On the Ruins of His Regret I Soar novel Chapter 183

Lance’s face turned ashen with rage and humiliation. While the Smith family wasn’t on the same level as the Georges, he wasn’t some underling to be verbally eviscerated like this.

A hard edge crept into his voice. “Mr. George, having a homewrecker as a bodyguard will eventually blow up in your face.”

George let out a soft snort. It wasn’t a full laugh, just a short, dismissive sound that made Lance feel even more foolish, as if he were a joke not even worth a proper laugh.

Lance numbly ended the call. George’s hostility was blatant, yet Lance couldn’t recall ever having crossed him.

Suddenly, a memory surfaced. The masquerade ball. He had seen a woman who looked strikingly like Jessica and demanded she remove her mask. Could the man in the dark mask, the one who had intervened, have been Mr. George?

At the time, Lance had only registered that the man carried himself with an air of wealth and authority, assuming he was the son of some family or politician. Now, it seemed highly likely that man was Mr. George himself.

And Mr. George must have recognized him, too. That would explain why he had suddenly backed out of their business deal, even choosing to pay a hefty penalty.

A wave of bitter frustration washed over Lance. He clenched his fists so tightly he could hear his knuckles crack.

He was only pulled from his thoughts when Amy called out, “Daddy?” Lance smoothed his expression and walked back into the room. “Yes, sweetie? What is it?”

“You were on the phone for so long,” she said in a small, childish voice. “You forgot about me.”

Jessica’s face fell. “Amy, what have I told you before? People who collect scraps for a living are still working hard with their own two hands to support themselves. Why do you look down on them?”

“Everything I say, you yell at me!” Amy cried. “Are you even my mom anymore?” With that, she pulled the covers over her head and burrowed underneath.

Lance looked at Jessica and said softly, “She’s a patient, Jessica. Don’t make such a federal case out of it. Have you ever considered that a major reason you and Amy aren’t close is because you always overcomplicate simple things? A moment ago, you could have just said, ‘Okay.’”

Jessica looked up at him, defiant. “I’m dressed cleanly. How is that embarrassing? Is this the kind of values you’re teaching our child?”

“Jessica, Amy is starting at an elite preschool,” Lance said with a sigh of exasperation. “The other children are all from wealthy and influential families. Kids care about appearances. Yes, you’re clean, but can you walk into a grand ballroom wearing a simple white t-shirt? There’s a dress code for every occasion. Don’t you even understand that?”