Chapter 4

I glared at them with suppressed fury. These bottom-feeders were utterly devoid of basic human decency.

Since they were playing dirty, I had no reason to hold back.

While they were completely absorbed in plundering my place, I pulled out my phone to dial 911.

“Doing the Lord’s work, huh? Perfect—let’s see what the cops have to say about that!” I was raging inside.

Before I could hit call, Julian reached over and snatched my phone, hurling it across the room. The next instant, a vicious, cracking slap landed on my face.

“This should show you how to behave! I’ve had enough of your bullshit!

“If it weren’t for the fact that you’re Chloe’s bestie, I would’ve chopped you up ages ago!

“Calling the cops? You’re begging for this!”

Stars exploded across my vision as blood trickled from the corner of my mouth, my cheek throbbing with white-hot pain.

Just as I was about to bite back, one of the thugs chimed in, suggesting they film my disheveled state and stream it online to humiliate me.

“Great idea. Let’s do it!”

A sickening, cruel smirk spread across Julian’s face. He immediately barked at his men to pin me down while he fired up a livestream on his phone.

Positioning himself in front of the lens, Julian put on a masterclass in playing the victim, twisting the truth and spinning flat-out lies.

He painted me as the toxic best friend who did nothing but poison his wife’s mind against him.

He claimed I corrupted his sweet wife, sending her into habits of smoking, drinking and eventually abandoning him on their anniversary just to celebrate my birthday. And that she went missing after arriving at my place.

To make matters worse, he started fabricating disgusting rumors on the spot, asserting that I was getting paid to sleep around with married men. How else, he argued, could a single young woman afford such a luxury apartment full of high-end collectibles?

The livestream exploded instantly. Shockwaves ripped through the comment section as viewers flooded the chat.

Male viewers immediately showered Julian with sympathy:

“I feel for you, man. Your wife has a shit taste for picking her as a bestie.”

“My girlfriend’s toxic bestie is the bane of my existence. Always brainwashing her, trash-talking me, nearly driving us to a breakup!”

“A toxic bestie is literally public enemy number one for every guy out there!”

Meanwhile, female viewers, green with envy over my lifestyle, threw shade and passive-aggressive insults across the screen:

“Young girls these days have zero shame, playing home-wreckers to buy themselves nice stuff.”

“I know right? No way she earns all of that with a day job. Look at the luxury brands—she’s definitely some rich guy’s plaything!”

“I just loathe side chicks. They should all rot in hell!”

Naturally, a few commenters had even wilder theories:

“Man, you better watch your back. Maybe this girl is obsessed with you and trying to sabotage your marriage so she can have you!”

“For real! Haven’t you heard the saying? Keep your friends close, but away from your man!”

At that, Julian let out a smug chuckle. He grabbed my chin, squeezing hard as his eyes swept over me with disgust.

“Vivian, do you actually have a thing for me?

“Too bad I don’t care for sluts. Chloe told me all about how wild and loose you are. I can’t even imagine your body count.”

I clenched my fists so hard my knuckles turned white.

Chloe really never missed a single chance to throw me under the bus. She was the one sleeping around and living a double life, yet she pinned that reputation onto me.

What an utter fool I was to have ever called her my friend.

Julian’s smug smirk made my stomach churn, and I jerked my head back to break free from his filthy grip.

While he sat there spouting nonsense about me being loose, I couldn’t help but wonder—what kind of pathetic look would land on his face when he found out what Chloe was doing this instant?