Chapter b8 /b

    Alex’s hands trembled as he flipped through the evidence, his shoulderspletely sagging in defeat. []

    He signed the papers, but the embezzled funds still needed to be repaid.]]

    His parents had already blocked him. []

    With nowhere to turn, he could only rely on those “buddies” he’d once treated so generously. []

    In the past, whenever anyone had trouble, he’d lend out hundreds of thousands without blinking – now he just needed that money back.

    Full of hope, he dialed the first number: “Leo, bro, I need to ask you something. Can you pay back that hundred grand? I really need it right now.“]

    The phone carried sounds of partying in the background, and Leo sounded annoyed: “Alex, you joking? I already bought a car with that money – where would I get cash to pay you back?“]

    Alex forced augh: “Then sell the car first and help your bro through this rough patch.“]

    Leo immediately turned hostile: “That’s MY car, why should I sell it? You’re so selfish!“]

    “But I lent you the money to buy it!“[]

    “Did I beg you to lend it? Don’t think I don’t know – you just love showing off in front of us, acting like some big shot. Who do you think you are? Disgusting!“]

    He hung up angrily.

    Alex’s whole crew seemed to be together because afterward, he couldn’t reach anyone else’s phone.[]

    It was pathetically funny.

    The brothers he thought would have his back apparently saw him this way all along. He’d be aplete joke.[]

    With nowhere else to go, Alex went to find Tori – he’d bought her a mansion, thinking it would be hisst refuge.]]

    Seeing him return, Tori excitedly showed off a new wedding dress: “Isn’t it gorgeous? Hand–crafted by a French master designer – five hundred thousand!” ]]

    She twirled in the dress and grabbed his arm excitedly: “My knight, when do we meet your parents? We should set a wedding date toob!/b”

    Alex’s face darkened as he stammered: b“/bBaby, could you maybe return the dressb?/bb” /b

    Tori looked confused, then even more delighted: “What? You think it’s too cheap and want to buy me something more expensiveb?/bb“/b]

    Alex copsed on the couch, silent for a long time before finally looking up. []

    Pure THUY INCH bWHY’S /bTHE BEADY H1157 Emoy Your Lens, Soumates!

    b78.3/b%

    “Penny found evidence of me embezzlingpany funds for your spending and threatened to take everything in the divorce. I had no choice – I don’t want to go to prison.“[]

    Seeing Tori’s expression change drasticallyb, /bhe quickly tried tofort her.

    “Wedding dresses from discount sites for a few hundred bucks look great too – you’re beautiful in anything. What’s important right now is that you sell the house, car, bags, all the luxury stuffb, /band help me raise money to get through this.“]

    He tried to reach for herb, /bbbut /bshe recoiled in horror, clutching the dress tightly: “What does your prison time have to do with me? This stuff is mine – nobody touches bit/b!“]

    Alex waspletely stunned: “I paid for all this! Once we’re married, won’t it be marital property anyway?“]

    Tori snorted: “What? Did I let you have me for free all these years? You think I’d bother with you if you weren’t loaded? You’re nothing but a beggar now – you’re not even worth licking my feet, and you want to marry me?“[]

    As Alex tried to argue, Tori grabbed a vase and smashed it against his head. []

    “Get out! Get out of MY house right now!“]

    The vase shattered with a crash, water and blood streaming down Alex’s forehead. []

    Tori didn’t wait for him to recover, kicking and shoving him out the door.

    Alex wandered the bustling streets in a daze. []

    Children yed around their parents while nearby, new parents held their baby,ughing and chatting.]]

    As they passed by, he suddenly turned around, staring at the family of three’s retreating figures. Once upon a time, he’d dreamed of scenes like this – him holding a child while I nestled beside him.]

    If he hadn’t been involved with Tori, if he’d just lived properly with me, would he be the one enjoying that happiness now?]

    Once this thought emerged, bted regret crashed over him like a tidal wave, drowning him in unbearable pain.]

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