Chapter 3

Meanwhile, the Lisbon family was holding an engagement party at their home. They'd invited all their friends and family, all of whom were influential and wealthy folk. When Sebastian arrived, Clement Lisbon immediately welcomed him personally. "Apologies for not giving you a proper welcome after your long journey here, Mr. Wilder. How is your mentor doing?" This was Clement's primary concern. It was Sebastian's mentor who'd saved him from his terminal illness 15 years ago. To thank his mentor, Clement had agreed for his only daughter to be engaged to Sebastian. "My mentor has unfortunately passed away." Sebastian looked saddened. He was adopted by his mentor at the age of seven after losing both his parents at a young age. His mentor had taught him all sorts of things and had been his closest family. Sadly, he'd passed away a few days ago. "Passed away? That's a true pity," Clement said. He then asked Sebastian, "How much did you learn from your mentor, then?" "Regrettably, only very little. My mentor was the true genius between us two." Sebastian was very humble when he answered Clement's question. He'd actually learned nearly most of his mentor's craft and even exceeded his mentor in some areas. "Very little? What are you doing here, then?" Clement asked, expression darkening. His attitude took a 360-degree change. It was Sebastian's mentor he'd wanted to seek out. If Sebastian had barely learned anything from his mentor, what use was he to Clement? "I'm here to fulfill the engagement," Sebastian said and took out a signed contract. "Which back alley did this scrawny little fellow crawl out from? Does he think he's fit to marry Ms. Lisbon all because he has a flimsy contract? How absurd!" "Exactly! Does he think the likes of him can marry Ms. Lisbon? Dream on!" "Get out of here!" The guests began snapping at Sebastian all because he'd dressed very plainly today. The Lisbon family was wealthy, and Maria was a beautiful young woman. Sebastian was way too shabby compared to her. All the guests here had arrived to give Maria their well wishes as today was her engagement party. Sebastian's sudden interruption had upset many of them. The Lisbon family was even more embarrassed. Clement's expression was now extremely ugly. He hadn't forgotten about Maria's engagement to Sebastian, but so many years had passed with no word from Sebastian's mentor. Clement thought Sebastian's mentor had forgotten about or didn't want to honor it anymore, hence he'd arranged for his daughter to marry someone else. Sebastian's sudden arrival was shocking, but Clement felt all the more confident that his decision was right after hearing about Sebastian's mentor's death. "Though you and Maria were engaged, I thought you and your mentor had decided not to honor it given how long it's been since we've heard from you. So, let's just call the engagement off," Clement said coldly. Sebastian smiled. "If it weren't for my mentor, you would've died 15 years ago. Yet, now you're calling the engagement off? How heartless are you?" "How dare you?" Clement exclaimed angrily. "I'll let you off this time for your mentor's sake, but don't say I didn't warn you if you cross me next time!" A woman walked over just then, saying snarkily, "Why on Earth would I ever marry a shabby old country bum like you? Leave, now. The mere sight of you gives me a headache." This was Maria Lisbon, a beautiful and curvaceous woman. Still, she was incomparable to Lillian. A young man walked over with Maria. He pulled her into his arms and said, "My name is Tyler Cadwell, the Cadwell family's and Cadwell Corporation's sole heir. How foolish must a bum like you be to try and take Maria from me?" "Hurry up and leave before I have my men teach you a lesson!" Maria snapped in disdain. She was her family's sole child, so there was no way she going to marry a lowly bum like Sebastian. Tyler was the love of her life! Sebastian grinned sarcastically as he gazed at the crowd's disdainful faces. "My mentor instructed me to extend your life by another ten years before he passed, Clement Lisbon. But now I see no need for that anymore." "I'm healthy as a horse, so that won't be necessary," Clement scoffed. "What are you still doing here? Didn't I already tell you to leave?" Maria asked. She then instructed the bodyguards, "Teach him a lesson, boys!" Maria wasn't going to let anyone ruin her engagement party today. Several bodyguards immediately ran over, ready to beat Sebastian up. "That's enough!" Clement barked, stopping the bodyguards. He didn't want to cause any more drama today given the engagement party was still ongoing. He then wrote a one million dollar check and tossed it to Sebastian. "Here's one million dollars to compensate you. Now leave!" "A bum like you will never be able to earn this much money in your entire life, so just take it and scram! Leave the engagement contract, too!" Maria scoffed. Sebastian didn't even glance at the check. He said to Clement, "So, this is how much your 15 years of life is worth? One million dollars? Doesn't seem like it's worth much, huh?" Clement roared, "Don't cross the line, kid! Not even a factory line would want to hire you! If you don't leave now, you're never getting this much money in your life ever again!" Maria took a step forward and snatched the engagement contract from Sebastian's hands. She then tore it into pieces. Sebastian didn't stop her. Instead, he sneered and said, "I hope none of you regret your decision today. May none of you Lisbons ever try and beg me for help in the future, too." "Beg you? Are you out of your mind? Ours is a powerful family that is now about to grow even more so with the Cadwell family on our side. "Why would people of superior standing like us deign to beg an insignificant speck of dust like you?" Laughter rang out throughout the crowd, thinking Sebastian an idiot. "The Smith family is here!" Someone called out from outside the house. Everyone instantly quietened down, the Smith family immediately surfacing in mind. They were the most prestigious family in all of Ravenview City. They peered outside the house and watched as a woman in a white dress walked over. Her beauty was unbelievably breathtaking. Maria usually believed herself to be beautiful, yet right now, she felt inferior. In truth, all the women present at the party—heiresses, wives, or lovers alike—felt incredibly jealous right now. "She's so beautiful she might as well be a goddess!" "I've long heard about Ms. Smith's otherworldly beauty. Who knew the rumors were true?" The men present at the party exclaimed in awe, desire burning in their eyes. Tyler, who had just been delighted with being engaged to Maria, suddenly had a lustful look in his eyes upon seeing Lillian. He no longer found Maria attractive anymore. "What is Ms. Smith doing here? Is she here to attend Ms. Lisbon's engagement party?" "Ms. Smith represents our city's most powerful family. The Lisbon family must really be respected by the Smiths if they've sent their daughter over." "They're probably doing this for the Cadwell family's sake, too. The Cadwells may not be on the same footing as the Lisbons, but they're still a pretty wealthy family." The guests began chattering amongst themselves. The Lisbons were incredibly excited. Clement hurriedly went to welcome Lillian, saying, "Welcome to our humble abode, Ms. Smith. "You've truly graced us with your presence. I hope you may forgive us for not providing a warmer welcome." The other Lisbons hurried over, not wanting to miss out on the chance to get to know Lillian. They'd benefit greatly even just by giving her a good first impression. "Get out of my way, bum!" Maria glared at Sebastian before marching over to Lillian. "She's from the Smith family?" Sebastian exclaimed in shock. He didn't expect the woman he'd slept with last night to be the daughter of the most powerful family in Ravenview City.