The bitterness gnawed at my heart, urging me to escape. But no sooner had I reached the backyard than I was surrounded by a crowd.
“You, son of murderers, we finally found you. Why are you still alive?”
It was the victims from before. How had they tracked me down so quickly? Before I could even react, fists and curses rained down mercilessly.
I lost track of time. Eventually, the leader spat on me and strode away. I staggered to my feet, only to find Gabriel looming over me, looking down with feigned concern.
“Brother Ethan, does it hurt?”
“I didn’t want to tell them you were here,” he said, “but they begged me on their knees. I couldn’t refuse. I promised to spare your life—after all, you’re still my benefactor.”
I looked up, disgusted by the fake sympathy plastered across his face. I shot back angrily,
“This is how you repay your benefactor? Don’t forget—if it weren’t for me, you’d have starved to death!”
He laughed coldly, waving off the crowd and stepping hard on my foot.
“Benefactor? Bah, that’s a joke. You never let me see a prescription, even after three years of hard labor. You treated me like free labor for the Cole family. Since you see me as less than human, I’ll show you what it feels like to be looked down upon.”
“You should know all my prescriptions came from Vivian. How does it feel to be betrayed by the closest person in your life?”
“Oh, and by the way, your ‘immortal’ parents said I have a bad heart and can’t be a real doctor. I just tweaked their antidote a little—and now their legacy is despised by everyone since their deaths!”
His words cut too deep. I couldn’t hold back any longer. I lunged and pinned him to the ground, desperate to vent the pain of five years.
But before I could strike, Vivian arrived with security guards and grabbed me firmly.
She helped Gabriel up gently, worry etched on her face as she checked his wounds. Then, her eyes flashed cold as she stared at me.
“Ethan, what right do you have to hit him?”
“He’s no longer an apprentice of the Cole family, yet you actually—”
Her words were cut off by Gabriel’s anguished cries.
“Vivian, it’s my fault. I saw someone making things difficult for Brother Ethan and came to help, but I didn’t expect he’d think those people were sent by me.”
“Forget it. This isn’t the first time he’s misunderstood me.”
But Gabriel’s words didn’t ease Vivian’s expression; her eyes grew colder.
“People are kind enough to help you, yet you repay them with pettiness. I’ve been too good to you—too good. You forget the Cole family’s long bankruptcy.”
“Throw him out. Don’t let him in until the press conference is over.”
She supported Gabriel and started to leave.
I glared at her retreating back, fury burning hotter.
“You’ve been ‘good’ to me? Vivian, explain why none of my patent applications have been approved these five years, while his company rises step by step!”
Vivian staggered but didn’t look back.
“If you can’t handle it, don’t make excuses. I sold countless assets to support you. Did I ever blame you? Ethan, go home—don’t make me regret marrying you.”
Regret? Vivian, you won’t regret it for long.
The security guards dragged me out the door like a dog, and I fell hard on the ground.
Ignoring the pain, I picked myself up, straightened my disheveled clothes, stared toward the door, and dialed my phone.
“It’s time. You can come now.”
Then, I packed my things and left the divorce agreement in plain sight in the living room.
Just as I uploaded all the evidence online while boarding, I pulled out my phone’s SIM card. On the other hand, Gabriel stood on stage, recounting his journey to wealth.
“Next, I will reveal the latest research breakthroughs of the Ford Group, which are—”
Suddenly, the door burst open. A group of serious-faced people entered.
Gabriel frowned, clearly annoyed.
“Who are you? Don’t you know where this is? Get out now, or don’t blame me for being rude!”
Unfazed, the leader signaled, and the person beside him stepped forward.
“This is a court summons. Our company is suing you for stealing Mr. Ethan’s patent. You are required to appear in court.”
