Chapter 4

The paramedics arrived, but Celine was a complete mess, clinging to Felix and babbling incoherently. I had no choice but to go with Layla to the hospital as a friend.

After a tense surgery, Layla was out of danger and moved to the ICU.

During that time, Celine didn't show up once. I ran back and forth handling the payments and admission paperwork myself.

My parents scolded Celine for being ungrateful, saying she didn't even care about her own mother, and told me not to bother.

Still, I couldn't just ignore Layla. After 20-plus years as neighbors, I decided to do this one last thing for her.

When Layla was transferred to a regular hospital room, I called Celine to come handle the payment. She agreed over the phone.

I had barely reached the hospital room when a pack of reporters swarmed me, pinning me to the door in a flurry of shoving and shouting.

"What kind of grudge are you holding to justify stabbing a senior citizen like that?''

"Say something! You aren't going anywhere until you tell us the truth!'"

My mind went blank for a second. I looked up at the crowd. Past the frantic mob, I saw Celine and Felix standing there.

I realized immediately that they'd spun the story, making it seem like I had stabbed Layla.

I forced myself to stay calm and explained, "Felix Lindsey stabbed Mrs. Fletcher. I had nothing to do with it."

But no matter what I said, no one believed me.

"Stop shifting the blame! Mrs. Fletcher's daughter and son-in-law saw it with their own eyes. You stabbed Mrs. Fletcher!"

A man in the crowd suddenly lost his temper and kicked me. The pain tore through my ribs.

I struggled to my feet, shouting, "You can ask Mrs. Fletcher herself! She'll tell you who really did it!"

The next moment, the reporters turned the cameras toward the person on the hospital bed.

I looked at Layla, hoping she'd clear my name.

But to my shock, she pointed at me angrily. "It's him. Isaac did it."

My eyes widened in disbelief. I couldn't believe what I just heard. My voice trembled as I asked, "W-Why would you lie?"

All my life, my parents and I had genuinely cared for the Fletchers. I even took care of Layla in the hospital when she was hurt.

Yet at the crucial moment, I was betrayed. My chest ached as if stabbed by a knife.

"Isaac has been shamelessly pursuing Celine, showering her with gifts. But she only loves Felix. Isaac got jealous and tried to stir trouble between them. When I confronted him, he attacked me to vent his rage," Layla said.

Birds of a feather really did flock together. Layla, Celine, and Felix were all experts at twisting the truth.

I had no time to despair. I shouted, "Call the police! Let them investigate! Don't touch me again, or you'll all go to jail!"

Felix was enraged by my words. He ran over and slapped me hard. "You've done all evil things, and now you're threatening us?"

He grabbed my hair and whispered into my ear, "I destroyed all your security footage. There's no proof you're innocent. You're done for, simp."

My face burned from the slap. Then, I remembered I'd given the Fletchers my house code.

While I was away caring for Layla, they'd used the opportunity to destroy evidence in my home.

How vile and shameless!

I turned to leave, but Celine lunged and bit my arm. The pain made me fall to the ground.

She was grinning cruelly. "Isaac, you always preach to me like you're above everyone. Now, you'll see how humiliating it feels to be under someone's heel."

With that, she signaled Felix to attack me. He started punching me repeatedly in the stomach.

"You monster! Mrs. Fletcher treated you like her own son! How could you hurt her?"

I had no strength to fight back and vomited blood from the blows.

Felix pulled out his phone and pointed it at me with a manic smile. "Everyone, look at this simp's face! He couldn't steal my girlfriend, so he stabbed her mother and even tried to frame me! What a twisted man!

"Luckily, we saw through his plan in time. Otherwise, who knows what would've happened? Don't you think he deserves a beating?"

Cheers erupted around me. "Beat him up! I can't stand those clingy simps!"

Wracked with agony, I felt utterly forsaken, with no one left to turn to.

Suddenly, a group of people rushed in.

The leader slammed Celine to the ground and roared, "Even if you destroyed the footage, I can prove Isaac didn't stab your mother!"