Chapter 2

Two thuggish-looking men charged over and held me down.

"My dad got this car behind my mom's back just so I could show it off. Are you going to make a scene now and make things difficult for him?" Zayn looked at me condescendingly as if I were someone insignificant.

"There has long been a rumor about a shameless man who goes around extorting money from luxury car owners. That's you, right? You're unbelievable. I can't believe you would show up here today. Anyway, I'm going to do everyone a favor and teach you a lesson."

I noticed he was about to get violent as the men continued to hold me down, so I quickly said, "This car is really mine. Jake borrowed it from me. If you don't believe me, you can ask him. Have him confront me!"

"Fine. I'll give you what you want." Zayn sneered as he dialed the number.

"Dad! When are you going to be here? Some lunatic came looking for trouble and even tried to beat me up. Bring your men here now!"

"Zayn, don't worry. I'll be there soon." On the other end of the line, Jake's voice was gentle and anxious, unlike anything I had ever heard before.

Sure enough, Jake arrived rather quickly, alighting from the car with a tense expression.

I recalled my memories with him over the years, and it seemed like I had always been the one who waited for him.

Back then, I waited for him to pick me up at the school gate, only to be greeted with the news of his divorce from my mom and his marriage to a rich woman.

When I grew older, I waited for him to visit my mom at the hospital, only to be slapped in the face with the text message that never showed it had been delivered.

I was always the one left behind. Even the conversation we had today was his way to please his son.

I used to think he had it hard, trying to rebuild a new family, so I didn't want to bother him. Now I found out he was capable of protecting someone, too. It was just that the person was never me.

The moment he ran into the crowd, Jake anxiously checked Zayn to ensure he wasn't hurt. "Zayn, I'm here. I'm here now. Who's the troublemaker?"

"It's him!" Zayn pointed at me nonchalantly, raising his chin. "He started hurling insults the moment he arrived, and claimed the car was his. He also threatened to call the cops on me!"

Jake swiveled around. A flicker of guilt flashed across his face when he saw me.

I looked at him coldly. "Jake, you borrowed my car, and now, someone wrecked it. Care to explain?"

Gnawing anxiety and guilt were apparent on Jake's face.

Before he could respond, though, Zayn jumped to his defense. "What the hell is wrong with you? What do you mean by 'your car'? You're just a loser. How dare you disrespect my dad? Did you lose your money-crazed mind and think every car is yours?"

Having said that, his demeanor shifted as he turned to Jake, speaking with casual indifference. "Dad, don't be upset, okay? My friends and I had too much fun and went overboard, spraying the car with some paint. Don't worry. I'll get the auto detailing shop to clean it up real good, and it will be brand new again in a few hours. Mom won't find out."

I smirked. "The paint on this car is a custom-formulated midnight blue. It uses a specialized application process that an ordinary detailing shop couldn't possibly handle. These low-quality spray paints have already corroded the surface, and a complete repaint is necessary. No detailing shop could do that."

"Enough!" Jake interrupted me abruptly, "Wayne! When did you become so petty? It's just a car. What's so great about it? You're just doing this to make things difficult for Zayn. Come at me if you're upset. If you dare bully Zayn, I'll make you regret it."