At my mom’s funeral, my fiancée Georgina suddenly spoke. “Actually, your mom had a heart attack because she walked in on Phillips and me having sex.” My eyes widened in disbelief. Phillips was my mom’s boyfriend. My girlfriend cheated on me with my mom’s boyfriend? Georgina continued, “Phillips and I were a couple since college. He only had to date your mom because he needed to save money for his family’s medical treatment.” “Your mom struggled for forty minutes when she collapsed at the door. But we were too engrossed to hear anything, and by the time we found her, she was gone.” She looked at Mom’s portrait without a trace of guilt, a smile playing on her lips. “Your mom monopolized the man I loved for five years, and I played her son for five years. We’re even.” “Now that I’ve achieved success and Phillips is free, I’m going to marry him.” Seeing that I didn’t speak, Georgina took my hand. “Don’t worry, our wedding will still happen, so you won’t lose face in front of your friends.” “But the marriage certificate, I can only register with Phillips.”
I clutched my chest, letting out a mournful gasp. “Why are you telling me this now?” Georgina lowered her gaze and chuckled softly, her fingertips hooking my chin. “Probably just to see the expression on your face right now.” “Back then, I dropped out of college and gave all my tuition money to Phillips, but it still wasn’t enough to treat his father’s illness. But your mom took advantage of the situation and forced him to be with her.” “I was just as heartbroken back then.” She swept her gaze towards Mom’s portrait, her eyes glinting with a winner’s disdain. “Now, let her watch her son like this. Consider it my final revenge.” My heart was torn to shreds by those words. Back then, I turned down an engagement arranged by my elders long ago. I specifically fell for Georgina, who was just the owner of a small shooting club. Mom doted on me, providing her with startup capital, connecting her with valuable contacts, showering her with resources, and supporting her company every step of the way until it became successful. Georgina said meeting me was her greatest fortune, and that she and Mom would be the ‘big trees’ behind me, protecting and loving me for life. Now another tree had fallen because of her. Yet she told me that five years of affection was nothing but revenge. Georgina raised a hand to wipe away my tears. “Why are you crying? I never said I don’t like you. But I couldn’t protect Phillips back then, so you have to give me a chance to make up for that regret.” “Besides, you’re too tame in bed. I was always afraid of hurting you, so I had to go to him to really let loose. Isn’t it great that someone can share that burden with you?” Looking at her familiar yet strange face, a chill suddenly ran down my spine. Georgina was about to say more, but Phillips suddenly appeared and yelled, “Enough! What does his mom’s mistake have to do with him? Can’t you see he’s trembling?!” He guiltily took my hand. “Stephenson, I didn’t mean to keep it from you, I just didn’t want to hurt you.” “I swear, registering our marriage is just to fulfill Georgina’s and my long-held wish. Once we’re registered, I’ll divorce her right away, okay?” But Georgina grabbed his wrist, her voice commanding and strong. “Impossible! I’ve waited five years for you; I’m not letting go this time!” Watching her unabashedly declare her possessiveness over another man, I gave a self-deprecating laugh. Phillips used to be our part-time driver. Like Georgina, he was only four years older than me. His physique was as fiery as his temper, and he brought a lot of vitality to our stagnant home. Initially, when I learned he became my mom’s boyfriend, I was resistant. But when my cousin mocked me as a fatherless bastard, Phillips grabbed a bottle and rushed over, getting his own head busted. He said my mom was the gentlest and most beautiful person he had ever met. Age doesn’t hinder true love; he genuinely liked my mom and truly cared for me. I slowly accepted him, treating him as a confidant, sharing all my secret thoughts. Now he says it was all my mom’s fault. How ridiculous. “Don’t touch me! You’re disgusting!” I yanked my hand away, my voice trembling. “Get out! You’ll get what’s coming to you!” Seeing me frantically wiping my hands on my clothes, Phillips’s face changed. Georgina shielded him behind her, frowning. “Phillips already gave up the wedding for you. He just wants to register the marriage. In the eyes of outsiders, you’ll still be the future man of the house.” “You’re emotionally unstable right now, so it’s good to calm down. Phillips can stay with me these next few days.” “But Stephenson, your mom’s gone, and now I’m the only one you can rely on. Don’t be so headstrong.” They left hand in hand. In her portrait, Mom’s face was still so kind. I finally couldn’t hold it in anymore and burst into tears. “Mom, I’m so stupid, aren’t I?” “Played by my lover and friend for so long, and I dragged you into it too.” But I couldn’t fall apart. Mom was gone, and someone still needed to keep the company afloat. But the next morning, I received a text from a friend. “Stephenson, why was your family company’s sign taken down? Are you changing the name?”
When I stormed into the CEO’s office, Phillips was wearing the wedding suit that was originally meant for me, and Georgina was pressing him into a kiss. His neck and collarbone were covered in hickeys. Georgina raised an eyebrow slightly. “What are you doing here?” How ridiculous. They were in my family’s company, sitting in what used to be my mom’s office, asking me why *I* was there? Phillips nervously stood up, trying to explain. “Stephenson, don’t overthink it. I can’t have a wedding with Georgina.” “She said it would look good on me, and wanted to try it on. I’ll go take it off and give it back to you right now.” He made a move to go to the break room, but Georgina wrapped her arms around his waist. “Return what? It was custom-made to your measurements. We’ll wear this for our commemorative photos when we register our marriage in a few days. Stephenson doesn’t have your physique; he couldn’t pull it off.” “There are plenty of suits for sale outside. He can just buy one then. If he really likes this one, after you’re done with it, we can alter the size for him. The wedding is at the end of the month, anyway.” This suit was custom-designed by Georgina, who personally flew abroad to find a designer. I was afraid she wouldn’t know my measurements, so I specifically wrote her a note. But Georgina casually tossed it into the trash, then, pretending to be angry, she kissed me fiercely. “Your size? How could I not know it? Who are you looking down on?” “Penalty: you have to kiss me.” As sweet as it felt then, that’s how heartbroken I was now. The ‘darling’ she spoke of, turned out to be someone else. I took a deep breath, and suppressing my nausea, I asked, “What right do you have to order the removal of my family company’s sign? And by what authority are you sitting here?” Phillips bit his lip and spoke softly, “Stephenson, Georgina is now the new CEO.” I froze, unable to comprehend what she meant for a moment. Georgina has her own company, why would she become the CEO of my family’s company? And when did she acquire the shares? “Stephenson, last month, your family’s company first lost a key client, then couldn’t collect payments from downstream suppliers, leading to a sharp drop in revenue and widespread internal unrest.” “Compounded by your mom’s sudden death, negative news spread like wildfire, and many shareholders were dumping their stocks at low prices. I was the one who bought them back in time.” As if sensing my confusion, Georgina got up and adjusted her collar. “Now I hold 40% of the shares, more than what your mom left you. The board members are smart people; they know who can lead the company to greater success.” “I can not only bring back the key client and collect the outstanding payments, but also promise them higher returns.” Georgina cupped my face, her eyes glinting with amusement. “But Stephenson, what can you offer them? Your tears?” “You’re a hothouse flower, pampered and overprotected by your mom.” “You don’t even understand business operations, how can you handle the cutthroat world of commerce?” “Be a good boy. From now on, you just need to stay home, enjoy life, and collect your dividends at the end of the year.” “As for outside engagements, Phillips will accompany me. He’s more suited for such occasions than you.” I couldn’t stop trembling all over. I might not understand, but I wasn’t an idiot. Georgina had revealed her hatred for Mom yesterday, and she had always been ambitious. Every single one of these incidents was clearly her doing. But watching her paint herself as a savior with such understatement, my heart still ached with spasms. That year, in my senior year of college, my classmates and I went to a nearby small shooting club. One of the girls who I had rejected before scoffed, “Oh, Stephenson, you actually dare to touch a gun? Can you even use one?” “Don’t wet yourself again. Even if you begged to be with me, I’d still find you disgusting.” That’s when Georgina appeared. She steadied my hand and fired nine shots, hitting the bullseye every single time. On the tenth shot, the muzzle suddenly turned, pointing directly at the girl’s head. Though I was terrified, I quickly nudged the barrel away, and the bullet whizzed past her ear. The girl’s face went pale with fright, her pants were soaked, emitting an unpleasant smell. Georgina lowered her gaze and chuckled softly, “Look, now it’s you, a pathetic coward who only bullies the weak and fears the strong, who should be thanking someone for their kindness and innocence.”
I asked her why she helped me, and she winked at me, joking, “Ever read fairy tales? A gentle little prince always has a Rose Knight to protect him.” Later, when we were together, she really did give me a strong sense of security. But reality isn’t a fairy tale. The Rose Knight’s sharp sword ultimately turned against the Little Prince. I clenched my hands, letting my fingernails dig into my flesh. “Georgina, I’d rather die than be your other man.” Before she could speak, Phillips grabbed me, trying to mediate. “Stephenson, don’t be so headstrong. We’re trying to protect you.” Phillips’s family was poor. His brother once showed up, wanting to forcibly marry him off to an old woman. When I went to rescue him, I was stabbed in the lower abdomen, completely losing my ability to have children. If Georgina hadn’t arrived with people in time, I might not have even survived. Phillips stayed by my hospital bed, crying his eyes out. “Stephenson, you took that knife for me. For the rest of my life, I’ll shield you from all hardships.” Hearing that, I gave a self-deprecating laugh, then raised my hand and slapped him. “Your ‘protection’ means betraying my mom and wanting me to be your other man with your fiancée?” “Phillips, I really regret not letting that knife kill you back then.” Phillips’s face paled, and his eyes instantly welled up. Georgina sprang up, giving me a forceful shove. She shielded him behind her, saying coldly, “Stephenson, apologize!” “No! You two scumbags are the ones who should apologize!” Georgina’s face completely darkened, and she sneered, “Stephenson, you’ve really been spoiled by your mom. It’s okay, I’ll make you grow up.” “Now get out immediately, don’t keep me from comforting Phillips.” I stumbled out of the office building, dazed, and looked up at the company sign. My parents started their business shortly after I was born. They named the company HAPPY, hoping I’d have a safe and happy life forever. It was their boundless love for me. But now, HAPPY was gone. The new name replacing it was ‘G&P’. Georgina’s heart, belongs to Phillips. Five years of genuine devotion, nothing but a premeditated revenge. Even the company Mom built from the ground up became a tool for them to flaunt their affection. I dialed a number. “Hello, I accept your proposal. I’ll fly to Los Angeles this week and marry you.” “I don’t need any dowry; I just need your help with something.” Not wanting to return to that empty house, I went to the cemetery on the outskirts of the city. But as soon as I arrived, I found a group of people vandalizing Mom’s gravestone. They were live-streaming on their phones, filled with righteous indignation. “We found that slut’s grave!” “That bitch was lucky to die so early, but we won’t let her off easy. Justice may be delayed, but it will come!” Only then did I realize that Mom and I were both trending on social media, being publicly shamed. There were photos of Mom kindly giving Phillips money for his family’s medical treatment. And photos of me slapping Phillips in the office. Back then, Phillips cried tears of gratitude, saying he wanted to repay Mom. I clearly remember Mom saying there was no need, that it wasn’t easy for young people to make their way in the world. But now it was being twisted, claiming my mom, relying on her wealth, had coerced and intimidated a young boy into becoming her lover. Even Phillips’s swollen eyes were portrayed as him being resentful but unable to speak out, suffering immense grievances. They praised Georgina as a heroine who had endured humiliation for years, finally achieving success and reclaiming her love. They praised her for changing the company name so well. And Mom became a social pariah, reviled by everyone. My phone kept buzzing with messages, all from elders who used to be close with Mom, and friends, trying to confirm the facts. But I couldn’t respond, because that person was excitedly shouting, “Want to see this slut’s body completely destroyed?!” “If we get over 500 likes, a few of us will immediately dig up her ashes!”
That’s enough! Seriously, enough! I couldn’t bear to listen anymore. Just as I was about to rush over, I was suddenly pulled back forcefully. Georgina, followed by several bodyguards, frowned at me. “Are you crazy? Those are all agitated men, who can you stop? You’ll just get hurt for nothing!” I forcefully shook off her hand and yelled, “Don’t pretend to be kind! Do you think I don’t know that all of this is your doing?!” “Georgina, my mom never forced Phillips; it was all his choice!” “My mom was kind to you; how can you do this to her?!” Exposed by me, Georgina showed no sign of guilt. She sneered. “It’s precisely because I considered that, that I didn’t do it myself. Compared to how your mom snatched Phillips away from me back then, I’ve been quite lenient.” “You’re her son, of course you’d say that. But I believe Phillips; he wouldn’t lie to me.” “Since you know now, Stephenson, you should know what to do.” That person immediately shrieked excitedly, “Holy cow, thanks to this righteous person, we’re only 100 away now! Everyone, push harder!” “Every second you hesitate is a show of leniency toward this slut!” I clenched my fists suddenly. She would actually go through with it! Taking a deep breath, I said, “Okay, I’ll go apologize to Phillips.” To my surprise, Georgina shook her head. “Phillips is kind-hearted. He knows you’re sensitive, so an apology isn’t necessary.” “You just need to give him the 15% shares your mom left you, as an apology.” I looked at her in disbelief. “Georgina, that’s the last thing my mom left me.” She gently tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “Silly, with me taking care of you, what good are those things to you?” “Your mom took up five years of Phillips’s youth; consider it compensation for him. You love me so much, you wouldn’t disappoint me, right?” Her tone was as gentle as ever, but I detected a full measure of coldness. In the live stream, they were only fifty likes short of five hundred. Georgina raised her phone again, her fingertip hovering lightly over the ‘Boost’ button. “Stephenson, Phillips is waiting for me. I can only give you three seconds.” “Three.” “Two.” My sharp fingernails dug into my flesh, and blood seeped out. “Okay, I promise!” Georgina made a satisfied call, shutting down that person’s live stream and removing all trending topics. At the same time, she ordered her bodyguards to drive away the crowd causing trouble at the cemetery. Watching me sign the contract, she pinched my cheek. “I just love how obedient and kind you are.” “See? Now, besides me, you have no one else to rely on. Be this good in the future, okay? I’ll take good care of you, just like your mom would have.” “City Hall on Friday, help Phillips and me with photos. Don’t be late. I promise you, I’ll give you a grand wedding at the end of the month.” After Georgina left, I staggered to Mom’s gravestone. I tried my best to wipe the paint off her photo on the gravestone with my sleeve. But unexpectedly, those people from earlier returned, carrying shovels. “So you’re her son.” “Your mom monopolized that young man, and you stole someone else’s girlfriend. Your whole family is shameless trash!” “Don’t think that just because you got the live stream shut down, we’ll let her off the hook. Today, we’ll turn her to dust and exact heavenly justice!” Terrified, I tried to stop them, but they shoved me down. In a blink of an eye, the gravestone was shattered to pieces. In my helplessness, I called Georgina. It took a long time for her to answer. “Georgina, help me, those people are back, they’re going to my mom’s…” “That’s enough, Stephenson. Don’t bring up your mom again; it’s disgusting to hear. Because of you, Phillips’s red marks still haven’t faded from his face.” “He’s worried sick it’ll affect the photos on registration day. I’m busy helping him apply compresses. Instead of discussing dead people, you should practice your photography skills!” My hand dropped limply. While holding me down, those people laughed as they smashed Mom’s urn to smithereens. Even her ashes were defiled by their filth. The sky suddenly unleashed a torrential downpour, washing everything away in the blink of an eye. Only then, muttering curses about bad luck, did they toss me aside. I knelt numbly on the ground, clutching a shattered piece of the gravestone inscribed with Mom’s name. My tears instantly burst forth. “Mom, I’m sorry.” “Give me some time; I will definitely get justice for you!” On Friday, City Hall was packed with people. Because Georgina and Phillips were finally getting their happy ending, many media outlets and curious onlookers came to witness the moment. “True love really can overcome all obstacles; after all the twists and turns, they’re still together.” “I always felt Stephenson was too soft-looking; he could never handle a sexy beauty like Ms. Georgina. It has to be a hunk like Phillips.” “Where did Stephenson go? Wasn’t he supposed to take photos for the happy couple? Maybe he realized how shameless he and his mom are and dared not show his face?” Hearing that, Georgina suddenly found it a bit grating. She gave a cold glance, then lowered her gaze to check the time. It was already half an hour past the agreed time. These past few days, I hadn’t sent her a single message. I had always been a good boy, and very dependent on her. Even when angry, I was always the first to back down. It was precisely because of this that Georgina was convinced I would never leave her. But this time, a sudden unease stirred within her. Just as she was about to call me, a reporter from some media outlet suddenly raised their phone and shouted, “Oh my god, Stephenson just registered his marriage with the Casino Magnate’s daughter!”
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