Chapter 3

It was the third day of the livestream, and it commenced with a "surprise" Ella had organized for me.

In the aftermath of the previous night's chaos, the entire internet rallied behind Ella in sympathy, while I was branded as a domestic abuser and a toxic husband.

Ella walked into the hospital ward carrying a finely crafted box. She was followed by a swarm of reporters who had been livestreaming her for several days straight.

She opened the box to reveal the newest model of smart orthopedic rehab shoes. "I got something for you, Zack. I heard these could really help your recovery, so I had someone buy them from abroad. Why don't you give them a try and see if they're comfortable, Zack?"

She smiled gently and pleadingly, as if the pain of the previous day had never left its mark.

In that instant, the comment section in the livestream was bombarded with heartwarming reactions.

"Oh, my God! She's still thinking of her husband, even after getting hurt that badly the previous day!"

"Where would you ever find another wife like her? Zack really doesn't know how lucky he is!"

"I mean, just because he has some money doesn't give him the right to treat her like trash."

Upon seeing my reaction, Jane brushed away her tears and informed the reporters. "Those shoes cost a fortune—over tens of thousands of dollars! Ella pawned her last few pieces of jewelry just to afford them. She's completely broke now!"

I cast a cold gaze at the shoes and stated flatly, "I don't want them. Take them away."

After saying that, I awkwardly maneuvered the electric wheelchair to head toward the rehabilitation center alone. I accidentally crashed into Henry, who was holding his phone to take a close-up shot, while turning. I sent his phone flying; it hit the floor with a loud snap, and the screen broke into a web of cracks.

"Damn! That's my brand-new phone!" Henry yelled dramatically. He lashed out and kicked my wheelchair in a fit of rage. "Have you gone blind or something?"

He kicked my wheelchair hard, causing it to swerve and tip toward the ground.

"Zack!" Ella yelled, lunging forward and throwing her slender body between me and the wheelchair. Her back collided hard with the cold metal railing. I heard a muffled thud.

She brushed off the pain, rushing to check on me first. "Are you alright, Zack? Do you feel any discomfort?"

She then winced through the pain and bent down to steady the wheelchair that had been kicked askew after ensuring that I was unharmed.

Henry was still grumbling and cursing on the side. "Zack is just a cripple who can't even move. Why are you so worked up, Ella? How annoying! He ruined my limited edition phone!"

He grabbed his phone and strode off without a backward glance.

In the hospital ward, only Ella remained. She pushed through the intense pain. Her face was drenched in sweat, while she checked and fixed the damaged wheelchair.

In the meantime, the condemnation of Henry and me in the comments section hit an all-time high in the livestream.

"These cousins are pure evil."

"How could you still care about that horrible husband of yours when your hand injury is that bad? How could you be so foolish, Ella?"

"Zack is a cripple who only torments his wife, while Henry is a complete nutcase who kicks his own crippled cousin. Their entire family is messed up!"

"How suffocating! You should just run away, Ella! That husband and cousin-in-law of yours aren't worth your time!"

It was then that the usually impartial reporters couldn't help but ask, "Do you really not feel any gratitude for your wife, considering how well she treats you, Mr. Fuller?"

I stared at the man who spoke, then looked directly into the lens of the camera positioned behind him. I smiled maliciously before replying, "I don't."

It was then that a lawyer, accompanied by several men in business suits, entered the room.

That lawyer, Josh Zimmerman, stated formally, "Mr. Fuller, per the stock pledge agreement signed by your cousin, Mr. Lund, his failed investments have caused a total liquidity crisis. Thus, the 51% controlling interest of the Fuller Group held in your name is being seized by the creditors."

He paused briefly before adding, "Your bills for this VIP suite are overdue, so you'll be moved to a standard ward effective immediately. Your villa, which you've been living in, has been mortgaged and put up for auction, so you'll have to vacate within three days, Mr. Fuller."

In that instant, a dead silence fell over the hospital ward. Ella appeared depleted of all vitality as she slumped to the floor with a vacant expression. She stared at me. Her expression was thick with bewilderment as she asked, "Is this the outcome you desired, Zack?"

I stared back at her, feeling no remorse at all, and let out my first smile since regaining consciousness. "It's the outcome you desired, Ella. I've walked away with nothing. Is this enough for you now?"