My vision turned black, and my chest hurt so much I could barely breathe. Yet, I was still as confused as ever because I didn't know what was going on.

Bryon then said, "Eight old widows came looking for you at the company today, demanding that you be held responsible for their one-night stands! And they all thought I was you and each gave me a hard slap in the face!"

I saw the evil glint in his eyes and realized that he was framing me ever further with this ridiculous claim.

I was just about to defend myself when Rachel suddenly slammed her heavy handbag against me and yelled, "You bastard, Corey Dalton! And to think I was feeling sorry about you and thinking about making it up to you later!

"But I guess there's no need now, since it seems to be your kink after all! I can't believe that these are your true colors after being with you for so many years! You absolutely disgust me!

"And you even dragged Bryon into this for no reason! Go to hell!"

She continued yelling and screaming in my face, not at all caring if what Bryon said was the truth or not and just going with everything he said.

I swallowed the blood from my busted lip and glared at the people before me. I gritted my teeth and said, "Bryon is lying!"

However, all I got in response was just another kick from Steven.

"The board members have already forcefully repossessed all of your company shares! And we are not friends anymore! Sign this now!"

He then threw a resignation form in my face that indicated I was resigning of my own accord and free will.

Rachel added coldly, "Bryon would never lie! He's a million times better than you! Don't you ever dare twist the truth! Someone as filthy as you should never be a company shareholder in the first place!"

Both of them continued hurling insults in my face. Meanwhile, Bryon stood to the side, a smug, victorious grin on his face as he looked at me with a gloating expression.

All of my words were caught in my throat. Ultimately, I just let out a self-deprecating chuckle and signed my name on the form.

I couldn't care any less for such a fragile, ridiculous friendship and relationship with both Steven and Rachel anymore. I could just do without!

"My engagement to Bryon and your engagement to the old hag will be held at the same hotel on the same day. Make yourself present there when the time comes."

That was the last thing Rachel said to me before leaving with Steven and Bryon in large strides, disappearing completely over the next few days.

I still thought of trying to escape, but I was immediately stopped as soon as I got to the front gates.

…

On the engagement day, I had only just stepped foot inside the hotel when I was hit with a wave of gossip and malicious speculation.

"That's Corey Dalton, the man who slept with more than 30 old women at the same time! He's such a sick pervert!"

"You can never judge a book by its cover. You'll realize how much of a bastard he really is once you compare him side by side with Bryon. It's a relief that Ms. Winters found out in time and dumped him before she jumped straight into the fire!"

"This man is freaking disgusting!"

Rachel, Steven, and Bryon were all chatting and laughing not too far away. But when they saw me, a look of disgust appeared on their faces at once.

Everything struck me in the heart like a knife.

I thought of finding a corner to hide, but Jeanette dragged me backstage to get my clothes and hair done.

There had to be at least a dozen bodyguards stationed outside the door to stop me from running away.

When I came back out, Steven was giving a speech onstage, while Rachel and Bryon were both receiving the guests' blessings happily as they ascended the stage together.

The applause was thunderous.

Everyone said that they belonged with each other as they were the perfect couple.

Then, the old woman that I saw before also went up the stage in a flaming red dress and a wide smile on her face.

Everyone immediately lowered their heads to hide their laughter.

They all knew that this old woman was very powerful and influential, and that she literally controlled the economy of the entire city in her hands, so they didn't dare to offend her. Yet, they still found it hilarious that she was actually a cougar in disguise.

"It's time to go up, Mr. Dalton!" Jeanette said, half-dragging and pushing me up the stage.

I gritted my teeth and walked down the aisle toward the old woman onstage with everybody's scrutinizing gaze and Bryon's triumphant eyes on me.

The hall erupted in loud applause once again. But this time, it was not a congratulatory one; it was tinged with mockery.

I felt all of their sharp gazes piercing into my back, but there was nobody who could save me anymore, so my eyes turned blank as my soul wandered off.

"Why are you all clapping for me? I'm not the one getting engaged to him," the old woman suddenly said, glaring at the crowd.

"Now, it's time for my granddaughter to come onto the stage! She is the one who will be Corey's future wife!"