Inside one of the York family's penthouse, Gregory Lane stood before Robert Cruise with his hands behind his back.
"You said you would get me an invitation card to the Brown's party," Robert spoke slowly.
Gregory lowered his head. "I tried everything I could, Young Master. But the guest list has been closed for weeks. Only direct family, elite investors, and VVIPs were given physical cards. Without an invitation, security will not let you through the gate."
"Then make one."
Gregory shook his head. "Every guest must have an original gold-inlaid card with a serial number and security chip. It cannot be forged or duplicated."
Robert turned away, clenching his fists at his side. The thought of Roseline engaging another man while he did nothing filled him with rage. He had to be there and show them who he was now.
"I need to look Roseline in the eyes," Robert said. "The Vaughn will be there too. If I don't understand my enemies, I cannot fight them."
Gregory hesitated, then stepped forward. "There is still one way, but I'm afraid you may not like it."
Robert turned his head. "Speak."
Gregory took a breath. "There is one person who received a gold invitation. Her father was personally invited due to his influence over the North Coast Real Estate Project. But she has it in her possession now."
Robert stared at him. "Who?"
Gregory looked away. "Miss Eliana Rowe."
Robert's heart seared with conflict. After what he said to her at the hospital, standing beside her again would stir a storm.
"I will not go with her," Robert said coldly. "That chapter is over."
Then came a knock at the door. Before Gregory could answer, the penthouse door opened again.
Robert didn't need to ask who it was. The familiar scent of jasmine announced her before she even entered the room.
Eliana Rowe stood in the doorway wearing a floor-length silver gown with a thigh-high slit and diamond studs gracing her ears. The pendant from Robert's father was still hanging around her neck.
"Hello again, Mr. Cruise," she said calmly.
Robert blinked once, then frowned. "What are you doing here?"
Eliana lifted one brow, clearly unimpressed. "Gregory told me you wanted to go to the party with me."
Robert stepped back as confusion spread across his face. "Gregory said what?"
Eliana crossed her arms. "He said you had changed your mind and that you wanted to go with me."
Robert turned toward Gregory, who stepped forward like a man caught in the middle of a storm.
"I had to do it, Young Master," Gregory said with a small bow. "You needed this entrance. She had the invitation and time was running out. I took the liberty to—"
"Without telling me?" Robert's voice rose. "You set this up behind my back?"
Eliana turned slowly. Her voice dropped, but her eyes were sharp as blades. "So you had no idea?"
Robert shook his head. "I had no intention of going with you."
Eliana's expression shifted. She took a step back, her voice filled with pride. "Then maybe I should leave."
She turned to leave, but Robert spoke.
"Wait."
She paused at the doorway, not looking back.
Robert breathed in slowly. His voice was quieter now. "Since you are already here. I would not want to break your heart the second time."
She turned her head, lips curved into a faint smile. "Does that mean we are a couple?"
"For now," Robert said.
She walked back in, brushing past him as if nothing had happened. "Fine. Just know that we are walking into that party together. If we are going to make a scene, let's make it unforgettable."
"Shall we?"
The two of them stepped out of the penthouse like royalty where a black Rolls-Royce waited at the curb, its windows were tinted and the doors were opened by white-gloved staff.
At the Brown family's villa. Luxury cars were parked in rows like a car showroom. Bentleys, Ferraris, Rolls-Royces, basically everything Robert Cruise used to watch from the sidewalk while chewing dry bread.
Tonight, Roseline Brown was the star of the show. She wore a fire-red dress that showed off her long legs. Her hair was done by the most expensive salon in North Coast. Even her eyelashes were elite.
She was getting engaged to Preston Vaughn, the famous real estate tycoon and professional playboy. Her mother, Tracy Brown, was all smiles, bragging to every rich auntie and fat investor around.
"Roseline is finally marrying a real man," she said proudly. "Unlike that garbage we threw out before. What was his name again? Robbie? Ronald?"
"Robert," someone corrected.
"Oh yes," she scoffed. "Robert the bricklayer."
Everyone laughed like clowns at a festival.
But just outside the gate, a black Rolls-Royce Phantom stopped with a screech. The entire crowd outside turned to look.
Who the hell would arrive without permission? Security was already stepping forward.
The back door opened. First, a shiny Italian shoe stepped out. Then a tall, handsome man in a blue designer tuxedo. It Robert Cruise.
Yes, that Robert Cruise. The same man who used to mop floors at the Brown villa! The same man Roseline slapped in front of the whole neighborhood!
But tonight, he looked like a movie star. No, like a boss from a billionaire drama.
And beside him was no other than Eliana freaking Rowe, CEO of Vanguard Holdings. The Ice Queen of North Coast.
She stepped out in a silver dress that sparkled brighter than Roseline's engagement ring. Her heels clacked against the marble pavement like thunder. Her red lips curled into a smirk.
Security guards nearly fainted when they saw her invitation.
"M-Ms. Rowe… Welcome!"
"And my guest?" she asked casually.
"Yes, of course, ma'am!"
And just like that, Robert Cruise, ex-useless-son-in-law walked into the biggest party in town as a VIP.
Inside the ballroom, people were still gossiping about Roseline's engagement.
But the moment Robert walked in, jaws hit the floor like chandeliers crashing. The music almost stopped.
Just then, the emcee called everyone's attention again. "Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome our guests of honor, Ms. Rowe and her companion, Mr. Robert Cruise."
The spotlight swung around and landed on Robert.
One rich old lady dropped her wine glass and didn't even blink.
Roseline turned to the door and her whole world flipped upside down.
"Robert?" she whispered.
Preston raised his brow. "That bum again?"
Robert smirked. "Sorry, I thought this was an elite event. Didn't know clowns were allowed."
The crowd gasped.
Preston's face turned red like a tomato wearing a tuxedo. "You dare insult me?"
Robert adjusted his cufflinks. "Oh? You got insulted already? I haven't even started."
He turned to Roseline and gave a mock toast. "Congratulations. You really downgraded."
Roseline was shocked, unable to speak. Her eyes kept moving between Robert's thousand-dollar watch and Eliana's hand resting lightly on his arm.
It couldn't be real. Wasn't this the same Robert who used to scrub toilets?
"W-Who gave him an invitation?" Tracy stuttered, rushing over.
Eliana answered with a cold smile. "I did."
Tracy looked like she swallowed a fly. "You? Why would you bring a piece of trash like him here?!"
Robert turned to Tracy slowly. "Oh, you're still alive? I thought your lungs would've exploded from yelling at me so much back then."
"Y-You little—!"
Robert cut her off. "Didn't you once tell me I'd never be good enough to stand beside your daughter? Well, look who's standing beside Eliana Rowe now."
The crowd erupted into whispers. "Is that really Eliana Rowe?"
"Is she dating Robert?"
"No way! He must be her boy toy!"
Just then, Preston laughed dryly. "So what? You got lucky and found a sugar mommy?"
Eliana stepped forward. "Mr. Vaughn. Vanguard Holdings owns 90% of your father's real estate projects."
Preston's smile disappeared. "And so what?"
Eliana continued, "If that will interest you, I'm pleased to announce to you that Vanguard Holdings have canceled all ongoing contracts with the Vaughn Corp, I'm sure your next office will be inside a container behind a gas station."
Preston shut up instantly. He looked like he wanted to punch a wall. But he turned and stormed out of the hall, bringing an abrupt end to the engagement party.
Roseline on the other hand looked like she was about to faint while Tracy was trembling like a washing machine on turbo.
And at that moment, everyone realized that the man they treated like garbage had come back to slap their faces in public, and this was just the first round.
Robert turned to Eliana. "Shall we dance?"
She nodded and they stepped onto the dance floor as the band began to play. Robert led her effortlessly, while all eyes followed.
Roseline couldn't breathe properly. She had lost the greatest man she ever had. And now, she could only stand there and watch him destroy her world.