I was stunned.
I stared blankly at Sarah Anderson, as though I couldn't believe my ears.
"You... what did you just say?" I asked tentatively.
Sarah simply shook her head and smiled, "Nothing."
Even though Sarah didn't pursue the subject further, my heart pounded violently.
After spending this time with Sarah, I couldn't help but feel deeply for her. However, I felt that I wasn't worthy of her.
But if Sarah actually meant what I thought she might, then I would give my all—even my life—to make myself good enough!
After Sarah left, my heart still couldn't calm down.
I sat alone in the courtyard, staring at the star-filled sky, and murmured softly, "Was she... teasing me? Or was she serious..."
*I didn't know, but from that moment, my entire mindset underwent a drastic shift.*
...
The next day.
There was only one day left until the Anderson family banquet.
All the major prestigious families had already received their invitations.
But I wasn't concerned about any of that. My mind was entirely preoccupied with finding ways to further improve my skills.
Just then, my phone suddenly rang.
Picking it up, I saw that the caller was Todd Wright.
Todd Wright had always been kind to me and was the only person in the Wright family who treated me well.
So, I quickly answered the phone.
"Grandpa..." my voice was somewhat somber.
On the other end, Todd Wright said with a trembling voice, "Tyler, Grandpa is sorry..."
"Grandpa, it's not your fault." I took a deep breath.
"The entire Wright family only ever treated me like a human being because of you. But now, I don't want to depend on the Wright family anymore. I don't want to depend on anyone." I spoke firmly.
There was a brief silence on the other end.
A moment later, Todd Wright said with a trembling voice, "Tyler, can you come back to see Grandpa one last time?"
After thinking for a moment, I replied, "Alright, I should properly say goodbye to you."
After hanging up the phone, I stood up and headed to the Wright family home.
At the Wright family's residence, everyone had gathered.
Ever since Elizabeth Wright received the invitation from the Anderson family, her arrogance had grown even worse.
When I pushed open the door and walked into the house, I immediately saw Todd Wright sitting in the corner, looking somewhat desolate.
He seemed even older and had clearly lost his former standing within the family.
"What are you doing here?" The moment Megan Wright saw me, her face soured.
"Leave right now, or Randy Phillips might misunderstand," Megan scoffed.
Watching Megan's petty demeanor, I could only sneer.
"I was the one who asked Tyler to come," Todd Wright beckoned me closer.
Elizabeth Wright said discontentedly, "Grandpa, why did you bring this loser here? I'm already divorced from him—Randy Phillips is your grandson-in-law now!"
After speaking, Elizabeth even pointed at me and shouted, "Get lost already! Or do you want Randy to come back and deal with you?"
I couldn't even be bothered to acknowledge Elizabeth's tirade. I walked directly to Todd Wright, bent slightly, and said with a hint of apology, "Grandpa, this is probably the last time I'll come to the Johnsons' house."
Hearing this, Todd Wright's eyes grew misty.
Holding my hand, Todd said with visible anguish, "Tyler, can't you stay? Even if you and Elizabeth are divorced, I still see you as my grandson..."
Though touched, I ultimately shook my head and said, "I can't."
"Ha, Grandpa, you must be senile," Elizabeth sneered.
"You always said Tyler could bring good luck to our family. What has he brought us in three years? Other than washing clothes and cooking, he's nothing but worthless!"
"On the contrary, my luck has been much better since divorcing him." Elizabeth waved the invitation in her hand and slapped it onto the table.
"Take a good look. This is an invitation from the Anderson family! The Anderson family of the Sterling City invited me, Elizabeth Wright!" Elizabeth said smugly.
I glanced at the invitation card. It was indeed from the Anderson family.
"With this invitation, it's only a matter of time before the Wright family ranks among the elite families of Crestview City," Elizabeth said with a gleeful smile.
I let out a cold chuckle. "I wouldn't count on it. Have you taken a good look at yourself?"
Elizabeth wasn't angered. Instead, she responded mockingly, "Oh, are you jealous? Insulting me won't change the truth!"
"I, Elizabeth Wright, have now earned the favor of the Anderson family!"
"And you? You'll always just be a useless nobody!"
On the side, Todd Wright slammed the table angrily and shouted, "That's enough out of you!"
"I'm just telling the truth!" Elizabeth retorted indignantly.
Todd Wright grasped my hand again and said apologetically, "Tyler, don't stoop to her level. She's still young..."
"Still young?" I couldn't help but chuckle at that. *A woman nearing thirty is still considered young?* I thought to myself.
"Tyler, get the hell out of here. Do you hear me? Don't bring bad luck to my family." Elizabeth snapped, her face full of disdain.
I shot Elizabeth a frosty glance and said, "Don't worry. I wouldn't want to stay here a second longer."
With that, I bowed to Todd Wright and then strode out of the Wright family home.
----
Todd Wright gazed at Tyler's departing figure, his clouded eyes brimming with tears.
"Elizabeth, you're going to regret this..." Todd said sorrowfully.
"Regret? For what? Randy Phillips is far better than that loser ever was!" Elizabeth said impatiently.
She practically shoved the invitation card into Todd's face.
"Take a good look. The Anderson family invited me! I'm the one with the most authority in the Wright family!" Elizabeth snarled harshly.
Todd Wright waved his hand dismissively, choosing not to say anything further.
In truth, throughout the Wright family, no one took Todd seriously anymore.
After all, in their eyes, the Wright family had already secured the favor of the Anderson family.