All Chapters of The Man Behind Everything: Chapter 1 - Chapter 8

"You animal!" I roared. I lunged forward to punch Ralph, but two burly men beside me locked me down hard.The next second, Ralph flicked a look at the two bodyguards closest to Luke.They got the message immediately and started closing in, step by step, blocking Luke from getting out of the water.Luke had never seen anything like this. His little face went white as paper as he clutched my pant leg.His small body shook as he cried through tears, "Dad! Help me! I don't want to put on a show!"Anger exploded in my chest. "Let my son go. Now!"Smack!My face burned. Ralph rubbed his wrist and smiled in pure contempt."You should be worrying about yourself."My vision went red as I watched Luke get shoved back into the water by the guards.He couldn't keep his footing. He choked on several mouthfuls of seawater and started coughing hard.My eyes burned as I clenched my fists. "I'll say it one last time. Let my son come up, or you'll be sorry!"Seeing my anger only made Ralph

When Ralph saw me make the call, he froze for a second, clearly not processing it. Then, he burst out laughing even harder."Oh, wow. Who are you trying to fool? Calling for backup now?"He laughed so hard that his eyes watered.His gang and the so-called VIPs piled on with open mockery."Who could you call? Your broke relatives to come cry for you?""Or should Gloria reimburse your cab fare so you can leave with some dignity?""A loser's still a loser! Even now, you're trying to act tough. It's pathetic."Gloria clearly thought I was putting on a show as well, all to embarrass her in front of her important clients and beloved lover.She gave Darell a placating smile."Mr. Burgess, don't mind him. I think he's mentally unstable."With her backing, their contempt only deepened.Especially Darell. He flashed a mouthful of yellow teeth and pointed at Luke with a leering grin."The adult can leave. Keep the boy.""Don't you dare!" I snapped. Luke buried his face in my chest,

Gloria staggered toward me. Her carefully done makeup was streaked with sweat and tears, her hair plastered messily to her face."Clive, honey. I'm sorry. I really am!"She dropped to her knees in front of me and grabbed my pant leg with both hands."I-I lost my head just now. I was scared of offending Mr. Burgess and the others. I was afraid it would ruin the company's deals… I didn't mean it. I really didn't mean to deny you or Luke. Please believe me. You have to believe me!"She cried so hard that her words blurred together, then she reached out to touch Luke's cheek.Luke jerked away sharply."I don't want her touching me!" he shouted with all his strength. "She's a witch. She's evil! She said she didn't know you or me. She let those bad people bully me!"A child's words were simple and raw, tearing straight through her excuses.I looked down coldly at the woman kneeling at my feet."Gloria. In your eyes, were those empty deals really more important than Luke's safety and

A week later, everything tied to the Crescent Bay incident was fully settled.Ralph was convicted on multiple serious charges, with solid evidence stacked against him, and sentenced to life in prison.The once untouchable superstar, who had ruled the spotlight at his peak, fell overnight. He became nothing more than a prisoner everyone despised.I heard that while awaiting sentencing, he completely broke down mentally, repeating over and over, "I was wrong," and "Please forgive me."But none of it mattered. What waited for him was only cold bars and a long, hopeless life.Gloria received the court's divorce ruling right on schedule, along with notices for asset liquidation and debt recovery.In a single night, she went from a powerful figure in high society and the head of Starbuzz Entertainment to someone drowning in debt.Later, Archer mentioned in passing that Gloria couldn't handle the fall from grace. With everyone abandoning her and nowhere to go, she lost her sanity.Peo