Nathaniel Fu had arrived. Or so everyone thought.
Sylvia's eyes lit up with pride. "Celia, my husband is here. Watch closely."
With a smug smile, she lifted her gown slightly and hurried toward the entrance.
The Su family's relatives, including Jason Su's family, squeezed forward eagerly—especially Wendy, who shoved in next to Sylvia, determined to get a look at her mysterious, wealthy boyfriend.
For a brief moment, the grand hall fell silent with anticipation. Every guest held their breath, awaiting the appearance of the legendary Mr. Fu.
Celia's clear gaze drifted toward the doorway.
But then—
Her expression shifted.
Because stepping through the entrance wasn't Nathaniel Fu at all. It was… an elderly man.
An elderly man in his seventies or even eighties, dressed in a traditional dark Zhongshan suit.
Sylvia's smile froze on her face.
She blinked in disbelief.
This wasn't the dignified, powerful Mr. Fu she had boasted about—it was a frail old man.
A wave of confusion and murmurs spread across the room.
Wendy gasped, "Sylvia, is that your rich boyfriend? You're dating that old man?"
"No! No, he's not my boyfriend!" Sylvia snapped, her voice rising with panic.
The elderly man stopped in front of her and spoke politely, "Miss Sylvia Su, I will leave shortly. But first, I've been instructed to retrieve the Emperor Star. It does not belong to you."
The crowd erupted.
"What did he say? He's taking back the Emperor Star?"
Sylvia instinctively clutched the necklace at her throat. "Why should I give it back? This is my necklace! If it doesn't belong to me, who else does it belong to?!"
The old man gave her a calm smile and motioned with his hand.
Two large bodyguards in black stepped forward and, with practiced precision, unclasped the Emperor Star necklace from Sylvia's neck.
The sharp diamond edge grazed her skin, leaving a thin red mark.
"Ahhh!" Sylvia screamed in pain and disbelief.
"Xiaoxue!" Lillian rushed over and pulled her into her arms. Her voice was shrill with anger. "Who do you think you are? Storming into the Su family's home like this—this is outrageous! Guards! Where are the guards?!"
"Enough!" Charles Su finally stepped forward, face dark with rage. "Stop embarrassing yourselves."
Lillian and Sylvia were still blinded by fury, but Charles had noticed a small silver insignia on the elderly man's cufflink—a single engraved character: Fu.
He recognized it immediately.
This wasn't some random intruder. This was the personal butler of Nathaniel Fu.
The old man gently placed the Emperor Star back into a velvet-lined case and gave a final bow.
"Pardon the interruption."
With that, he turned and exited the hall with his men in tow.
As soon as the door closed, the entire room exploded in whispers and ridicule.
Wendy leaned over and laughed loudly, "Sylvia, your taste is… impressive. Couldn't you find someone younger?"
Jason Su and his wife jumped at the chance to join in.
"Dating an old man is one thing—but getting dumped in public by one?" Jason scoffed. "Sylvia, not only did you lose the necklace, but now you've also lost your dignity."
The jealousy in their eyes was clear. They had always resented Sylvia's advantage after the Emperor Star incident—and now that the tables had turned, they were reveling in it.
Sylvia stood frozen, completely humiliated.
Why didn't Nathaniel show up? Who was that old man, really?
"No! I swear he's not my boyfriend!" Sylvia tried to explain, her voice cracking.
But no one was listening anymore.
The very people who had praised her earlier were now mocking her without mercy.
"Mr. Su, was that your son-in-law?"
"Your daughter's boyfriend looks old enough to be your father. Not sure if he should call you Dad, or if it's the other way around!"