Chapter 6
That Aguirre guy was straight-up threatening now.
Simon's smile stayed the same, but his eyes turned cold.
He said, "Mr. Aguirre, when we do business, we value harmony and making money. But above all, we believe in fairness.
"Today, Mr. Morales is the host, and you are the guests.
"There's nowhere in the world where guests get to throw out the host."
Simon's words were airtight.
He completely reversed the roles between that Aguirre guy and me.
I was no longer the intruder but the host of this place.
And they had become rude guests who were trying to take over and cause trouble.
"You!" that Aguirre guy sputtered.
He was so angry he could barely speak, his breath coming in sharp bursts.
He had probably never been humiliated like this before.
I stepped out from behind Simon.
"Mr. Ferguson, you don't need to get involved," I said.
I patted his shoulder.
I added, "This is a family matter. I'll handle it myself."
Simon glanced at me, nodded, and wisely stepped aside, though he stayed close.
He and his team stood like a barrier, keeping the security guards and all those unfriendly eyes at bay.
Only the three of us remained in the center of the hall.
It was the perfect stage for a reckoning.
I looked that Aguirre guy straight in the eye.
I said, "Mr. Aguirre, isn't it?
"You just said you do not care about my wife's past and only want to have her future.
"That was a very touching thing to say.
"But maybe you don't really understand what her 'past' actually means."
I paused, then turned my gaze to Daisy.
I continued, "Her past isn't some closed chapter. It's not over yet, and it's still happening.
"Because her past is me.
"And I have no intention of withdrawing from her life."
My words were calm, but there was a chill that pierced the room.
Daisy's body began to tremble uncontrollably.
"Randal, wh-what do you want from me?" she finally choked out, her voice raw.
"What do I want?" I said.
I laughed.
I replied, "I don't want anything.
"I just came here to ask you something, Daisy."
My gaze grew sharp, cutting straight through her.
I continued, "Daisy, you've got a necklace from some other guy around your neck, and you're gearing up to wear a ring he gave you.
"Tell me, what happened to the ring I gave you?
"You're using the money I earned, living in the house I paid for, and driving the car I handed you the keys to.
"Now you're planning to marry someone else.
"Should you not return everything that belongs to me first?"
Every word I spoke was like a knife, cutting right into her heart.
The last trace of color completely drained from her face.
"I..." Daisy's mouth hung open, but she couldn't utter a single word.
That Aguirre guy had finally had enough.
He pulled Daisy behind him, like a lion whose territory had just been invaded.
"Enough!" he snapped, his eyes blazing with fury.
He said, "This is all about money, isn't it? Tell me how much you want to divorce Daisy.
"I will give you double the value of the house and the car.
"Just leave. Right now. Get out of here!"
He thought money was the answer to everything.
He thought I was here to extort him.
The surrounding classmates also showed expressions of sudden realization.
'So in the end, all that fuss was just about the money,' one of them thought.
I looked at him, and the smile on my face grew brighter.
I said, "Mr. Aguirre, you really do have deep pockets.
"But aren't you missing something important here?"
I let my gaze sweep over everyone in the room.
Then, finally, I locked eyes with that smug, arrogant face of his.
"Who told you I need your money?" I said.
I raised my hand and snapped my fingers.
"Mr. Ferguson," I called out.
Simon immediately stepped forward. "Mr. Morales, what can I do for you?"
My voice wasn't loud, but everyone heard it crystal clear.
I said, "Honestly, the lights at this so-called 'launch event' are way too dim, and the music's just obnoxiously loud.
"Let's get all the lights on, shall we?
"And kill the music.
"I'd like a little peace and quiet to reminisce with my old classmates."
As soon as I finished speaking, Simon didn't hesitate for a second.
He leaned in and spoke into his headset, giving instructions right away.
The next second, everything changed.
The romantic, ambiguous spotlights blinked out instantly.
The melodious background music stopped dead.
All the chandeliers in the banquet hall blazed to life at once.
The harsh white light, like the operating room lights, illuminated every corner of the hall in perfect detail.