The Reborn Young Master Is No Longer a Simp

The Banquet That Broke Everything

Wednesday morning. 8:00 AM.

Noah walked into the Operations Analysis Department and immediately noticed the difference.

The whispers were still there.

But they had changed.

Before, employees had mocked him as the useless heir who would quit before the week ended.

Now, some glanced at him with curiosity. Others watched him cautiously. A few even nodded when he passed their desks.

Noah noticed but didn’t let it go to his head.

In his past life, he had loved attention. He had craved respect without earning it. He had used his father’s name like a weapon.

This time, he understood that respect could disappear the moment he failed.

He walked to his desk and sat down.

Tap tap tap.

Footsteps approached from behind.

Noah turned.

Harold Grant stood there, holding a folder. His expression was stern as always.

“Bennett,” Harold said. “Conference room. Now.”

Noah stood and followed him.

Harold closed the conference room door behind them.

He set the folder on the table and crossed his arms. “The Westbridge issue is bigger than I expected.”

Noah waited.

“I sent the file inconsistencies to senior operations and finance,” Harold continued. “They confirmed your findings. Someone altered the cost estimate. Not drastically, but enough to weaken our bid.”

Noah’s jaw tightened. “Do they know who?”

“Not yet. IT is reviewing the access logs. But that takes time.” Harold paused. “In the meantime, we need to prepare a corrected comparison report for senior review. You’re helping.”

Noah blinked. “Me?”

“You caught the problem. You understand the file better than anyone else in my department right now.” Harold’s tone was blunt. “This is not trust yet. This is a chance. Don’t waste it.”

Noah nodded. “I understand.”

Harold opened the folder and pulled out two thick documents. He placed them side by side on the table.

“This is the clean internal version,” he said, tapping the first document. “And this is the manipulated version that was circulating.”

Noah looked at both documents.

Harold continued. “I want you to review every section. Flag every difference. Make sure the senior team knows exactly what was changed and why it matters.”

“When do you need it?” Noah asked.

“Tomorrow morning. The final bid goes out Friday.”

Noah’s chest tightened. Friday. That gave him less than fortyeight hours to fix this and find the leak.

“I’ll have it ready,” Noah said.

Harold studied him for a moment. Then he nodded. “Good. Get to work.”

He left the room.

Noah sat down and pulled the two documents toward him.

Hours passed.

Noah worked through both versions of the Westbridge proposal line by line. He compared cost estimates, delivery schedules, material pricing, and contractor timelines.

The differences were subtle.

But they were deliberate.

The manipulated version made Bennett Global look more expensive. Slower. Less reliable.

Higher costs. Delayed timelines. Weaker logistics.

If this version had been submitted to the client, Bennett Global’s bid would have been quietly undermined without anyone realizing it was sabotage.

Noah leaned back in his chair.

This wasn’t just about losing one contract.

The saboteur wanted Bennett Global unstable.

If Bennett lost, everyone would blame poor planning. If Bennett won narrowly, the confusion would weaken internal trust.

Either way, the company would start bleeding.

Noah clenched his fists.

He couldn’t expose everything yet. He still didn’t know who altered the proposal or who they were working for.

But he could stop the immediate damage.

Noah opened his laptop and started typing the comparison report. He highlighted every difference between the two versions and explained how the manipulated numbers would weaken the bid.

Then he flagged the inconsistency as a “version control error” that needed review.

Not sabotage.

Not a leak.

Just an error.

This way, the correct version would be restored without alerting the hidden enemy too early.

Noah worked late into the afternoon.

By 5:00 PM, the department was quieter. Most analysts had gone home or were wrapping up their work.

Noah saved his report and closed his laptop.

Tap tap.

Someone knocked on the conference room door.

Noah looked up.

One of the analysts from the department stood in the doorway. It was the same woman who had dropped extra files on his desk two days before.

“Hey,” she said. “You’re still here?”

“Just finishing up,” Noah said.

She hesitated, then stepped inside. “I heard you’re helping with the Westbridge report.”

Noah nodded.

“That contract affects my team’s overtime and bonuses,” she said. “If we lose it, a lot of people are going to struggle. So… thank you for catching that.”

Noah looked at her, surprised.

She gave a small smile. “I didn’t think you’d last a day. I was wrong.”

She left before Noah could respond.

Noah sat alone in the conference room, staring at the closed door.

In his past life, no one at Bennett Global had thanked him. They had feared him. Obeyed him. Avoided him.

But no one had respected him.

Now, for the first time, someone had thanked him for doing actual work.

It felt strange.

But it also felt right.

Thursday morning came with rain and a quiet department.

Noah arrived early and submitted the corrected comparison report to Harold.

Harold reviewed it at his desk, flipping through the pages carefully.

The other analysts pretended to work, but they were watching.

After ten minutes, Harold closed the report and looked at Noah.

“You did well,” he said. “Don’t waste it.”

That was all.

No grand praise. No public announcement.

Just five words.

But it was enough.

Noah nodded. “Thank you, sir.”

Harold stood and walked toward the senior operations office with the corrected report in hand.

The moment the door closed behind him, a message flashed in Noah’s mind.

[Mission Progress Updated.]

[Manipulated Proposal Corrected.]

[Westbridge Contract Risk Level: Reduced.]

[Warning: Timeline Anchor Approaching.]

[Event: Bennett Family Banquet.]

Noah froze.

Another message appeared.

[Memory Fragment Unlocked: The Night Bennett Global Lost Westbridge.]

The world around Noah blurred.

The banquet hall was bright and crowded. Chandeliers hung from the ceiling. Men in suits and women in elegant dresses filled the room. Classical music played softly in the background.

Noah stood near the entrance, wearing a black tuxedo. Elena was beside him, wearing a stunning red dress. She held his arm tightly and smiled at everyone who passed.

Across the room, Astrid Montgomery stood with her parents. She wore a simple silver gown. Her expression was polite but distant.

Noah barely noticed the business conversations happening around him.

He was too focused on protecting Elena from Astrid.

Elena had whispered to him earlier that Astrid had been giving her dirty looks all night. She said she felt uncomfortable. She said she didn’t want to cause trouble but didn’t know how to handle it.

Pastlife Noah had believed her immediately.

He stayed by Elena’s side the entire evening, watching Astrid like a guard dog.

While Noah was distracted, a man in a gray suit approached the bar. He struck up a conversation with Mr. Carter, the key decisionmaker for the Westbridge Development project.

Noah didn’t notice.

By the time the banquet ended, the man in the gray suit had secured a private meeting with Mr. Carter.

Three days later, Bennett Global lost the Westbridge contract.

The memory shifted.

Later that night, Elena walked toward the dessert table. Astrid was standing nearby, talking to another guest.

Elena picked up a glass of red wine.

Then she stumbled.

The wine spilled across the front of her red dress.

Elena gasped and staggered backward, her eyes wide with shock.

“Oh my god!” she cried. “My dress!”

Astrid turned, confused. “What happened?”

Elena looked at Astrid with tears in her eyes. “You… you bumped into me.”

“I didn’t touch you,” Astrid said calmly.

“Yes, you did!” Elena’s voice rose. “You walked past me and knocked my arm!”

The guests nearby turned to watch.

Astrid’s expression hardened. “I was standing here the entire time. I didn’t go near you.”

Elena’s tears spilled over. “Why are you lying? Why do you hate me so much?”

Pastlife Noah pushed through the crowd and saw Elena crying, her dress ruined.

He didn’t ask what happened.

He didn’t check if Astrid was telling the truth.

He just saw Elena in tears and Astrid standing calmly nearby.

And he snapped.

“Astrid, what the hell is wrong with you?” Noah shouted.

The banquet hall went silent.

Astrid stared at him. “Noah, I didn’t—”

“You’ve hated her since graduation,” Noah said. “Now you’re humiliating her in front of everyone?”

“I didn’t do anything,” Astrid said quietly.

“Then why is she crying?” Noah demanded.

Astrid looked at Elena, then back at Noah. Her expression was cold. “Because she wants you to believe I did.”

Noah stepped closer to Astrid. “Stay away from her. If you can’t handle that I chose someone else, that’s your problem. But don’t take it out on Elena.”

Astrid said nothing.

She just turned and walked away.

The Montgomery family left the banquet early.

The BennettMontgomery alliance was damaged that night.

And Elena had smiled quietly the entire way home.

The memory shattered.

Noah sat at his desk, breathing hard.

His hands were clenched into fists.

The banquet.

It had been a coordinated attack.

While Noah was distracted protecting Elena from a fake rivalry, the hidden man’s agent had secured the conversation that destroyed Westbridge.

And Elena had staged the wine incident to make sure Noah stayed distracted.

She had humiliated Astrid.

She had damaged the BennettMontgomery alliance.

And she had proven to the hidden man that she had full control over Noah.

Noah’s jaw tightened.

Not this time.

That evening, Noah returned to the Bennett mansion.

Richard was in his study, reviewing documents.

Knock knock.

Noah knocked on the door.

“Come in,” Richard said.

Noah entered and closed the door behind him.

Richard looked up from his papers. “You’re home early.”

“I wanted to talk to you about something,” Noah said.

Richard set down his pen. “What is it?”

“I heard there’s a Bennett family banquet this weekend.”

Richard’s expression shifted slightly. “There is. It’s not just a party. Important partners, investors, and Westbridgerelated figures will attend.”

He paused.

“I don’t want chaos, Noah. The graduation incident was embarrassing enough. I need this banquet to go smoothly.”

Noah nodded. “I understand.”

Richard studied him. “Good. Then we’re clear.”

Noah hesitated. “Actually, I wanted to ask if Elena could attend.”

Richard’s eyes narrowed. “Excuse me?”

“I want to bring Elena to the banquet,” Noah said.

Richard stood up. “Are you serious? After what happened at graduation, you want to bring her into a business event?”

“If I hide her, people will think I’m ashamed,” Noah said calmly. “The gossip will only get worse. But if she attends properly, the rumors will die down.”

Richard stared at him. “You think bringing her to the banquet will help?”

“I think people are already talking,” Noah said. “Hiding her won’t change that.”

Richard crossed his arms. “Is this because you still want to protect her? Or do you have a reason?”

Noah met his father’s gaze. “I want to see clearly how she behaves among people who matter.”

Richard didn’t respond immediately.

He studied Noah’s face, searching for something.

Then he sighed. “Fine. She can attend. But if you let that girl embarrass this family again, I won’t protect you from the consequences.”

“I understand,” Noah said.

Richard sat back down and picked up his pen. “Don’t make me regret this.”

Noah left the study and closed the door behind him.

Click.

He stood in the hallway, staring at the light beneath his father’s door.

The banquet would be the battleground.

Elena would be the bait.

And Noah would be ready.

Later that night, Noah sat in his apartment and picked up his phone.

He dialed Elena’s number.

Ring ring.

“Noah?” Elena answered. Her voice was soft and hopeful.

“Hey,” Noah said. “I wanted to talk to you about something.”

“What is it?”

“There’s a Bennett family banquet this weekend. I want you to come with me.”

Elena went silent.

Then she spoke, her voice filled with excitement. “Really? You want me there?”

“Of course,” Noah said. “After what happened at graduation, people have been saying things. I don’t want you to feel like you’re being hidden or rejected.”

“Noah, I…” Elena’s voice broke slightly. “I thought you were pulling away from me.”

“I’m not,” Noah lied. “I’ve just been busy with work. But I don’t want you to feel left out. If you attend the banquet with me, people will see that we’re fine.”

“Thank you,” Elena whispered. “I’ll be perfect. I promise.”

“I know you will,” Noah said. “I’ll pick you up Saturday at six.”

“I’ll be ready.”

Noah ended the call and set his phone down.

He stared at the screen.

Elena thought the banquet was her way back into his world.

She thought he was trying to restore her status. Prove to everyone that he still cared about her.

But Noah’s real reason was different.

He needed her there.

Because wherever Elena went, the hidden man’s instructions would follow.

And Noah would be watching.

Across the city, Elena sat in her apartment, staring at her phone.

Her soft expression vanished.

She wasn’t crying. She wasn’t grateful.

She was calculating.

Elena opened her contacts and dialed a number.

Ring ring.

“It’s me,” Elena said.

The calm male voice answered. “What is it?”

“Noah invited me to the Bennett family banquet.”

There was a pause.

Then the man spoke, his tone interested. “Did he?”

“He said he wants to prove to people that we’re fine,” Elena said. “That the graduation incident didn’t change anything.”

The man chuckled. “Good. That room will have everyone we need.”

“What do you mean?” Elena asked.

“Bennett executives. The Montgomery family. And Carter.”

Elena frowned. “Carter?”

“The man Bennett Global needs for Westbridge.”

Elena’s eyes sharpened. “What do you want me to do?”

“Keep Noah distracted. Watch Astrid. If she gives you a chance, use it. If she doesn’t, create one.”

Elena smiled. “Understood.”

“And remember,” the man added. “Noah cannot be paying attention to business conversations. Keep him focused on you.”

“I will,” Elena said.

Click.

The call ended.

Elena set her phone down and looked at herself in the mirror.

The Bennett banquet was not just a party. It was a door.

And Saturday would be her chance to prove that Noah Bennett still belonged to her.

Noah stood by the window of his apartment, looking out at the city lights.

Noah had invited Elena as bait.

Elena had accepted as bait of her own.

By Saturday night, one of them would learn whose trap was sharper.