Chapter 1

At our engagement party five years ago, I punched out a front tooth belonging to Jace, the personal bodyguard of my fiancée Elle.

To get revenge for her lover, Elle planted fake evidence claiming I sold family secrets to a rival. She personally threw me into the dark family dungeons.

The day I walked out of those cells alive, I ran right into Elle and Jace's wedding. Everyone thought I would shoot the place up. Instead, I boarded a flight across the Atlantic and vanished without a trace.

Three years after my release and departure, my wife Quinn and I agreed to celebrate my birthday at the most exclusive club in the city. I arrived early, only to run head-on into an arrogant Jace.

"Oh? Look who we have here. Isn't this the once-glorious Mr. Cole? I haven't seen you in a few years. How did you end up looking so pathetic that you can't even afford a decent suit?"

Jace's voice was loud, dripping with sarcastic malice.

The entire club lobby went completely silent. All eyes turned toward us.

I looked down at the suit I was wearing.

It had a simple cut, without any flashy logos.

But it was entirely hand-tailored by master Sicilian craftsmen. Any single piece easily cost tens of thousands of dollars.

I didn't need to explain this to Jace, though.

I completely ignored him and picked up the drink menu from the table.

I didn't expect my cold attitude to completely piss Jace off.

He snatched the menu right out of my hands. His voice rose an octave higher.

"What? Did two years of beatings in the dungeon make you deaf too? Can't you hear me talking to you?"

As soon as the words left his mouth, an uproar swept through the club.

"An exile from the family?"

"He's dressed decently enough. Who would've thought he's just some bottom-feeder who got disciplined by the family."

"Good Lord, how is a piece of trash like this allowed in here? What is security doing?"

I completely ignored the whispers and pointing from the guests around me.

I slowly raised my eyes and stared blankly at Jace.

"Sir, do I know you?"

Jace froze for a second, then flew into a humiliating rage.

"Cole, who the fuck are you trying to fool? Do you really think you're still that high-and-mighty heir from back then?"

"I think getting locked in those cells fried your brain."

"Do you know whose turf you're standing on? This is 'Black Gold', the most exclusive private club in the city. A single glass of bourbon costs hundreds of dollars."

"Take a good look in the mirror. Is this a place a broke loser like you can afford? Get out! Get the hell out of here before you make me sick!"

Jace's face was full of disgust, and he actually kicked the table in front of me hard.

With a heavy thud, the wine glass shook violently. Dark red liquid splashed out.

Looking at the glaring red stain on the cuff of my white shirt, my face sank.

This shirt was one of my birthday gifts from Quinn. This was the first time I wore it.

I shot a cold glare at Jace and said, "Apologize."

Jace let out a scoff. "You want me to apologize to you?!"

"Cole, are you out of your fucking mind!"

"If anyone's getting on their knees to apologize, it's you begging for my forgiveness. Just being under the same roof as a broke piece of trash like you makes my eyes hurt."

He turned his head and roared toward the door.

"Security!"

"Where the hell is security? You're just letting any random garbage walk in here! Do you all have a death wish?"

Two security guards walked over, looking troubled.

Right at that moment, the club manager, Tony, heard the commotion and rushed over.

Seeing Jace's furious expression, Tony jogged up to him.

"Mr. Jace, what seems to be the problem? If you're unhappy with anything, just say the word. I'll handle it immediately."

Jace gave a cold snort.

"What the hell is wrong with your club?"

"The standards are getting lower and lower. Can't you see some broke loser who just crawled out of the holding cells is polluting the air in here?"

Tony paused for a second, then followed Jace's gaze and looked at me.

"My apologies, my apologies. I'll have him thrown out right now."

Tony nodded and bowed to Jace. His tone was filled with the desperate flattery of a man sucking up to a mob boss's lackey.

Turning back to me, his face instantly dropped.

"Sir, this is a top-tier members-only club, not a homeless shelter. Get out right now."

He made a sarcastic gesture toward the door.

"Hear that?"

Jace reached out triumphantly and patted my cheek.

"A broke loser should know his place. If you don't have cash in your pocket, don't come out pretending to be a high roller!"

I didn't move. Jace thought I was scared. He patted my cheek a little harder, then leaned into my ear and whispered.

"Well, well. If I had known, I would have paid off the guards to keep you in there for a few more years. It would've saved you from making a fool of yourself out here today."

I gave a cold smile.

"Jace, I'm giving those words right back to you."

"Have you had it so good lately that you forgot how you used to dig through trash cans in the slums, choking down moldy pizza?"