Chapter 3

The average person couldn't possibly imagine the hardships I'd endured—what it was like to go from a wild child fighting stray dogs for food, looked down on by everyone, to where I was today.

All the blood and tears I'd shed over the years had taught me one thing—never show your full hand to anyone. Not even your lover.

From the moment we met, Sarah had simply assumed that I was a somewhat well-off startup founder, and nothing more. Little did she know, the primary investor who had funded her company was me.

Sitting down on the genuine leather couch, I crossed my legs and gave her a long, assessing look.

"Help pay for their house, huh? No problem. I'll personally deliver the money to him in a few days."

At first, Sarah was displeased that I wouldn't just transfer the money to her directly. However, after a moment's thought, she realized she would benefit from this regardless, so it didn't matter how I did it. What was more important to her was whether I could actually fork out that 200 thousand dollars. This would be her chance to see what I was truly worth.

Since she had achieved her goal, a radiant smile spread across her lips. She sat down beside me and reached out to caress my face gently.

"Jonathan, this matter is over now, okay? Next time, don't be so impulsive again. You aren't the only one suffering here—my heart hurts for you too. But if you aren't punished, I'm worried you'll go after Lenard again. I don't want that. After all, Mandy and I are best friends."

In my mind, I sneered. Was she treating me like a pet dog?

…

For the next three days, Sarah never came home, always claiming she was incredibly busy with work.

I finally took the time to pay her a visit at her company, but the receptionist told me Sarah was busy and wasn't seeing any guests.

I pretended to leave, then doubled back, snuck past the reception desk, and swiped my card to enter Sarah's office.

The instant I pushed the door open, I heard Sarah moaning. With light steps, I headed deeper into the office until I stood right outside the door of the adjoining lounge.

Lenard's heavy breathing and grunts were exactly the same as they were in the video from the other day.

"Ah… Sarah, does it feel good? Come on, call me 'hubby'…"

Sarah didn't speak, though her moans sounded like she was trying to hold herself back.

Suddenly, there was the sound of a loud smack—Lenard had slapped her on the ass.

Sarah let out a small scream before whispering shyly, "Ah! H-Hubby…"

Immediately, I felt as though I had been plunged into icy water. My entire body wouldn't stop trembling. Thankfully, I was more than familiar with the dark side of humanity, so it didn't take long for me to calm down.

I retrieved my phone, aimed it at the gap in the door, and pressed record.

After leaving Sarah's company, I contacted a real estate agent to sell our marital home. That place utterly repulsed me now.

I had barely finished the paperwork when I received a message from Sarah.

"Jonathan, there's a reunion with our university classmates at eight o'clock tonight at a bar called Timeless. Since everyone will be there, you can use this opportunity to apologize to Lenard and admit to your mistakes, just like I taught you. After that, you can transfer the 200 thousand dollars to him."

That night, I showed up at the bar on time. When I entered the private room, it was already packed. Sarah and Mandy were sitting beside Lenard, the three of them all smiles as they laughed and talked.

One of our university classmates spotted me and instantly mocked, "Well, well, look who's here!"

The room fell silent as everyone shot me looks of disgust and scorn. At the same time, Sarah's eight bodyguards moved in, swiftly surrounding me. Something was definitely wrong.

I tried to turn back, but one of the bodyguards slammed a punch straight into my abdomen. Spit and bile flew from my lips as I doubled over in pain.

Just like that, I was dragged into the center of the private room, where Mandy welcomed me with a sharp slap across the face.

"Jonathan Goodwell, how dare you frame Lenny! Apologize now, you bastard!"

Following that, the bodyguards forced me to kneel before Lenard, shoving my face toward the floor. Everyone simply watched on indifferently; no one made a sound. Sarah remained silent as well.

It was Lenard who spoke first, his tone dripping with fake grace. "Jonathan, I didn't want things to be like this, but Sarah said you had to face the consequences of your mistake. How about this? Just apologize to me, and I'll forgive you."

Instead of answering, I suddenly lunged forward and headbutted him square in the nose. Blood spurted everywhere.

Lenard clutched his bleeding nose, rage blazing in his eyes. But before he could say anything, Mandy smashed a wine bottle over my head, painting my vision red.

"Jonathan, you're an utter scumbag! Isn't it enough that you have Sarah? How dare you lust after me too?

"Lenny keeps telling me not to go after you because he's worried about my relationship with Sarah. But even now, you refuse to admit what you did and even dare to hurt him! If I don't take revenge for him, I'm not worthy of being his girlfriend!"

Sarah's eyes narrowed. She ordered her bodyguards to pin me down, then approached me, stepping directly onto my face with her high heel. There was a dark, malicious look in her eyes.

"Why can't you just appreciate the chances we're giving you?" she hissed. "After everything I said to you, did nothing get through your thick skull?"

With my eyes bloodshot and my voice raw, I bellowed, "I have proof on my phone!"