The Tyrant Heir's Return: Reclaiming the Thorne Empire

Chapter 2:The Marriage Recruitment

The conference hall on the first floor of the Swan Hotel was bustling.

News of the Hart family holding a marriage recruitment for the disfigured Isabella Hart had long become a topic of gossip in certain Washington circles.

The requirements were "good health and no bad habits," with a promise of an apartment, a shop, and family protection.

But insiders knew the Harts just wanted to get rid of this "burden" as soon as possible.

Arthur Hart—the family head and Isabella’s grandfather—sat in the main seat.

His gray beard stuck up, and his fingers tapped impatiently on a sign that read "Candidate Interviews."

Isabella’s parents, Richard Hart and Martha Hart, sat on either side of him, their expressions equally grim.

"Grandpa, anyone who actually comes will either be a pauper or a liar!" Ethan Martinez, Arthur’s grandson, leaned over to sneer.

No sooner had he spoken than a commotion erupted at the door.

Jacob Wilson—dressed in a flashy pink suit with his hair slicked back—strutted in with two assistants carrying Hermès bags.

"Mr. Arthur! I’m here to apply!" Jacob’s voice boomed as he deliberately waved the luxury bags. "Look—engagement gifts for my future wife!"

Ethan immediately swarmed over like a dog that had smelled meat.

Just then, Jack walked in.

He had changed out of his helipad attire into a worn jacket and faded jeans, with a obvious tear at the knee—completely out of place among the suited crowd.

Ethan’s eyes lit up, as if he’d found a better target for mockery.

He strode forward to block Jack’s path, his voice shrill: "Hey! Where’d this poor kid sneak in from? Got the wrong door? Look at that cheap junk you’re wearing—you probably can’t even afford a glass of wine here! Did you hear there’s a free ride and come to mooch?"

Suppressed laughter broke out around them, mixed with disdainful glances.

Jack ignored him completely, stepping around Ethan like he would a street stone, and walked straight to Arthur Hart.

He handed over a simple resume—only his name, age, and a vague line that read "Worked overseas for many years."

Arthur glanced at it, sneered, and swept the resume onto the floor.

His tone was full of contempt: "Young man, the Hart family’s threshold isn’t something a jobless nobody like you can cross. Get out—don’t waste our time."

Jacob took the chance to step forward, pulling an American Express Black Card from his wallet and waving it deliberately in front of Jack.

The golden card surface glinted harshly. "Pauper, know what this is? One hundred thousand dollars! Ever touched that much money in your life? Marry a wife? Dream on! Hahaha!"

The laughter around them grew louder.

Jack remained expressionless.

Under everyone’s gaze, he slowly pulled a card from his pocket.

It was pure black with a matte finish—no bank logo, card number, or name.

Only at a certain angle could you see a thin circle of dark gold thorn patterns engraved along the edge.

"POS machine," he said to a flustered waiter nearby, his tone as casual as if he were ordering a glass of water.

The waiter’s hands shook—he’d never seen a card like this.

He took it carefully and inserted it into the POS machine.

Seconds later, instead of showing a balance, the screen displayed a rare message: [Automatically contacting bank manager. Please wait].

"Ha! Hahaha!" Jacob burst into louder laughter, slamming his hand on the table. "Busted! It’s fake! You’re a liar, just like I thought! Security! Drag this liar out!"

Ethan joined in, stepping hard on the resume on the floor and grinding his foot into it. "Kid, you’re done for! Daring to cheat in the Hart family’s territory! You’ll end up in jail!"

Arthur’s face darkened, and Richard and Martha looked disgusted.

Jack took the card back from the waiter, standing calmly as he tuned out the noise around him.

Just as the security guards were about to step forward, a sharp, authoritative shout rang out at the conference hall door: "Stop!"