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The Target Was Me
The Target Was Me
ผู้แต่ง: Existance

Chapter 1 Clearing Out the Trash

ผู้เขียน: Existance
Sophie Bennett shot me a warning look, threatening me that I'd be the one making a scene if I dared to say one more word.

I ignored her and stared at the wreckage in the living room instead.

The home I had carefully built was destroyed. Empty beer cans were scattered on the floor, and the sharp smell in the air made me feel sick.

Sean Hewitt saw the cake in my hands and grinned smugly. "Hey, Max, Sophie said she doesn't even like sweets. That cake is too rich. I've already ordered a barbecue, so you don't need to bother."

Before he even finished speaking, he reached for the cake like he had every right to take it.

I stepped aside, the anger rising in my chest turning into a cold smile.

"Oh? Sophie doesn't like sweets?" I responded. "Then, what about all those desserts I made for her in the past? Did they all go straight into a dog's stomach?"

Sean's face changed instantly. "Who the hell are you calling a dog?"

The way he snapped told me everything I needed to know. 'So that's it. Every dessert I make for Sophie ends up in Sean's grubby hands.'

"Max, do you really have to talk like that?" Sophie frowned. "I really don't like sweets. I didn't say anything because I didn't want to hurt your feelings."

I nearly burst out laughing out of sheer anger.

Anyone hearing that would've thought she was talking to some clingy admirer she couldn't shake off.

What a joke.

To think that all my sincerity was wasted on people like them.

The other three friends in the room clearly sensed the tension and tried to smooth things over.

One of the girls, Zoe Farell, spoke first. "Um... since Max is back, maybe we should head out? We'll let you two enjoy your New Year's together."

Another guy nodded and reached for his bag. "Yeah, it's getting late anyway. We should probably find somewhere else to do the countdown."

"Oh, come on, why leave now?" Sean grabbed him and raised his voice. "The more people here, the better. Max shouldn't be spending New Year's alone in silence. Plus, Sophie already promised to spend it with me. Won't I seem like the bad guy if you guys leave just like that?"

Then, he turned to me with all his fake innocence and added, "Come on, Max. Sophie and I are just close friends. What's wrong with us having a little fun together? You're not seriously bothered by that, are you?"

Before I could even answer, Sophie beat me to it. "That's enough. Nobody's leaving. Max is not that petty. He knows how to act like an adult."

I glanced at Sean's smug face and then at Sophie's self-righteous expression.

Suddenly, it all made sense.

Perhaps this was the first lesson the new year was offering me.

It was time for me to get rid of the clutter.

The cold look on my face faded, replaced by a calm, relaxed smile.

"Of course, I don't mind. You guys shouldn't leave. Honestly, just throwing darts at a photo is dull. If we're going to play, let's actually make it fun."
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  • The Target Was Me   Chapter 10 A Future Wide Open

    The file I had sent him had clearly done its job. Daniel looked down at Sean sprawled on the ground, his eyes full of contempt. "You actually thought someone like you could marry into the Chandler family?" He gave a cold, mocking laugh. "A piece of trash like you might be good enough for a little fun, but you really thought you could climb your way up?" Daniel lifted a hand, and several broad-shouldered bodyguards immediately stepped forward. "Teach him some manners," he ordered coolly. "Make sure he understands that some people are far beyond his reach." Sean let out a panicked scream. "No! You can't do this! I have depression!" Daniel only sneered. "Depression? It seems to me that you've got a death wish. Beat him. Just make sure he isn't dead once you're all done with him." In the end, Sean was badly beaten enough to require hospitalization, and his injuries were so severe that he remained bedridden for the rest of his life. ... Half a year later, I moved into the

  • The Target Was Me   Chapter 9 Evidence on Display

    I stood before the wall of cameras at the press conference with perfect composure. I said evenly, "As for the recent rumors targeting both the Preston Group and me, I have only one thing to say. Those who spread lies will pay the price." The screen behind me lit up as the evidence appeared in full view, leaving no room for excuses or denials. The screen displayed photos of Sean getting cozy with different women, along with hotel records and screenshots of group chats where he bragged to his friends about juggling multiple women at once. Every last detail was clearly shown to everyone in the room. ... Richard had been watching the live broadcast with quiet satisfaction back at the Bennett Residence, fully expecting to see me humiliated. However, his expression froze the instant those photos flashed across the screen. Meanwhile, Sophie was staring at a photo of Sean kissing Claire and at a chat message magnified for everyone to see, saying, 'That idiot is so easy to fool

  • The Target Was Me   Chapter 8 The Man She Chose

    In the living room, Elaine kept a smile plastered on her face as she apologized to my dad again and again. "Mr. Preston, Sophie was just confused for a moment. You can't call off the engagement over something like this." My dad let out a cold snort. "Since the Bennett family already has a son-in-law in mind, why come begging for someone else?" Richard, who had been silent until then, finally spoke up. "That's not a fair way to put it. Sean is ill, and Sophie only looked after him out of kindness." Then, he turned to me, his tone easing into something almost conciliatory. "Max, we've already talked this through. If you're willing to move past it, we'll treat Sean as Sophie's godbrother from now on. Or, we can arrange for him to be sent away if that makes you uncomfortable. He won't be stepping into your home again." He paused, then went on as though he were offering a perfectly reasonable compromise. "You're a grown man, Max. Try to be a little more generous. Sophie still ca

  • The Target Was Me   Chapter 7 The Price of Betrayal

    I watched the pathetic performance unfold with cold detachment. Sean only leaned into it harder. "Sophie, I don't want to go on anymore. If I've only made things harder for you, then maybe I'd be better off dead." His voice trembled as he clutched his chest. "I have severe depression. You were the only reason I kept holding on. If you leave me too, then I really won't have anything left." The sight of him falling apart clearly shook Sophie. Her eyes filled with panic as she rushed to his side. "Sean! Sean, don't scare me like that!" Then, she turned on me, her eyes full of hatred. "Max, is this what you wanted? Do you really have to push him this hard? Sean is already struggling with depression. Do you want his blood on your hands?" I almost laughed. "Depression?" I mocked coolly. "He looked plenty lively when he was in my bed." "Enough!" Sophie cut me off sharply. "If you want to call off the engagement, then fine. But don't come begging when you regret it. I'm sick of t

  • The Target Was Me   Chapter 6 This Engagement Is Over

    Sophie froze for a moment before letting out a cold laugh. "So, this is how much you loved me?" she taunted mockingly. "It's only been a moment, and you're already agreeing to call off the engagement. Max, your love really was cheap." I found it laughable. She completely disregarded me when I loved her. Now that I was no longer interested, she suddenly claimed to be the victim. "Sophie, just the fact that I ever loved you makes me feel sick," I replied blandly, looking her up and down coldly. "I'll handle talking to my dad about ending the engagement myself. As for all the resources your family gained through my family's connections… "Well, none of it was ever given for free." Her expression darkened at once. "Max, stop acting like this," she snapped. "Our relationship has nothing to do with business, so don't confuse the two." Then, she looked at me with cold confidence. "The Bennetts are no longer what they once were. Your father won't allow you to act recklessly."

  • The Target Was Me   Chapter 5 Never Loved Me

    Sophie's pupils contracted the second her eyes fell on the screen. At the same time, Sean was curled up in the corner of the bed with the blanket wrapped tightly around him. The second he saw Richard at the door, he ducked his head and burrowed even further under the covers. "How... How is this possible?" Sophie stammered. Then, she whipped around to look at me in the living room, her eyes blazing with fury. "Max! You did this? You put a camera in the room?" I folded my arms and looked at her coldly. "What's the matter?" I asked. "You felt free enough to do something shameful in my house, but suddenly, it's a problem when I take steps to protect my property? Besides, would the camera have recorded anything worthwhile if the two of you weren't so shameless?" "That's an invasion of privacy!" Sophie shouted. "It's illegal!" I scoffed dismissively. "Sophie, I bought this house. How exactly is it a problem if I install a camera inside my own home?" My eyes hardened as I look

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