Chapter 4

"There's nothing going on between Randall and me," Alicia said. "He's just a childhood friend. I'm only helping him because—"

"Get lost!" I snapped icily as I threw her hand off me. "I don't care what you two are. It's none of my business what kind of sordid things you've done behind my back. I don't give a damn about the lengths you're willing to go to for that loser."

Alicia's expression froze.

"Fine! So be it, Gregory! You want a divorce, huh? You're getting one! Don't come begging to get back together with me after that!" she screamed in humiliation before grabbing Randall off the ground. "Let's go!"

I stood alone in the garden, taking in the house. Then, I slowly started cleaning up the mess. From now on, I would remain here to keep the memory of this house alive.

…

"Mr. Kane, the Fangorian court says there's still some key information missing from the evidence we've provided. Please come over as soon as possible. It's best if you can clarify things in person."

After the call ended, I clenched my fists, my nails digging deeply into my palms.

This time, I was determined to seek justice on Mom's behalf.

I immediately booked the earliest flight to Fangoria. Just as the car was about to reach the airport terminal, however, a black van rushed out from the side and rammed into the car.

The impact made my head spin. Before I could even recover from the dizziness, a sack had been thrown over my head.

"Don't try anything funny. Your wife has sold you to us!"

The pain was like a dull knife, sawing away at my nerves.

With great effort, I was finally able to open my eyes. My vision was hazy, and my mouth tasted like blood. The sticky sensation at the back of my head told me the blood had already soaked through my collar.

"You're awake, huh?"

A rough hand abruptly grabbed my hair and yanked me up violently. The next second, a fist slammed hard into my abdomen. I let out a muffled groan and curled up on the ground, feeling as if my organs had been ruptured.

"Your wife, Alicia Carter, borrowed 800 thousand dollars from us. She said her husband has money and told us to get it from you."

My breathing stalled. Blood rushed up my throat again.

800 thousand dollars? Was it for Randall?

Gritting my teeth, I spelled out clearly, "I… have no… money…"

"No money, huh?" The leader of the loan sharks sneered. He crouched down and grabbed my hair, forcing me to raise my head and look at him. "That's not what your wife said."

Snorting, he pulled out his phone and played a video. It showed Alicia was standing in a dim office, her arm linked with Randall's.

"That's right. Here's a copy of my husband's ID. He has a property in his name. You can get the money from him."

My fingers curled, and my nails dug deep into my palms, but I felt nothing. Staring at the man in front of me, I croaked, "I'm not selling the house."

"Aren't you a stubborn guy?" The man cackled.

All of a sudden, he brought over something and dangled it in front of me.

"M-Mom…?" My voice caught in my throat. My blood ran cold.

He was holding the urn I'd carefully picked out to hold Mom's remains. The bastard was even waving it around like some toy!

"Give it back!" I roared at the top of my lungs as I glared murderously at him, but he simply kicked me down and stomped on my hand, grinding it beneath his foot.

"If you don't sell the house and give me the money, I'm afraid you won't be able to let your mom be buried in peace."

"I'm going to kill you!"

I couldn't hold back any longer. Roaring my head off, I struggled with all my strength to lunge at them, but several people pinned me down to the ground.

I couldn't hate myself more for being so blind as to marry Alicia and bring her into the family. Everything that happened to my parents was my fault.