Chapter 3

Surprise flashed in Clark’s eyes, and he clenched his fists.

Layla had stayed silent all this while, and she finally said, “Enough, Clark. Head home first. I’ll get to the bottom of this.”

He trembled and looked up with disappointment in his eyes. “Even now, you still want to be biased toward him?!”

Clark teared up again.

He fixed his eyes on me, and his eyes were like those of an aggressive, small beast. When he spoke, his voice was calm, but it was laced with burning resentment.

“That debit card isn’t with me. Where did it go? Rowan, I’ve already accepted that you stole my mother from me and broke my family apart. I’m also accepting the fact that Mom is still protecting you even after all that I said.

“But I’m already debasing myself so much. Why are you still trying to get rid of me while even denying me my monthly allowance? What exactly are you trying to do? I’m not even trying to fight for Mom with you.”

It was like a bomb had exploded.

His tearful accusations stirred up a huge commotion.

Layla stiffened up, and her eyelashes fluttered. Regret flashed in her eyes.

The emotions in the crowd’s gazes were even clearer. They were all filled with disdain and scorn.

“He went overboard. Does he really have to corner the boy like that?”

“Doesn’t he find this ridiculous? Clark is the son of a rich family, but a freeloader abused him so badly…”

“He’s so arrogant. I think his ego got too inflated because of Miss Marsh’s love, and that’s why he has become self-important.”

Amid the harsh, mocking insults, I clenched my fists and sucked in a deep breath.

“Sorry, but I won’t become the scapegoat. When I got to know Miss Marsh, she had already been divorced for three years—”

But before I could finish speaking, Clark got so worked up that he grabbed a flute of champagne and threw it at me. “Enough! Stop trying to defend yourself!”

He shouted as tears rolled down his cheeks.

The champagne slid down my forehead. I stood still, despite looking pathetic, and I shut my eyes.

Layla had never pulled a long face at me before, but she was standing by the side while looking at me with a cold expression.

Suddenly, she brushed aside my fringe. Her movements were gentle, but her voice was as cold as ice, and the anger burning underneath came at me like a storm. “Rowan, I thought that you were different from the others.”

At that moment, I felt as if I had been punched in the gut.

I froze, and my eyes stung.

Just then, as if Clark was on the verge of breaking down, he started shouting again, “Why do you keep trying to attack me?! Are you really going to be satisfied only after I die?! Fine! I’ll die, then!”

Then, with crazed eyes, he charged at a pillar.

“Clark!”

“Clark!”

The hall descended into chaos. Surprised shouts rose and fell, while cameras flashed.

Only I remained standing still.

I watched as Layla rushed over to help Clark up after he crashed into the pillar. There was anxiety on her face as she cried out his name. The people were all looking at me in blatant disdain.

As Layla shielded Clark, I saw him grinning in a manner like the cat that had gotten the mouse.

Suddenly, I found the entire thing boring.

I went to block Layla’s path.

She turned her gaze toward me in disbelief, and there was a terrifyingly cold look in her eyes.

“Move! Are you only going to stop after you kill him?” she roared.

But I remained still. When I looked up, I spoke in a calm but unyielding voice. For the first time, I went against her.

“Before I make myself clear today, none of you are leaving.”