“Anyone with a conscience would be disgusted by a thankless bastard like you.” Dariel clapped back. His tone was growing even more arrogant.

“You came from nothing, and yet Veronica didn’t look down on you. She even arranged a job for you in her family's company.”

“If it weren’t for the Campbell family, would you be living the good life you have now? Would you even be sitting in the president’s chair?”

Smack!

I slapped him across the face without hesitation.

“You’re just an assistant. Know your place and keep your mouth shut.”

Seeing him hurt, Veronica instantly panicked.

“Miguel, are you insane?! What gives you the right to hit Dariel?”

She shoved me aside and hurried to help Dariel off the ground. Her eyes were full of concern.

“He deserved it,” I said flatly, clenching my fists, utterly unapologetic.

The crowd instantly turned against me.

They began to think my usual calm demeanor was all just an act—deep down, I was nothing but a violent hypocrite.

Dariel lowered his head and said quietly to Veronica, “I’m sorry, Veronica. This is all my fault.”

“I shouldn’t have spoken out of turn. I must have upset Mr. Miguel. Please don’t blame him.”

He looked so guilty and remorseful.

“It’s not your fault,” she replied gently. “I dragged you into this.”

Then she turned to me, her voice low and humble, “Honey, this is between us. Don’t take it out on others.”

“Today is our daughter’s first birthday. Can’t we just get through the day without drama? I’m begging you.”

Tears welled up in her eyes as she spoke.

Her softness.

My aggression.

The contrast couldn’t have been starker.

Naturally, the guests sided with her.

Her father, Franco, took a deep breath and tried to mediate once more.

“Miguel, over the years, you’ve always been hardworking, devoted to the family, and respectful to your elders.”

“There’s no need for things to get this ugly.”

“If you really feel wronged, bring out the evidence. I promise I’ll stand up for you.”

He was giving me an out, but I didn’t take it.

I remained cold and firm. “This marriage is over. I’m divorcing her no matter what.”

At that instant, his expression changed, and a hint of gloom clouded his face.

Veronica looked at me through tears.

“Is there someone else?” she asked, voice quivering.

“Think whatever you want,” I said indifferently. “If that’s what you believe, go ahead.”

“That’s enough!” Franco finally exploded. “Miguel, I’ll give you three days to think this through.”

“Either you go home and act like a husband and father—”

“—or we’ll see you in court. And don’t expect to leave with a dime.”

“Don’t forget, everything you have now came from me.”

The words were harsh and final.

Everyone thought I’d finally give in. But instead, I turned and walked out without hesitation.

Outside, my junior from university, Stella, was already waiting for me.

“I’ve already sent someone to Europe,” she said with a smile. “The answers you want—won’t take long now.”

“Thank you.”

I leaned wearily against the backseat, exhaustion soaking into my bones.

“I’ll be facing Veronica in court in three days,” I added. “I’ll need you to represent me.”

As I spoke, I pulled out my phone and opened a video clip.

In the surveillance footage, Veronica’s beloved teddy bear walked straight out of the side bedroom.

Then—it began dancing in front of the living room camera.

That footage alone was enough to upend everything.

Three days. That’s all I needed.

Originally, I planned to check into a hotel.

But all my bank cards had been frozen.

Only then did I remember—over the past year, control of our finances had slowly shifted back into the Campbell family’s hands.

Even the bank account was now registered under Veronica’s name.

I had thought I was living in a warm and happy family. In reality, I was completely alone.

That night, I crashed at Stella’s place.

The next morning, I returned to the company to collect my things.

The moment I stepped into the lobby, I was bombarded by gossip and whispers from the employees.

"A live-in son-in-law asking for a divorce? Doesn’t even know how lucky he is—he’s dumber than a pig."

"So what if President Campbell likes cuddling a teddy bear to sleep? That’s not weird. I do it too!"

"He probably got bored of her after she gave birth and her figure changed a little. Wouldn’t be surprised if he’s keeping a harem of mistresses on the side."

The way they looked at me was full of disgust as though I were some vile criminal.

I hadn’t even opened my mouth to respond when a familiar voice rang out from behind.

“Enough! Who gave you permission to speak like that? Get back to work!”

It was Veronica.

Only then did the employees reluctantly scatter.

She walked up to me with a warm smile. “Honey,” she said, “I bought you a new watch. Try it on.”

From her bag, she took out a pristine wristwatch.

Gasps erupted around us.

"A Patek Philippe limited edition! Only three were ever made—rumor is, they were all snatched up by mysterious collectors!"

"President Campbell must’ve gone to great lengths to get her hands on this. She’s so thoughtful..."

Everyone looked on with admiration and envy.

But my response remained cold.

“I came to collect my family heirloom,” I said, stepping back. “You can save the watch—for your teddy bear.”

The words hit like ice water.

Veronica froze, stunned.

The crowd erupted again, only now with outrage.

“What an ungrateful bastard!”

“He doesn’t deserve anything good!”

I ignored every word and headed upstairs.

When my parents passed, they left me with only one thing—a pendant they said would ward off evil. I’d worn it around my neck ever since.

A while ago, Veronica had complained that her office felt eerie, that strange noises kept happening.

So I’d taken off the pendant and hung it in her office. From that day on, everything went quiet.

But now? She didn’t deserve to keep it.

As I entered her office, I saw Dariel playing with a little girl.

“President Miguel,” he greeted with a grin. “You’re finally back. Nothing matters more than a happy family. Come, take a look at your daughter.”

“She’s adorable—how could you bear to walk away from her?”

He walked over with the child in his arms.

“Move,” I said with a frown of pure disgust.

“She’s your daughter,” Dariel insisted, his voice rising. “You won’t even spare her a glance?”

“Get out of my way!” I shoved him aside impatiently and walked straight in to retrieve the pendant.

I turned.

Dariel and the girl had both fallen to the floor.

At that exact moment, Veronica walked in with several senior executives and saw everything.

She rushed to the child, checking her from head to toe. Only when she confirmed there were no injuries did she breathe a sigh of relief.

“What happened?” she asked, eyes darting between me and Dariel.

Dariel hung his head. “I just wanted President Miguel to look at his daughter, but he refused. He pushed me... I wasn’t steady on my feet, and I fell.”

What?

Before I could react, Veronica slapped me hard across the face.

"You've become heartless!" she screamed. “That’s your own daughter!”

“She’s barely a year old. What if she had been seriously hurt?”

My face remained indifferent. “Say whatever you want. Even if she had died from the fall—it’s not my problem.”

Her expression collapsed.

Tears streamed down her face.

Dariel pointed at me, shaking with rage. “What the hell is wrong with you?! Cursing your own daughter to die? You’re beyond help!”

“Enough,” Veronica choked out, trembling with fury. “I’m done.”

“Get out.”

“Get out of my life! I can raise our daughter on my own. She doesn’t need a father like you.”

“We’ll settle this in court.”

Veronica's final words were practically screamed at the top of her lungs.

I didn’t respond. I simply turned and walked away.

Not long after, news of my divorce with her exploded online.

One exposé after another flooded the internet.

Some claimed I was keeping dozens of mistresses.

Some said I was a regular at shady clubs.

Others even alleged I had an illegitimate child.

Photos were posted as so-called evidence.

I was crucified on the internet—labeled a heartless scumbag who abandoned his wife and child.

Still, I remained silent.

No explanations. No statements.

Until three days later, when I appeared in court.

Because the trial was public, the gallery was packed—not just with friends and family, but with reporters as well.

“Miguel,” Veronica said, fists clenched tightly, “I’ll give you one last chance. Admit your mistake, and let’s move on with our lives.”

Dariel chimed in beside her. “You don’t have a leg to stand on. You’ll lose everything in the divorce. What then? Who’s going to want anything to do with you?”

“Just give in,” he sneered. “Unless you want to end up sleeping on the street.”

Veronica's parents sat stiff-faced.

“Miguel,” her father said sternly, “think carefully about the consequences.”

“If your whole argument for splitting assets is that Veronica sleeps with a teddy bear, you have no chance of winning.”

In the face of their criticism, I said nothing.

I simply walked to my seat beside Stella.

The entire Campbell family scoffed in unison.

The hearing began.

After reviewing Veronica’s submitted evidence, the judge turned to me.

“Sleeping with a teddy bear doesn’t constitute a fault in a marriage,” he said.

“However, the plaintiff has submitted over fifty photos of you in intimate situations with other women.”

“If you cannot provide new evidence, the court will rule you at fault based on the current facts.”

I stood up calmly.

“I have evidence.”

Now the real show was about to begin.