If words got out about Rocco’s behavior right now, it could harm his image. Rocco bowed respectfully in all directions before straightening up with the support of the person beside him. Though his legs felt unsteady, his expression remained composed. “Hurry! We need to get to Arthur’s house—” Before he could finish speaking, someone else burst into the room in a panic. Rocco’s heart skipped a beat. This time, instead of reacting with frustration, he calmly steadied himself against the table, bracing for whatever news was about to come. Seeing that Mr. Rocco wasn’t angry, the messenger secretly breathed a sigh of relief and quickly reported, “Mr. Rocco! We just received word—Ms. Rowan from Aetherflow Institute has arrived at Arthur’s house!” Thud! A loud crash echoed through the room. Rocco dropped to his knees again, straight and unwavering. But he didn’t seem to feel a thing. Without hesitation, he bent forward over and over, his head nearly touching the floor with each movement. His voice trembled so much that his words were barely understandable. "Thank you to the Department of Education officials, the heavens above, and all our ancestors." Only after several fervent bows did he finally push himself upright, his hands shaking as he shouted, “Hurry! Get the car ready! Now!” Right on cue, his secretary stepped in. “Mr. Rocco! The car is already waiting at the entrance!” As someone who had worked by Rocco’s side for years, the secretary knew exactly what needed to be done in moments like this. After all, when a figure of such importance arrived, there was no question—Rocco had to go pay his respects. “Good! Good!” A truly reliable secretary! That was exactly why this man had been his right hand for so long—he always knew what to do. Meanwhile… One shocking announcement after another rippled through the crowd.The entire city was abuzz, voices rising in excited discussion. “Oh my god! Not only did Mr. Sebastian from Fusion University arrive, but Mr. Devon from Skyward Academy is here too!” “Skyward Academy? A professor from Skyward Academy? Do you know what this means? This is a huge deal! South City is truly honored!” “Wait, what? It’s not just Mr. Devon—Ms. Rowan from Aetherflow Institute is here too?” "Wait, are we talking about the Ms. Rowan—the one who made major contributions in the field of biology?" “Yes, yes! That Ms. Rowan! People say she’s not only a genius in her field but also breathtakingly beautiful!” "Even Ms. Rowan is here! Thanks to Arthur, these renowned professors have come to South City. This is truly an honor!" "This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see these renowned professors who have made great contributions to the country! They’re usually immersed in research and hardly ever appear in public—I can’t miss this opportunity!" “No way, I’m bringing my kid! They’re taking the SATs next year. If they can make a good impression on one of these professors, their future is set!” “Right, right! I need to get home and drag my lazy son over here now!” The streets were alive with frantic excitement, a sea of voices rising in a chorus of disbelief and enthusiasm. At the center of it all, one person stood frozen, completely stunned. John stood motionless in the middle of the bustling street, his eyes dull and lifeless. His once-pristine clothes were now tattered and wrinkled, and his face was covered in an uneven layer of scruffy stubble, a stark contrast to the man he used to be. His lips moved unconsciously as he muttered to himself, his voice hoarse and unsteady. Arthur… How could it be Arthur? How could someone like him achieve this? No, this has to be a mistake… Why would such influential people be drawn to him? Arthur… Arthur… How could it be him? The Arthur I abandoned… and yet, he's the one standing at the top now? A storm of emotions raged inside him—anger, disbelief, regret, and resentment all tangled together. He couldn’t tell if he felt more ashamed or furious. His lips moved on their own as he muttered absentmindedly, lost in thought. Blending into the crowd, he unknowingly followed the flow of people heading toward Arthur’s house. More than two years had passed, and yet he still had no idea where Arthur lived. Arthur had never mentioned it. And they had never bothered to ask. At the Yarbrough Family Estate in Seacity. The shocking news from South City spread like wildfire, dominating major media headlines. It wasn’t just Seacity—Lioran was buzzing with excitement too! But while the rest of the world reacted with shock and excitement, the atmosphere in the Yarbrough family estate was suffocatingly tense. Every single one of them wore a grim expression, their eyes filled with resentment. The Yarbrough estate was vast, featuring not only the main house but also several private courtyards designed for guests. Inside one of the private courtyards, Raelynn, Julie, and Rosie sat together. The air between them was heavy, their faces dark with seething anger. Their eyes burned with rage, as if they were ready to tear someone to shreds. Seated at the head of the table, Susie’s hand trembled with barely contained rage. She had finally recovered, thanks to a renowned doctor. With gritted teeth, she slammed her fist against the table. "Arthur! That bastard! What makes him think he deserves all this attention!" Raelynn, once the picture of grace and gentleness, no longer hid her venomous resentment. "This is so unfair! After everything he’s done to us, how does he still get to bask in the spotlight?" Julie and Rosie remained silent, their lips pressed into tight lines. But the tension in their faces and the cold glint in their eyes made it clear—they were just as furious. The humiliation they had suffered on the streets was still burned into their minds. And yet, the man responsible for their downfall—Arthur—was now enjoying the glory of success. It was unbearable.