I Bought the Car, They Took the Credit

"Just give us two hundred thousand dollars as a wedding gift, and we'll call it even."I stared at my phone screen and actually laughed. The shamelessness of that family was almost impressive.I did not reply. I ended the call and blocked her number.…Early the next morning, I was jolted awake by the doorbell ringing nonstop.When I opened the door, a man with an honest, almost timid face stood outside. It was William Shepard."It's me, William," he said quickly."My parents said a lot of nonsense in the family group chat yesterday. I'm here to apologize on their behalf."Um… Could I come in and talk?"Despite how disgusted I was by his family's behavior, I stepped aside and let him in.The moment he sat down on the sofa, he started rubbing his hands nervously."Francis, don't blame my dad. He's just doing this for my own good. My fiancee, Lily, insists on having a decent car as the wedding car. If I don't have one, she won't marry me. I really don't have a choice."Willia

A sharp cracking sound rang out as the watch face shattered into pieces.It was the only thing my grandfather had ever left me.Something inside me finally snapped. I spun around and punched William square in the face."Touch me again and see what happens!"The moment he took that punch, William lost it completely.Seeing her son get hit, Sharon lunged at me at once. Her long, sharp nails clawed viciously at my face. I was not prepared as searing pain ripped across my skin as blood streaked down my cheek.She did not stop there.Like a rabid animal, she clung to me, scratching and biting wildly."You ungrateful thing raised without parents! How dare you lay a hand on my son?! I'll fight you to the death today!"You hit my boy? I'll make you pay with your life!"Hank spat on the ground with venom."A heartless beast like you doesn't deserve to be part of the Shephard family! We took you in out of kindness, and this is how you repay us? Look at you, poor and pathetic!"Lily p

I made my position clear."I'm giving up insurance compensation. I will personally file a criminal case with a civil claim against Hank, William, Lily, and the others."I demand full compensation for the vehicle's purchase price of three million and two hundred thousand dollars, as well as damages for emotional distress and all medical expenses."Not long after, my lawyer's formal notice reached the detention center.When the Shephard family saw the lawsuit amount of three million and two hundred thousand dollars, Sharon's eyes rolled back. She collapsed on the spot, completely terrified.William tried every possible way and finally managed to borrow a phone inside the detention center.The moment the call connected, his voice broke into sobs."F-Francis, my brother! I was wrong! It was all my parents' idea, and Lily's! I was forced into it! I'll bow down to you, anything… Please, just treat me like a dog and let me go!"To save himself, he did not even wait for guidance from m

Lily faced the chaos with nothing more than a cold sneer as she scoffed, "A bunch of delusional idiots. They got exactly what they deserved."The judge struck the gavel several times, issuing stern warnings before the courtroom finally quieted and the farce was brought to a halt.In a solemn, heavy atmosphere, the final verdicts were read aloud."The defendant, Hank Shephard, is convicted of intentional destruction of property and intentional assault. For multiple offenses combined, he is sentenced to seven years of fixed-term imprisonment.""The defendant, Sharon Kass, is convicted of theft and intentional assault, and is sentenced to three years of fixed-term imprisonment.""The defendant, William Shephard, who played a primary role in the joint crime, is convicted of intentional destruction of property and intentional assault, and is sentenced to five years of fixed-term imprisonment.""The defendant, Lily Hansen, is convicted of attempted fraud and defamation, and of inciting

The prison authorities took the matter very seriously.As a result, William was reclassified as a high-risk inmate. Every aspect of his behavior, including his communications and visits, was placed under strict surveillance.He had intended to use one final act of madness to threaten me. Instead, he personally added another heavy lock to an already hopeless path toward sentence reduction.By digging his own grave, he completely erased any possibility of ever leaving those walls early.From that day on, I never received another message from him or from any of them.A clown trapped in his own fantasies and resentment no longer deserved even a single second of my life.…My wedding was held on a sun-drenched afternoon. It was grand, yet warm.During the ring exchange, my father stepped onto the stage and placed a set of luxury car keys into my hand.Smiling, he said, "Francis, this car is yours. From now on, drive wherever you want. Live the life you choose."The applause was th