Chapter 4

I carried my suitcase and walked past Jean, who looked deathly pale, as if she weren't even there. I left without a backward glance.

A resentful roar came from behind me just then. "Seth, you'd better actually have some guts this time and not stick to me afterward like a damn leech that won't let go!"

I'd thought we could part on amicable terms. I never imagined that Jean would do something utterly shameless afterward.

When my mom, Teresa Whitfield, heard I had broken up, she was determined to meet Jean in person. She wanted to see for herself what kind of woman could earn three years of my wholehearted devotion.

So, Mom went on a vacation, and as it happened, the hotel where she was staying was about to hold a recognition ceremony in honor of Jean's promotion to general manager.

As Solaris Group's principal shareholder, Mom wasn't required to attend a subsidiary's recognition ceremony. But she insisted on seeing Jean in person, and I couldn't talk her out of it.

"Mom, just so you know, today is only about giving Jean her letter of appointment. It's completely over between Jean and me, so don't mention anything else to her."

Mom looked at me intently, then lowered her head and grunted her agreement.

I was massaging her shoulders when our hotel room door suddenly burst open. A group of men stormed in and bolted the door from the inside.

Callum gave me a hollow smile. "When I ran into you at the hotel, something felt off. You barely scrape together a living, so how could you afford a place like this? It turns out you've been living off someone else, huh?"

He clicked his tongue. "You'd sell your dignity for a few bucks? That old rich lady looks old enough to be your mother."

A surge of anger rose in me. I was about to retort when the group of men suddenly rushed at me, knocking me to the floor and snatching my phone from my hand.

Callum stomped on my face with all his weight, his eyes full of mockery. "If Jean knew what scum you are, what do you think she'd do?"

Mom panicked and rushed forward to help me. "Stop! He's my son. You've misunderstood!"

Callum sneered with disgust, yanking Mom's hair and spitting on her face. "You're still shameless at your age."

He suddenly let go and gave a forceful shove.

Mom, caught completely off guard, fell to the floor, her head banging hard against the corner of the bed. Her face went pale from the pain.

Seeing Mom humiliated, I was seething with rage. I struggled with all my strength, but couldn't move an inch.

"Seth, why do you always act so high and mighty in front of me?" Callum lifted his foot and kicked me hard in the stomach.

I curled up, gritting my teeth. "Do you even know who my mother is? How dare you—"

"Still acting all tough? You were caught cheating right here at the hotel, and you're still denying it? I'll call Jean and the others so everyone can see your disgusting, pathetic face."

He smirked triumphantly as he dialed his phone.

Not long after, Jean came rushing over, holding up her skirt. She was shaking with anger. "Seth, I never expected this…"

Mom struggled to her feet, trying to speak and explain herself.

But Jean forcefully kicked Mom's hand away. "Don't touch me with your filthy hands, old hag."

Her pointed heels slammed into Mom's nose, and blood gushed instantly. Mom clutched her face, screaming in pain.

"Jean! Are you fucking insane?"

Rage boiled in my chest, like it might tear me apart. But the people behind me pinned my shoulders down, so I couldn't move an inch.

Frustration, resentment, and anger filled my chest, choking me. My breathing came in harsh, shallow gasps. I felt suffocated, ready to explode.

"You're the insane one. Was this on purpose? You knew today was my recognition ceremony, and you still brought this bitch here to ruin it, all because I wanted to break up with you!

"Listen, Seth—we're done! Drag these two shameless bastards out. Solaris Group's hotels don't allow filth like this."

Jean was furious as she barked orders at the others. Callum stood beside her, soothing her affectionately, his eyes locked on me with a mocking challenge.

I struggled violently against the group in a desperate attempt to pull their hands off Mom.

"What is going on here?"

At that moment, a deep, commanding voice rang out as a middle-aged man stepped in, his presence brooking no argument.

Jean immediately adopted a completely deferential posture, putting on a forced smile as she looked at him. "Mr. Langford, you're here."

The others in the room stiffened in place, bowing their heads and falling silent instantly. The noise in the room vanished, leaving only the sound of everyone's breathing.

Franklin Langford stared at me, his face showing both irritation and confusion. "Seth? What is this nonsense?"

I panted heavily, my eyes dark and fierce, and said something no one expected.