Chapter 2

"What's the point of saying such disheartening and shameful things in public, Dominic? You're just going to end up on your knees begging Regina for forgiveness if you upset her. So, why even bother?" Randy Horton, Regina's younger brother, asked with a sneer.

"How about this? Convince your parents to sign over half their company's shares to me, and I'll consider putting in a good word or two for you."

I looked at the beer-bellied, bald, and pasty-faced man before me. He used to be someone I wouldn't even spare a second glance at, let alone serve me, and yet, he acted as though speaking to me was him bestowing a huge favor upon me.

The reason had simply been because I kept spoiling and indulging Regina unconditionally in the past, and I'd extended that care to him as well, taking care of her good-for-nothing piece of trash she had for a brother.

However, they seem to have forgotten that I was the one who gave them everything they had.

I took a few steps back so that I wouldn't die of suffocation from his foul breath.

"Mr. Horton, your sister and I have already broken things off, and we will never get back together. Starting today, neither the Hortons nor the Dicksons will have anything to do with the Carlsons again. We're going our separate paths."

Randy's face turned bright red from anger.

"You've got some nerve, Dominic Carlson!" he shouted. "Don't forget how you used to beg and grovel at my and Regina's feet! After the stunt you pulled today, she'll never forgive you even if you threw yourself off the building!"

Without warning, Dad slapped Randy hard across the face. His eyes were murderous as he growled, "You and that no-good sister of yours are the only people in Valdington who dare to ever speak to Dominic like that!

"He's the heir to the richest tycoon in the city, and he only put up with your nonsense because he was tricked by you two! Now that he's come back to his senses, you'd better back off if you know what's good for you!"

Randy burst into merciless laughter.

"You old fart, how can you still believe what that lapdog says, after all the times the same thing has happened? Have you already forgotten how I trampled all over your precious pride before?

"You're all idiots. All of you! You know what kind of person Dominic is, and yet, you still keep believing him again and—"

There was a sudden loud sound of a shoulder dislocating, interrupting Randy in the midst of his speech.

My eyes were cold as I looked at him.

"Everyone has the right to talk about me except for the Horton and the Dickson families," I said. "Now get lost. If you dare to hang around in front of me again, I may not be able to hold myself back and rip you apart with my bare hands next time."

Randy was frightened by my sudden change in demeanor. He grabbed his dislocated arm as he cursed at me.

"Just you wait, Dominic Carlson! You'll come begging me one day!"

Regina and Larry then stepped down from the stage, glaring daggers at me.

"You'll regret this, Dominic."

Someone would be regretting it alright, but it just wasn't going to be me. It would never be me.

After watching the clowns leave, my personal assistant, Andrew Jenner, walked up to me and said, "Sir, there's a wave of trending topics online that's not quite favorable to you or the company…"

I took out my phone and went online to see for myself.

The engagement party had been the talk of the town, and everyone had their eyes on the event. So, the moment the scandal broke out, it became trending news almost immediately.

Some of the trending hashtags included, #ILoveYouButYouLoveHim, #DominicCarlsonBreaksUpWithReginaHorton, #ReginaHortonBreaksTycoonsHeartForTrueLove, and more.

Her fans left all sorts of comments beneath the trending posts and articles about the scandal.

"Oh my god, Regina was so cool when she did that! She finally got to marry her true love! She did it!"

"Hmph! So what if the world's richest tycoon wanted her? Her heart belongs to her best friend, and we ship them!"

"Wow, honestly speaking, this is the first time I've seen Dominic grow a pair. Bet he's going to crawl back to her by tonight to beg for her forgiveness."

When I scrolled farther down the comments, I saw some comments from other people who were on the fence about it.

"What's wrong with pursuing true love? But please don't do it at the expense of hurting others."

"So, she cheated on him and even announced it publicly? What a shameless idiot. It's disgusting how she's spending his money while sleeping with another man under his nose."

Regina's fans began attacking the commenter.

"Truly brilliant people don't lack men simping over them. If the tycoon wants to spoil her rotten, who's Regina to reject him? She's so sweet and gentle after all."

"I bet you're just saying that because you're jealous. Regina got where she is today because of her kindness and resilience. It's all because of her hard work and nothing else!"

"Who are you calling a cheater? Did she date the tycoon? Well, why didn't I hear anything about it? Dominic is just delusional, thinking that he's dating her just because he'd been chasing her for years. Regina's just too nice to reject him. She never said she was actually going to marry him."

"So what if the tycoon has all the money in the world? He still can't buy Regina's love!"

After reading dozens of comments, I ended up laughing at the absurdity of it all instead of getting angry.

Regina was an internet celebrity, and she only became famous online by often featuring handsome men in her street interview videos.

I was the one who supported and paid for all of her expenses. Even when she didn't manage to meet any handsome guys on the streets for her videos, I was the one who later came up with various solutions.

I was also the one who hired the filming and editing team for her videos. And if I could put her on top, I could make her fall to the depths of despair as well.

"Ignore the online rumors and give all of her studio staff a week of paid leave. Moving forward, they will take all orders from me and no longer have to deal with Regina's side of the work.

"Also, cancel all of the credit cards I gave to Regina. As for all the commercials and engagements she booked previously, have them swap her out for another talent instead. If it's non-negotiable, then I will pay the penalty fees. In short, sever all ties with Regina as quickly as possible."

Andrew was stunned.

After all, I had been at Regina's beck and call for nearly three years, spoiling her rotten and fulfilling her every wish. And if she did anything out of hand, I would turn a blind eye to it.

I had never once said anything unpleasant to her, let alone cut her off like this before.

When Dad saw the determination in my eyes, he said, "Why are you standing there like an idiot? Hurry up and do as you're told!"

Andrew blinked for a second before acknowledging my orders and hurrying off to carry them out.

Dad then patted me on the shoulder. "I hope that you've finally come to your senses for real this time, Dom."

Even my butler, Philip White, nodded approvingly next to me and said in relief, "It's been a long while since Mr. Carlson has been this clear-headed."

Seconds later, Regina's personal ringtone rang on my phone.

"Randy hit someone with his car. Go and handle it right now. He's the only family I have left, so if anything happens to him, I swear that you and I are never going to happen ever again!"

Her tone was still as imperious as ever, as though she were my leader, giving out commands.