Chapter 01

The Anderson family mansion looked different tonight. The sound of applause filled the room as a woman and a man took turns putting on the rings.

Davis, on the other hand, smiled as he entered the room. This was the first time in his 25 years of attending a party. The man prepared his appearance as best he could despite having to deplete his savings.

"Congratulations on your engagement, Ethan, Susan."

Davis suddenly froze when he heard the voice. He saw two people he knew kissing on stage. His happy smile vanished.

"What's going on here?" Davis said loud enough to get everyone's attention. The crowd instantly split in two as he walked over.

All the Andersons smiled at the sight of Davis. They had long disliked the man as they considered him a useless nuisance. Tonight was his last night in their family.

"You've come at a good time, Davis," said Drake, the leader of the Anderson family, "take those dirty dishes to the kitchen."

Davis clenched his fists tightly. "What's all this about?"

Drake walked over to Davis. "Didn't you hear what I just said? Take those dirty dishes to the kitchen right now."

Davis did not respond to Drake's words. He was still surprised by Susan and Ethan who were holding hands on stage in matching outfits. "Did they two just get engaged?"

"As you can see, my daughter Susan just got engaged to Ethan. They are a perfect match in every way. Anyone would agree with me." Drake smiled broadly.

Davis looked at Susan and Ethan in turn. "But Grandpa said that I'm getting married to Susan in a month. I'm sure you and the rest of the Anderson family remember Grandpa’s word."

"What a jerk! Who's going to marry you to Susan?" Drake yelled, approaching Davis with wide strides. "Take a look in the mirror to know who you are and where you stand! You're just a lucky piece of trash that my father brought into the Anderson family. Do you think I would be willing to marry Susan off to a useless and worthless man like you?"

Davis looked at everyone who was laughing and staring at him hatefully, except Susan who turned her head the other way. "I don't accept this engagement. I-"

Drake slapped Davis. Everyone stifled their laughter at the sight, except Susan who remained silent. "Do you ever think about who you are in this world? Ethan is so much better than you in every way. You don't even have wealth, position, or family. What my father said was nothing. Anyone knows that you are not worthy of my daughter Susan."

Davis was used to being humiliated and looked at with hatred. However, he could not accept this engagement.

Davis had loved Susan since he first met her fifteen years ago when he first came to the Anderson family as an adopted child. Susan was a woman who treated him well even though in recent months her attitude had changed considerably.

Davis turned to Ethan who was stifling a laugh. He had not known the man named Ethan for long. Ethan had visited the house several times and talked to Drake. However, Davis did not expect the man to have a relationship with Susan.

Davis tried to remember where he had seen Ethan besides this house. After thinking hard, he remembered that Ethan was the man who had beaten someone unconscious on the side of the road. Ethan was also the one who had gone into a bar with four women at once.

"Get out of this party immediately, Davis! You're just disrupting our happiness," said Emely, one of Susan's cousins.

"The only reason you're allowed to come to this party is because we want you to realize who you are and where you stand. You don't deserve Susan at all." Rebecca, Susan's other cousin, added.

"Leave before I kick your ass, assh*le!" threatened Romeo though he wasn't sure what he was saying since Davis was taller and bigger than him.

Davis approached the stage. "Ethan just wants to mess with Susan. I've seen him beat up someone on the side of the road. He also went with some women to the bar."

"What the fuck do you mean?" Ethan shouted, descending the stage with hurried steps. "Scum like you don't deserve to say anything about me at all."

"Susan, please believe me. Ethan just wants to play a trick on you. He's-"

"Bastard!" Ethan threw a punch, but Davis blocked his attack. He winced as Davis squeezed his wrist tightly. "Let go of my fucking hand! You don't know who you're insulting!"

"Get your filthy hands off!" Drake slapped Davis again.

Romeo picked up a glass and poured the water on Davis. "Leave right now!"

Davis looked at Susan who didn't turn to him at all. His body received several throws of water. Davis released his grip on Ethan's hand, looked at each of the people who were throwing, and looked at him hatefully.

"You're going to pay for what you've done, scum!" Ethan prepared to hit Davis.

Davis parried Ethan's hand, pulling the man's shirt collar so hard that Ethan was lifted slightly. "What are you up to, Ethan? I know you just want to mess with Susan. Susan is a good woman who you shouldn't play with."

Everyone looked surprised, but no one dared to come closer.

Ethan could see the anger in Davis' eyes. "Get off me scum! You'll pay dearly for what you've done to me!"

 "Stop it, Davis! You've gone too far!" Susan suddenly shouted, descending the stage with hurried steps.

David slowly released his grip, looking at Susan who gave him a cold stare. Just as he was about to speak, Susan suddenly slapped him.

"Susan," Davis muttered in disbelief. Compared to Drake's slap, Susan's slap was much more painful because it made his heart hurt. "Susan, I-"

"Davis, listen to me carefully." Susan let out a long breath. "Ethan and I are officially engaged and we're getting married in a month. I have no feelings for you whatsoever. I wouldn't marry you even if Grandpa asked me to. I don't hate you, but you're not the man of my choice. I have the right to choose the best man for me, and so do you. Davis, you've gone too far in accusing Ethan, but you can't prove your accusations at all."

Ethan smiled, taking Susan's hand. "Did you hear what my fiancée said? She doesn't like you at all. So, I hope you won't interfere with our relationship."

Davis looked down, clenching his hands into tight fists. All the images of his closeness to Susan instantly sprung up. Susan had never shown any interest in him. Susan just treated him better than the rest of the Andreson family.

"Susan, please believe me. Ethan is not a good man for you. He's-"

Susan turned her back on Davis. "Go away, Davis. I don't want to see you again."

"Susan, I ...." Davis found everyone who smiled at the sight of him crumbling. He turned around slowly, glanced at Susan.

Davis finally walked out of the room. The man didn't care about the sound of laughter and insults from people. He came with a happy smile but left with a wounded heart and pride. The woman he loved chose another man, and he could not do anything to stop it.

Davis stopped when he heard footsteps approaching. When he turned around, he found Drake standing in front of him.