Chapter 1: The Rich Vs The poor

Lena remarked as she grabbed Levi's hands and walked inside a very large building, adding, “Hurry, Levi, we are already late, and I would rather not anger The old master.”

The structure was enormous and mostly made of glass, making it elegant and opulent. Bright lights were strung throughout, and the interiors of the building were exquisitely decorated, lending the entire area a majestic appearance.

“We're not that late, slow down, or you'll fall off your heels,” Levi said as he tried to match her walking speed. By the time they arrived at the main party room, everyone was already seated at the dinning chairs around the dinning table, and as soon as they stepped in, all eyes were on them.

“I see you two have the guts to show up late on such a momentous moment,” a man in his early twenties said.

“I apologize for being late, Dad; the car had some problems that we needed to fix,” Lena explained.

“That's what happens when you marry a Nobody.” Glaring at Them, remarked a lady. Alexa was Lena's younger sister.

Although Levi gave her a hard look, he said, “I apologize for arriving late,” with a slight now.

It was a celebration of the anniversary of Brown's cooperation. Business partners, close family members, family friends, and wealthy men of the community were mostly among those invited. There were all the upper-class people.

Alex said with a frown and a flash of scorn in his eyes, “tsk, aren't you even weary of disgracing yourself?, This is a party for Christ’s sake, and you are meant to dress Nice not to dress like a desperate rat from the street, Levi.” The room was filled with raucous laughing. Alexa's finance was Alex.

“Since this gathering is solely for the successful, I believe you ought to serve us rather than sit here with us.” Everyone laughed once again after a woman stated.

In spite of the fact that Levi was wearing a plain white shirt and black pants and did not appear to be a poor or bad, he frowned. He was sure that he did not look like a street rat, but he was not surprised because he was accustomed to being humiliated, and what bothered him more about this particular incident was that it was happening in public.

Levi said, his brows furrowed. “I am sure I don't look bad like you presume,” he added.

“Oh my, you appear to be a filthy, helpless street rat. Where did you choose this looser, Lena? He can't even wear designer clothing; just look at him in front of people who dress like millionaires; he looks like a cent” With this, everyone laughed uncontrollably.

Levi responded, “Not wearing expensive branded clothes does not make a person look like a beggar,” as he turned to face the woman who had made the statement.

“Levi, you ought to feel bad about yourself. Avoid making a fool of yourself in front of all of these people…”

“Enough already, Alexa. I apologize for the late arrival, Father; it will not happen again, please” Lena cut her off by looking at Levi and squeezing his hand under the table, motioning for him not to say anything.

“Can't you see your sister's fiancé? You should be ashamed of trying to cover up for this nobody you call a husband. He's a millionaire and on his way to becoming a billionaire, but what about you? You're defending a man who can't even afford to buy himself an underwear! You should be embarrassed of yourself.”

Levi took deep breaths as he watched them insult him, as Lena's mother said with a raised voice. He despised it, but there was nothing he could do about it.

“You are lucky that he is at this table with us. If not, Levi should be in the kitchen Washing plates in fact No he should be in the gate, even the servants are better than him” Alexa made a remark, She had that mocking smile on her lips.

Levi felt a bitter taste on his tongue

“I thought this gathering was to celebrate the success and anniversary of the Company and the success of this family, so please Father” she looked at him “Mother” she looked at her mother “let's please stick to that”

“Oh yes, we can not pounder over a looser, please let's start the celebration.” A guest said, Levi bit his tongue, they humiliated him in front of the guests. Everyone agreed with what the guest said as they proceeded with continuing the joyful celebration.

Levi was lost in deep thoughts, all the insults came pouring to him, and he tried his best to hide it All, but it was showing on his face, he was not happy at all, he felt bitter on the inside, He was very, very lost in thought to the point that he was not aware of anything around him.

They were insulting him, not for the first time; he was accustomed to their humiliation and had had enough. Everyone at the table was given a glass of wine by the waiters, and when it came time to make a toast, everyone appeared to be having a good time and laughing, with the exception of Levi. Although no one spoke to him, he was just too lost in thought to notice when he grabbed the glass of wine in front of him and downed it all at once. His taste buds were assaulted by the wine's sour flavor.

“No body told me that we are running a party to feed the poor” Alexa said as she looked at Levi, Almost everyone sitting around the table turned to look at Levi.

“You know the drink Is not going anyway, I know a loser like you cannot afford it, so please do not drink what you cannot afford, TSK” Martha backed Alex up, Levi dropped the glass cup of wine silently.

“Pardon me, I was absent-minded” he tried to sound polite.

“How dare you talk back to me? You even brought your Hunger and poverty striking behavior to this table, Can you please stop being useless ?”

“I apologize, forgive my manners” Anger built up, but he remained calm and collected on the outside.

“Lena, why are you still married to this Man? Can't you see that he is embarrassing this family? Oh my goodness! I can't even look at him.” Alexa commented, scrunching her face up in irritation.

Lena looked across at Levi. She gently squeezed his hand as she firmly urged him to remain silent because the more he spoke, the more they would attack him, which was something she wanted to avoid happening. Additionally, Alexa, her sister, would drag her into it. She grabbed his hand under the table.

“Lena, this is enough for me! If he acts badly, I'll order the security to remove him from here” Mr. Brown, her father said to Lena.

“I apologize, sir. I didn't mean to irritate you or anyone else here, please pardon me” Levi, firmly, pleaded.

Please forgive him, dad; I'll talk to him about it, and it won't happen again. Brown glared at Levi with malice in his eyes, Lena remarked.

“I thought this gathering is for Success, having a Failure between us is no good. Someone who has nothing, Nothing on him can even afford to buy a bottle of water, so what is the point of wasting Time?” A man neatly dressed asked.

“I really do not believe in such. Spending so much on branded clothes and Accessories, sir” Levi, made his point. He was trying his best at the moment to sound polite.

Seeing that he talked back to the guest, Brown fired him a glare.

“So what do you believe, Loser?”

His breath slowed at that word that he was called, but he just kept his calm

“I believe that the act of spending much on Expensive jewelries and so on just to appear Good, fashionable or Rich in the public eyes is Bad, but instead the Money could be used to help the poor in the streets, I am not saying using expensive accessories is bad but all I am saying is that doing it too much is crazy and is…”

“Enough! Lena!” Mr. Brown banged the table all of a sudden!

“I apologize, let me speak to him” Lena gazed at Levi as she pulled his arm a bit, he stood up, As he walked away with her, far from the dinning room.

As they walked in the hallway, she came to a halt as she said

“Levi, what was that all about?” Her hands akimbo, glaring daggers at him

“What was what all about, Lena?” He questioned and gave off a looked that showed that he hated everything.

“You are embarrassing me, for Goodness’s sake, Levi. I have already told you not to talk back, I have already told you not to say anything, do you really need to embarrass me in front of the guests?”

“What are you embarrassed about? The fact that everyone thinks that you married a loser?”

He raised a questioning brow at her, but she looked away.

“Since when have you joined them?” He asked.

“Levi is not that, You know how my family is, and you should know that you should just keep quiet and say nothing no matter what. You don't need to be bold and outspoken all the time”.

“So you want me to keep quiet and watch them talk down at me? Your family love to humiliate me, and you expect me to do what? Huh? Keep quiet and nod to the insults?”

“Levi I… "

“You know what? If being around me makes you feel embarrassed in front of your husband, I'd gladly stay back and let you enjoy the party. I'm sure none of them would want a so-called nobody there” His voice was calm, but his eyes revealed that he was in pain, despite his strong demeanor.

“That, I believe, would be preferable, Levi. Listen, I just can't stand it when they talk about you like that, so I suggest you go to your room. If it pleases you, I can accompany you to the room.” She had a sad expression on her face.

“Save yourself the stress, Lena,” Levi said as he walked past her without looking back. She went back to the dining room.

“Where is that loser of a husband you have?”

“He is in his room”

“Lazy men would always sleep, too bad a beauty like you is stuck with a loser like him”

Their voice trailed off, as Levi walked out of the Mansion.

The celebration came to an end later that evening. One by one, the guests were checking out. The remaining visitors went back to their rooms once everyone was gone. It was already late at night when Levi, who was on the balcony, was gazing up at the sky; oddly, he found peace at night. Levi, the son-in-law who lived with them, came from an orphanage rather than a known family. He never had an easy life from the very start.

“Well, well, well, here is Mr. loser, who almost ruined the perfect feast.” Hearing a familiar male voice, he clenched his fist.

“Aren't you tired of Talking?” Levi asked.

“Oh please, he should not be taking, and you are talking. So far, he is the best son-in-law in this family. So, you should respect him, he is everything you can ever wish and want to be” Alexa jumped in.

“I see, well help me tell your Perfect Mister to stay in his lane. I don't want trouble from anyone”

“How dare you contradict her?” Alex inquired.

“That's how conversations work.” Levi responded calmly.

Alexa exclaimed, “I'm curious about what Lena saw in you. You're weak, poor, and stupid. You're an idiot's son.”

“Be careful of what you say!” He erupted.

“What else? You have the audacity to even respond to her, aren't you ashamed of yourself?”

“You should be kicked out of this Mansion,” Alexa snarled.

“A useless fool's son”

“Watch your Mouth, Alexa,” he warned with a raised voice, which shocked her because he had never raised his voice at her before. She raised her hand to slap him, but he immediately held her hand.

“Excuse me, Mr. Brown, the Old Master is calling you.”