Shattered Gift, Broken Engagement

I had just won the Hawthorne Scientific Laureate on the international stage when my father called me back home.

"Bring the betrothal gifts to the Hayes family. That childhood engagement should finally be fulfilled."

Afraid of getting stuck in traffic, I took my modified motorcycle, carried the national heritage porcelain obtained through generations of the Keane family's military merits, and headed toward their house.

Just as I arrived at the community gate, a Porsche suddenly cut across the lane, nearly knocking me over.

A heavily made-up woman, Zoey Mercer, stepped out of the car, raised one sharp high heel, and kicked the top box off my motorcycle.

"You rode this junk motorcycle yet dared block my way? If you dent my car, your whole family won't be able to afford the compensation!"

My heart sank. I quickly opened the case, only to see the entire box of celadon porcelain shattered.

"So you’re just some delivery guy. Think this pile of trash is worth even one of my shoes?

"You even know whose neighborhood this is? It belongs to Kingshore's Hayes family! My best friend’s family developed this place! Believe it or not, I can have you thrown out right now!"

Right then, my fiancee, Lauren Hayes, called me.

"Where are you? My friend just messaged me saying there’s a delivery guy causing trouble at the entrance."

Hearing those words, I froze for a moment. I hadn't expected that this arrogant woman standing in front of me would actually be my fiancee's best friend, Zoey Mercer.

To be honest, I really wanted to lose my temper right then. After all, smashing the national heritage porcelain wasn't something that could be brushed aside with a simple apology.

However, remembering that the late Thomas Hayes had been my father's comrade back in the day, I thought it over and decided to give Lauren a bit of a step down.

"You should come down and take a look. It's better to talk face-to-face."

I didn't know whether I said something wrong or she misunderstood me, but her tone suddenly went cold on the other end of the line. "I'm very busy. I don't have time to meet you. If you're not here yet, just go back."

Then, she hung up right away.

I actually laughed in disbelief.

People in my industry got charged by the minute when they call me, yet she just hung up like that. Fine, then. I'd like to see just how impressive this legendary young lady of the Hayes really was.

"What, trying to call for backup?" Zoey shot me a disdainful look, lifting her chin as if I were something she’d stepped on.

"Even if you summon God himself today, you're a lost cause! Once my best friend, Lauren, gets here, you and your junk motorcycle can say goodbye to Kingshore!"

I narrowed my eyes at her and asked, "Then what exactly do you want so you'll let me go?"

Maybe because I was wearing clothes with no recognizable