Dion fell silent for a moment after Jasmine’s office door swung wide open. A man, roughly 28 years old, was casually seated on the sofa next to his wife, his left arm draped over Jasmine’s shoulder as if whispering something into her ear.

The man was dressed in a light brown Armani Collection ensemble, donned with matching brown dress shoes. His attire appeared impeccably coordinated.

Circling his wrist was a luxurious Bremont watch, seemingly valued at around $5,000.

Adorning his ring finger was a sizable, well-crafted ring, resembling the V I C 4141, estimated to cost between 20 to 22 million or more.

"Jasmine, what are you doing? Who is this man?" Dion asked in a panic.

"Hey... hey... hey... What do you think you're doing? How dare you storm into this room. Get out!" the well-dressed man thundered back angrily.

"And who might you be?"

"Who am I? Damn it! Jasmine and I were just enjoying ourselves, and then you come barging in," he added scornfully.

"Dion! Good timing. Meet Mr. Brian, my future husband. Once we're divorced, I'll marry him," Jasmine interjected confidently, showing no sign of remorse.

"When did I ever say I'd divorce you? Never!" Dion retorted, glancing over at Mr. Brian.

"Get out of my wife's room! She is lawfully mine. How dare you disturb her," Dion argued with clenched fists, taking steps toward the man who was upsetting his wife.

Slap!

Suddenly, the sound of a slap echoed sharply in the room, accompanied by a grimacing face trying to bear the pain.

Indeed, Dion had been slapped by his own wife, in front of a man who deserved no respect. He was shocked that Jasmine could do this for someone else.

"You lowlife scum, you don't deserve to raise a hand to Mr. Brian!"

"Now leave! We'll sort this out at home. Go!" Jasmine commanded harshly, shoving him, causing him to stumble backward, and then...

Splash!

A glass of red wine was poured over Dion's head, drenching his hair and partially soaking his clothes.

Upon absorbing the wine, Dion rose and approached Mr. Brian, grabbed his clothes firmly, and suddenly...

Thud!

The sound of a raw punch resonated clearly, striking Mr. Brian squarely in the face, unexpected by him, with a trickle of fresh blood seeping from his mouth.

Mr. Brian, wincing in pain, attempted a retaliatory strike, reaching for Dion's shabby clothing, but Dion dodged and once again delivered a solid punch to Mr. Brian's stomach, causing him to double over and kneel on the floor.

"Dion! What have you done? Don't you realize, Mr. Brian is a manager at Birawa Group?"

"With just a word from him, you could be finished. Get down on your knees and apologize to him!" Jasmine screamed in fear.

"Pah!"

"This bastard doesn't deserve any respect, and...

Thud!

"Argh!"

Once more, Dion assaulted Mr. Brian, kicking his body so fiercely he crashed into a glass table behind him, shattering it.

"How dare you strike me? Don't you know who I am?"

"I have power at Birawa Group! You will pay for this!" he yelled, trying to rise from the floor.

"Mr. Brian! Please forgive my foolish husband. I promise, I'll divorce him for you," Jasmine pleaded to Mr. Brian, even more frightened.

Meanwhile, Dion's fury soared, observing how his wife lavished attention on another man, something he had never received during their year of marriage.

"Jasmine! How could you! I am your husband, show me some respect," Dion shouted angrily.

"Husband? Respect?"

"When did you start claiming to be a husband, when you still mooch off my family, working just to eat at my house. That's what you call a husband?"

"What have I gained from marrying you? Nothing but mockery and scorn from people and my own family!"

"Do you, a wretched loser and parasite, deserve to be called a husband?"

"You're better described as a guard dog, living off scraps thrown away. You are a dog, get it?"

"Now get out of here! I'm sick of looking at your dog-like face," Jasmine said emotionally, unleashing her frustration as she pointed fingers at Dion.

Her anger was further fueled by Dion's provocation of Mr. Brian and the audacity to strike him, jeopardizing her chance to gain Mr. Brian's favor because of Dion's rough treatment.

"Puh!" Jasmine spat toward Dion, hitting his face directly.

For a moment, Dion was in disbelief. His cherished wife, whom he truly loved and always protected, had performed such a disgraceful act.

With feelings of disgust and humiliation, Dion wiped away Jasmine's spit with his sleeve before saying...

"Fine. I'll leave and not interfere with your fun any longer. But remember! You'll regret this humiliation!"

"Regret? Ha! Ha! Ha!"

"You, a vagrant, dare talk of regret to a daughter of the Wolf family. Dream on," Jasmine declared, laughing mockingly. She then approached Mr. Brian, hugged him, and started to dust off his expensive garb.

Viewing this scene, deep down, Dion felt an urge to throw another punch at both Mr. Brian and Jasmine.

Yet he chose to walk away from the room, heart aching profoundly. The food he had been carrying all along, he threw into a nearby waste basket.

Dejectedly, Dion left the office grounds where his wife worked, without a clue as to where he was headed.

His thoughts and focus scattered, he accidentally bumped into a slender figure passing by, and...

Crash!

"Aaahhh," a young woman's voice exclaimed as her body was struck by Dion, spreading the contents of her folder across the asphalt.

"Hey... watch out! Why are you walking around in a daze?" a soft voice reproached Dion once she regained composure.

Dion came back to his senses and recognized the familiar face from their college days.

"Emily!" he greeted warmly, removing the cap that was perched on his head.

"Dion! So it is you? What are you doing here? Do you work at Birawa Group too?" Emily bombarded him with questions, taken aback.

"I'm sorry for bumping into you earlier. It was an accident," Dion replied, bypassing Emily's earlier questions.

"Never mind. I wasn't paying attention either. Anyway, what are you doing at this Birawa Group subsidiary?"

"Nothing! I just wanted to deliver lunch to my wife." He answered dispiritedly and despondently.

"You're married?" Emily probed curiously.

"Yes! I've been donning the title of husband for a year now, to a woman from the Wolf family," he revealed.

"Why didn't you invite me? Or at least your other friends?" Emily continued, failing to grasp the situation.

"Let's drop it. Better not to talk about it anymore," Dion cut off, lacking enthusiasm.

Emily, as an astute woman, sensed that there was something off about Dion's story but chose to steer the conversation in a different direction to dispel the awkwardness.

"Oh, Dion. What have you been up to since graduating?"

"After graduation, it's like our friends lost touch with you. What really happened?" Emily inquired, lightening the mood.

"It's a long story," Dion replied briefly.

"Then tell it! I happen to be free right now. I've just lost my job after being fired by manager Jasmine for uncovering embezzlement at Birawa Group."

"What! You got fired for exposing embezzlement by your manager?"

"Know this! The manager Jasmine you just mentioned is my wife, and she kicked me out of there just now," Dion interjected with emotion.

"Oh, I apologize. I didn't mean to insult her. Sorry."

"Don't worry about it. Right now, I'm indeed her husband, but soon I'll be her ex."

"What do you mean? Isn't Miss Jasmine beautiful? Why would you want to be her ex?" Emily asked, not understanding.

"Again, it's a long tale. I can't tell it all here."

"Then let's go to the bamboo cafe just a short distance from here."

"Are you sure you want to take me there?" queried Dion incredulously.

"Why not? Don't you want to?" Emily responded by returning the question.

"It's not that. I'm just surprised at how kind you are to me, even knowing my situation," Dion answered nervously.

"To me, you were, are, and always will be one of my best friends!" Emily declared.

"I still remember when you bravely saved me from the wrongdoings of our college mates back then."

"Without you, who knows what might have happened to me," Emily recalled sadly.

"Come on! Are you coming or not?"

"Very well then," Dion replied with a firm tone.

Moments later, they had both arrived at the Bamboo Cafe. A cafe that was extremely popular among the youth or young couples looking to celebrate birthdays or the like.

The atmosphere at the cafe was quite serene, shaded by a multitude of well-maintained small bamboo trees.

The many fish ponds further enhanced the tranquil ambiance, making it a favorite spot for young couples and families to dine, particularly those of the middle to lower economic strata.

Finding a suitable place by the edge of a clear fish pond, complete with a small fountain, Dion and Emily promptly sat down in a quaint, beautiful gazebo.

Some time passed without either attempting to initiate conversation. The awkward silence between them was palpable.

Not wanting to prolong the silence, Emily was the first to take the initiative.

"Let's order some food," said Emily, breaking the deadlock. She glanced at a cafe waiter approaching them from a distance.

Unexpectedly, Dion vented the frustrations of his life to Emily unbidden.

"Go ahead and order. I'm such a useless man. I've never held money or had any of my own. My work at my wife's family home is utterly unappreciated."

"Day in, day out, I cook, clean, shop for groceries, among other chores."

"I hardly have any time to earn my own money," he said while wiping away what looked like thin streams of tears from his eyes.

"Are you crying, Dion?" Emily asked, perplexed.

"No, it's just sweat," Dion answered offhandedly.

Their conversation halted when the waiter arrived with the cafe's menu of food and drinks.

After they placed their orders, the awkward silence returned, with no one eager to take the lead in conversation. But then suddenly...

"Don't worry. I'll treat you today. Don't feel inferior because of it," said Emily, piercing the silence.

"I'm here to listen to whatever you want to share today. Come on! Unload all your burdens on me."

"Ugh!" Dion sighed heavily, then continued:

"For over a year, I've been like a servant to them. I had no choice but to endure it, following the directive of their grandfather, who saved me when I was close to death, poisoned by a gang hired by a wealthy family in city B."

"After I recovered, three months later I was married off to his granddaughter. According to the grandfather, I'm not as simple as I appear."

"He insisted on the marriage after seeing this necklace I wear," said Dion, showing the necklace that had been around his neck all along.

For a moment, Emily just observed the necklace from a distance, with no intention of touching it.

She could clearly see that there was a significant mystery to it. But what was it?

"So why haven't you tried to find work outside?" Emily asked, not understanding Dion's situation.

"I've applied for jobs everywhere. But mostly, I'm only offered janitor or cleaning service positions at large companies."

"It's like none of them believe in my abilities, or perhaps there's someone influential in city B pressuring these companies not to hire me. But that's just an assumption."

"I even applied at the giant Birawa Group but was bluntly rejected."

"The managers are arrogant, looking down on someone from the lower class like me."

"So for over a year, I've persevered working for Jasmine's family."

"But that won't last much longer. The family, aside from Grandfather Wolf, despises me, especially Jasmine's mother, her brother, and her cousin."

"Day in, day out, they clamor for me to divorce Jasmine. I've grown deaf to their demands."

"Honestly, I can't stand their treatment of me anymore. But to fulfill the grandfather's last wish, I've continued to withstand their insults and maltreatment."

"The hostility is intensifying. They've escalated from verbal attacks to physical assaults."

"And the last straw was seeing my wife being intimate with another man."

"She insulted me in front of him, slapped, pushed, and spat on me."

"As a man, I'm not naive. I realize that if this continues, my life will be suppressed. My dignity is gone, like an animal's."

"Love made me blind. Love also made me weak."

"I hoped by serving her, love would grow in Jasmine's heart. But I was wrong."

"They've exploited my love to oppress me. For a year, they've gotten all household chores done for free by me."

"But now, my mind is made up. I will agree to their demands to divorce Jasmine."

"After all, she has rejected me in front of others, and I've fulfilled Grandfather Wolf's mandate."

"So please, help me, Emily," Dion implored.

"How can I help you, Dion? I have no authority over you. Especially not against Miss Jasmine."

"Just pray for me and give me courage so I don't sink any lower."

"Dion! You're a tough man, the bravest I've ever known. You don't easily give up. That's what I know about you."

"Come on! Don't drown in your marital woes. If you truly want to leave Miss Jasmine, be resolved. No more hesitation."

"I believe you can," Emily said calmly.

"Thank you, Emily. You're my best friend. If life grants me a respite, you'll be the first I turn to," Dion thought to himself.

Not long after he said this, the food they'd ordered arrived. They ate heartily.

Having finished their meal after a while, Dion and Emily left the cafe, settling their bill.

Emily decided to continue visiting several companies, hoping to find new employment opportunities.

Meanwhile, Dion headed straight for his wife's family home.

***

Upon arriving, he was shocked. The entire extended family, including the family matriarch, Grandmother Wolf, sat with tense expressions, as if they had just been arguing about something of great importance.

"There's that loser," hollered Jasmine's cousin Vincent loudly.

"How dare you come back here after what you did to Mr. Brian," Jasmine accused viciously.

"You're utter rubbish! Because of you, the deal we had with the Birawa Group is ruined," her mother, Everly, joined in.

"Mr. Brian has used his influence to terminate the contract with our company, Wolf & Co, all because of you!" Vincent added harshly.

"And to top it off, Mr. Brian intends to take legal action against you for assaulting him," another of Jasmine's cousins interjected.

"But Grandmother has deferred it, provided you're willing to sign the divorce papers with Jasmine's sister," Chalista, Jasmine's sister, mentioned nonchalantly.

"You're like an animal. Are you deaf, Dion? Why aren't you saying anything?"

"Everyone be quiet! I am the one who decides what will be done with this useless son-in-law!"

"From now on, you are not allowed to stay in my family home. You are cast out, no longer needed here!"

"Now sign these divorce papers with my granddaughter Jasmine. If you still refuse, I'll have you thrown in jail," Grandmother Wolf threatened.

After her ultimatum, the room fell silent, no one daring to speak.

They all awaited what Dion, the useless son-in-law, would say.

"It appears there is nothing left I can do here to defend myself," Dion paused momentarily, his gaze drifting indifferently over everyone in the room.

"If that is truly what you desire..." Dion unexpectedly cut off his sentence, inciting irritation among the attendees.

"Out with it! What do you mean, you scoundrel?" Vincent demanded brusquely.

"Hey... hey! Were manners not taught to you by your parents?" Dion responded dismissively.

"Dion, you cad. A worthless son-in-law you are. Get out of my sight!" Everly shouted angrily.

"If I leave, what becomes of the divorce agreement?

"If I don't sign the consent form, then that vile woman remains my lawful wife," Dion said with a laugh, though his heart was filled with spite.

"You're a loser! Who are you calling vile, you wretch?" Jasmine cried out with rage, advancing to slap Dion. But then...

Snap!

Jasmine's hand, primed to strike Dion's face, was effortlessly caught by him.

"I won't let your filthy hand touch my noble face again," Dion snapped back, flinging Jasmine's hand away so fiercely she stumbled backward, nearly falling over.

"How dare you, Dion. In my house, laying hands on a woman so casually," Grandmother Wolf bellowed in fury.

"Revered Grandmother Owl!" Dion mockingly mispronounced the family matriarch's name to taunt her.

"Who is striking whom? Surely, you saw for yourself that it was this vile woman who tried to slap me first," Dion argued in his defense.

"You're a villain, Dion! The nerve, to alter our grandmother's name to your liking!" Vincent raged in response.

"Ha... someone's angry."

"And what of it if I change names on a whim? Isn't it the case that all of you have done the same to me? So let's be fair," Dion taunted contentedly.

"You...!

"What about me? Want to hit me? Come on if you dare," Dion challenged with an intimidating air, stepping toward Vincent, who retreated behind Grandmother Wolf.

"The audacity of you, Dion! Call the guards! Beat this man down," Grandmother Wolf yelled, losing her composure.

Several family members rushed out to summon the ever-ready household guards.

Moments later, five brawny, menacing-looking guards appeared and encircled Dion without a command.

Their arrival didn't intimidate Dion, who instead burst into boisterous laughter.

"Ha..ha..ha. These are the 'guards'? Five runts like you?" Dion mocked disdainfully.

"Come at me if you wish to taste my fists," Dion goaded them.

Provoked, all five guards charged at him simultaneously.

Yet...

Thud!...thud!...Crash!...thud!...slap!

Suddenly, Dion moved. Before anyone fully grasped the situation, the guards were now scattered on the floor, some crashing into tables and walls, windows shattering. Four lay unconscious, while one howled in pain, his arm dislocated.

Everyone present was stunned. Dion, who had always been known as weak and submissive, was suddenly strong? Had he been concealing his strength all this time?

"Fools. Spit..." Dion expressed his disdain for the bested guards.

Glancing over each family member with a look that dared them to meet his eyes, all shrank from his gaze in fear.

"All this time, I've borne your oppression in silence, your insults, your disdain!"

"For the love I had for Jasmine, I endured your ridicule, your contempt as if I were a beast to be cursed at will."

"But no longer! Remember this," Dion declared furiously.

"Bring me that agreement. I'll sign it with pleasure," he demanded.

One family member hurriedly presented the divorce papers, trembling with fear.

Dion snatched the papers roughly, glancing over their contents and proclaiming...

"Remember this day. One day, I will repay your treatment of me a hundredfold."

"I will ruin your entire family. I'll bring you to beggary!" Dion shouted as he signed the document and flung it in Grandmother Wolf's face.

That treatment fueled rage among the family, though only inwardly; after witnessing Dion's proven strength, they dared not openly defy him, including Grandmother Wolf, who sat shaking with repressed anger in her grand chair.

After all, if five strong guards couldn't stand against Dion, what chance did they have?

No one dared to counter or insult Dion anymore as before. They fell silent, not even daring a whisper, including Grandmother Wolf.

Once Dion had vented the anger and indignation that had festered within, he confidently strode out of the Wolf family meeting room, grabbing the meager two sets of clothes he owned from a backroom, stuffing them into a worn bag.

As he left, no one impeded him, all quietly seething.

Once Dion had exited the gates, the family's discussions erupted.

"That defeatist thinks he's someone!" scoffed Grandmother Wolf, releasing pent-up fury.

"Vincent! Find someone strong to deal with that scoundrel, Dion!"

"Let him be crippled, or better yet, killed," Grandmother Wolf commanded, slamming her fist on the table.

"It's settled, Grandmother. Have no worries. I know some heavies who can handle that dirtbag," Vincent assured, full of confidence.

Hearing Grandmother Wolf's orders, the family was stunned but understood her wrath. Dion's son-in-law had dared to demean their family head.

Of course, they supported the decision to eradicate Dion through a third party, their anger matched by Jasmine's, incensed at being labeled a vile woman by her ex-husband.

Later, with evil intent, she fantasized about one day tearing the insolent words from Dion's lips.

Jasmine's parents, too, were outraged by Dion's conduct toward their daughter but felt powerless—capable yet cowed by Dion's overwhelming strength.

For now, action would come from Vincent, the family's principal heir.

"This meeting ends here; the outcome is determined, and that wretch is expelled from our family."

"Now let us rebuild the Wolf family business," declared Grandmother Wolf with vigor.

"And for you, Jasmine. Reconnect with Mr. Brian."

"Extend my regards. This Saturday, I invite him to dine with us, celebrating your divorce from that repugnant ex-son-in-law," Grandmother Wolf continued energetically.

No one dared contradict Grandmother Wolf; they all looked uneasily at Jasmine.

Their family business hung by a thread, dependent on Jasmine forming an alliance with Mr. Brian, a powerful HR manager within the colossal Birawa Group subsidiary.

Their ventures were struggling financially after Mr. Brian unilaterally canceled several of their contracts. That's why they were so desperate to match Jasmine with Mr. Brian, sacrificing the useless Dion: a parasite and blight upon the family.

They believed that if Jasmine had a special relationship with Mr. Brian, their contract bids would become effortless, at least according to their cunning minds.

Once the discussions were over, Grandmother Wolf rose, leaving behind her throne.

The family members dispersed, except for Jasmine and her parents.

"Now, free of that loser, I am content to see such a worthless man leave our lives," Everly remarked happily.

"I'm also relieved. I've endured, but Dion's actions towards our family have filled me with anger!" added Danish, heating the situation.

"I hope Vincent quickly finds someone to exact our retribution on that scumbag," Jasmine thought privately.