"I really thought they were genuinely remorseful. Turns out, a leopard never changes its spots!" "Sounds like a classic case of 'you reap what you sow—some mistakes you just can't come back from!'" "So we were all fooled by them. We almost wronged Mr. Gray!" The murmurs in the crowd were completely one-sided. Everyone felt embarrassed and angry at having been deceived. Arthur was now undoubtedly one of the most powerful young elites in Seacity. Many people saw this as an opportunity to curry favor with him, so their words became more and more cutting. Arthur swept a cold glance over the crowd. That indifferent gaze was enough to silence them all. He had no intention of paying them any mind. People always liked to stand on their so-called moral high ground and judge others. They were rash and impulsive, eager to pass judgment without knowing the full truth, and even more eager to start their critiques and condemnations. Even now, as he stood before them as the chairman of Cloudia Corporation, they couldn’t suppress their urge to stand on that moral high ground and judge him. This is human nature. On the internet, plenty of people had been wrongfully attacked by public opinion. Only when the truth finally surfaced did the mob nonchalantly toss out a simple apology and pretend nothing had happened. But by then, the damage had already been done. Real people had suffered irreversible harm—some had even lost their lives. And even when their actions led to someone’s death, how many of them truly felt guilty? Their lives went on as usual, and their so-called remorse barely lasted a few fleeting moments. Raelynn and the others had no idea how they were dragged out of the venue. In a daze, they returned to their hotel. Arthur had not only torn open their hidden wounds, but he had also completely severed any path of retreat they had left. In the hotel room, the four women stared blankly at their luggage. There were a lot of bags—these were all their remaining possessions. Returning to South City was no longer an option. Zac and John had gone to great lengths to kick them out in order to welcome Renee in grand fashion. John was willing to do anything to keep Renee happy. Although they were unwilling to accept this reality, they knew that if they insisted on going back, they would be left to starve. Raelynn, Julie, and the others had lived comfortable, privileged lives. They had assumed that once they arrived in Seacity and earned Arthur’s forgiveness, they could continue living without worry. So, along the way, they hadn’t bothered to control their spending. The little money they had left was nearly gone. But survival required money. Their hotel stay, food, clothes—everything cost something. For the first time in their lives, the four women, who had been pampered since birth, felt the crushing pressure of reality. Arthur no longer had the patience to continue the banquet, which was already nearing its end. After the guests left, the Gibson family stayed behind with Arthur at his estate. The place was enormous, with plenty of space for living, entertainment, and sports. Having a few extra people around was no problem at all. Although Spencer, Nancy, and Natalie felt that staying might not be entirely appropriate, they decided to remain, considering Arthur’s mood. That night, Nancy and Spencer personally prepared a lavish meal. Nancy enthusiastically called out to Arthur, "Arthur, you probably didn’t eat well today, did you? We’re all starving, come try our cooking." She picked up a spoonful of his favorite dish and placed it in his bowl. Seeing this, Ashley and Spencer quickly followed suit, each adding a spoonful of food for him. "Eat more. Look at you, you’ve lost weight," Ashley scolded affectionately, full of concern. Seeing Ashley’s expression, Spencer, Nancy, and Natalie couldn’t help but laugh. Natalie teased, "Oh wow, she’s already getting protective." "Natalie!" Ashley’s face instantly turned bright red. "Hahaha!" Her reaction sent the whole table into laughter. The cheerful voices filled the room, sweeping away all the gloom in Arthur’s heart. He picked up his chopsticks, took a bite, and found the food rich in flavor. As he ate, a deep sense of warmth and peace settled in his heart. Sincerely, he praised, "Dad, Mom, your cooking is amazing." The family sat around the table, sharing a delicious meal, chatting and laughing. This was what family was supposed to be.Now that he and Ashley were engaged, this family would be his as well. Arthur’s once desolate heart found solace here. He was truly grateful to them. They were the ones who made him feel the warmth of home. In the past, when it came to Zac, was it really hatred he felt? More than anything, it was envy. Zac never had to lift a finger, yet he effortlessly received the unconditional love of the entire family—love that should have belonged to Arthur.