Sweat beaded on Nigel's forehead, and his face turned ashen as he clenched his jaw. "Yes, I know you. You're the pathetic loser who's been harassing Ms. Bennett!

"Too bad. You've been throwing yourself at her, yet she doesn't want you. She only has eyes for Mr. Sterling. Do yourself a favor and just give up!"

Nearby, one of the security guards added with a sneer, "So, he's just a shameless boy toy trying to muscle in as the third party. He even has the nerve to show up here and cause trouble for Mr. Serling. Guys, get him out of here!"

As he spoke, he grabbed me by the collar and dragged me off.

I gritted my teeth through the pain and kicked him where it hurt most.

The security guard let out a muffled groan and doubled over, legs clamping together.

I took the chance to break free from his grip.

"Damn it! You've got a death wish!" he roared.

Just as he was about to lunge at me, the door swung open, and heavy, deliberate footsteps approached us.

"What's going on here?" Andrew Sterling asked, impatience written all over his face.

He added, "This celebration is for my newborn son. What are you making a scene for?"

In an instant, everyone lowered their heads respectfully and greeted him.

The guard who had hit me lowered his fist before hurrying over to Andrew.

"Mr. Sterling, you came at the perfect time. This guy kept insisting he owned the place and tried to force his way in," he explained with an obsequious smile. "Even after Nigel exposed him, he refused to leave. When we tried to throw him out, he had the nerve to fight back!"

After hearing what had happened, Andrew lifted his chin and looked down at me.

I stared straight at him. One look was all it took for me to clench my fists. On his wrist was a watch—the very one Leonard had given me for my 18th birthday.

I had always been focused on my research and never cared much for such things, so those luxury items had stayed locked away in the safe at home. Even Josephine had never seen that watch. How could Andrew be wearing it?

I took a deep breath, gritted my teeth, and forced the words out, asking, "Where's Josephine? Get her out here!"

In the next instant, Andrew slapped me hard.

"Who do you think you are, calling my wife by her name?" he asked with a sneer. "Get lost! It's my son's celebration. I don't have time to argue with you."

The blow jolted my head to the side. Blood trickled from my nose, and my face burned with pain.

My eyes were bloodshot with rage as I roared, "I'm her husband!"

Yet, no one believed me, and laughter rippled through the crowd instead.

My eyes darted around, searching desperately.

After I married Josephine, her mother, Monica Lawson, stayed with us. She had always treated me like her own son. If she spoke up, everyone would know who I really was.

Right then, my eyes lit up with joy. "Monica!"

I rushed toward her, relief flooding through me.

But before my fingers even reached the hem of her shirt, she shoved me hard. Caught off guard, I was knocked to the ground, my forehead slamming into the corner of a table.

I hissed in pain.

I hadn't even gotten to my feet when Monica's voice rang out, dripping with contempt. "Don't pretend we are family! I don't have a shameless son-in-law like you! Stop trying to latch onto us!"

I looked up in shock, only to see Monica standing protectively in front of Andrew. Beside her, a housekeeper held a baby.

Monica glared at me. "The Bennetts' son-in-law is the younger brother of Sterling Group's chairman! You're nothing but a mere researcher. How dare you cause trouble here!"

My mind went blank. A moment later, I cried out, "Monica! It's me! Two years ago, when you were hospitalized for surgery and Josephine was away, I stayed with you for over two weeks. Don't you recognize me?"

Monica didn't even glance at me. Instead, she smiled ingratiatingly at Andrew. "Don't mind him. He's just a loser who thinks he can land someone out of his league. He's been pestering Josephine for ages.

"But don't worry. I know her better than anyone. She'd never fall for a jerk like him. You're the only man worthy of being her husband. I'll have someone throw him out right now!"

Just then, the baby in the housekeeper's arms started crying loudly.

Monica hurriedly took the child over, cooing, "Oh, sweetie, you're awake. Don't be afraid. It's all this loser's fault. I'll give him what he deserves!"

I was trembling with rage as I grabbed my phone and called Josephine. "What the hell is going on at home with the man and the baby? Come home right now and explain yourself!"

On the other end, Josephine's breath caught.

"Wasn't your project still going on? Why are you back already?" she asked, flustered. "I'll explain everything to you. I'm coming over now!"

I hung up and glared at Monica and Andrew. I was dying to see how Josephine would explain herself when she arrived.

Across from me, Andrew snickered. "Oh, right. I remember now. Josephine told me about you. So, you're the ex who left her cold in bed, huh?"

As he spoke, he smacked my cheek lightly, his eyes glinting with provocation.

"She said you only knew one position. You couldn't satisfy her, so she had to fake it every time. You two barely slept together. Just once or twice a month, right?"

Andrew clicked his tongue. "No wonder she was starving. She hadn't known what it meant to truly be a woman until she met me. She even said she'd be happy to die in my bed."

I shook with fury. In the next instant, I lost control and shouted, "You're full of bullshit!"

Without thinking, I punched him hard.

Andrew clutched his cheek, screaming, "How dare you hit me!"

In a flash, several security guards surrounded me.

Andrew's face contorted with rage while pointing at me. "Beat this lunatic to death! Strip him! I'll film it and post it online so everyone can see what an impotent man looks like!"

Before I knew it, my shirt was torn open. Buttons flew in every direction, and my belt was wrenched from my waist.

I struggled desperately, but their strength overwhelmed me. In the end, I was pinned to the ground.

Andrew grinned cruelly, grabbed my jaw, and spat in my face. "Nothing's working down there, is it? Let's just cut it off and be done with it."

I looked up at Monica, hoping she'd help. To my horror, she had her phone out, recording me with delight.

Despair washed over me. I clutched my smartwatch with everything I had and pressed the emergency alert button.

The next instant, they yanked my arms apart, forcing me into a spread-eagle.

Several security guards brandished knives, leering at my groin with wicked smiles.

Just as they were about to rip the rest of my clothes off, a car screeched to a stop right in front of the entrance. It was Josephine.

"Everyone, stop right now!"

The crowd froze. Then, one by one, they released me.

I curled into a ball, trembling uncontrollably with humiliation and rage.

Josephine rushed over, but she didn't spare me so much as a glance. Instead, she went straight to Andrew, cupping his face and blowing on his cheek. "Darling! What happened to your face? Who hit you?"

After that, she turned anxiously to the housekeeper holding the baby and asked, "Is he okay? Was he scared?"

Andrew wrapped an arm around Josephine, looking every bit like the victim as he whined, "He barged in and beat me up! He even called me a homewrecker and scared our baby into crying!"

The security guard who had attacked me immediately nodded. "That's right, Ms. Bennett. This man assaulted Mr. Sterling. We only restrained him to protect Mr. Sterling."

It was only then that Josephine turned to look at me. Her expression hardened, and her gaze was icy.

Without warning, she raised her hand and struck me across the face. "Frederick Sterling! How dare you lay a hand on my man!"

The blow left my head spinning. I stared at Josephine in disbelief. How could she do this?

Andrew sneered as he lifted his foot and brought it down hard. His thick leather shoe crushed into my chest like a boulder.

Pain tore through me. I reached up instinctively to grab his ankle, but Josephine kicked me hard, sending me rolling aside.

Her brows drew together as she leaned into Andrew's arms. She looked at me with contempt, then said, "Don't bother. You'll only dirty your shoes."

At that moment, something inside me died. How could Josephine cheat so openly?

I grabbed a torn scrap of cloth from the ground, barely managing to cover myself. A beat later, I staggered to my feet to demand answers.

Josephine gave me a look of disgust before slapping me again. A metallic tang filled my mouth as blood slowly dripped from my nostrils.

She yanked my hair, raising her hand to strike me again.

Just then, Derek Miller, the research institute's secretary, walked over. "Josie, aren't you hosting a celebration? What's going on here?"

I struggled to my feet and called out, "Mr. Miller! It's me, Frederick Sterling. Josephine cheated on me! While I was away on a business trip, she had a child with another man. When I confronted them, they beat me up and humiliated me!"

I was a key researcher at the institute, so Derek knew about my relationship with Josephine.

Seeing the state I was in, his expression darkened. He quickly took off his jacket and gave it to me to cover my exposed body.

My eyes were red-rimmed. I lifted my chin and glared at Josephine and the others. But to my surprise, she wasn't the least bit flustered.

Smiling, she slipped a card into Derek's hand. "Mr. Miller, we divorced a long time ago. He's delusional and keeps harassing me. We're celebrating my newborn son today, but he barged into my home and assaulted my husband."

As she spoke, Josephine leaned in close to his ear, whispered something, and then gave him a knowing look.

Derek's expression changed instantly. He turned to me and said sharply, "I never imagined you were this kind of person. You've brought shame to the institute. You're fired!"

With that, he turned and walked away.

I stood frozen, unable to believe it.

Just as I was about to go after Derek, Andrew's hand clamped around my throat. He slammed me hard onto the ground, a cruel grin spreading across his face.

"Frederick, I hear you love research. If I cripple your hands, what do you think will happen?"

Fear and shock surged through me as I struggled with all my strength to get up.

Andrew laughed disdainfully before turning to the security guards nearby. "Break his hands and drag him away! Don't let him ruin my party."

The guards moved in instantly. They worked together, pinning my arms and legs before lifting me toward a secluded corner.

I fought with everything I had, but it was useless. Rage consumed me, threatening to reduce me to ashes.

All around, people were enjoying the spectacle.

At that moment, my last shred of hope shattered.

As I was sinking into despair, the roar of dozens of luxury cars echoed outside the villa.

A convoy of limousines sped toward us before screeching to a halt. The car doors swung open, and black-clad bodyguards filed out in organized squads.

The moment everyone saw who had arrived, their faces went pale.