Chapter 4

The venue exploded. My ears filled with discussion and the clicking of camera shutters.

[Wallace has been completely ruined by those people. Relying on his family background to keep harassing Dr. Kelly—how disgusting.]

[If he hadn't smashed that wine bottle yesterday and ruined the wedding, Dr. Joel, who'd been in an underground relationship, probably wouldn't have exposed this.]

My throat felt like it was burning. I struggled but couldn't speak a word.

Couldn't speak the truth. Couldn't say that the one in an underground relationship was actually me.

Kelly appeared beside me at some point, speaking lightly:

"Things have come to this. Just apologize."

"Since your reputation is already ruined, at least protect Joel. I keep my promises."

I paused for a long moment before forcing out a voice:

"He deliberately leaked my photos and destroyed my reputation, and you still want me to apologize?"

Kelly shook her head disapprovingly:

"Joel was just protecting himself. What did he do wrong?"

"Besides, these things are all true. It's not like he made them up. If you want to blame someone, blame your own bad luck."

Anger, humiliation, and an indescribable hatred churned in my chest.

I could barely stand. Just as I was about to argue back, a cold voice stopped me.

"Wallace, is what they're saying true? Have you been coming between Dr. Joel and Kelly all this time?"

Before finishing the sentence, Dad clutched his chest. Like someone had pulled out his bones, his expression twisted in pain as he collapsed.

Mom screamed: "Benjamin!"

I couldn't care about anything else. I rushed over, but before I could get close, a slap left me dazed.

My mom pointed at me with a trembling finger: "This is all your fault! If not for you, how would your father have an attack!"

After cursing at me, she turned and desperately grabbed Kelly's pant leg:

"Kelly! Kelly! Please, save Benjamin!"

Kelly didn't move or speak. She just stared at me quietly.

Joel deliberately added: "Forget it, Kelly. I won't hold Wallace's foolish actions against him. Just save Benjamin."

Kelly looked at him, her tone gentle: "No. Wallace must publicly apologize and admit he's the third party, or else your reputation and future will be ruined. I can't bear that."

She couldn't bear to see his reputation tarnished but was willing to personally push me into hell.

"Wallace, what are you waiting for? Wait any longer and your father will be gone."

Mom seemed suddenly awakened by those words.

She grabbed my hair, trying to force me to apologize.

"Say it! Are you really going to watch your father die?"

Looking at Dad's pale, bluish face, I knew I couldn't delay any longer.

I swallowed the metallic taste in my throat and forced out the words through gritted teeth:

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have destroyed someone else's relationship."

As soon as I spoke, someone loudly objected.

"You caused Dr. Joel to be cyberbullied, and you think one 'sorry' is enough? If you're sincere, get on your knees and slap yourself!"

The surrounding people echoed in agreement. Kelly said nothing, as if giving permission.

Mom was beside herself with anxiety. Seeing me motionless, she kicked me and slapped me hard twice.

"Get on your knees! Hit yourself! Your father's life depends on you!"

She hit me while wiping away tears, her voice shaking terribly.

I looked at her, then at my father foaming at the mouth.

Slowly I closed my eyes, raised my hand, and slapped myself again and again.

My face and heart were numb. I felt no pain.

Only ice-cold liquid fell at my feet, dripping.

The next second, a dragon-headed cane suddenly fell from mid-air, hitting Kelly square on the head.

A cold, authoritative voice suddenly rang out:

"Kelly! Get out of this hospital with your lover! Get out of this family!"

"From today on, Wallace is my grandson and the heir to my estate!"