3. Not A Fool

That evening, wearing a shirt and khaki pants, Glenn entered John Steel’s residence carrying a large gift box that he handed to Amber. Of course, Amber's smile upon seeing the large gift he brought caught Glenn's attention; her demeanour changed not because of seeing Glenn, it did not escape his notice.

"What's this?" Amber asked curiously.

"You can open it later after I've left," replied Glenn.

His in-laws had previously greeted him enthusiastically. Now the fake smiles of these money-minded individuals were painfully obvious to Glenn. These two were leeches back when he married Amber, constantly asking for financial support for their failing business. He couldn't refuse because after marrying Amber, they became his family.

As Glenn was cutting his steak, the impatient expression on his father-in-law's face was reflected in his wine glass.

"Yes, Sir?" Glenn inquired.

"Ahem, is it true that you're solely heir of Smith Corp?" he initiated the conversation.

"That's correct, Sir. I don't have any other siblings, either from my father's side or mother's side."

"John Steel's eyes lit up immediately. "Oh, isn't that wonderful, Amber? Ahem, I mean, if Amber becomes your wife, then you won't be lonely anymore," John grinned broadly.

If Glenn had been thrilled to hear this proposal in the past, this time, he snorted. He could see Amber becoming more haughty, assuming he'd gladly welcome her father's offer like a golden retriever he used to be.

"Sorry, Sir. But Amber doesn't meet the criteria to be a Smtih family member, whether in terms of pedigree or character," he replied casually.

Their three mouths hung open as they watched Glenn sipping wine contentedly.

"Honey, you're just joking, aren't you?" panicked Amber.

'Now she "honey" me, huh,' Glenn thought.

"Unfortunately not, honey, I'm serious."

"S-so, how can we fit into your Father's criteria?" Mr John asked hesitantly.

"You need to increase your business capital, Sir, at least equivalent to one of Father's subsidiaries. I have connections that could provide you with a load to expand your business," Glenn offered, making John visibly uncomfortable.

"Oh, one more thing. If she wants to be accepted as a prospective Smith family member, she has to work as a servant in our house for 6 months. No one should know her identity and contentiousness during that dedication. It indicates if she's worthy of bearing secrets and a hard worker, not just a woman after wealth," he explained at length.

"I beg your pardon? A servant in your family for 6 months?" Amber yelled, indignant.

'There's more where that came from, Amber. I will make you pay for betraying me!' seeing Amber's distraught expression, Glenn smiled internally.

As he had expected, revenge tastes sweet, much sweeter than the red wine in his hand. He eagerly savored it to the last bit.

“Oh, which woman would be foolish enough to let herself be enslaved by you? You're dreaming if you think I'd ever do that. If you truly want me, then you're the one who has to fight for me, not the other way around,” challenged Amber with a scornful expression.

Both of Amber's parents looked panicked, trying to get her to stop crushing their daydream.

“I'm just conveying my family's tradition. If you don't accept it, then I can't do anything about it. I guess my efforts all this time have been in vain,” concluded Glenn. He set down his glass and started to rise from his seat, Mr. and Mrs. Steel looking anxious.

“Glenn, please sit a while longer. Amber isn't in her right mind. My wife will persuade her for you. Meanwhile, how about we discuss business? I have an interesting proposal for you,” persuaded John, wetting his lips with his tongue. 

The bald man with a fat belly stared at Glenn like a wolf eyeing its prey. Glenn knew the "company" referred to by Amber's father was a fictional enterprise. The old man was caught up in huge debts due to his persistent gambling habits. 

In the past, Glenn had turned a blind eye and always accepted his father-in-law’s requests, but the situation was different now. Glenn didn't want to be someone who could be easily squeezed and duped.

“Sorry, Mr. Steel, I can't help you. Father doesn't allow me to talk about business right now because I'm not ready. However, it's a different matter if Amber and I get married. Then, you will be considered family because what I have will also belong to Amber,” Glenn concluded.

Hearing this, Mr. and Mrs. Smith exchanged excited glances. Glenn knew that his in-laws were now considering the possibilities if they were to become part of the Smith family. 

Luxury, boundless wealth, a life of extravagance, inclusion in high society, and respectful glances wherever they went. 

In his heart, Glenn smirked with pleasure, successfully setting a spider web trap that would ensnare the three of them.

“Well, that sounds delightful. Ahem, I mean, I will explain to Amber to reconsider your conditions, Glenn. My daughter may be a bit stubborn, but I'm sure she loves you very much, isn't that right, Amber?” Mr. Steel suddenly probed.

"Dad! Are you crazy? Being a servant for 6 months for a man like him? Unacceptable!" rejected Amber, unwilling, folding her arms across her chest, glaring at Glenn with a disgusted look.

"Just go home, I will never lower myself for a lazy and ugly man like you, you won't ever be able to buy me with the wealth of those arrogant parents of yours," Amber added.

Mr. and Mrs. Steel’s face fell upon hearing their child's response; their dream of becoming a part of the Smith family, the wealthiest and most respected family in Eagertown, shattered.

Offended by Amber's remarks about his father and mother, Glenn retorted. 

"I can take your insults towards me, but towards my parents? You've crossed a line. No matter how beautiful you are, it's all in vain if you can't respect them. You think too highly of yourself; I can find hundreds of women like you anywhere, bitch."

Glenn's words left Amber gaping, never expecting the usually submissive man to respond in such a manner. She thought Glenn would plead for her attention as he usually did. 

'What's happened to this man? He seems … different,' thought Amber. 

Meanwhile, Glenn left Amber's house at that moment, unimpeded by them. He had dropped a bomb, waiting for it to explode. He knew Amber's parents would surely persuade their daughter to meet that insane condition to be accepted as a Smith family-in-law.

For now, Glenn wanted to play hard to get, to see how far Amber would go to find him again, so he shut off all access from Amber, including phone calls and his social media.

'Let's see how far you'll embarrass yourself by begging for my attention again,' thought Glenn with a wide smile. Driving his latest model Mercedes-Benz towards the city center, there was something he wanted to do to change the situation.

Glenn arrived at a barbershop owned by a family acquaintance, an exclusive one with top-notch barbering. They warmly welcomed Glenn and offered him a seat.

"Same as usual?" asked Fred, the barber who usually attended to him.

Glenn stared at the large mirror in front of him, noticing his unruly hair and unkempt beard. Usually, he'd just ask for a trim, but now he wanted to be someone different.

"Tell me, Fred, can you give me a makeover? I need to get rid of this beggar-like look," Glenn requested.

"Oh, I can't wait to do it, Sir! Trust me on this. I'll make you someone different; I'll call this treatment as 'from rags to riches.' You won't regret it," Fred gleamed happily at Glenn’s request, he had been longing for this moment for so long, and now that moment finally came.

"Of course, I trust you," Glenn replied. He knew Fred and believed in the man's abilities. Many famous celebrities had used his services for a makeover and ended up successfully.

Glenn spent the entire evening at Fred's salon. Fred was working hard and restless towards him, until when it's all over, he didn't even recognize himself when he looked in the mirror. 

With a clean look and the gentleman's haircut style Fred had given him, he appeared as a completely different man. His handsome face, previously hidden behind unkempt hair and a shaggy beard, now emerged. Even Fred whistled when he saw the transformation.

"Now you can charm any girl you like, Glenn. But of course, if you get rid of this old professor style you've got going," Fred commented sharply on Glenn's appearance, wearing an oversized sweater, thick glasses, and baggy trousers.

"Any recommendations?" Glenn inquired, agreeing with Fred's assessment.

Fred snapped his finger in excitement, "You're asking the right person. I'll call up my acquaintance and have them bring in their entire collection to make you look perfect," Fred promised.

Glenn entrusted his makeover to Fred, allowing Fred's magic to work on him.

***

The next day on campus, all the women's eyes were fixed on him as he stepped out of his car, whispering and awestruck as he passed by. He even overheard their whispers.

"Who's that hot guy? Is he a celebrity?"

"Damn! He's so handsome! Am I dreaming? I think an angel just descended to Earth."

Not only were the women enchanted, even the male students looked at him closely, muttering in envy. Glenn felt on top of the wind, regretting why he hadn't done this earlier when he had the resources. 

He used to think that appearance wasn't important, he now didn't want to repeat the same mistake. In the end, people would respect you if you had everything: wealth, popularity, and a pretty face. 

Glenn noticed Amber, gaping at him without blinking as he passed by. 

"Oh my Holy Lord! Wait, this perfume... I recognize it so much. Are you Glenn Smith?" Amber asked hesitantly, not believing her own words. 

Glenn had indeed mentioned it was a special perfume ordered by his family, something that wouldn't be owned by anyone else in the world. Apparently, Amber remembered that too.

"Yes, Amber, what's up? I have a class to attend shortly," Glenn asked, glancing at his watch. From his demeanor, Glenn seemed reluctant to engage with Amber. 

Amber felt offended. 

Glenn, who never used to belittle her, especially prioritizing lectures, remembered vividly that Glenn was the laziest at studying. That's why she grew increasingly averse to Glenn, seeing him as a lazy man relying solely on his parents' wealth. 

Who was this man standing in front of her now, Amber wondered, surprised.

"Oh, it's okay. I just wanted to know if you could accompany me after this? There's a car exhibition—"

"No, find another man you can turn into a puppet, Amber. I'm not interested anymore," Glenn replied firmly, leaving Amber right then, leaving her with her mouth agape.

The rejection echoed in the ears of all the students who witnessed it, and she felt humiliated. That foolish man, Glenn, dared to embarrass her in public!