Chapter 5

I went to the hospital and got a medical report for the assault, just for the record.

By the time I boarded the plane, it was already dark.

After landing, I covered my bruises and knocked on my parents' door.

Mom opened the door. When she saw me, she was first surprised,

Then asked with concern.

"Why are you back so suddenly? Did Brandon bully you?"

Dad hugged me, only saying in a deep voice, "Eat first."

In just half an hour, Mom, Dad, and the housekeeper prepared a table full of dishes.

Every single one is a dish I've loved since I was a child.

Seeing that table full of steaming food, my eyes stung.

For a moment, I thought I might break down right there.

I told them everything.

When I finished, my father slammed his hand on the table, his voice shaking with anger.

"Bullshit! We never asked him for any wedding funds!"

"He claimed he had it all ready, and we even told him to keep it. We never even saw a glimpse of that bank card!"

I stood there stunned.

Because Brandon had clearly told me that he personally handed the wedding funds to my parents.

And he even held me, looking desolate, saying that the money put a lot of pressure on his family,

And his parents were exhausted, making him feel unfilial.

I believed him then.

To lessen his burden, I voluntarily worked overtime to secure a project bonus worth hundreds of thousands.

And because of that, I missed his parents' birthday dinner.

At that time, I even specifically transferred him ten thousand dollars as a gift, just for his parents.

I clenched my fists.

Brandon, I will never let you off the hook again.

Dad slammed the table again, gritting his teeth.

"Eat first, rest tonight. Tomorrow, Dad will go there and get justice for you!"

That night, I slept incredibly soundly.

The long-lost relaxation and sense of security made me feel lighter.

The next morning, my dad, with a convoy of cars and a team of bodyguards, headed straight for my house just as dawn broke.

At the door, the password had been changed.

Without a word, my dad had the bodyguards kick the door open.

Chloe jumped up from the sofa, startled.

When she saw my parents and me walk in, her face twisted, and she pointed at me, screaming obscenities.

"You bitch! You think running to your parents will save you?!”

“You're married to my brother, you're part of our family now.”

‘My brother can do whatever he wants to you! If he slaps you, you take it. If he beats you so bad you lose that baby, you had it coming!"

At her words, my parents' faces instantly darkened.

Mom walked over, her eyes red, and tenderly touched my face.

Her fingertips brushing the spot I'd covered with concealer, tears welling up.

"My child, why didn't you tell us?"

Dad's face turned completely grim, and he said coldly.

"Go, invite our 'master of the house' kept man back here."

Chloe tried to say something else, but the bodyguards had already stepped forward, grabbing her and pinning her to the floor like a rag doll.

Chloe's face was pale, and she dared not make another sound.

Just then, Bethany walked in, carrying several large bags of luxury goods.

The moment she saw me, she froze.

Our eyes met, and a trace of panic flashed across her face.

She instinctively used her bags to shield the jewelry and accessories she'd taken from my safe.

I was also stunned.

In just one night, she had transformed from her simple self to being decked out in flashy, expensive clothes.

I demanded angrily, "Who gave you permission to touch my things? Take them off immediately!"

Hearing my words, the bodyguards immediately stepped forward.

Bethany immediately clutched her belly and shrieked.

"Don't touch me! I'm pregnant!"

She cried, looking at me and my parents, shouting hysterically.

"Ms. Seraphina, what are you doing? What kind of woman brings her family to make a scene? Aren't you ashamed?! Besides, all these things were bought for you by Brandon.”

“He said I could use them if I wanted! Even if you're jealous, you shouldn't disregard Brandon's wishes!"

My parents were trembling with anger.

Dad sneered, pointing at the luxury items on her.

"Only a black card could buy these things!

Brandon, a poor kid from the countryside, where would he get the money to buy these?"

"Take them off her!

If you don't, I'll call the police and accuse you of theft! Tens of millions of dollars' worth of items, you'll be facing a lifetime in prison!"

Hearing this, Bethany was too scared to cry out anymore.

She could only sob as the bodyguards took off the items one by one.

Just then, Brandon was escorted in by the bodyguards.

His face was pale, his clothes disheveled.

Bethany rushed over, crying, and embraced him, pleading.

"Brandon, say something! Seraphina misunderstood our relationship and insisted on calling her parents to make a scene... Those people snatched the jewelry and even tried to tear my clothes..."

But Brandon completely ignored her.

He forced a smile, fawning over my parents.

"Mom, Dad, why are you here?

Why didn't you tell me in advance? I would have picked you up!

Look, they even came to my company for me, and I couldn't even sign my contract."

My dad snorted coldly,

"Sign what contract? I'm pulling all future funding I promised you. Even if you sign the contract, you won't have the money to push it forward."

Brandon's face instantly changed.

His voice trembled, "Dad, you can't do that! If you pull the funding, my company will collapse! I have so many orders waiting for capital turnover!"

"What does that have to do with me?"

My dad's voice was as cold as a knife.

"If you could make my daughter happy, I would naturally support you. But now, you can't even do that."

"Your company, whether it lives or dies, what does that have to do with us?"

Brandon panicked, quickly rushed to my side,

Grabbed my hand, his voice pleading.

"Sera, I just wanted you to be more independent! Before we got married, you told me that even after marriage, you wouldn't lose yourself.”

“I didn't want you to become that kind of entitled gold-digger, I was really doing it for your own good!"