Chapter 15: A Lesson in Pragmatism

At first, the banquet guests had been tense, fearful that Jordan might have been responsible for Ryan’s downfall.

But Benedict and Sylvie’s reassurances eased their worries.

“A wealthy heir wouldn’t endure three years as a live-in son-in-law.”

“Jordan is just pretending. This was all a coincidence.”

Slowly, the fear dissipated, and they convinced themselves that Jordan had nothing to do with Ryan’s collapse.

But regardless of whether Jordan had influenced it, one thing was certain—Ryan Dunn’s career was finished.

---

The Immediate Betrayal

Old Mrs. Camden winked at Herman.

Herman immediately understood.

Picking up the bottle of expensive red wine Ryan had gifted them earlier, he walked toward him.

“Ryan, take this back. My mother has had a change in preferences—she no longer enjoys red wine.”

Ryan blinked in confusion, trying to process the sudden shift in attitude.

A moment ago, he was Mr. Dunn, toasted and celebrated.

Now, Herman addressed him casually, like an old acquaintance—no longer with the respect of an equal.

Even more humiliating, he was returning the gift.

He wanted no ties to Ryan.

Ryan forced a smile. “Mr. Camden, just keep it. If Old Mrs. Camden doesn’t drink red wine, you can enjoy it yourselves.”

But Herman pushed the bottle back.

“We appreciate it, but we don’t drink either.”

The message was clear—Ryan was no longer welcome.

Red-faced, Ryan took the rejected gift and hurried back to his table, humiliated.

---

The Loneliness of a Fallen Man

Desperate to salvage the night, Ryan turned to the others.

“Miss Clarke, Mr. Zack, this is a rare bottle of 1990 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti. Let’s open it and finish it together!”

Without waiting for a reply, he uncorked the wine himself.

But no one responded.

Ryan tried again, approaching Victoria with his glass.

“Miss Clarke, let me pour you some.”

Victoria smiled politely but shook her head.

“Sorry, I drove here. I can’t drink.”

Ryan’s stomach twisted.

She had toasted to him just minutes ago.

Still, he turned to Zack.

“What about you?”

Zack shrugged dismissively. “I only drink white wine.”

And then—the final blow.

One by one, the other guests picked up their drinks and left the table to toast Old Mrs. Camden.

In mere moments, Ryan found himself completely alone.

Once, this table had been lively and full of laughter.

Now, it was empty, leaving only Ryan and the expensive bottle of wine no one wanted to share.

Jordan watched the scene unfold, shaking his head.

“A poor man in a pragmatic society.”

The Camdens and their high-society friends were ruthless. They clung to wealth and discarded the fallen without hesitation.

It was no surprise that Hailey had cheated on him for the sake of money.

Ryan, realizing Victoria hadn’t left the table, clung to one last hope.

“Miss Clarke, can we exchange numbers? I’d love to set up a meeting with Mr. Willis in the future.”

Victoria sipped her tea slowly, then replied, “Sorry, I don’t have my phone with me.”

Ryan’s face burned.

A blatant lie.

And yet—he had no choice but to accept it.

He wasn’t just losing business. He was losing his place in this circle entirely.

---

A Chance at Redemption—Rejected

Jordan, watching Ryan’s pitiful state, felt a twinge of sympathy.

Though Ryan had wronged him, Jordan had been raised to be compassionate.

So, in a rare moment of kindness, he offered a way out.

“Ryan.”

Ryan looked up warily as Jordan lifted an empty glass.

“If you sincerely apologize to me now, I’ll let you pour me a drink. And in return, I’ll tell James Willis to extend your contract for another year.”

The room fell silent.

Jordan didn’t explicitly say it, but everyone understood—if Jordan drank, it meant Ryan was forgiven.

After all, no one else was willing to drink Ryan’s wine.

Jordan was giving him a lifeline.

But Ryan’s pride refused to bend.

His eyes burned with humiliation as he spat, “This bottle of wine costs hundreds of thousands! If you want to drink it, just say so. Why act like a big boss?”

Then, he sneered.

“You want me to apologize to you? A worthless live-in son-in-law? That would only make me look even weaker!”

Ryan’s anger overruled his reason.

He chose false pride over survival.

Jordan sighed, shaking his head.

“A pitiful person always has detestable flaws.”

“I was willing to help you, but if you refuse to cherish the opportunity, then fend for yourself.”

Ryan’s face twisted in anger and regret.

Yet, instead of swallowing his pride, he picked up the bottle of wine and stormed out of the banquet, humiliated and alone.

Jordan watched his retreating figure, amusement flickering in his eyes.

‘I wonder if we’ll meet again in the future.’

‘He’ll regret everything when he learns that I’m the CEO of Ace Corporation.’

---

An Unexpected Interaction

As Jordan pondered Ryan’s downfall, he reached for a bowl of soup.

At the same moment, Elle, seated across from him, did the same.

Their spoons clinked together.

Clang.

Elle gasped dramatically, her expression one of pure disgust.

“Ugh! My spoon touched that good-for-nothing’s! It’s dirty now!”

She quickly pulled back, shuddering.

Drew immediately chimed in, laughing.

“Jordan, of all the dishes here, you had to pick the same one as my sister? What are you trying to do?”

Jordan, still lost in thought, glanced at the dish in question.

It was papaya soup with red dates and lotus seeds.

He paused.

Then, looking at Elle’s voluptuous figure, he couldn’t help but find the situation oddly awkward.

“…Papaya.”

He quickly set down his spoon.