Sensing that things were spiraling out of control, Benedict was afraid that Reynold would completely ruin her, so he hastily arranged our marriage.
Originally, I had just completed my PhD and signed a contract to join a prestigious national laboratory. But because of this sudden turn of events, I had no choice but to give it all up.
For the next thirty years, I poured everything I had—my knowledge, my passion, my life—into pharmaceutical research for the Lincoln Family business.
Under my efforts alone, Lincoln Pharmaceuticals rose from being one of Jarethorn’s top ten companies to one of the top three pharmaceutical enterprises in the entire country.
And yet in the end, I was repaid with exhaustion-induced illness, burned alive in flames, dying with not even a grave to mark my existence.
To Metta, this marriage tore her away from the man she loved Reynold.
But to me… wasn’t it also a lifetime of self-sacrifice in the name of repaying kindness?
With that thought, I made my decision.
Looking up at Metta who was still glaring at me with hatred, I calmly opened the door.
“If your heart isn’t in this, then let’s cancel the engagement. Go.”
Metta’s eyes widened in disbelief. She was stunned that those words had come from my mouth.
"You schemed for all these years just to become the Lincoln Family's son-in-law, didn't you? Now that you're so close to getting what you want, there's no way you'd suddenly grow a conscience!"
Seeing the suspicion and guardedness in her eyes, I felt an overwhelming weariness settle in my chest.
In the past, out of gratitude toward the Lincoln Family, I always obeyed Metta without question. I was tolerating everything, to the point of groveling.
Because of Reynold's deliberate slander, Metta and even the entire upper-class circle of Jarethorn, believed I was a scheming social climber, using my adopted son status to cozy up to Metta's parents in hopes of marrying a rich girl and changing my fate.
As long as Metta’s heart belonged to Reynold, nothing I said would ever change her mind. It all just sounded like empty excuses.
I shook my head and gave a bitter smile. “No matter how awful you think I am, I’ve always treated you as family. Even if we can’t be husband and wife, I don’t want to become your enemy.”
Metta froze, her gaze faltering.
For the first time in years, I saw a flicker of that pure expression she used to have as a child.
“Fine, I’ll trust you with this once.”
She slowly stood up and changed into a set of more casual clothes.
With my help, she slipped past the layers of guards stationed around the house and disappeared into the night.
By the time Metta’s father found out, she had already reunited with Reynold. They even posted a video of them kissing passionately on a hotel bed, on her social media.
Furious, Benedict smashed his phone on the spot and had no choice but to announce the postponement of the wedding.
The next day at noon, Metta returned hand-in-hand with Reynold. Her deliberately lowered neckline revealed a trail of hickeys, leaving little to the imagination about how wild their night had been.
“Dad, Reynold and I love each other. We've already sealed the deal and your grandchild might already be on the way. Just give us your blessing!”
She didn't care that I was standing right there. She clung to Reynold, laughing and flirting like they were the happiest couple in the world.
“Metta, you’ve truly lost your mind. Why must you insist on jumping into a pit of fire?”
Benedict’s face was dark with fury, but in the end, he was helpless. He could only turn to Reynold and warn sternly,
“From now on, you’d better straighten up. Stop with your reckless behavior and don’t bring shame to the Lincoln Family.”
Hearing this as an approval, Metta was overjoyed.
But Reynold still wore his usual careless smirk. He glanced sideways at me and sneered, “Since Metta and I are getting married, there’s no reason for an outsider like you to keep staying in this house, right?”
Benedict’s expression shifted. Even Metta looked surprised and tugged at Reynold’s sleeve. “Reynold, that’s not necessary…”
“Not necessary?” Reynold scoffed. “Every time I see his face, I’m reminded of how shamelessly he tried to climb the social ladder by chasing after you. Just that alone makes me sick!”
He shook off Metta’s hand and pointed at me with provocation in his eyes.
“Unless you’re ready to get on your knees right now, act like a dog and swear loyalty to the Lincoln Family for life, don’t expect any mercy. Maybe then I’ll throw you a scrap or two to survive on.”
