He Called Me Broke. I Call Him Irrelevant.

At Luke's words, the chatter in the lobby grew louder. Voices were filled with doubt and ridicule.

"How could a woman from the slums marry into a wealthy family?" someone said.

"How typical of a poor person. She's dishonest, deceitful, and absolutely vain!" one of the guests sneered.

"She's clearly just trying to provoke Mr. Bolton," another added.

Luke stared at me.

"Elisa, did you think making up a lie would upset me? Do you think I don't know what your family is like?

"What high-society family would let a woman like you marry in? Unless it's someone like Mr. York, who doesn't need a strategic marriage to strengthen his standing."

He stepped forward, trying to detect if there was any hint of a lie in my eyes.

"Or did you get cozy with some staff member to sneak in here? And now, you're lying and claiming to be Mrs. York?"

I didn't answer and just gripped the blue diamond tightly. Anderson was waiting upstairs. I didn't want to waste any more time here.

Seeing this, Cindy's lips suddenly curved into a sly smile.

She said, "Since Elisa wants to marry a rich man so badly, why not let her stay and do something useful?"

Her eyes scanned the crowd. Her voice was sweet, but every word she spoke dripped with malice.

"Everyone here is a CEO, and you need someone to serve you. Elisa, this is a perfect opportunity. Maybe you'll end up seducing one of them and become their wife.

"That's much more dignified than begging for handouts, isn't it?"

Laughter erupted from those around us.

The thought of having the ex-girlfriend of a publicly listed company's CEO serve them was quite entertaining.

"Good idea! Someone should put her in a maid's outfit. She can serve me drinks," one of the men sneered.

Another added, "It's already generous of us to let someone like her serve us."

"It's too kind of Ms. Gale to give this woman a chance. If it were me, I would have kicked her out long ago!" one guest exclaimed.

I was so angry that I laughed.

"Are you deaf? I told you to let go of me!"

Cindy's expression darkened at my refusal.

She snarled, "Elisa, you're really ungrateful. We're already giving you the privilege of serving us, and you have the nerve to refuse?"

Luke's expression turned even more sour.

"Elisa, what do you really want? Money? Status? Or is it my love?

"Listen here. That's absolutely impossible! My wife can only be someone like Cindy, who's from a wealthy, reputable family. You'd better get this straight!"

At that moment, several hotel security guards in uniform strode over. The man leading them had a name tag that read "Clarence Brown".

Bruce immediately pointed at me and said, "Mr. Brown, some poor loser is causing trouble and dirtying the fountain. She also refuses to leave."

Clarence, the head of security, frowned.

His face darkened as he said, "Today's business summit will be attended by Mr. York, his wife, and his son. This is the first public appearance of his family.

"So, that's why nothing is allowed to go wrong!" Clarence's gaze landed on me. "Someone like you will bring down the prestige of this summit. Men, get her out of here!"

Two guards stepped forward, ready to drag me away.

At that moment, Luke spoke. "Wait!"

He fixed his gaze on the blue diamond in my hand.

Luke trembled slightly, and his voice was hoarse.

"Elisa, why don't you get it? I don't need your cheap gifts anymore."