Not Your Doormat Anymore

"Those are your rights, but if you want to take legal action, you'll need to hire someone to draft the complaint statement," the officer informed me.

"No worries. I have a lawyer."

After our brief conversation, Rachel deleted the video while we watched. Then, she recorded another video, apologizing to me in tears and admitting her mistake.

When the video was posted online, the netizens who had been leading the charge in slandering me were left completely dumbfounded.

"What? That's it? Has it even been five hours since this started?"

"Wow, they move this fast now? Don't these things usually drag on for at least three to five days?"

"This was the fastest counterattack in history!"

"This is why you don't commit defamation. You could actually get arrested for it!"

While the online crowd remained stunned, Lindsey had already set up a business account upon my request and uploaded the evidence in a video format to clear my name.

Despite a few paid trolls continuing to spread hate, most people were able to judge the situation fairly-especially after the police department's official account reposted the same video.

By the time I got home that evening, everything had been resolved. I was now being called the "fastest CEO" online.

I wasn't particularly fond of the nickname, but when I saw the growing number of followers on my social media, I decided to let their little joke slide.

After I announced that I would take legal action against those who had helped spread false information about me, those people followed in Rachel's footsteps and uploaded apology videos of their own.

Mom and Dad had noticed the sudden shift in public opinion. When they saw me return home, Mom grabbed my hand, clearly concerned.

"You've been through so much, Jace. What's wrong with those people? How dare they spread liesnoveldrama

when they don't even know you!" Mom said angrily.

Dad cleared his throat and added, "You handled things pretty swiftly."

He was surprised by how I had tackled the situation. After all, most people would try to bury it with another trending issue and wait for the heat to die down.

I shook my head and said, "Some companies are afraid that calling the police will harm them, especially when they have something to hide. They're too embarrassed to call the police, but I'm not. I have nothing to hide. I don't care how y civil officers they send our way. I've got nothing to fear."

Dad gave me an approving pat on the shoulder. "Not bad. You've finally grown

up."

"Oh, that reminds me, where is Kourtney? Why isn't she here with you?"

I froze for a moment and cursed silently.

In my rush to come home and explain everything, I had forgotten to bring Kourtney along. Mom and Dad still thought she was my girlfriend.

"Well, I was dealing with that

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scandal. I was afraid that if I didn't handle it properly, it might affect her too. So told her to stay home," said, quickly coming up with a reasonable excuse. "I'll head back right after dinner with you.

"That won't do. She must've been worried sick today. How sad must she be,

waiting for you alone?" Mom said with clear displeasure.

She shot me a glare and turned to the housekeeper. "Pack up some food. Jace will take it home to eat with Kourtney."

"What? Mom, Dad, I haven't even eaten yet," I protested.

I was completely taken aback. I had always been their precious son, the one they prioritized above everything. But now, it felt like I was second to Kourtney.

"Listen to your mother. You can't let her worry like that. Take the food and go have dinner with her. Come visit us when you're both free.

Dad backed Mom up. As soon as the housekeeper finished packing the dishes,

Mom handed me the bag and pushed me out the door.

And just like that, I was kicked out of my own house without even a proper goodbye. I returned to the apartment feeling completely helpless.

When I arrived, I saw Kourtney waiting outside the door with tears in her eyes. The moment she saw me, she ran into my arms.