his, Leon immediately looked away.

He avoided her gaze completely and her jaw tightened.

Her nails dug into her palm.

Why was he turning away?

What was he hiding?

The unease in her heart deepened, turning into a cold knot of dread.

The old man seemed completely tired of the pointless noise filling the hall.

He lifted his hand slightly and the murmurs slowly died down. His expression was calm, but there was a faint impatience in his eyes as if he had already wasted more time than he intended to.

Then he turned toward Cassian and to everyone’s shock… he bowed his head slightly.

“I apologize,” the old man said in a steady voice. “You have faced injustice while in our building. This is our failure. As compensation, you may ask for anything. Whatever you request… we will grant it.”

Pure silence engulfed the room and the entire banquet hall froze.

Some people even thought they had heard wrongly.

Did the chairman… just apologize to a divorced househusband?

A man who had been mocked all evening?

Shock spread like wildfire and eyes widened. Mouths opened slightly. Whispering started again, louder than before.

Cassian almost laughed.

Inwardly, he praised the old man’s acting skills. The performance was flawless. If he had not known the truth himself, even he might have believed this was a genuine apology.

He kept his expression relaxed and slightly indifferent as if such treatment was normal for him.

“That’s fine,” Cassian said calmly. “Since you insist… I do have a request.”

Everyone leaned forward unconsciously, their curiosity burned wondering what insane amount the househusband will ask for.

“I want the cooperation contract,” Cassian continued, pointing casually beside him, “for my new wife… Zora.”

Boom.

The hall exploded.

“What?!”

“Is he insane?”

“Has he lost his mind?! That's worth billions!”

Voices overlapped in disbelief and some guests even laughed outright.

“He really thinks he can ask for something like that?”

“That contract was already too valuable even for Fiona’s company and now he wants it handed to his woman?”

“This is shameless!”

A middle-aged businessman shook his head in annoyance. “Young man, know your place. Compensation has limits.”

Another woman scoffed loudly. “People who don’t understand business should not speak in business halls.”

The disapproval became louder and even those who had remained neutral earlier now openly showed their disdain.

Fiona herself could not hold back so she let out a cold laugh filled with mockery.

“A company as excellent as mine just had its cooperation cancelled,” she said sharply. “So what makes you think they would give such an opportunity to the trash woman you picked up somewhere and cling to?”

Her gaze slid toward Zora with pure contempt.

“Does she even understand what a contract like that means?”

Leon remained silent but his stiff posture revealed his unease.

More people began speaking at once.

“This is going too far.”

“He is abusing the chairman’s kindness.”

“He should be thrown out.”

Someone even muttered, “This is exactly why useless men should not be allowed into high-level banquets.”

The pressure in the hall became suffocating.

All eyes turned toward the old man, waiting for him to reject the ridiculous request and restore order.

But instead… the old man nodded.

“Very well,” he said simply. “Your wish will be granted. The cooperation contract will be transferred as he desires.”

For a moment, no one reacted, it was as if their brains needed time to process what they had just heard.