Chapter 11
Her tone dripped with authority and arrogance.
Seeing me stand firm, Mrs. Portman finally snapped.
Pointing a trembling finger, she spat through gritted teeth,
“You worthless piece of trash–how dare you speak to Miss Goffman like that? Are you trying to ruin the Portman Family?”
She turned to the other Portman Family members, her voice cold and commanding, “Get this good–for–nothing Bryan out of here! Don’t let this insolent, ignorant lowlife trash ruin my Portman Group!”
No sooner had she finished than the Portman Family members glared at me, ready to pounce.
But Jenny’s voice cut through the tension like ice, “Let’s see who dares to lay a hand on him.”
my
If
defiance stunned the crowd, Jenny’s bold defense left them utterly bewildered.
Ricky stepped forward, his face twisted in confusion.
“Miss Goffman, Bryan is nothing but a powerless, good–for–nothing son–in–law. Why are you defending him?”
Trying to regain favor, Ricky smoothed his clothes and sought her attention.
Without warning, Jenny slapped him across the face with a harsh, unforgiving sound.
“Shut your mouth!”
She fixed the room with a piercing glare and declared coldly,
“Above the four great families of New York lies a hidden house–the Addison Family–secretive
and ancient, its legacy stretching back over a hundred years.”
“In New York’s elite circles, they decide who rises to the top.”
“The Bryan you all look down on… is the sole heir of the Addison Family.”
Her words sent shockwaves through the hall.
The crowd stared at me in stunned silence, eyes wide with disbelief–and a growing fear.
Only now did these self–proclaimed aristocrats realize the truth.
The one they had scorned was the most powerful noble in the entire room.
Serena dropped to her knees, eyes locked on me, disbelief giving way to trembling submission.
“So… all these years, the rapid rise of the Portman Group was because of you?”
I looked down at her with cold certainty.
“What else could it be?”
“Do you really think you’d have accomplished anything without me?”
Serena, proud and arrogant as ever, did not lash out or sulk.
Instead, she forced a smile, oozing insincerity.
“Bryan, why didn’t you tell me your true identity sooner?”
Wiping blood from her bruised face, she fell to her knees in pain and pleaded,
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“Husband, I was wrong.”
“I was foolish–blinded by temptation, seduced by Ricky.”
“Will you forgive me?”
“From now on, I promise to love and cherish you and never hurt you again.”
Even Serena’s mother, who had always looked down on me, stepped forward with a forced kindness, taking my hand.
“My dear son–in–law, this was Serena’s mistake. I’ll make sure she’s disciplined when we ge
home.”
“But you and Serena have been married for twenty years. It would be a shame to end it all now.” “All this time, I believed you were a good man–devoted to your wife and children, respectful and considerate to me. I truly don’t want to lose you.”
Other Portman Family members quickly chimed in, their voices oozing false sincerity.
“Yes, yes, in our hearts, you have always been the perfect son–in–law.”
Watching these same faces who had moments ago jeered and sought to expel me now fawn and flatter, I couldn’t suppress a sneer.
Sensing my smile, the nobles and influential guests around began to kneel and grovel, desperate to make amends.
“Mr. Addison, we were blind to your true worth. Please forgive our ignorance and don’t hold it against us!”
“Yes, we didn’t know your true identity. We spoke disrespectfully out of ignorance—but please, don’t hold it against us!”
