Chapter 2: Intentionally Harmful!

In the grand hall, which occupied an immense area, decorated in an elegant, ancient Eastern architectural style, a red carpet was laid out.

The esteemed guests of the Miller family gradually took their seats.

Dulcie, carrying an exquisite gift box, approached the bride, smiling said: "Jena, congratulations on your wedding, wishing you a lifetime of harmony."

Jena's face was delicate, with fair skin and a beautiful appearance, her demeanor arrogant, but overall, compared to Dulcie, she still fell a bit short.

She looked at Dulcie indifferently and said: "Put the gift over there."

"Jena, I'll go with you for a while." Dulcie said with a smile.

"No need. You don't have to fuss over me, I know what you're up to, and as for your father's matter, my family won't help." Jena replied coldly, without any consideration.

The smile on Dulcie's face froze, replaced by an unmistakable look of dejection. She clenched her fists, her delicate body trembling slightly.

Before marrying Theophilus, she was the cherished daughter of the Miller family, their bright jewel. Back then, Jena was also very close to her, but now, why had she become so cold...

Jena married the eldest young master of the Charlie family, the leading family of Elysian Echo City. Their wedding was grand, and everyone in the Miller family celebrated this glorious event.

But for her...

Dulcie remained silent for a moment, thinking about her father's current plight. She forced a smile on her face and hurriedly followed Jena's departing figure. Theophilus, sitting there, saw everything, his feelings unclear...

The table where Theophilus sat was surrounded by the Miller family's sons-in-law.

However, these sons-in-law were influential and wealthy men, and compared to them, Theophilus's status in the Miller family was insignificant.

Therefore, no one greeted him, no conversations or wine invitations, no exchange of business cards, no regard for Theophilus's presence.

"Is everyone here? Let's have a drink then."

"Orborne, that won't do, we should toast to you instead."

Orborne, relaxed, held a glass of fine wine. The sons-in-law present were flattered by his attention and quickly stood up, fawning and raising their glasses.

Orborne was the son of Miller Eugene, who held significant power in the Miller family. His position in the Miller Jewelry Corporation was comparable to Victor, the eldest brother.

In terms of wealth, power, connections, and status, Orborne surpassed these external sons-in-law.

"What's the matter? Theophilus, are you looking down on me? Won't you drink even one glass?" Orborne asked coldly, staring at Theophilus.

Only Theophilus had not stood up to toast, hesitating for a second.

Whoosh!

In that second, Orborne flung his glass of white wine in Theophilus's face.

"What's this? You don't need the honor I'm giving you? Huh? I'm offering you a drink as a courtesy, and you dare not drink?" Orborne said disdainfully, arrogantly.

The wine splashed on Theophilus's face, the strong smell stinging his nose, his clothes drenched, his face burning.

No one there spoke up for Theophilus, their faces showing mockery.

Theophilus's eyes sharpened, but thinking of Dulcie struggling for her father, he decided not to cause more trouble for her, he endured.

"Alright, I'll drink to you." Theophilus said, wiping the wine off his face and slowly standing up.

Orborne, surprised that Theophilus still endured, had a cold smile on his lips, secretly thinking that enduring would prevent further trouble.

The moment Theophilus stood up, Orborne suddenly stepped back, pretending to fall, casually flipping over the expensive red wine on the banquet table and the gift table for distinguished guests.

Crash!

The table collapsed, scattering a dozen bottles of precious red wine, fine Jasper ornaments, and a shattered Lapis Lazuli bracelet, causing a stir in the banquet hall, drawing everyone's eyes to the scene.

"Theophilus, how dare someone useless like you hit me!" Orborne shouted, wanting to escalate the situation.

"What's going on?"

Jena arrived, accompanied by Dulcie, with even the groom approaching seriously.

The guests gathered around.

"Jena, brother-in-law, on your wedding day, this useless Theophilus dared to hit me right at the banquet table. Tell me, isn't this person trying to cause trouble?" Orborne angrily accused, glaring at Theophilus as if he had suffered a great humiliation.

"Theophilus, what exactly happened?" Dante asked, struggling to contain his anger, his face grim and voice cold.

"Orborne fell on his own; I didn't touch him." Theophilus stated the truth.

"Fell on his own? Then why does Orborne claim you hit him?" Dante questioned sternly.

Theophilus responded: "Everyone here saw what happened. If you don't believe me, ask them."

"Brother-in-law, Theophilus is making excuses. I was just offering drinks to everyone when he suddenly hit me, and everybody saw it." Orborne said furiously: "Honestly, if it weren't for respecting you, I would have beaten him to death today!"

"What did you all witness just now?" Dante turned to ask the Miller family's sons-in-law who were seated there.

"It was as Orborne said. We don't know what got into Theophilus, probably too much to drink."

"Yes, Theophilus reeked of alcohol, completely soaked. Orborne came to drink with us, and Theophilus suddenly hit him."

"That's right, we saw it too."

The Miller sons-in-law spoke gravely.

Theophilus, stunned, looked at them incredulously, then could only give a bitter smile. Orborne, being the heir of the Third Uncle, wielded influence in the Miller family. Who would risk offending him for a mere son-in-law like Theophilus?

They all chose to blatantly lie.

Theophilus didn't bother to explain further, knowing it was futile. The weak had no right to justify themselves.

Being the lowest in status in the Miller family, even if he was right, if others said he was wrong, then he was wrong.

"What a disgrace, drunk to the point of forgetting his own name!"

"The Miller patriarch really made a mistake inviting such a useless person as a son-in-law!"

The watching guests murmured and jeered at Theophilus without any regard for his feelings.

"Theophilus, you are truly useless! Always causing trouble!" Dulcie angrily approached Theophilus, her face flushed with embarrassment.

Especially since she had just been discussing her father's factory with Jena and her brother-in-law. How could she ask for Jena's help now that Theophilus had caused such a scene?

"Apologize to Jena and the brother-in-law right now!" Dulcie wished she could hit Theophilus for causing her such shame.

Seeing Dulcie's tearful eyes, Theophilus bit his lip and said: "Jena, brother-in-law, I'm truly sorry. Today was my fault, disturbing your wedding. I apologize."

Orborne stood to one side, barely containing his laughter, his gleeful expression as if saying, ‘Even if I sabotage you and you lose all face and honor, who will help you?’

"Theophilus, you're a man. If you make a mistake, own up to it. Blaming my brother Orborne instead, I despise people like you!" Jena said coldly.

Dante's face darkened even more. On his wedding day, such an incident in the party, with guests of high stature present, left him wondering how to save face.

"Theophilus, I won't accept your apology! Today, I won't hit you, and you don’t need to compensate for the broken wine and jewels, just get out of here now! And never show your face to me again!" Dante spoke icily.

Theophilus sighed, indifferent to the unusual stares from the surrounding guests, and turned to leave the hall.

But as he turned, Jena suddenly spat out a statement.

"Dulcie, don’t you want me to help your father through his difficulties? Fine, I don’t want to see Theophilus anymore. Just divorce this useless man immediately, get him out of the Miller family for good! I will deal with your father's factory issue!"

Theophilus stopped but didn’t turn back, then continued to walk out of the guest hall.

Outside the Miller family mansion, Theophilus lit a cigarette, wondering what choice Dulcie would make.

"Let's go home." a familiar voice came from behind. Theophilus's heart fluttered, and turning, he saw his wife Dulcie, tears still in her eyes.

"Going home? What about your father's situation?" Theophilus asked.

"I’ve said it before, we'll divorce sooner or later. But it has to be my choice, not forced by them! As for my father's issue, we'll find another way. After all, we're family. Their bullying you is an insult to me too. I have nothing more to discuss with them!" Dulcie said angrily.

Theophilus whispered to himself: ‘Family…’

The two walked in silence for a while.

"Theophilus, I'm sorry, I want to take back what I said to you at the party." Dulcie wiped her tears: "I was too angry at that moment. When I think about it calmly, how could you have possibly attacked Orborne? You don’t even drink."

"Do you believe me?" Theophilus asked.

"I believe you." Dulcie replied.

"Thank you for trusting me."

Theophilus looked at Dulcie, internally making a decision. He would not let down anyone who trusted him!