Chapter 3

In the blink of an eye, Talia planted herself in front of me. She helped Lucas to his feet, his face flushed red, and snapped at me, "Apologize to Lucas right now, Justin!"

The moment I heard that, my whole body shuddered as memories of the past came rushing back. Because I'd put a bit too much salt in a dish, Lucas threw a fit at the dining table, claiming I was jealous of his physique and attempting to make him gain weight. Without a moment's hesitation, Talia had ordered her men to pin me to the ground, treating me like a dog with no dignity whatsoever.

Memories of the past were still fresh in my mind, and I balled my hands into fists until my nails bit into my skin. However, things were different now. I wasn't going to be spineless and allow others to smear my name anymore.

Hence, I scoffed. "In your dreams!"

Joyce, who had been fussing over Lucas, turned around and shrieked at me in utter disappointment, "You're so malicious, and you still refuse to admit you're wrong. I refuse to accept a father like you!"

That wasn't the first time she'd said that. Her delivery had been a perilous one, so I had always treated her tenderly and indulged her unreasonable demands.

However, if she still thought she could use that to threaten me now, she was sorely mistaken. Drinking in her stubborn yet smug face, I responded apathetically, "Suit yourself. It's not like I'm your only father, after all."

The moment the words left my mouth, she went still. In an instant, her lips parted, and her eyes misted over.

The very next second, she snapped and yanked off the amulet from around her neck before hurling it straight into the ocean. "I don't want you anymore! You're a horrible person!" she wailed.

For a moment, I was dumbstruck because I had gotten that amulet for her when she was six. Joyce had always thought it was old-fashioned and refused to wear it, often leaving it lying around the house. Why on earth was she wearing it right against her skin now?

Lucas immediately pulled her into his arms and comforted her. "From now on, I'm your dad, Joy. That lowlife doesn't deserve to be your father!"

He turned to look at me, a sinister glint flashing in his eyes. "Judging by how you're not wearing an entry badge, it means you bought a scalped ticket to get on board, didn't you, Justin? I was going to let you off, but since you have no shame, don't blame me for what happens next!"

Right after saying that, he raised his hand to call the security guards over. I didn't budge.

After all, this cruise ship was registered under my name. It was a gift from Sonya. I would like to see who would dare to lay a hand on me.

The very next second, however, someone hurriedly and firmly pressed his arm down. Talia eyed me with an unreadable look before whispering something in Lucas' ear.

Lucas stared at her in disbelief, his face filled with indignation and resentment. In the end, he reluctantly nodded.

Her expression finally softened. She was about to turn around and tell me something when he threw his arms around her neck and pressed his lips against hers.

Talia froze for a split second and instinctively looked toward me. I, on the other hand, remained unfazed. Her gaze darkened, and she kissed him back passionately.

Just then, my phone suddenly rang.

Before I could answer it, her eyes lit up. Her voice was filled with barely contained excitement. "I can't believe you're still listening to that song!"

I was taken aback. I was about to ask what she meant when I belatedly remembered that this was the song that had brought us together all those years ago.

I had long forgotten that and had set it as my ringtone simply because I liked it. Talia, however, had clearly misunderstood.

Her eyes sparkled, as if she was on the precipice of a confession, yet I paid her no mind and answered the call.

Sonya's gentle, soothing voice came through the phone. "Where are you, Jus? The show's about to start, and we need to go on stage to give our opening speech."

I couldn't help but smile and respond softly, "I'll be right there. Talk to you in a second!"

But before I could wipe the smile from my face, my wrist was suddenly grasped in a vice grip. "Who's that woman?" Talia pressed her red lips into a thin line, her eyes burning like an active volcano on the verge of erupting.

After all the twists and turns that day, I was officially at my limit. Thus, I decisively flung her hand away, turned around, and strode away.

Lucas caught Talia before she could chase after me and mocked me loudly, "See? He's running away because he's guilty. Why else would he be in such a hurry to leave? Forget that dumbass, Talia!"

Their voices gradually faded behind me, and I couldn't even be bothered to look back at them.