Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 1 - Chapitre 8

Chapter 1

During the half minute she stayed silent, I finally understood.This lavish New Year's Eve dinner had never been a family gathering.It was a trap.I slowly set down my fork, about to speak, when my wife had already pulled the deed to the old apartment out of her bag and stuffed it straight into Michael Payne's hands.I froze.What she was holding was the old version of the property deed.A while back, when the neighborhood was being registered for demolition and relocation, I had searched everywhere and still could not find it. In the end, I had to ask the office staff to issue a replacement property title for me.I never expected she had taken it long ago.Only then did Natalie Walters turn toward me."Gerald Hensley, when you married me, you promised that apartment would belong to me eventually. Since that's the case, how it's handled should be my decision too. Michael is my only son. Now that he's getting married, of course I have to help him."The moment Michael took the

Chapter 2

Jean froze where she stood, her eyes darting back and forth between my ashen face and the property title in Michael's hand."Michael... wasn't that apartment supposed to be the one Dad saved for my university studies?"Her voice was small, her body instinctively shrinking backward."And Dad bought it himself...""Shut up!"Michael suddenly exploded, jabbing a finger straight at her face."You little b*stard nobody wanted! You and your dead mother are nothing but parasites!"This apartment is mine. I'll give it to whoever I want. Since when does an outsider like you get to speak here?""Michael!" I barked. "Watch your mouth!""Oh, so what if I said it? She eats my food, spends my money, and now she wants a share of my apartment too? Dream on!"Natalie sat beside him, not only making no attempt to stop him, but shooting Jean a look full of disgust."You damn girl, why are you interrupting adults talking? Go back to your room! Honestly, no sense at all. Can't you see your broth

Chapter 3

"Let it slide? He threw boiling soup at my daughter and scared her half to death, and now he's saying he's willing to let it slide?""And what if I refuse?"Michael's expression darkened. He pulled out his phone, switched on the camera, and pointed it straight at me."Refuse? Sure, go ahead."Gerald, it wasn't easy climbing your way up to a management position at your company, was it?"What do you think will happen if I show up at your workplace with banners saying you abused your stepson, stole his property, and tried to leave him with nowhere to live?"He shoved the camera closer to my face."You know how terrifying online outrage is these days. One headline about an 'evil stepfather' and your whole reputation is finished. Hell, you might not even get your pension."By then, forget about this little brat going to college. You and your daughter will be out begging on the streets, and nobody will spare you a second glance."It was a vicious move.I looked at the smug certaint

Chapter 4

I went into the bedroom and only took my documents and a few changes of clothes.I did not even glance at the safe.Ten minutes later, Jean and I were standing by the front door.Natalie was clutching the divorce agreement while huddling together with Michael, the two of them studying it excitedly."This is perfect, Michael. Tomorrow we can transfer both apartments into your name!""Of course. Hazel's gonna be thrilled."Michael turned and shouted at me, "Hey, old b*stard, leave the keys behind!""And don't let me catch you hanging around here again. Bad luck. If you dare come back and cause trouble, I'll break your legs!"I pulled the keys from my pocket and casually tossed them onto the floor. The metallic clang rang sharply through the room."Natalie. Michael."I looked at the mother and son and called their names one last time."I hope neither of you regrets this someday.""Regret?" Michael wrapped an arm around Hazel and laughed so hard he nearly bent over."The bigge

Chapter 5

The car window rolled down, revealing my old war buddy, Thomas Coleson.A cigarette hung from the corner of his mouth as he narrowed his eyes and glanced up at Michael, who was still shouting from upstairs. Then he looked disdainfully at the pile of garbage scattered outside the apartment entrance and spat hard onto the ground."Bah. What a bunch of trash."He turned toward me."Gerald, get in the car! Why waste your breath arguing with scum like them? You've played the patient little turtle for ten years already. Haven't you had enough?""Thanks, Thomas." I opened the car door and let Jean get in first.The engine roared as Thomas slammed on the accelerator. Before pulling away, he stuck his head out the window and shouted upstairs."You little b*stard! Don't let me catch you outside, or I'll beat your ass every time I see you!"Gerald, I'm here to take you to live in a damn mansion. Time to wash off all this bad luck!"The Maybach shot off down the street, leaving behind a c

Chapter 6

They finally made it to the county recorder’s office right as it opened. The mother and son rushed in first, slammed the property title onto the counter, and barked impatiently, "We're here for a transfer! Hurry up!""Put the house under my name!" Michael shouted.The young clerk behind the counter jumped in surprise. Frowning, she took the property title, glanced at it, then typed a few things into her computer.A moment later, her expression darkened even further."It can't be processed."She pushed the property title back across the counter."What do you mean it can't be processed?" Natalie snapped."This is a legitimate property title! Look carefully!""Ma'am, the property title itself is real," the clerk explained, pointing at her screen, "but it's already been voided.""The system shows that this property was reported lost six months ago, and a replacement property title was issued."And three days ago, ownership transfer was completed. The current owner is Jean Hensley

Chapter 7

"Thirty thousand? Where am I supposed to get thirty thousand from?" Natalie cried so hard her makeup was completely smeared."Everything valuable in the house was taken by that old b*stard... Wait! Jewelry! I still have jewelry!"She rushed into the bedroom and frantically tore through drawers and cabinets before finally dragging out several jewelry boxes.The moment she opened them, she froze.Every single one was empty.Only then did she remember: the gold necklaces and jade bracelets had long since been secretly sold off by Michael to buy gaming gear. Back then, she had even helped cover for him, telling me they had accidentally been lost."You useless little b*stard!" Natalie broke down, pounding her fists against Michael. "You've squandered everything this family had!""Stop hitting me and think of something!" Michael shoved her away violently, his expression turning vicious."Isn't the apartment still under your name? Sell it! Sell it now and get the money!"Natalie star

Chapter 8

"Voluntary?" Thomas let out a cold laugh."Under family law, a stepfather's responsibility to support a stepchild is a moral obligation tied to marriage, not a legal one."Since the defendants subjected the plaintiff to emotional abuse and violence during the marriage, and the marital relationship has already broken down, the plaintiff has the right to recover unjust enrichment."The judge's gavel came down.The ruling was as follows:The previous divorce agreement was revoked. The marital home was deemed joint property and would be sold and divided according to law. However, due to Natalie Walters being at fault, Gerald Hensley would receive seventy percent, while Natalie would receive thirty percent.Michael Payne was ordered to repay a total of two hundred thousand dollars to Gerald for child support reimbursement and emotional damages, payable within the designated deadline.The moment he heard the verdict, Michael snapped."I refuse to accept this! I don't have any money!

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