Chapter 1

At my daughter’s engagement dinner, I presented her with a luxury downtown penthouse as a wedding gift.

The moment I pulled out the keys and the deed, my son’s fiancée flipped the dining table.

"You old geezer! You cried broke and claimed you couldn't give us $100,000 for our wedding fund, but you turned around and bought a luxury penthouse for this outsider?”

“ Put this place in my name right now, or the wedding is off!"

I was stunned. "Didn't I just buy you and Cody a luxury condo last month as your wedding home? This penthouse is for Chloe."

Vanessa's voice instantly went up an octave:

"She’s getting married and taking another man's last name! Why should she get a dime of our family estate?"

"Either you put this penthouse under my name, or you sell it right now!"

I let out a cold laugh and spoke slowly:

"The penthouse isn't for sale. But as for you, Vanessa? We can certainly get rid of you."

My daughter Chloe’s engagement dinner was incredibly lively, with everyone showering her with congratulations.

Holding my wine glass, I looked at the happy smile on my daughter’s face, and my heart felt warm.

She had been a sensible girl since childhood, never wanting to cause any trouble for the family.

"Chloe, I have a special gift for you."

I reached into the inner pocket of my suit, pulled out a set of keys and a deed, and placed them in front of her.

"A luxury downtown penthouse. Two thousand square feet. Just a small token of my love."

The entire room went dead silent.

Chloe covered her mouth in shock. "Dad, this is way too expensive..."

Just as I was about to say a few heartfelt words, a sharp shriek shattered the atmosphere.

"You old geezer! Have you lost your mind?"

Cody's fiancée, Vanessa, jumped up from her chair and pointed a finger right at my nose.

"You cried broke last month and said you didn't have $100,000 for our wedding fund, but you turned around and bought a luxury penthouse for this outsider?"

I was stunned. "Didn't I just buy you and Cody a luxury condo last month as your wedding home? This penthouse is for Chloe."

Vanessa grew even more shameless. "Put this place in my name right now! Why the hell should an outsider who’s marrying out get this?"

"Vanessa, the way you're talking..." I started to explain.

But my wife, Brenda, stood up and snapped at me:

"Arthur, have you gone senile? Our family assets belong to our son! A daughter is just an outsider eventually. Don't you get that?"

Chloe’s face turned deathly pale, and she swayed on her feet.

Zach quickly supported her, glaring at Vanessa with pure rage. "How dare you speak to her like that?"

"Did I say something wrong?" Vanessa put her hands on her hips, her voice screeching louder.

"This old man lied to us about being broke, but secretly bought a luxury penthouse for an outsider. If that’s not deception, what is?"

I looked at my son, Cody.

He was shrinking back into his chair, head hung low, not daring to meet my eyes.

This was the son I had raised for over twenty years.

He watched his fiancée insult me and humiliate his own sister, and he didn't have the guts to say a single word.

Brenda was still chiming in:

"Exactly! Chloe is getting married anyway. Why does she need a penthouse? This money should have been given to Cody for his wedding!"

Chloe's voice trembled as she spoke. "Mom... I don't want the penthouse anymore."

"Good!" Vanessa pushed her luck even further. "Hand over the deed then. Let's go transfer the title right now! Change it to my name!"

The guests around us began whispering and pointing fingers.

I slowly stood up, putting the deed and the keys back into my pocket.

"This penthouse belongs solely to Chloe."

Vanessa froze for a second, then went completely ballistic. "You stubborn old bastard! You dare cross me? Believe it or not, I’ll walk out right now and take your unborn grandson with me!"

I looked at her, a cold sneer forming on my lips.

"Cody and Vanessa's wedding is officially called off starting today. And I am taking back that condo."

The room erupted into chaos.

Brenda’s face went white. "Arthur... what crazy nonsense are you talking about?"

Ignoring her, I stared directly into Vanessa's eyes.

"The baby in your stomach... is it really Cody's?"

Vanessa’s expression stiffened instantly.

Cody finally looked up, staring at Vanessa. "Vanessa... you're pregnant?"