Chapter 2
Tyler caught a glimpse of my lock screen and snatched the phone straight out of my hands.
The crew huddled around him instantly.
“Wait! Isn’t that Tyler’s bride, Miss Chloe?”
“Must be an AI deepfake. No way in hell it’s real.”
A look of smug realization washed over Tyler’s face, instantly followed by deep repulsion.
“Chloe told me about the creep who wouldn't stop stalking her. It’s you, isn’t it? You actually made AI wedding photos with her? You sick freak!”
He slammed my phone onto the gravel by my feet. The screen shattered into a web of cracks.
“Shameless piece of garbage. You dare drool over my woman? Who do you think you are?”
“What, went broke and decided to leech off my family’s money, huh?”
He smashed the phone so fast I didn't even have time to react.
The groomsmen muttered among themselves, nodding in faux realization.
I swallowed down the venomous rage in my throat and stared coldly at Tyler.
Before I could move, Tyler grabbed my collar, slammed me onto the gravel, and slapped me hard across the face.
I threw a punch straight back, but his three buddies tackled me from behind, pinning me against the dirt.
They dragged me into the private backstage quarters of the estate.
Staff and vendors looked on, whispering, but nobody dared step in. Everyone knew today was the big day for Miss Chloe of Apex Logistics.
My head was spinning. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine my day would turn into this.
They shoved me onto the cold concrete floor, several pairs of hands pinning my limbs down so I couldn't budge.
A heavy kick slammed right into my gut. A ragged gasp tore out of my throat before Tyler’s dress shoe came crashing down onto the side of my face.
Lying on the freezing floor, the pain in my stomach made it nearly impossible to breathe. My face burned as if scalded by boiling water.
“A grown-ass man acting this pathetic, crashing my boy Tyler’s wedding! Completely shameless! Wanted a sugar mommy so bad your brain broke, didn't it?”
One guy spat on the ground and kicked me hard in the ribs.
“Look in a mirror, loser. You think you’re worthy of Chloe? Tyler and Chloe are made for each other!”
Another guy with curly hair chimed in, lighting a cigarette and blowing smoke into my face.
“Absolute disgrace to men.” A polished black shoe stomped down onto my left hand, grinding into my knuckles.
I groaned through clenched teeth, which only earned a round of loud, mocking laughter.
“I am Chloe’s actual—” Before I could finish, Tyler slapped me across the mouth again.
“Who gave you permission to say my wife’s name, you son of a bitch? You’re not worthy! A lowlife gutter rat like you doesn’t get to breathe her name!”
Tyler chewed his gum furiously, his face twisted into an ugly, vicious sneer, dropping any shred of charm he once had.
The taste of copper filled my mouth.
“Wait, I remember now,” Tyler sneered, looking down at me before delivering another brutal kick to my ribs. “Back at the villa, she kept texting someone pictures. That was you, wasn’t it?”
“You piece of trash. You dare try to seduce my woman? Ran out of cash and tried to hustle my wife?”
His gaze suddenly froze on the Patek Philippe strapped to my wrist. His eyes went ice-cold.
“How the hell do you have a watch like that? Speak! Did my wife buy that for you?! You parasite! She hasn't even bought me one yet! What kind of lies did you feed her?!”
He violently ripped the luxury watch off my wrist and buckled it onto his own.
He held his arm up triumphantly, bathing in the envious stares of his friends.
“Bro, that watch matches your vibe so well! Miss Chloe probably bought it for you in the first place, but this snake intercepted it…”
“Or he just stole it!”
“Exactly!”
Tyler glared down at me. “Chloe would never look at a rat like you. Turns out you're not just a delusional stalker—you're a thieving scumbag.”
Blood dripped steadily from the corner of my mouth. Tyler raised his fist to strike again, but his ringtone cut through the room.