Chapter 2

"Honey, could you go to the wine cellar to get that bottle of wine from our collection?" I said to Galvan with a smile.

Galvan's eyes lit up immediately. I spent a handsome sum on that bottle of wine at an auction; it was enough for him to show off in front of this group of people. He thought, 'Great! It's another chance to show my taste. These people will surely look at me with new respect.'

I knew he would think this way.

He gave me a gentle kiss on the cheek. "For our guests, even the most expensive wine is worth it."

Tracy immediately got up from the couch. "Let me help. That wine's too valuable to risk bumping it."

'Perfect opportunity! I can finally be alone with Galvan. I want him to know that I'm better at pleasing men than that icy beauty,' Tracy thought.

Her thoughts practically screamed with excitement.

Reuben also stood up from the corner. "I'll help too..."

Galvan interrupted him, "No need. Tracy alone is enough. You stay here to entertain the guests."

'That annoying peasant is always ruining my plans. Every time I want to get intimate with Tracy, he appears like a phantom. I'm going to enjoy her body tonight.'

The other guests started to heckle.

"Yeah, Reuben. Stay here and chat with us."

"Galvan's right. You should stay."

I watched Galvan and Tracy disappear at the end of the corridor. Their figures were quickly swallowed by shadows. I waited a few minutes before quietly following them. Instead of going to the wine cellar, I headed for the cigar room.

Through the half-open door, I saw three men surrounding Reuben. They were all Galvan's henchmen, usually responsible for some of the dirty work.

"Listen, kid. Break up with Tracy immediately, or you'll be fed to the fish at the bottom of the Hudson River." A bald man pulled out a butterfly knife, the tip pressed against Reuben's throat.

"Trash like you doesn't deserve Ms. Tracy. If you know what's good for you, get lost, so we don't have to do it," another burly man said with a malicious grin.

'These idiots will probably beg for mercy on their knees if they knew who I really am.' Reuben looked at them without a trace of fear in his eyes, but rather an unsettling calm. His body seemed relaxed, but I could feel the power gathering within his muscles.

"I won't leave Tracy," he responded calmly.

"Then die!" the bald man roared, preparing to slit Reuben's throat with his knife.

Suddenly, Reuben moved. Before the other two could react, Reuben had already slammed the bald man to the ground. Then, he turned around and punched each of them precisely in the temple.

'These cowards can't even make me use 10% of my strength,' Reuben thought as he straightened his clothes, his expression still calm.

'It seemed I might need to find a new husband,' I pondered as I smiled with my head down.

Just then, footsteps echoed in the corridor. Galvan and Tracy had returned; Galvan was carrying the expensive bottle of red wine. Tracy's lipstick was smudged, and her clothes were slightly disheveled.

"What happened?" Galvan's expression changed drastically as he looked at his three men groaning on the ground. "What's going on?"

'Damn it. What did these idiots do?' Galvan pondered.

"Boss! This lunatic suddenly went berserk and attacked us!" The bald man struggled to his feet, pointing at Reuben.

"What?" Tracy looked at Reuben in shock, her eyes filled with disgust and disappointment.

'I knew this violent brute would cause trouble sooner or later! He embarrassed me in such an important setting. Galvan will definitely think I have terrible taste,' Tracy thought.

"Reuben, how could you do this? Do you know what place this is? You're embarrassing me!" she coldly accused.

Tracy wondered, 'What a loser who only knows how to solve problems with violence, I should have broken up with him a long time ago.'

"I was just defending myself," Reuben answered calmly, his voice completely flat.

"Defending yourself?" Galvan sneered.

'This peasant is becoming more and more of an eyesore; I have to find a way to get rid of him,' Galvan thought.

"Three people attacked you at the same time? Do you think we're idiots? You clearly attacked first!"

"Exactly! We just wanted to talk to him, and he pounced on us like a mad dog!" another henchman chimed in.

"Enough! I've had enough of your violent tendencies! You're always doing this, resorting to violence at the slightest provocation!" Tracy looked at Reuben with disgust, all the love in her eyes vanished.

Amidst the accusations of the crowd, Reuben was completely isolated. He clenched his fist, his knuckles white as a dangerous killing intent suppressed in his eyes. He pondered, 'Very well, let me remember everyone who's here tonight.'

I quietly sipped my champagne, thinking, 'After all, only a hand extended in dire straits will be remembered.'