While the doctor was bandaging my wound, I finally got a call from my childhood friend, Sue Sylvester.
"I walked around the shop where Cynthia bought her croissants. It was pretty interesting," she reported on the other end.
I immediately felt better and replied, "The court hearing is in seven days. Thanks for all the hard work. I'll triple your fee."
"Hmph, do you think this detective is short of money? After I help you with this, all I ask is that you grant me one wish," Sue said with a laugh.
"Deal," I agreed without hesitation, since I trusted Sue's skills as a famous private investigator.
Seven days would be enough time for me to secure my position on the show.
The news that I was divorcing Cynthia spread fast among friends and family and soon everyone started criticizing me.
[You jerk! My cousin didn't even mind that you're a total hick, but you're making trouble instead. You're truly sick!]
[Divorcing over a box of croissants? Has greed blinded you? Or did you hit your head? Are you worthy of the Scotts' care all these years?]
[Don't let me see you, or I'll definitely punch you!]
[Jerk! Bastard! Shameless! Just die!]
Each word was more ruthless than the last. I just let those people bombard me with insults.
In the end, I ignored them. I spent the night in the small room at my chicken restaurant and got up the next morning to work as usual.
When my employees arrived, they looked at me with clear disdain. I pretended not to notice.
Not long after, Cynthia came with Jackson.
"Honey, how's the wound on your head? Does it still hurt? Jackson and I came to apologize. We even made your favorite crab soup."
She handed me the thermos with concern, then pleaded sweetly, "Hubby, please don't be angry anymore, okay?"
Smack!
I raised my hand and knocked the thermos away. The soup splattered onto the floor instantly.
Cynthia was shocked by this situation and soon began to cry bitterly.
Behind her, Jackson glared and tried to argue with me, but she stopped him.
A few employees began whispering.
"I really don't know what the boss was thinking. Just because his wife bought salted egg croissants, he became so aggressive that he threatened to divorce her."
"Yeah, she kept compromising and trying to please him, but it didn't work. He probably has someone else and is using this as an excuse."
"By the way, that adopted younger brother, Jackson, is great. He stood up for the boss's wife yesterday and even fought the boss."
When the customers heard this, their eyes grew increasingly disgusted. They said they never truly knew me, that I only pretended to be a good man but was actually a jerk.
Even so, I stayed cold and kept urging Cynthia to leave.
To my surprise, Jackson suddenly plopped down and knelt before me. "Neil. Please don't blame Cynthia. I was the one who lost my temper and hit you yesterday. If you want to hit me or punish me today, take it out on me!"
Everyone started giving Jackson thumbs-up. They thought he was kind and responsible, while they saw me as irresponsible and overly petty.
Cynthia clenched her fists, clearly hoping I would end it now and stop making a scene.
I quickly turned away with a disgusted expression, grabbed a bucket of water and dumped it all over Jackson.
All of them were shocked.
Cynthia's beautiful eyes widened in disbelief as she shouted, "Neil! Are you crazy? Jackson already knelt before you and you still treat him like this?"
"He deserves it," I said coldly, with no regret on my face.
Cynthia trembled with rage, stumbled back several steps and nearly fell to the floor.
