Chapter 2 Betrayal

• "What?" he asked incredulously. Dave froze in place, staring at Jessie in disbelief. "Jessie, what did you just say?"
• "Dave, wake up!" Her face twisted in irritation. "You used to be the prestigious young master of the Orion Family, but now look at you! You're nothing but an ex-convict who spent five years behind bars. Do you seriously think I'd still marry you?"
• Her words were sharp, cutting deeper with every syllable. "Take a good look in the mirror. Do you honestly think you're still worthy of me?"
• "But... but I went to prison for you!" he stammered, struggling to comprehend her cruelty. He couldn't believe it. The reason he ended up in jail in the first place was because of her.
• Back then, she had hit someone with her car and, in a panic, begged him through tears to take the fall. Out of love and concern for her, he agreed, thinking he was protecting her. Losing his status as the Orion Family's heir was the price he paid for serving that prison sentence. And now... She was looking down on him for it?
• "Shut up, Dave!" she sneered. "For me? Don't kid yourself. You were the one who got drunk and insisted on driving. I tried to stop you, but you wouldn't listen. This was your own doing!"
• Her cold laugh echoed, sending chills down his spine. "Consider this a warning: Now that you're out, keep your head down and live quietly. Slander can get you locked up again, and I wouldn't be surprised if you ended up back in prison."
• Dave stood motionless, staring at her. For the first time, it dawned on him that he no longer recognized the woman before him.
• For five long years, every time he closed his eyes in his cold prison cell, all he could think about was her. He remembered her warmth, her smile, her gentle nature. It was the thought of her that kept him going, the hope that one day, when he was released, they would marry and build the peaceful life he had dreamt of.
• But now? Not only had she moved on to someone else, but she had also wiped her hands clean of the very incident that had destroyed his life. Worse still, she had the audacity to threaten him.
• "Just accept your fate," she said, with an almost cruel finality in her voice.
• Another person stepped out of the car. He surveyed the tense scene for a moment before speaking, his voice cool and almost mocking. "If you truly loved Jessie, you'd know she'd be better off with me than with you."
• Lionel?
• Dave's heart stopped for a moment, like a bolt of lightning had struck him where he stood. His mind raced as recognition set in. "It's... it's you? You and Jessie…?"
• The man standing before him, impeccably dressed in a tailored suit, was none other than Dave's half-brother, Lionel. Although they shared the same father, they had once gotten along well enough, despite their different mothers.
• Lionel smiled, a slight curl to his lips that held both gratitude and cruelty. "Dave, no matter what, I have to thank you. After all, you've handed over the family business and your girlfriend to me."
• He chuckled softly, his tone dripping with condescension. "If you come to your senses in a few days, come find me. I might throw you a bone, give you a job or something."
• With a dismissive wave, he opened the car door and gestured for Jessie to get in beside him. "Jessie and I are in a rush to get married, so I won't waste any more time talking to you."
• As they climbed into the car, he looked back one last time. "Oh, and no need to attend our wedding. After all, you've just gotten out of prison. Find somewhere to cleanse yourself of all that bad luck."
• The wedding car sped off, leaving Dave standing there, fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white. Rage boiled inside him, swirling through his body like a storm he couldn't contain.
• He raised his fist, aiming it at the car that was quickly disappearing from view. But in the very next second, he suddenly turned the fist into a flat palm and pressed it firmly downward.
• The towering trees on either side suddenly quivered, and countless leaves drifted down like confetti, carried by the soft wind.
• Dave exhaled deeply, steadying himself before giving a quick hand gesture.
• Almost immediately, a Rolls-Royce glided forward, as silent as a shadow.
• Without hesitation, Dave reached for the handle and smoothly slid into the back seat.
• Inside the luxurious car, an elderly man dressed in a formal suit shifted, about to rise in greeting. Had anyone else been present, they would have been stunned to silence, for this was no ordinary man. It was Rufus Scott, the most revered physician in Granville, known far and wide as the Drug Lord.
• "Lord…" Rufus' voice was respectful, almost reverent, as he made to bow.
• "There's no need for formality, Rufus. Just address me as you always have," Dave replied calmly, his tone as composed as his expression.
• Rufus was an honorary disciple under his master.
• Rufus nodded, a soft smile on his face. "Very well, Dave. As per your request, the wedding preparations have all been arranged."
• Although he changed how he addressed Dave, his politeness remained undiminished.
• The mention of the wedding brought a shadow of a smile to Dave's lips, though it was tinged with regret. "Cancel it," he said, his voice quiet but firm.
• He had intended the ceremony to be a surprise for Jessie.
• Rufus hesitated for a moment before speaking again, his tone gentler. "Dave, master has made alternate arrangements for your wedding. Everything is already in place, and the bride is waiting for you at the hotel."
• "It's Crystal Granger from the Granger Family," he confirmed softly.