The Return of The King Steven

Chapter 4

"I'll let you see who you're really looking down on."

The words echoed in the dark living room. There were no witnesses, no listeners, except himself. 

Steven stood up slowly, straightening the suit he had carelessly thrown down. 

His eyes were empty, but deep inside there was something new—angry calmness.

He went to the kitchen and turned on the kettle. Waiting for the water to boil was like waiting for his own time to come.

Five minutes later, the front door opened. 

Nora entered with quick steps. She looked tired, but not because of Steven. 

More like someone who was chasing something, and Steven wasn't part of that goal.

"Who's that tea for?" Nora asked coldly, watching Steven pour hot water.

"For me," Steven replied briefly.

"Great. Don't make anything for me."

That tone was no longer blunt—it was outright insulting.

Steven didn't reply. It was useless.

Nora took off her bag and went straight into the room to get some things. 

The sound of the closet being opened loudly, drawers being pulled out carelessly. 

She then came out carrying a small suitcase.

"Are you leaving again?" Steven asked flatly.

"I'm staying at Ryan's apartment."

Steven closed his eyes for a moment, enduring the sharp pain.

"Wow, I just know you already that far," he said softly.

Nora stared at him mockingly. 

"It's been that way for a long time. You just didn't see it."

It was a sentence that cut deeper than anything he had ever heard.

"Nora, I never stopped you from choosing your happiness. But don't make me feel like I'm nothing."

Nora approached, looking Steven up and down. 

"You really don't mean anything to me. You're nothing more than a thorn in my side, blocking my future."

Steven chuckled. "So all this time... all my sacrifices have been meaningless?"

"No. And you sacrificed nothing for me."

The answer came without pause, without hesitation.

It's as if all those years together were worthless.

"Ryan is more important," added Nora.

The statement hit Steven hard, but he didn't show it.

The next morning, Steven went to work. His steps were steady, but the entire office seemed to be waiting for him as a subject of ridicule.

Some staff whispered loudly as he passed by.

"That's the man who stole his wife's company money."

"Poor Mrs. Nora. Living with a husband like that must be difficult."

"That's why she's more suited to Mr. Ryan."

Steven heard it all. He didn't say a word in response. 

He just went into his room, closed the door, and sat down.

There were no meetings or agenda items that day. 

There was only one message on his phone from Nora:

Please don't bother me today.

He laughed at her. "As if I ever bothered you," he muttered.

Five minutes later, his secretary entered with a strange expression.

"Mr. Steven... I'm sorry, but the meeting you scheduled for the project evaluation has been canceled. Mrs. Nora has decided to hand it over to Mr. Ryan."

Steven stared at him intently. 

"That project belongs to a client I'm handling. Why did Ryan take it?"

"Because Mrs. Nora said... you can no longer be trusted."

The secretary looked down, appearing uncomfortable. 

"I'm sorry, sir."

Steven nodded. "It's okay."

Of course it's okay. Because it's obvious that it will happen.

What they didn't realize... Steven was taking notes.

In the afternoon, Steven left the office and went to the city center. 

He entered a magnificent building with black glass doors. There was no signboard or sign.

Only those who know can enter. And Steven is one of them.

Two guards stood upright in front of the private elevator. 

As soon as they saw Steven, they immediately bowed their heads.

"Welcome back, Sir," said one of them.

Steven didn't answer. He just got into the elevator and pressed the button for the top floor. 

The elevator moves quickly, smoothly, and quietly.

As soon as the door opened, a middle-aged man in a black suit was waiting.

"Sir. Steven," he said respectfully. "We have heard about your situation."

Steven walked into a spacious room with a view of the city. 

The room belonged to him. It had been there for a long time, but he hardly ever used it.

The man—Abraham, one of the group's top advisors—followed behind.

"Your wife's company... would you like us to withdraw all investments and support?"

Steven sat in the large work chair that he rarely touched. 

"Not yet."

Abraham nodded. "We are just waiting for your orders, Sir."

Steven twirled a pen between his fingers. 

How many Nora companies depend on us?

"About 68%. If we pull out, the company will collapse within three months."

"What if we pull it slowly?" asked Steven.

"Six months."

Steven smiled coldly. "Good."

Abraham hesitated for a moment before saying, "Would you like us to investigate a man named Ryan Thomas?"

Steven stared out the window. His mind was calm, but his eyes were cold. 

"Yes. Starting with his finances. All his debts. All his records."

"Right away, Sir."

Before Abraham left, he asked again, "Do you want us to intervene in your household?"

Steven shook his head.

"No. Let them continue to think I'm a weak, poor, insignificant man. That will make the fall even more painful."

Abraham smiled slightly. 

"Very good, Sir."

That afternoon, Ryan contacted Steven.

“Steven, I heard Nora's company is going to terminate your employment.”

"Yes," Steven replied flatly. "Is that what you want, right?"

Ryan laughed smugly. "You have nothing now. Nora's company doesn't need you. Neither does Nora. Even the world doesn't need you at all."

Steven held his phone casually. 

"Well then... make sure you can prove all of that."

"I've already proven it," Ryan said arrogantly. "Soon, I'll have everything. The company, Nora, even your reputation."

"Ryan," Steven said in a low, steady, calm voice. "Enjoy it while you can."

"What do you mean?"

"I'm just giving you time before your own world collapses."

"What can you do? You're nobody." Ryan laughed.

Steven smiled slightly. "Really?"

"Of course. You're a failed husband whose wife prefers her ex-boyfriend."

The conversation ended there, but Steven said one last sentence before hanging up, “You have no idea how weak you are, Ryan. Good luck.”

That night, Steven returned to his empty house. He sat down in a chair, opened his laptop, and started working. 

All the data, all the movements of funds that he secretly injected into Nora's company... he collected everything.

He didn't want to attack. He just wanted to reveal the truth.

And let the world see who Ryan really is.

And who he really is.

Before closing his laptop, Steven muttered, "Tomorrow, the first round begins."