Suddenly, my phone buzzed with a message.

It was from Ryan Lee.

The video opened to a dark room where a man’s moans could be heard.

“Sis, slow down… what, your husband doesn’t satisfy you at home? Take it easy, don’t forget—this is the ‘courtroom.’”

The camera shook, but it was still clear that the woman in the frame was Olivia Carter.

She wore a business suit, while Ryan, seen from the side, was dressed in a ridiculous “servant costume,” playing the defendant.

She laughed lightly, tugging on his collar.

“You little demon, someone accused you of committing a crime in the control room. Do you plead guilty?”

Olivia’s tone was exaggerated, dripping with mockery.

Ryan immediately begged.

“Your Honor, I was wrong! Punish me however you want, I’ll never dare again…”

The shameless video almost made me vomit.

Then Ryan added smugly:

“Mr. Carter, about your brother dying in the industrial mixer—Olivia already punished me for it.”

I couldn’t stomach another second. I blocked him on the spot.

Then I called Mrs. Johnson.

“Your son is dead. What about the funeral?”

She was gambling at the poker table when she answered, and instantly erupted.

“Michael Carter, you bastard, who are you cursing? You’re the one who’s dead! Your whole family is dead!”

“I’m busy—if you call again to harass me, I’ll make sure you regret it!”

The line cut off with a series of harsh beeps.

Looking at Daniel Carter’s photo, my eyes softened with pity.

Now I finally understood why Daniel had hidden the fact that he worked at his sister’s factory, begging me not to tell anyone.

With a mother addicted to gambling, and a family like this, his life had been nothing but a lonely battle.

Just then, my lawyer sent over the divorce agreement. I called Olivia.

“Come home when you have time. First, attend the funeral. Second, sign the divorce agreement.”

For the past two years, Olivia had been punishing me for refusing to have children, constantly running around with other men. Ryan was only the latest in a long line.

At first, I thought she was just acting out of spite, only pretending. But after Ryan repeatedly taunted me, sending endless indecent photos and videos, I knew there was no doubt left.

This marriage was already dead.

“The funeral? I don’t have time. And so what—it’s only your brother. Your parents are still alive. If you divorce me now, won’t that kill them from shame?”

I fell silent. She knew my parents well—too well. She thought she could control me because they hated the idea of divorce, because they’d prefer me to endure.

But she forgot—my life is mine alone.

“Olivia, you’d better make sure you understand whose brother really died.”

Standing at the entrance of the crematorium, watching the furnaces lined up for use, my voice was ice.

“If you have time, you’d better come this afternoon. At four o’clock, he’ll be cremated.”

She only sneered.

“I’m too busy making money. Who has time for such nonsense? Cremate him if you want. A funeral? Handle it yourself. He was short-lived anyway—just toss something together.”

The call ended abruptly.

So be it.

If she said there was no need for anything elaborate, then so it would be.

In life, even though his sister was worth millions, Daniel never even had a place of his own. He’d still been renting.

I had his belongings gathered and brought to my marital home with Olivia.

Even the funeral, I planned to hold in our marital home.

When everything was nearly ready, I stepped out to the store. But when I returned, I froze in shock.

The solemn white funeral had been turned into a carnival—lanterns and balloons hanging everywhere, the place decorated like a wedding hall.

The photo of Daniel I had just printed was punctured with pen marks and scribbled over with colored ink, his face unrecognizable.

The urn beside it was shattered into pieces, mixed with grains and flour.

My face twisted in fury.

“Who did this?”

The workers exchanged uneasy glances, none daring to speak.

Finally, the butler stepped forward.

“Sir, it was Ryan. He came here to collect some things, brought a group with him, and deliberately made this mess. He even said… it was at Ms. Carter’s request.”

I almost laughed in outrage and immediately called Olivia.

“Are you even human? This is your brother’s funeral. How could you let Ryan desecrate it like this?”

Before I could finish, Olivia’s cold voice came from behind me.

“Desecrate? I don’t think so.”

“I think it looks festive—cheerful, even.”

I spun around. Olivia stood there, hands in her pockets, a mocking smile curling at her lips.

I turned pale with anger.

“Olivia! This is your brother. He’s dead, and you still humiliate him like this?”

Her smile deepened.

“Oh, now you’re anxious? Did you forget—last time you stopped me from leaving, Ryan’s puppy died because no one could save it. Do you remember how desperate I was?”

“That puppy was Ryan’s treasure, like his child.”

“And what did you say then?”

‘Things like this happen. Just bury it anywhere.’”

Her grin sharpened, cruel and cold.

“Now I’m giving your words right back to you. And frankly, I think Ryan’s idea is brilliant. Your brother was pathetic and unlucky—this way, at least he goes out with a bang.”

Go out with a bang.

So this was her revenge, for Ryan’s dead dog.

But she’d miscalculated.

I sneered and shook my head.

“If this is what you want… then so be it. I have no objection.”

Behind her, Ryan covered his mouth and giggled.

“Ms. Carter, see how considerate Mr. Carter is? He must be afraid you’ll really divorce him. But don’t worry, I’ve already forgiven him on behalf of the dog!”

As if that weren’t outrageous enough, Olivia grew even bolder, scanning the funeral site.

“Tsk, tsk—our marital home, turned into a funeral parlor? No way. Clear this out and move it all to the dog kennel.”

“Your brother wasn’t even married. Since your parents don’t agree to hold it here, the dog kennel will do just fine.”

The workers glanced at me uncertainly.

I sneered.

“You heard her. Do as Ms. Carter says.”

On the day of the funeral, guests who came to pay respects were horrified to find the ceremony set up in a dog kennel.

“This is madness! Who holds a funeral in a dog kennel? That’s insulting the dead!”

“It’s outrageous. Even if his sister thinks he was worthless, she can’t humiliate him like this!”

But Olivia didn’t hear a word.

Wearing a bright red dress, she deliberately strolled through the funeral, smirking triumphantly at my pale face.