Zachary waited outside the banquet hall for what felt like forever, convinced that eventually someone would notice him and pull him inside.
After all, he'd been in the construction business for years. Even if his company was going through hard times now, he still had plenty of connections. And with developers fresh off their new land purchases, construction companies like his should be in demand.
Yet… strangely, nobody came.
Not only that, but the hotel manager and staff seemed to be deliberately blocking him, as if someone had specifically instructed them to keep him out.
"What the hell is going on?" Zachary muttered under his breath, his face turning sour. "Am I that much of a nobody now?"
Unwilling to give up, he pulled out his phone and called a developer he'd once been on good terms with. No answer. He called again. The call was declined.
Zachary frowned. Maybe he's busy? he thought, still trying to rationalize.
He switched to another contact—another old friend in the business. Same result: declined.
This time, through the glass doors, he actually spotted the man laughing and chatting with a group of developers, clearly not busy.
His chest tightened. Something wasn't right.
Finally, he tried one more number. This time, the call connected.
"Bos!" Zachary said quickly, forcing a laugh. "You're inside, right? I got stopped at the door—no invitation, you know how it is. Can you give the word to let me in? You just closed on that land parcel. We should be talking cooperation!"
On the other end, Bos's voice dropped to a whisper."Zachary, why the hell haven't you left yet? Listen, a friend is telling you this—get out of there. And as for cooperation, don't call me again. I can't work with you anymore."
Zachary froze. "Bos, what are you saying? I've always respected you, and our last project went smoothly, didn't it? Even if you don't want to do business with me anymore, you don't need to talk like this. What did I ever do to offend you?"
There was silence for a beat. Then Bos's voice dropped even lower, shaky now."It's not me you offended. That's the problem. I'm only answering out of courtesy. But… you should know who it is. I can't talk on the phone—someone might hear. Just go."
And then the line went dead.
Zachary stood stiffly in the hotel lobby, staring at his phone.
He tried again, reaching out to more of his contacts. Same result. Declined calls. Messages left on read. People avoiding him like the plague.
When he checked his group chats, the truth hit harder than a fist:
He'd been kicked out of every major industry group—the contractors' chat, the developers' chat, the building materials suppliers' chat.
His face grew darker and darker. He didn't know why this was happening, but he understood one thing: this wasn't just a social slight. This was a death sentence in the business world.
Just then, his phone buzzed again. It was his wife.
"Darling," he answered, trying to keep his voice calm.
But her cold, furious tone hit him like ice."Zachary, get home. Now. I don't care what you think you're doing—drop it and come back immediately."
He forced a smile. "Honey, what's wrong? Don't be upset. I'll finish up here and come home soon."
No matter what kind of mess he made outside, he always treated his wife's place in the family as untouchable. Even when she caught him cheating or confronted his mistresses, he always placated her.
But this time, her tone was different. It was pure rage."Don't play dumb with me. Did you really think I wouldn't find out you got shut out tonight? You're making a fool of yourself out there. Now get your ass home."
Zachary's stomach dropped. How the hell does she already know?
Not daring to argue, he rushed back home.
When he stepped into the living room, he found his wife sitting stiffly on the sofa, pale-faced, phone still in her hand. She hung up the moment she saw him.
She wasn't beautiful—short, a little heavyset, her skin loose from age—but the fury radiating off her gave her a sharp edge.
Her voice was like a whip as she glared at him:"Zachary, do you have any idea what kind of stupid mess your bastard son Josh Jr. just caused?"
Zachary forced a smile, trying to wave it off."That kid must've gotten into trouble again. Cut off his allowance, let him sweat a little, and he'll learn. He needs to face the consequences of his own stupidity."
In his mind, it was the same nonsense as always—bar fights, racing expensive cars, maybe roughhousing at some nightclub. Trivial, embarrassing, but survivable.
But his wife's voice was ice cold."Trivial? You think this is trivial? Josh, this time that bastard son of yours is going to drag us all under with him."
Zachary blinked, unsettled. His wife rarely raised her voice, but now there was fury in her tone.
She leaned forward, her face pale with rage."Today I was supposed to meet up with Shen's wife and a few of the other ladies for spa day. Suddenly—no invite. I knew something was off. Later I found out the truth. Their husbands gave strict orders: cut off all contact with me. They said getting too close to there family could ruin their entire households."
Her hands trembled as she gripped the arm of the sofa."Luckily, I still have a few people who owe me favors. I dug around. And do you know what I found? That little bastard of yours managed to piss off Jason."
Zachary's breath caught in his throat. His face went pale."Jason? You mean… the Jason who just flipped that land deal? The one everyone's saying made billions in less than a week? How the hell did Josh Jr. cross someone like him?"
His wife let out a sharp, bitter laugh."I wondered the same thing. But once I found out the details, I almost couldn't believe it. You want to know? Your precious son didn't just 'cross' Jason—he humiliated him."
Her voice dripped venom as she continued."Jason was living low-key at college, probably trying to see the world from the bottom, maybe even win over a girl with his sincerity. That girl was Lily—the one he clearly cared about. And your genius son? He swaggered in pretending to be some flashy rich kid, lured Lily away, and dragged her into a damn hotel room. He stole Jason's girl."
Zachary staggered back three full steps, his vision swimming. His knees almost gave out before he caught himself on the edge of the table.
This wasn't some minor feud. This was a death sentence.
Jason wasn't just wealthy—he had reach, foresight, and connections that stretched far beyond what anyone could measure. He'd just shaken the entire real estate world with a single deal. People whispered he was tied to Washington's most powerful families.
And now Zach Jr. had taken the one woman Jason cared about.
Zachary finally understood why every developer, every contractor, everyone he'd ever worked with was cutting ties like he carried the plague.
Even Boss Zhou, who had the decency to at least answer his call, had risked something just by speaking to him.
Zachary's chest heaved with fury. His face turned crimson, veins popping in his neck."That ungrateful bastard—he's destroyed us! He's not just ruined himself—he's dragged the whole damn there family down with him!"
For the first time, Zachary hated his son with a murderous rage.
His wife sneered."You think I'd let him keep running wild? No. I already sent Cai to drag his ass home."
Almost as if on cue, the doorbell rang.
The housekeeper opened it, and two burly men stepped inside, shoving a pair of battered young men to the floor. Both were forced to their knees.
Among them, Josh Jr. looked up with a swollen face, his arrogance gone, replaced by fear.
His mother's glare could've burned through stone."Kneel, Zachary Jr. Kneel—because tonight, you've signed the death warrant for this family."
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