"With you on board, Henson Group is sure to become world-class!"

One by one, the Henson relatives heaped on the flattery—each compliment a thinly veiled jab aimed squarely at me.

To my ears, they were nothing but a flock of chirping sparrows.

I didn't even bother looking up.

Spencer deliberately seated Miles and Marlene directly across from me.

They sat shoulder to shoulder.

This time, I did raise my head. "Marlene, we're still married. Sitting that close to another man doesn't seem appropriate, does it?"

For a split second, panic flickered in Marlene's eyes. She started to stand—but Miles caught her wrist.

She stayed put.

Spencer dropped all pretense and laid out his real purpose. "The Henson name is on the rise now. We're going international, and we need someone like Miles to help us get there. You have no power, no influence. You're simply not a match for my daughter."

"I'd like us to part on good terms."

"So—name your price."

My gaze swept across every face in the room.

I remembered a time when they needed something from me. Back then, they'd tucked their tails between their legs, practically licking the soles of my shoes.

Now the Hensons had barely tasted success, and they'd already turned on me without a shred of gratitude.

Worse than wolves. At least wolves had the decency not to pretend.

When I didn't respond right away, Miles couldn't sit still. He looked down his nose at me, sneering. "Jacob, don't push your luck. Take a good look in the mirror and see what you really are."

"You're nothing but a backwater nobody. It was the Henson family that gave you a platform—that let you shine at all."

"Without the Hensons, you'd still be a nobody in this city."

"So show some gratitude."

The others nodded along eagerly, as if they expected me to drop to my knees and kowtow.

I turned to Marlene, who had been silent this whole time. My voice was ice. "Is this what you meant when you said you'd be grateful to me for the rest of your life?"

"That 'rest of your life' didn't last very long."

Marlene bit her lip. "Jacob, you know how it is. Water flows downhill, and people reach for higher ground."

"Who wouldn't want to be with someone more accomplished?"

"If you want to blame anyone, blame yourself for not measuring up to Miles—or matching the status I have now."

I looked at her earnest face.

I shook my head and let out a quiet laugh. "You really have no idea what you're throwing away."