Chapter 1 He's an Utter Disgrace

• Inside the Preston Residence in Wavecrest.
• Today marked the 70th birthday of Norman Preston.
• The Prestons each presented their birthday gifts in turn and greeted him with "Happy Birthday!" in unison.
• Norman, who was seated at the head of the table, beamed with joy. "Thank you. You're all such fine children. Since I'm in a good mood today, I'll grant each of you a wish—ask for anything you want!"
• "Grandpa, I've been eyeing an apartment in Seaville. It's not that expensive, a little over a hundred thousand ... "
• "Grandpa, I want the limited edition Chanel handbag ... "
• "Grandpa, I've got my eye on a BMW sports car ... "
• "Grandpa, I'd like to buy a Rolex watch ... "
• On and on they went.
• "Alright, I'll get them all for you!" Norman responded cheerfully, granting every single request.
• The younger members of the Prestons were ecstatic.
• At that moment, Oscar Dalton, the Prestons' live-in son-in-law, stepped forward and spoke up, "Grandpa, could you buy me an electric scooter? I could run errands like grocery shopping more conveniently."
• As soon as he finished speaking, the entire family fell silent, feeling stunned. Everyone stared at Oscar as if he were a complete fool.
• What's wrong with him? Doesn't he know the occasion? Does a mere live-in son-in-law like him have the right to ask for something?
• Oscar showed up at the birthday celebration without offering any gifts. People were shocked that he had the nerve to ask for something. It was so disrespectful of him to do that.
• Three years ago, Aurelia, the matriarch of the Prestons had brought Oscar, who was no better than a beggar, into the family and married him to Mandy Preston.
• Before Aurelia could even enjoy the wedding celebration, she passed away on their wedding day. Since then, no one in the Prestons had looked at Oscar, the live-in son-in-law, with any respect.
• For the past three years, Oscar had been little more than a servant in the family, fetching foot baths, cleaning toilets, and cooking meals. His life was worse than a dog.
• Today, he only asked for an electric scooter because he had no choice.
• The one he used had its battery stolen while he was out grocery shopping yesterday, and with no money to his name, he figured this was his only chance.
• Norman seemed so happy today—surely such a small request for a scooter would be granted.
• Unexpectedly, the kind, grandfatherly smile on Norman's face vanished.
• His expression darkened, and he slammed his cane onto the table. "You useless fool! Are you here to celebrate my birthday, or to make a mockery of me?"
• Oscar's wife, Mandy, quickly stepped in front of him. "Grandpa, please don't be angry on such a joyous day. It wouldn't be good for your health."
• As she spoke, she tried to pull Oscar aside.
• However, Mandy's cousin, Hazel Preston, sneered, "Mandy, you know today's a happy occasion, but look at your useless husband! He came to Grandpa's 70th birthday party empty-handed, and now he dares to ask for something. Has he lost his mind?"
• "Exactly! He has no manners at all. Doesn't he see how many guests are here? He completely disgraced the Prestons!" chimed in Harvey Preston, Norman's favorite grandson, who had always resented Mandy. Now that he had the chance, he took the opportunity to mock her.
• "This useless tr*sh—what right does he have to be part of the Prestons?"
• "Yeah, he's so embarrassing!"
• "I get it now—he's just here to make us all sick!"
• "Useless fool. Do we need him to run errands with so many servants around?"
• "He lazes around every day being shameless as ever. Does he think he's someone important in the family?"
• "Get out! If you embarrass us one more time, I'll knock your head off!"
• The insults and jeers poured down on Oscar, and he couldn't help but lower his head in shame.
• If it weren't for Aurelia taking him in three years ago, he might have died in the streets. That was why he had silently endured being treated like a slave by the Prestons all these years.
• "Grandpa, Mr. Lawrence Davidson from Dalton Investment Company is here to wish you a happy birthday!" came a voice from the door.
• Soon, a tall and handsome man entered with a smile.
• Dalton Investment Company belonged to the Daltons, the wealthiest and most powerful in all of Ashenwick.
• Lawrence Davidson, a manager at the company, had a prestigious background and held significant power within the firm. Countless families in Wavecrest were desperate to curry favor with him, but few ever had the chance. Yet here he was, attending Norman's birthday.
• "Mr. Norman, here is my gift!" Lawrence said with a smile as he opened a box.
• A check of 100 thousand dollars was lying inside.
• It was a sum usually reserved for marriage proposals in Wavecrest's tradition.
• "Mr. Norman, I'm here today to ask for Mandy's hand in marriage. I've admired her for a long time and hope she'll marry me!"
• The entire room was stunned.
• Mandy was Oscar's wife. Lawrence's proposal was a public humiliation for him.
• But then again, who cared about offending Oscar? He was just a useless live-in son-in-law.
• "I know this might seem sudden, but I can't stand to see the woman I love trapped in a life with such a failure. Mr. Norman, I hope you'll give it some serious thought," Lawrence said.
• Then, he turned to smile at Mandy before walking out without even glancing at Oscar, as if he didn't exist.
• Once he left, the room erupted in chatter.
• "Mr. Davidson is a department manager at Dalton Investment Company! I heard he has enough power to decide the fate of smaller companies with just a word."
• "Mandy's really lucky. Marrying Mr. Davidson would be a thousand—no, a million times better than being stuck with Oscar."
• "If this happens, the Prestons could benefit quite a bit, too!"
• Mandy's younger sister, Skylar Preston, stepped forward and said, "Oscar, didn't you just want an electric scooter? How about this—if you agree to divorce my sister, I'll buy you one tomorrow."
• "Hahaha! Skylar's right!"
• "Yeah, give the electric scooter to him and make him go through the divorce!"
• A cunning glint flashed across Norman's eyes. He looked at Oscar meaningfully and said, "Oscar, if you agree to divorce Mandy, I'll give you 100 thousand dollars in cash. What do you say?"
• Oscar, who had been standing with his head bowed, glanced at Mandy beside him before shaking his head. "Grandpa, I won't divorce Mandy."
• Norman's face instantly darkened with anger. "You useless fool! Get out of my sight! You're not welcome at my birthday party!"
• Oscar was shocked by Norman's ruthlessness and began to walk out.
• "Oscar ... " Mandy was uncertain as she wondered if she should follow him.
• "Mandy, you'll no longer be my granddaughter if you dare leave with him today!" Norman said coldly.
• Mandy froze, unable to move. She couldn't believe her grandfather was so heartless.
• "This is Grandpa's big day. You shouldn't leave," Oscar quickly turned around and said.
• Harvey burst into laughter. "How will you get home, Oscar? By feet? Here, I have a dollar for you—take the bus, and don't be shy about it!"
• With a grin, Harvey pulled out a dollar bill and threw it at Oscar, hitting him in the chest.
• The Prestons burst into laughter, some doubling over with amusement.
• Oscar's face remained emotionless as he walked out of the Preston Residence. To the Prestons, it seemed like the pitiful fool was fleeing in shame.
• Not far from there, a luxurious Lincoln limousine quietly pulled up beside him.
• The door opened, and an elderly man in a business suit rushed out and greeted Oscar agitatedly. "Mr. Oscar, the Dalton Group is in trouble. Please, save us!"
• The old man, clearly a person of high status, smiled humbly as though he were nothing more than a loyal dog before Oscar.
• Oscar frowned as he quickly recognized the man—it was Edmund Dalton, the butler of the Daltons.
• Though just a butler, Edmund was a figure of great authority, capable of shaking the entire city with a single word.
• But here he was, the most feared man in Ashenwick, groveling before Oscar like a lapdog.