Chapter 3

I immediately called Caitlin.

The phone rang for a long time before she finally picked up. Loud, chaotic music blared in the background, and her voice came through, laced with impatience.

"What now? Still mad? I bought a new bag, so I’m in a much better mood. I’ll allow you to come home tonight. Sleep on the couch."

I took a slow breath. "Caitlin, the report about my project. Was that you and Jackson?"

There was a brief silence on the other end.

Then Jackson’s arrogant laughter rang out. "Looks like you’re not completely stupid, Cameron. But hey, I’m just making a righteous report and keeping you from going down a criminal path.

"If you behave and transfer the house to Caitlin, and give me another half a million as hush money, I’ll withdraw the report.

"Otherwise? Illegal bribery, unfair competition… You can start preparing for prison."

I let out a cold laugh. Adding her name to the property and half a million in cash. They really planned to strip me down to nothing.

"Jackson, that’s extortion."

"Oh? Trying to scare me?" His tone only grew more brazen. "Then go ahead. Call the police. But I’ve got something even more interesting in my hands.

"Like those photos of you entertaining clients at clubs to secure deals… Once it’s proven you cheated, you’ll be left with nothing after the breakup. Then the house, the car, the money… it’ll all belong to Caitlin and me.

"And as her closest male best friend, of course, I’ll be the one ‘helping’ her manage it."

Every word made my blood run colder. The woman I had loved for three years was now working with a lowlife like him to set me up.

I inhaled deeply. "Caitlin, is this what you want too?"

Her voice turned icy. "Cameron, don’t blame me. When men get rich, they change. I need control over the finances to feel secure.

"Jackson’s been tight on money lately. He owes some high-interest loans. You’re his bro, aren’t you? Helping him out a little shouldn’t be a problem.

"That half a mil? It’s life-saving money to him. To you, it’s just a number. Stop being so selfish."

Selfish?

I worked myself to the bone to earn money, bought her a luxury apartment in the city center, paid for her designer goods, and somehow, I was the selfish one?

"Fine. Great." I laughed, fury boiling over. "Where are you? Let’s talk in person."

"We’re at Nightfall Bar. Booth 63. Bring the property deed and your bank card. Don’t try anything funny."

The call ended.

I pulled up the hidden surveillance footage from the apartment over the past three years.

Back then, I had installed them for security—tiny cameras tucked into corners of the living room, the study.

Last night’s scene and whatever they had planned today should all be there.

I opened the app on my phone and started replaying the footage. The images were crystal clear.

It wasn’t just last night’s leash game. A few days ago, while I was out, Jackson had sprawled arrogantly across my bed. Caitlin, who was wearing my shirt, fed him grapes. The two of them flirted openly while discussing how to bleed me dry.

"Once that idiot puts my name on the property, we’ll kick him out. Then this place will be our love nest.

"That loser can’t even last in bed. He's done in a few minutes. How is that anything compared to you, Jackson? You’re way more exciting. That collar? God, that was incredible…"

I watched the footage, listened to every filthy word, and the last trace of attachment inside me disappeared completely.

Since they showed me no mercy, I would make sure they lost everything and wished they were dead.