Chapter 4The Billionaire's Street Food Wedding

"Give up, Julian!" "Take your little wife back to the slums. Clara moved on ages ago. Don't drag her back into the mud." "Hey, Julian, how did you guys sneak in without invites?" "If you don't leave, I'm calling security."

Facing the ridicule, Mr. and Mrs. Thorne's faces were black as coal. "Embarrassing! Why did you come back?" "You don't have half the sense your brother has! If it were him..."

Veins popped on Julian's forehead. He silently pulled me to leave.

I held his hand, looped my arm through his, and patted him gently.

"Miss Vance, I'm really curious. Why are you so sure Julian is here to beg you?"

"The security here is strict. How could two living people sneak in so easily?"

"Is it impossible that we received invitations and entered legitimately?"

I asked earnestly. Clara's mocking smile deepened.

"Ms. Miller, even if you're vain, you shouldn't lie in front of so many people."

She looked at Julian. "Julian, take your girlfriend and leave. If security comes, it'll get ugly."

Julian's parents chimed in. "Leave! How long are you going to shame us?" "It doesn't matter if you shame yourself, don't drag the Thorne name down!" "Go! This isn't a place for you!"

The crowd behind Clara jeered. "Don't infect us with your poverty." "Still not leaving? Want us to call security?"

"Call them."

I spoke calmly. "Call security right now."

Since Clara is still immersed in her "Big Female Lead slaps scum" fantasy...

Let reality wake her up.

Clara frowned, as if disgusted by my audacity.

The rich kids behind her quieted for a second, then burst into exaggerated laughter.

"Wow, Julian, your girlfriend has personality!" "Is she trying to be the stubborn heroine from a romance novel to get our attention..."

"What's going on here?"

Arriving before security was the host of the banquet, and our business partner, CEO An.

A woman in her forties, well-maintained, sharp, with a concerned smile.

Clara glanced at us, then spoke to the woman with practiced elegance. "CEO An, I'm so sorry. If not for me, these two wouldn't have snuck in to cause trouble..."

CEO An looked at her strangely. "Miss, what are you talking about?"

"President Miller and President Thorne are my invited guests. They are my partners for the upcoming project."

Clara's expression froze solid.

Julian's parents looked at us in disbelief.

The rich kids laughing at Julian looked like choked ducks. Silence.

"Sorry you had to see that, CEO An."

I sighed lightly and briefly explained the history between me, Julian, and Clara, as well as Julian's relationship with his parents.

"So I sincerely suggest Miss Vance visit a psychiatric department. Having an imagination isn't a sickness, but confusing fantasy with reality isn't great."

Clara's face turned purple. She glared at the floating text in the air, hiked up her dress, and ran.

The rich kids scattered awkwardly.

"Julian, you child, so you've achieved so much in Shanghai! Oh my, why didn't you tell me and your father?"

Mrs. Thorne's face was a complex mix of joy, regret, blame, and resentment.

Mr. Thorne had thicker skin, acting as if he hadn't just insulted Julian. "You... have done well."

Julian ignored them, looking at me pleadingly.

I smiled apologetically at CEO An. She understood immediately and laughed.

"Regarding our cooperation, I have some details to discuss with you two."

She looked at Julian's parents. "Excuse us, Mr. and Mrs. Thorne."

After the banquet, Julian's parents blocked us at the door.

Mr. Thorne was blunt. "How much money is in your company accounts?"

"Take it out to help the Thorne Group. Once we weather this storm, you can come back and help your brother."

Mrs. Thorne added, "Thank your father! He's still willing to give you a chance..."

"I am not a Thorne anymore."

Julian cut her off. "Mom, Dad, didn't you kick me out seven years ago?"

"Child, what nonsense is that?"

Mrs. Thorne was anxious. "It's been seven years. Are you still holding a grudge against your parents?"

"Not a grudge. A fact. Didn't you just say I was embarrassing and not half as sensible as my brother?"

Julian smiled mockingly. "Now that you see I'm not as destitute as you imagined, that I have my own career, you're pretending to be loving parents?"

Mr. Thorne felt anger, not shame. "You really won't help us?"

"When you turn sixty, I will fulfill my legal obligation to support you financially. Monthly payments. Other than that, I hope you continue as you have for the last seven years: pretend you don't have a son."

Julian took my hand and walked away.

Mr. Thorne screamed behind us, "You think having a little business makes you special?"

"Compared to the Thorne Group, it's nothing! You're too young and arrogant. You'll go bankrupt sooner or later!"