Chapter 1

The day I return home, my wife, Lauren Stewart, is supposed to pick me up at the airport. But at the last minute, she sends someone else instead.

The man, Ethan Parker, stops me at the arrivals gate and looks me up and down with open contempt.

"You're the guy who's been hanging around Lauren, right?"

"The villa district on Fairview Avenue in Riverton," I say urgently. "Take me there. Now."

That morning, our butler, Joshua Edwards, called to tell me that my grandfather, William Astor, was bedridden, so I caught the earliest flight home.

But instead of taking me anywhere, Ethan blocks my path and glares at me like he's ready for a fight.

"You homewrecker! You think you can steal another man's wife? I'll beat you to a pulp!"

The first slap leaves me stunned. Then the punches start coming.

Luckily, I know enough martial arts to defend myself. I strike back, sending several of them crashing to the ground.

"What the hell is your problem? Were you seriously sent here by my wife to pick me up?"

Chapter 1

Ethan Parker hit the ground hard but quickly scrambled back to his feet, furious.

"So, you're the guy who's been crossing the line with a married woman? And you have the nerve to call her your wife?" He sounded disbelieving.

"I'm going to teach you a lesson about staying away from married women!"

He had clearly come prepared. He and the other men pulled out batons and swung at me.

I grabbed Ethan's arm and forced it down, doing my best to stay calm.

"We must be talking about two different people. I hate cheaters myself. Why would I ever want to ruin someone else's marriage?"

More and more bystanders gathered around us, quickly crowding the road. This made me worried I wouldn't make it home in time to see my grandfather.

I tried to reason with him. "Sir, if you have a problem with me, you can take it up with my lawyer. I need to get home to see a sick family member, and I don't have time for this."

I turned and tried to push through the crowd.

Then Ethan pulled out a photo of my wife and me.

Without thinking, I said, "That's my wife and me."

Ethan completely lost it.

"Lauren always told me that you were nothing more than a childhood friend! And now you have the nerve to call her your wife?

"Oh, I know! You being her 'best friend' is nothing but a cover. You're actually her lover!"

The crowd, which had begun to disperse, quickly closed in again. Everyone stared at me suspiciously, as though I were some shameless man who had actually done something wrong.

Ethan raised the baton and swung it at me without hesitation.

With the crowd hemming me in, I had nowhere to run. I could only brace myself as the blows came down.

Pain shot through my arm, leaving it numb.

"That's enough!" I snapped. "My grandfather is seriously ill. I need to get to him. Move, or you'll be hearing from my lawyer."

My grandfather, William Astor, had only one grandson—me.

He had always spoiled me, even handing over the company he'd built from the ground up to me.

Now that he was seriously ill, I needed to be by his side.

But Ethan wouldn't stop screaming.

"I'll make damn sure you know who I am. I'm Ethan Parker, the legal husband of the woman you keep calling your wife!" He declared.

"You shameless homewrecker! You've used your 'best friend' status to take my wife overseas, sleep with her, take wedding photos with her, and even meet her family! I'll beat you senseless today. I'll make sure you regret ever coming near her!"

He hurled insults without holding back as the baton continued raining down on me.

I sucked in several sharp breaths, struggling against the pain.

I could understand why someone would be furious after being betrayed by their spouse. But that didn't give him the right to attack me.

I caught the baton with my bare hand and glared at him.

"That's enough! I've been married for five years. My marriage certificate is in my bag. My wife and I have a good marriage, and neither of us would ever cheat on each other. You've definitely got the wrong guy."

Chapter 2

"If you don't stop now, I'm calling the police!"

Ethan rolled his eyes, his expression turning even more contemptuous.

He pulled his marriage certificate from his pocket and held it up for everyone to see.

"Lauren and I have been married for three years. I personally took her to the city hall and registered our marriage.

"For the past three years, she's traveled overseas whenever she has had the chance. I saw the messages between you two on her phone, and she told me you were just friends. But I dug deeper and found the photos of the two of you together. There's no such thing as 'just friends' between a man and a woman. You're the homewrecker who came between us!"

The men with him sneered.

"I think he used that whole 'best friend' act to stay close to Ms. Stewart. He watched her climb to the top over the past two years, then came here to push you aside and take your place. What a scheme!"

"Exactly!" Another person chimed in. "Back in the old days, breaking up a marriage like that would've gotten you stoned to death!"

My mind went blank.

I snatched the marriage certificate from his hand.

The name of the woman in it really was Lauren Stewart.

Before I could say anything, my phone suddenly buzzed.

"Ms. Astor, Mr. Astor Sr. is barely hanging on. He keeps asking to see you one last time."

There was no time to think.

"A family member of mine is critically ill, so I have to go. My lawyer will contact you."

I hurried toward the exit, but Ethan grabbed me again.

Ethan glared at me. "Running away already? Afraid everyone's going to find out you're the homewrecker?"

He had stopped me again and again, and I finally lost my temper.

I'd already told him my family member is dying. How could he still be trying to stop me from leaving?

Then someone behind us spoke hesitantly.

"I work here. I can check the certificate numbers and verify whether they're real."

I was desperate to leave, but refusing to let them check it would make me look guilty.

I looked at Ethan one last time.

"Fine. But once you've checked them, let me leave."

I frantically asked our butler, Joshua Edwards, about Grandpa's condition, terrified I wouldn't make it in time.

Instead, he sent me a video.

Grandpa's eyes were wide open as he kept calling my name, barely clinging to life.

My eyes instantly filled with tears. I looked anxiously at the staff member, my voice trembling.

"Are you fine? Please. I really need to go."

Even then, I tried to reason with Ethan.

"There's something suspicious about this. Contact my assistant afterward and see if this is some kind of new scam."

Whoever was behind this, using my wife's identity to pull this stunt, I wasn't going to let them get away with it.

Lauren was the CEO of Nova Group. During the years I'd been overseas, she had become the face of the company.

This could easily be a scheme by a rival trying to destroy the company's reputation.

The staff member, Sarah, checked the certificate number carefully.

When she looked at me again, her expression had changed.

She politely handed Ethan's certificate back.

"Your marriage certificate has a valid registration number. It's real."

Then she looked at me with open disdain and dropped my certificate onto the ground.

"You were pretty confident, but there's no record of this certificate number in our system."

"Are you trying to scam us? Ms. Stewart has become quite famous over the past few years. I guess success really does attract all kinds of shady people."

It felt like I'd been struck by lightning.

"How is that possible?

"I've known Lauren for ten years. We've been married for five. How could our marriage certificate possibly be fake?"

I dropped to the ground and picked up the certificate she'd thrown away, desperate to have someone check it again.

Chapter 3

Before I could pick up the marriage certificate, Ethan stepped on my wrist and sneered.

"See? Mine is the real marriage certificate. You slept with my wife, pretended to be her husband, and now you're still questioning my identity? I'm going to teach you a lesson today!"

His heel dug into my wrist, sending pain shooting through me until my ears rang.

The others pulled out batons and struck me across the back. I immediately doubled over.

"Stop!" I shouted.

"You don't even know what happened. How could you hit me like that?"

I then declared, "I'm the director of Nova Group. Anyone who lays a hand on me will be sued. Every one of you will be held legally responsible!"

For a moment, the entire area fell silent.

Then everyone burst out laughing.

"First, you claim you're Ms. Stewart's husband, and now you're a company director? Do you ever think before you lie?"

"Nova Group is one of the biggest companies in Riverton! You think just anyone can be a director?"

Ethan raised an eyebrow, clearly amused.

"Nova Group belongs to my wife. I've never heard of a director with your name."

He then announced, "Don't worry, everyone. I'll stay right here and keep watch. Anyone who beats this homewrecker badly enough, I'll have my wife give you a job."

The crowd immediately surged toward me.

"Nova Group only hires overseas graduates and top university talent. They pay millions a year!"

"Who cares? He's a homewrecker. I hate scumbags who go after married women!"

Someone grabbed me by the hair and yanked my head back, pinching and twisting my flesh as they cursed at me.

I groaned in pain, convinced I was about to be trampled by the mob.

Then a team of airport security guards rushed over, blowing their whistles and forcing the crowd apart.

"What's going on here? Nova Group has a VIP arriving today! Clear out immediately!"

The crowd quickly dispersed, and a few people helped me back to my feet.

Ethan folded his arms and glared at the guards, impatiently tapping his foot.

"You're kicking me out? Do you even know who I am?"

The head of security, Nathan Gunn, stepped forward respectfully.

"Sir, we received word that a VIP from Nova Group is arriving on one of our flights today. We've been instructed to increase security and prevent any crowding."

Ethan scoffed and lazily poked Nathan in the chest with his baton.

"Nova Group? That would be me. I'm Ms. Stewart's husband."

He held his marriage certificate right in front of Nathan's face.

"Look carefully. I'm the one you're supposed to be protecting. And isn't Ocean Airlines part of our group too?

"Even a loyal dog knows its owner. If you can't recognize yours, maybe I should have you fired."

Nathan stumbled backward from the jab, his lips pressed tightly together, anger boiling.

Even so, he kept his men between Ethan and me.

Ethan sneered and snapped his fingers impatiently.

"If you're so determined to play the hero, why don't you take a few hits for him?"

While they argued, I quietly slipped away and called Lauren.

Ethan had been confident from the very beginning. If his marriage certificate was real, then I was the one who had been deceived.

But when I called, all I got was a busy signal.

Ethan watched me with a mocking smile.

"What? Calling for backup? Still trying to get Lauren?"

He kicked toward me with a sneer, then looked down at me with cold disdain.

"My wife told me she'd answer my call no matter what. I'll make sure you finally give up, homewrecker."

Chapter 4

Ethan pulled out his phone and called Lauren.

She answered after only a few rings.

"Hey, honey. What's wrong?"

The familiar voice coming through the speaker made everything click.

While I was overseas these past few years, the two of them had already gotten together.

I let out a cold laugh, my heart growing colder by the second.

Back then, I had rejected the marriage my family had arranged so I could be with her. When she decided to pursue her career, I personally helped her climb all the way to the position of CEO.

And this was how she repaid me?

"Lauren, you've really gone too far. I suggest you come get your lover right now, or you both are going to regret what happens next."

My voice was filled with hatred. That was probably why she didn't recognize me.

After a brief silence, her voice turned sharp.

"Who do you think you're talking to? I'm the CEO of Nova Group. One phone call, and I can make sure no reputable company in Riverton will ever hire you again. You still think you can threaten me?"

Ethan whined into the phone. "Exactly! This idiot is still accusing me of being your lover. Everyone knows I'm the only man you've ever been with!"

Lauren's voice softened. "Don't worry, honey. I'm coming over right now. I'll make him pay."

I clenched my fists and let out a bitter laugh.

She was too busy to pick me up from the airport, yet one call from Ethan was all it took to make her come running.

After hanging up, he tapped the baton against my cheek with a grin.

"I thought you were supposed to be such an important friend. My wife didn't even recognize you!"

He and his men closed in around me, their expressions growing increasingly menacing.

"Everyone, teach this homewrecker a lesson!"

Each man gripped a baton as they closed in. The security guards were surrounded and could no longer intervene.

The crowd gathered again, and one of Ethan's men even started a livestream to attract more viewers.

#NovaGroupCEOHusbandExposesHomewrecker

#HomewreckerExposed

The two hashtags dominated the searches.

I made one last attempt to reason with him, glaring straight at him.

"I'm warning you. Stop right now. If Lauren sees what you've done to me, she won't let you off the hook. Everything she has today is because of me!"

Ethan laughed mockingly.

"Oh? Still talking tough when you're about to get beaten?"

He sneered. "Let's see if you're still talking when we're done with you."

One of his men swung the baton into the back of my leg.

My face went pale as I collapsed, cold sweat breaking out across my body.

Ethan kept striking the same spot, each blow sending waves of pain through me.

After several hits, I could barely stay conscious.

Yet he stood proudly in front of the camera, looking righteous.

"Today, I'm standing up for everyone who's ever been betrayed. This homewrecker is going to get what's coming to him!"

The livestream audience skyrocketed. Comments flooded the screen.

"Serves him right! Finally, someone's standing up for themselves instead of quietly packing up and leaving. Mr. Parker is our role model!"

"My wife cheated on me too. Someone at the scene, hit the bastard a few times for me!"

Ethan spotted the comment immediately.

"My friend! I'll take care of it for you."

Another blow came down.

My vision suddenly blurred.

The men finally began to panic when they saw the blood.

"He… He's bleeding! Should we call the ambulance?"

Ethan, however, looked at me coldly.

"So what if he dies? A worthless bastard like him isn't worth a damn to me."

Chapter 5

My phone lay on the ground, the screen lighting up again and again.

Joshua kept sending message after message: "Mr. Astor, where are you? Mr. Astor Sr. is barely hanging on."

I collapsed from exhaustion, staring helplessly at the screen.

Then Lauren finally emerged from the crowd.

Desperate, I reached out to her.

"Lauren, please! Take me home. Grandpa's dying. He wants to see me one last time!"

She kicked me away; her face was cold and disdainful.

"So, you're the lunatic who picked a fight with Ethan? You deserve everything that happened to you. And now you're cursing your own family to die?"

I wiped the blood from my face and stared at her in disbelief.

"Lauren, look at me! I'm Charles Astor!"

Her brow twitched at my desperate cries. But in the end, she still chose Ethan.

"Charles, we're just friends. I'm not responsible for your lies!"

Ethan pulled her into his arms with a smug smile.

"See? Even my wife admits it. You're nothing but her friend. You've been throwing yourself at her and trying to play the homewrecker!"

My phone buzzed again.

With what little strength I had left, I answered the video call.

Grandpa was lying in bed. The moment he saw me, he visibly relaxed.

My voice was hoarse, but I forced myself to sound calm. "Grand, wait for me. I'm coming home."

His breathing steadied for a moment.

Then Ethan snatched the phone from my hand with a grin and turned the camera toward himself.

"Well, well, old geezer. Is this idiot your grandson?

"I'll make sure you watch your worthless grandson get beaten senseless."

Lauren held the phone up while Ethan grabbed a baton and walked toward me.

The first blow struck my back. I crumpled instantly.

Ethan grinned at the camera.

"Well, old geezer? Does it hurt watching your grandson get beaten?"

He raised the baton again and had his fun.

"You homewrecker. You really thought you could get away with this?"

Before Ethan could land his third blow, Lauren caught his arm. She glanced my way, a hint of concern flashing across her face.

"Enough, Ethan. The old man couldn't take it. He just died."

Despite lying helplessly on the ground, I heard every word.

The monitor's shrill alarm tore through my ears.

At that moment, the pain in my chest was far worse than any physical pain I felt.

Tears streamed down my face.

I was devastated by the realization that the final image Grandpa had of me was of me being held down and beaten like an animal.

My eyes burned with fury as I stared them down.

"Lauren. Ethan. I'll make you pay for this."

Ethan only laughed, clearly not taking me seriously.

"Really? And how exactly are you going to make me pay for it? Talk me to death?"

He raised the baton again.

"You know what? One last hit. Maybe that'll finally shut you up."

But the blow never came.

A senior director of Nova Group, Henry Collins, suddenly strode over with his cane.

His voice thundered through the room. "Enough! Who gave you the right to lay a hand on him?"