Chapter 4

Ryan took two of my punches before blood started gushing from his nose. I knew Muay Thai, and I had not even held back much. Even though I avoided vital areas, it was enough to make him miserable.

He cried out in pain, struggling helplessly against me. The difference in our strength was obvious. I grabbed him by the collar and slammed him to the ground, clenching my fist for another strike.

"Lucas! Are you crazy?!"

Vanessa covered her face, came to her senses, and threw herself at me, screaming that I was insane. I shot back at her without holding back.

"Crazy?! Vanessa, the crazy one here is you! You posted that video clearing Ryan's name, even though I didn't do anything! You'd do something like this for his sake?! Aren't we supposed to be husband and wife?! You're just hoping I rot in prison so you can run off with him, huh?!"

As I spoke, I pulled out my phone and showed her the trending video. Vanessa froze for a moment. Her expression immediately faltered.

"I-I just wanted to clear Ryan's name! There were so many people online saying it looked suspicious! I couldn't risk them finding him, so I had no choice!"

She sounded tough, but her fear showed. Then, she started whining. "Besides, you're fine now! You got out, didn't you?! Why are you making such a big scene? I know you're upset! But besides you, no one else could take the fall!"

Vanessa's hand rested on Ryan's cheek. Her face was filled with sympathy. She stood between us, facing me with a sense of righteous authority.

"The fact that you got out so fast proves I was right! Even if he had been arrested, it wouldn't have been a big deal! Lucas, you need to apologize to Ryan right now! Pay his medical bills, and this will be over! Otherwise, don't blame me for being harsh!"

I looked at the pair and nearly laughed from sheer anger. Medical bills? I had not even killed him. Who gave them the nerve to turn it around on me and lecture me like this? What a joke!

Then I remembered the real victim Ryan had hit, who had not shown up at all.

"Where's the person Ryan hit?! Where are they now? What happened?!"

Vanessa fell silent. I frowned and pressed again.

"Vanessa, I'm asking you! Where's the person Ryan hit? What condition are they in?!"

She let out a cold snort.

"Who did Ryan hit? I don't know. You're the one who hit them. How should I know what happened? I wasn't even there!"

Her performance was perfect. She was guarded, fearful that I would discover evidence to lock Ryan up.

I turned around to leave, having no desire to talk further. I pulled out my phone and asked my assistant to find the victim's hospital. Within ten minutes, the assistant sent me not only the hospital’s location but also detailed information about the victim.

"Does it hurt? Lucas is trained in Muay Thai. Of course it hurts… Why is he like this? What did you do wrong?!"

Just as I was about to head downstairs, I heard Vanessa panicking over Ryan. I paused and turned around.

"What are you trying to do now?!"

Vanessa quickly put herself between Ryan and me, questioning me fiercely. Her protective instinct made my anger spike, but I clenched my teeth and restrained myself, speaking through clenched teeth.

"Vanessa, we're getting a divorce!"

"Y-you want a divorce?!"

Vanessa was shocked. She rose to her feet with a look full of disbelief.

"Lucas, we've been married for five years! You want a divorce over this?!"

Ryan's face betrayed a subtle hint of delight.

I ignored them both and went downstairs, letting the butler escort me to the hospital.

"Mr. Lucas, please put this on. Things are tense now. It's not like before."

Before getting in the car, Mr. Lewis handed me a mask. I let out a sigh, put it on, and made my way safely to the victim.

Honestly, after seeing the blood on the car hood, I knew the person must have been seriously injured. When I actually saw him barely clinging to life in the ICU, I could not help feeling a pang of guilt.

Even though it was not me who did it, the car was mine. Logically and morally, there was no way I could completely wash my hands of this.

I left the ICU corridor to pay the hospital bills. The family owed several days' worth of bills, so I paid everything and added two extra months of treatment for good measure.

"Sir, are you sure you want to pay for Bed 236 for two months?"

The nurse probably had never seen someone spend this much, so she instinctively confirmed it with me.

"Yes, Bed 236."

After confirming, I felt eyes on me. I ignored them and moved to finish the payment. Suddenly, someone yanked my mask off.

"Lucas Zane! So it's you!"

I did not expect the patient's family, who had not paid in days, to be in line right behind me.

I felt something was off when I heard about Bed 236 earlier. Now, taking off my mask and seeing it for myself, my anger flared uncontrollably.

"Lucas Zane! How dare you come to the hospital?!"

"He just paid for Bed 236! He must feel guilty!"

"Feeling guilty is useless! My father's life is ruined!"

I instinctively stepped back, analyzing the fastest escape route. Fortunately, the hospital security did not want a fight breaking out, so I was temporarily safe.

I watched the crowd and realized I had to clear my name. Otherwise, I would be blamed everywhere. I raised my voice.

"Everyone! Quiet! I'm here to pay the hospital bills, not because I hit anyone! I'll say it again: I did not hit anyone! These payments are purely out of kindness!"

The crowd spat on the ground in response.

"You say it wasn't you? Who would believe that? Your wife even posted a video apologizing!"

Faced with their accusations, I sighed in helplessness and tried to explain again. Unfortunately, no one believed me. Someone must have leaked the news halfway through, as Vanessa appeared. She struggled through the crowd and immediately started apologizing to everyone.

"I'm sorry, everyone! I didn't keep an eye on Lucas. He's currently under investigation, so please trust the authorities!"

As she spoke, she grabbed my arm and dragged me out of the crowd toward the hallway. The look on her face was cold as she snapped, "Lucas, how long are you going to keep this up?! Nobody believes you right now! Why are you still desperately defending yourself?! Can't you just let this go for my sake?!"