I shook with rage, my entire body trembling as I grabbed onto Vanessa’s ankle, desperation overtaking me.
Without thinking, I slammed my head hard in Keith's direction
"I’m sorry, Mr. Turner, it’s my fault," I choked out, my voice strained with emotion. "I sincerely apologize to you. I ruined your reputation. I’m not even human..."
I kept banging my head against the cold, hard floor, the impact growing weaker with each hit. Blood pooled underneath me, staining the ground.
Only then did Keith let out a cold, satisfied hum.
"Enough. This place reeks of blood now. Disgusting!" he sneered. "Don’t blame me if you end up killing yourself with all that banging!"
Before I could understand what was happening, a male reporter hurried toward me, eyes blazing with fury. Without hesitation, he punched me directly in the face, unleashing his raw and unrestrained anger.
Furious, he jabbed a finger at me and shouted, "You’re shameless! You couldn’t even take care of your own daughter, and now you’re blaming her death on the coach? You think the teacher failed to educate your child?! Do you have no conscience?!"
As soon as his words cut through the air, the room exploded with outrage.
"We thought this guy had been wronged, that he wanted justice for his daughter. But turns out, he’s just an idiot who spoiled his own kid! He killed her and now wants to drag everyone down with him. A guy like this doesn’t deserve to be a father!"
"I’ve heard of men like him. All they do is whine and ruin everything. I see it now. Not only is he a fool, but he killed his own flesh and blood! A person like that deserves to die!"
The crowd grew more heated, their voices louder and angrier.
Some of them threw their cameras aside and lunged at me. Fists and feet swung from all directions, and the pain became overwhelming.
Through the chaos, I caught a glimpse of Keith.
He looked at me with a twisted, malicious smile, his lips barely moving as he whispered to me, "Keith, this isn’t over. I’ve got a little surprise for you..."
A wave of unease washed over me, and I started scanning the crowd for Vanessa, panic rising in my chest.
When I finally spotted her, I pushed myself toward her, using every last bit of strength I had left.
I reached out and weakly grabbed her wrist.
"Vanessa, please…go check on my mom! Hurry, I’m begging you! Do it for the sake of our marriage..."
Before I could finish, Vanessa’s assistant rushed in, panic clear on his face.
He looked down at me, his eyes expressing a mix of pity and uncertainty.
"Ms. James, Mrs. Crawford…she’s gone..."
The hand I had clenched around Vanessa’s wrist went limp. I stumbled to my feet, gathering the last of my strength, and charged straight at Keith.
Filled with fury, I threw a punch at his face.
"Keith, I’ve already apologized! Why won’t you let me go? What did my mom do wrong?! I know it’s you! You killed her!"
Keith’s eyes gleamed with a twisted sense of pride, his voice cracking, though it was forced.
"Vanessa, why does Gabriel blame me for everything? How could I kill his mother? I’ve been with you the whole time..."
His words hit me like a punch to the gut.
I gagged, disgust choking me. I wiped my mouth, my hands trembling, and focused on Keith with every ounce of strength I had. I raised my arm to strike again, but before I could move, Vanessa grabbed my collar from behind.
Then, with deliberate malice, she kicked me hard in the lower back.
Six months ago, I had just undergone spinal surgery. Vanessa knew that and targeted that area on purpose.
I collapsed to the floor as a sharp pain shot through my back like fire.
Vanessa stepped closer, pressing her foot down on my head. Her eyes, colder than anything I’d ever seen, looked down at me as if I were nothing.
"Gabriel, when are you gonna quit?" she sneered, her voice sharp. "Your mom was in the ICU for three months, hanging on by a thread the whole time. And now you're still trying to pin this on Keith?"
Vanessa added, her voice dripping with disdain, "Keith was with us the whole time. Not just me, but everyone here can vouch for that. Why can't you just let it go? Gabriel, you're seriously disgusting."
