Chapter 4

The appreciation party was held at Remont Villa. The front gates were fully parked with luxury cars, and all the waiters welcomed the guests in matching uniforms.

Chad was seated in a gold‑rimmed wheelchair. He had lost stamina in his legs by fasting for 14 days, and it did not affect his arrogant attitude. He wore a red three‑piece suit and a luxury watch on his wrist. His sleeves glittered from his ruby cufflinks, which must have been loaned to him by the Langfords. He was wheeled around the hall like a display, and businessmen who wanted to get on the good side of the Langfords treated Chad with respect.

"You are a man of fortune, Mr. Kranz."

"What a bright future you have for joining the Langfords at such a young age."

Chad held his head high as he smiled with restraint.

His father wore an ill‑fitted suit that still had the brand label sewn at the sleeve opening as he shook hands proudly. Greta wore a red dress and bragged to anyone who would listen that her son was destined for power.

The most ridiculous part of the situation was that Chad and his parents accepted gifts. These businessmen gave them cheques, gold bars, and antiques. Greta accepted everything while saying, "Oh, you should not have." Her hands grabbed the gifts faster than her words.

I watched everything coldly while I held a glass of juice. These people offered gifts in the hope of getting an in with the Langfords, and they bet on Chad becoming their son‑in‑law.

Alec was present as well, and he wore an expensive suit bought with borrowed money from loan sharks. He weaved in and out of the crowd in his shiny leather shoes. When he spotted me, he approached with a glass of wine and bumped me hard on the shoulder, almost splashing the wine in my face.

"Hey, what are you doing here, dressed like a construction worker?" He covered his mouth as he laughed. "Are you here for the free food and drinks? You should eat as much as you can. This is the only time a penniless loser like you can enjoy a feast."

I smiled without saying anything, and Alec walked away with a grunt.

Halfway through the party, Chad got someone to bring me to the main table. "Come here, Evan." I walked up to him. "Kneel."

All the businessmen chatting with him turned to look at me. "Bow three times at me as an apology." Chad took a sip of tea. "On my 10th day of inedia, you disgusted me by eating an egg."

Greta chimed in, "Chad is right. You should bow in apology. It is already a great honor for a penniless student like you to be here."

Everyone whispered among themselves, and I did not kneel. I did not lose my temper. I took a step back and spoke loud enough for everyone present to hear, "A nobody like me is not good enough to kneel to someone as highly positioned as you. I wish you happiness at the Langfords, and I hope you enjoy fame and fortune for the rest of your life."

Chad was pleased with my words, and he waved me off.

The lights dimmed at 8 p.m., and everyone turned silent as they looked toward the middle of the high stage. A spotlight shone in the center, and an old man slowly walked up the stage. Two men followed behind him, each holding a black box.

I recognized him as the main housekeeper of the Langfords, Charles Garth. I had never experienced a party like this before because Chad had been eliminated by the Langfords in my past life for not completing his 14‑day inedia. In this life, the show was about to begin.

Chad started trembling with excitement in his wheelchair while Greta grabbed her husband's arm. "It is coming. The proposal. It must be the marriage proposal."

His father rubbed his hands together in excitement while he stared at the black boxes. Alec stood on tiptoe to see what was happening, and delight filled his face. The hall became silent with only the faint buzzing of the spotlight.

Charles stood in front of the microphone and swept his gaze across the hall. It stopped at Chad. "Among the 47 participants in this round of inedia, only Chad Kranz has been confirmed to have completed it."

Chad immediately sat up straight when he was announced as the only victor. His chin lifted higher, and arrogance and wild delight filled his eyes. Greta stood up right away and shouted, "Give us the dowry."

Charles did not look at her. He paused before continuing in a calm tone, "I believe everyone has been guessing the reason why the Langfords have been searching for someone who could complete 14 days of inedia. I would like to announce the Langfords' reason behind this to all the guests present today."