Chapter 4

"Betsy, Jimmy is so much better than Cody, who does nothing but hard labor. Don't you think it's time you…"

Several relatives exchanged knowing looks and burst into laughter, while Betsy grinned from ear to ear.

I sat alone in the most secluded corner, quietly helping myself to the food.

Just then, Jimmy came over to me with a wine glass in hand.

"Cody, I'm in a good mood today, so I'll let you have a drink." He slammed the wine glass down on the table, splashing wine all over me. "Drink up, and whatever happened between us is water under the bridge.

"From now on, just keep your head down and work at the factory. Maybe I'll bring you back a foreign wife when I get home."

The entire room erupted in laughter.

Betsy walked over and linked arms with Jimmy in front of everyone.

"Since we're all gathered here today, I have an announcement to make. My engagement to Cody is officially over. From this day forward, I'm Jimmy's fiancée."

Everyone fell silent for a second before erupting into even louder cheers.

"That's what I'm talking about! Why let an outsider benefit when the prize can stay in the family," Dad said, clapping enthusiastically.

I set down my fork and looked at the two shameless scumbags in front of me.

"Betsy, are you sure about this?" I asked.

Betsy gave me a look of utter contempt. "Have you ever even looked in a mirror, Cody? Do you honestly think you're good enough for me?

"What good are you for besides backbreaking labor? Now that Jimmy's going abroad to become a big shot, a nobody like you will only hold us back."

I stood up and looked Betsy straight in the eye. "Alright, then. I wish you both a lifetime of happiness together."

With that, I turned and walked out of the house. Laughter and insults rang out behind me.

…

On the day of the departure, Dad had gone out of his way to rent a stretch limousine to take Jimmy to the airport.

The whole town came out to watch the spectacle, with party poppers going off and balloons waving in the air.

Jimmy showed up in a custom-tailored suit and sunglasses, acting like a big shot.

"Cody, come see me off one last time. Let me show you what a grand send-off looks like."

He had deliberately dragged me along, just so he could humiliate me in front of everyone.

But when we arrived at the airport's assembly point, Jimmy's expression began to change.

There were no red carpets or business-class lounges like he'd imagined. Instead, rows of burly men in camouflage uniforms stood waiting, their expressions grim and stern.

Nearby, several foreign doctors with thick stubble were inspecting crates filled with tourniquets and surgical scalpels.

"W-What's going on?" Jimmy stammered. "Betsy, did we come to the wrong place?"

Betsy looked a little flustered too, but she forced herself to remain composed.

"Maybe high-end programs like this are just more low-key?"

Just then, a burly team leader strode toward them.

Holding a roster in his hand, he barked in a booming voice, "All personnel assigned to the Quorinth War Zone Medical Support Team, fall in! Collect your gear—bulletproof vests, helmets, and first-aid kits! Check that your wills are in order. Everyone will turn theirs in before we depart!"

Jimmy was so terrified that his sunglasses slipped off his face. They hit the ground and broke in two.

"A-A will?" he repeated in a trembling voice. "What's this about the Quorinth War Zone? I'm supposed to be going to Vespary! To Aurelia!"

The team leader shot him an impatient, icy glance. "Who told you that you were going to Vespary? Your contract clearly states Luminara Strait, Soleene. It's currently the most dangerous active combat zone in the world.

"Congratulations, Mr. Sweeney. You're the only non-specialist logistics recruit on this entire support team."