"Asshole! You didn't even bring a gift for Grandpa's big birthday, and you have the nerve to ask for money?! Get out!"
A cup of tea was thrown directly into Julius Reed's face.
The tea wasn't scalding hot, but it seemed to burn Julius Reed's face bright red.
Inside the luxurious villa.
Everyone was looking at him.
Countless mocking, sneering, and cold gazes fell upon the young man like sharp swords.
Julius Reed lowered his head, clenched his fists tightly, his body trembled, and even the nails of his fingers were embedded into his flesh due to the force, causing trickles of fresh blood to flow.
Today was Tess Radcliffe's seventieth grand birthday, and all the clan members had returned home to celebrate for him.
Everyone's gifts were extremely valuable.
Jewelry worth millions of dollars.
Ancient paintings that were priceless.
Art sculptures forged from meteorites from beyond the heavens that were beyond valuation, specifically carved to resemble Grandpa's likeness.
...
It was only when it came to Julius Reed, the son-in-law who married into the family, that he arrived empty-handed, not only without a gift but also late, and upon being the last to arrive, he said to the old man in front of everyone:
"Grandpa, can I borrow some money? Just now on my way here, a kid was in a car accident and is now in the hospital urgently needing money for emergency treatment. I was late because of this incident."
Blood had oozed from the hastily bandaged place on Julius Reed's right shoulder, turning his already dirt-stained clothing even dirtier.
If it hadn't been for his critical, unhesitating dash to tackle the mother and child to the ground, they would have certainly been hit and killed by the out-of-control, speeding truck.
But even so, the child's head had still hit the ground, causing an extremely serious intracranial hemorrhage.
Julius Reed had no choice; saving lives was of the utmost importance. Even though he had just had tea splashed in his face by his wife Quella Radcliffe's elder sister Tess, he could only endure it and, putting on a brave face, ask again.
"Grandpa, human life is of paramount importance, I..."
His words were interrupted before he could finish!
"Bastard!" Tess smashed her teacup on the ground, shattering it into fragments, and pointed at Julius Reed: "It's just the life of some poor kid; dead is dead. Is that more important than Grandpa's birthday?"
She spat on the ground.
"You're just a son-in-law who married into the family; who do you think you are?!"
Julius Reed's lips trembled as he looked around at these people dressed in extravagant clothing but with hearts that were exceedingly cold and filthy.
In the eyes of the aristocrats, the lives of the poor were even less valuable than ants...
Just as disgusted, Old Master Radcliffe showed no favor towards Julius Reed, despite it being his decision for Julius Reed to marry into the Radcliffe family and take their granddaughter's hand in marriage.
Three years ago.
Julius Reed, who had lost his memory, had arrived in Gonzalez City by fate and coincidentally cured the seriously ill Old Master Radcliffe.
Old Master Radcliffe was overjoyed and promised to fulfill any one of Julius Reed's requests.
Julius Reed, who could not remember a thing besides his name at the time, simply pointed at Quella Radcliffe, who was standing next to Old Master Radcliffe, and said, "I want to marry her."
Despite his amnesia, he couldn't explain why, but he felt a curious sense of familiarity with this woman, an inexplicable closeness, as if a voice in the depths of his mind was telling him he couldn't miss this chance.
Even if the Radcliffe family was unwilling, they had to honor their word because of their reputation.
Since then, Julius Reed became a son-in-law to the Radcliffe family, one of the leading wealthy families of Gonzalez City.
An unwanted son-in-law who was subjected to constant ridicule and humiliation.
Especially after his medical skills, which had saved Tess, suddenly disappeared, further branding him with the label of a swindler.
"This trash, feeding and living off of us for three years and now getting more and more brazen by the day!"
"Exactly! He has caused the Radcliffe family to lose all face!"
"I bet the story about needing money is a lie too. He just doesn't want Grandpa to have a happy birthday; that's his true intention!"
Mockery was endless.
Julius Reed's wife, Quella Radcliffe, quickly stepped forward to explain to Old Master Radcliffe: "Grandpa, don't be angry. Julius didn't have any other intentions; I'm sure he truly encountered someone in need of a life-saving emergency, and that's why he's asking to borrow money on such an important day!"
Kind as she was, she too had suffered her fair share of ridicule over these past three years for her "worthless husband."
Seeing the situation getting worse, she pulled Julius Reed aside to leave the villa first.
"Ungrateful rat!"
"I've always found him distasteful!"
"With the troublemaker gone, let's get back to celebrating the birthday properly!"
Insulting voices followed them from behind.
Then melodious music started up again, and within the splendidly decorated villa, the celebrations resumed with singing and dancing.
Meanwhile, in a nearby hospital, a child was fighting for their life.
This was the harsh reality, the cold reality, the infuriating reality!
Julius Reed punched a utility pole hard!
He hated himself for being powerless! He hated that he couldn't remember anything!
Compared to that child's life, the humiliation he suffered was nothing. Kind by nature, he only hated that he couldn't help others more!
Dressed in a beautiful evening gown, Quella had tear stains all over her stunning face as she cried nonstop.
"I never imagined things would turn out this way."
Julius Reed hung his head in guilty apology.
"Hasn't these years of enduring contempt with me been enough?"
Quella looked like a pear blossom bathed in rain.
"I'm sorry!"
Over these three years, Quella had endured many things that others could never understand.
Compared with the ridicule she faced, his grievances seemed trivial.
"Do apologies work? I want to show off my husband just like Big Sister, living a life of splendor every day! Can you give me that?"
"I don't want to be the butt of the joke among our clan, constantly being belittled. Can you do it?"
"I want you to carry this family so that I don't have to work all the time. Can you?"
Despair filled Quella's eyes.
Which woman doesn't have a bit of vanity in her heart?
But she knew it was impossible!
"Fine!"
Julius Reed stood and left with long strides.
...
"I don't want to continue like this!"
Walking on a deserted street, Julius Reed roared at the sky.
"Why! Why!"
His fists clenched tightly, veins bulging on his face.
A nameless rage ignited within him.
This rage, like a spark, began to burn fiercely within Julius Reed.
His blood, for the first time in three years, was boiling like this!
"If you truly don't want to continue falling down, maybe I can help you."
Out of nowhere, a man in black appeared on the empty street.
"You never should have been so ordinary."
The man in black took a ring out of his pocket and, almost in an instant, appeared in front of Julius Reed.
"Now, go reclaim your glory!"
The man in black handed over the ring gently: "As you requested, after three years, the day has finally arrived."
"Put it on, and become your true self again!"
Julius Reed closed his eyes gently, feeling as if something was calling to him, but he couldn't grasp it.
Driven by his subconscious, he gently slid his thumb into the ring.