Chapter 4

I rushed without pause to Grandpa's place. At the doorstep, all I saw were vandalized walls and piles of garbage. The stench was so overpowering I nearly passed out.

Holding my breath, I pushed the door open. Inside, the familiar rooms were almost untouched. I hurriedly opened the boxes where Grandpa kept his treasured medals.

Alongside them were Dad's badge and photos of him with Mom. Tears blurred my vision as I carefully gathered those precious items into my arms.

Then, my phone vibrated. It was a notification from the surveillance camera in my study. I opened it and saw Whitney and Nathan in there.

They weren't looking for anything in particular. Instead, their clothes were disheveled and undone as he carried her onto my desk. That was my workstation, yet it had now become one of their impromptu spots.

All I felt was a boiling disgust.

"I'm so sorry to let you stay married to that man for so many years, Whitney," Nathan said in between gasps, then crushed his lips into hers.

Whitney shook her head. "Don't be sorry. You were with me all this time, weren't you? I'm happy enough that I get to see you every week."

As she spoke, she straightened her posture and leaned toward him. "You know, I only ever have feelings for you. I never let him touch me."

Their bodies then intertwined.

"We'll be together at last once you get divorced, right?" he asked eagerly.

She nodded shyly. "Right."

Whitney didn't hesitate in her answer. My heart shattered into pieces.

I had begged her countless times to have a child with me, but every time, she had brushed me off with work. Once, she even told me to be a stay-at-home husband.

Now, I understood. It wasn't that she didn't want children—she didn't want my children.

My heart throbbed painfully as I shook, forcing my hand to save the video. I didn't want to watch the scenes, but I gritted my teeth and endured the nausea to preserve the evidence.

They were getting their thrills in my study, completely unaware that they were handing me proof on a silver platter.

Hours passed by. When I changed my clothes and stepped outside, I surprisingly found Nathan and Whitney waiting downstairs. Their faces were twisted into cruel smiles.

"What are you going to do to me next, kiddo? Your grandpa's already been taken away. Aren't you scared?"

Seeing their malicious expressions, I became more cautious. "Where exactly have you taken Grandpa?"

"Oh, relax. We followed the proper protocol. Considering the damage he caused, he's been sent to prison."

I knew the people who showed up weren't real police, but with Whitney's influence, sending Grandpa to prison was far from impossible.

I stared at her. "What exactly do you want? Hasn't he been nice enough to you? Are you really trying to kill him?"

Whitney laughed coldly. "Harlan, I warned you long ago. As long as you admit your mistake, I'll let that old geezer go. No matter what, I won't allow anyone to hurt Nate."

She glanced smugly at Nathan, who jumped in brazenly. "Harlan, is it? Do you think all of this was just a coincidence? Whitney's my woman. Even if it weren't your grandpa, it would've been you sooner or later."

So, all of this had been a setup since the very beginning. Their only goal had been to destroy my family.

I was furious beyond measure. "If you didn't like me, you could've just not married me. You didn't have to do this, Whitney!"

She argued, "Do you have any idea how much I had to endure all these years to seize control of the company? If it weren't for your weak and easy-to-manipulate background, I wouldn't have ever chosen you."

She clenched her teeth, her eyes full of contempt and hatred. "I worked myself to the bone for this, so I suggest you admit that you and that old geezer tried to extort us. Otherwise, the consequences will be painful."

As she spoke, I turned and ran. I even grabbed whatever I could and hurled it back at them as I fled. Immediately, I hailed a cab and went straight to the military district.

There, I pulled the medals Grandpa had treasured out from my pockets and dropped to my knees before the guard on duty.

"My grandfather was a Crimson Warrior. He's a veteran of the Northern Aid Campaign! He was beaten until his legs were crippled by an unethical internet star. Now, they've even sent him to prison. I have no power to fight them!"

My voice broke, but I continued pleading, "Please, I'm begging you, save my grandpa! Restore his good name!"