Chapter 4

Ethan pulled out his phone and called Lauren.

She answered after only a few rings.

"Hey, honey. What's wrong?"

The familiar voice coming through the speaker made everything click.

While I was overseas these past few years, the two of them had already gotten together.

I let out a cold laugh, my heart growing colder by the second.

Back then, I had rejected the marriage my family had arranged so I could be with her. When she decided to pursue her career, I personally helped her climb all the way to the position of CEO.

And this was how she repaid me?

"Lauren, you've really gone too far. I suggest you come get your lover right now, or you both are going to regret what happens next."

My voice was filled with hatred. That was probably why she didn't recognize me.

After a brief silence, her voice turned sharp.

"Who do you think you're talking to? I'm the CEO of Nova Group. One phone call, and I can make sure no reputable company in Riverton will ever hire you again. You still think you can threaten me?"

Ethan whined into the phone. "Exactly! This idiot is still accusing me of being your lover. Everyone knows I'm the only man you've ever been with!"

Lauren's voice softened. "Don't worry, honey. I'm coming over right now. I'll make him pay."

I clenched my fists and let out a bitter laugh.

She was too busy to pick me up from the airport, yet one call from Ethan was all it took to make her come running.

After hanging up, he tapped the baton against my cheek with a grin.

"I thought you were supposed to be such an important friend. My wife didn't even recognize you!"

He and his men closed in around me, their expressions growing increasingly menacing.

"Everyone, teach this homewrecker a lesson!"

Each man gripped a baton as they closed in. The security guards were surrounded and could no longer intervene.

The crowd gathered again, and one of Ethan's men even started a livestream to attract more viewers.

#NovaGroupCEOHusbandExposesHomewrecker

#HomewreckerExposed

The two hashtags dominated the searches.

I made one last attempt to reason with him, glaring straight at him.

"I'm warning you. Stop right now. If Lauren sees what you've done to me, she won't let you off the hook. Everything she has today is because of me!"

Ethan laughed mockingly.

"Oh? Still talking tough when you're about to get beaten?"

He sneered. "Let's see if you're still talking when we're done with you."

One of his men swung the baton into the back of my leg.

My face went pale as I collapsed, cold sweat breaking out across my body.

Ethan kept striking the same spot, each blow sending waves of pain through me.

After several hits, I could barely stay conscious.

Yet he stood proudly in front of the camera, looking righteous.

"Today, I'm standing up for everyone who's ever been betrayed. This homewrecker is going to get what's coming to him!"

The livestream audience skyrocketed. Comments flooded the screen.

"Serves him right! Finally, someone's standing up for themselves instead of quietly packing up and leaving. Mr. Parker is our role model!"

"My wife cheated on me too. Someone at the scene, hit the bastard a few times for me!"

Ethan spotted the comment immediately.

"My friend! I'll take care of it for you."

Another blow came down.

My vision suddenly blurred.

The men finally began to panic when they saw the blood.

"He… He's bleeding! Should we call the ambulance?"

Ethan, however, looked at me coldly.

"So what if he dies? A worthless bastard like him isn't worth a damn to me."