Chapter 3 A Number From Eight Years Ago

• “Heather, where are you headed? I can give you a ride,” Walt offered, his lustful gaze lingering on Heather's luscious body.
• He went to the same university as Heather and Alex.
• Back then, Heather was the prettiest girl on campus. Walt pursued her for four years, but Alex won her heart in the end.
• He was furious to learn that Heather ended up marrying Alex, who had nothing under his name.
• For the past few years, he had been harboring a grudge and had finally begun planning his revenge.
• “Mr. Wallace!”
• “Mr. Wallace!”
• Carmen and Lucas started sucking up to him eagerly.
• However, Heather said coldly, “Stop putting on an act, Walt. Don't worry. I'll come to you tomorrow. I hope you'll keep your word when the time comes.”
• Walt attempted to suppress his rage in the face of Heather's cold demeanor. He reached out and grasped her hand, looking her directly in the eye. “Heather, it's been so long. Can't you see how much I still care for you?”
• Shocked, Heather tried to jerk her hand away, but Walt refused to relinquish his hold on her.
• Alex happened to witness this when he walked over to them. Fury blazed in his eyes as he demanded, “Let go of her, you filthy animal!”
• Walt turned over his shoulder to see Alex. A mocking glint appeared in his eyes as he remarked, “Oh, isn't this our smart class rep? Why do you look like a beggar?”
• “I said, let her go!” Alex warned. He was on the verge of losing control.
• Heather grew increasingly flustered. She tried to pull her hand back from his grasp as Alex approached. “Let me go!”
• Her wrist was hurting, as Walt's grip was too tight.
• “Heather, you're going to be mine tomorrow. Why can't I hold your hand?” Walt asked menacingly as he fixed his gaze on Heather.
• Heather felt torn. For the Jennings family's sake, she had no right to reject him.
• However, she was also deeply concerned for Alex.
• She was still hesitating when Alex took action.
• The man stepped forward and delivered a punch to Walt's face.
• “Ow!” Walt shrieked in pain. Blood gushed out from his mouth as he dropped to the ground.
• Heather, Carmen, and Lucas were flabbergasted.
• Following their nuptials, Heather found Alex to be quite a shy individual.
• The mere sight of Alex losing his temper was enough to make her heart race wildly.
• “What have you done, you idiot?” Lucas hurried over to help Walt up. “You're nothing but a savage. Do you think you can bear the responsibility of beating Mr. Wallace up?”
• “You useless piece of trash. How dare you?” Carmen delivered a stinging slap to Alex's face. “Get on your knees and apologize to Mr. Wallace right now!”
• Alex glared at Carmen as he balled up his fists.
• “Why? Do you want to hit me?” Carmen gave him another forceful slap.
• “Hey!” Alex stepped forward instinctively, unable to suppress his anger.
• His fierce expression was so intimidating that Carmen could not maintain her composure, and she took a step back in terror.
• Heather blocked Alex's path and retorted, “What are you trying to do? Are you really going to hit my mom? Hit me instead if you dare!”
• Alex felt himself trembling in the face of her anger, and the previously intimidating aura he had projected disappeared into thin air.
• He slumped his shoulders in dejection.
• “You good-for-nothing. How dare you yell at me? Just wait. I'll definitely punish you!” Carmen became emboldened, her arrogance growing with each passing moment as she realized that Alex no longer had any power to intimidate her.
• “Are you okay?” Heather turned around to ask Walt.
• “I'm fine. I'll let this slide for your sake,” Walt replied, wiping the blood from the corner of his lips. There was a menacing look in his eyes, but it vanished in an instant. He turned to Heather and said, “Heather, if you divorce him, I will be honored to have you as my wife. I'm not trying to insult you by asking you to spend three days with me. I did that because I wanted to prove my feelings to you.”
• Heather was disgusted to see Walt's earnest look.
• She tamped down her discomfort and flashed a polite smile.
• “Mr. Wallace, don't worry. I will make sure Heather divorces that loser today!” Carmen promised, feeling a flush of happiness.
• If Walt marries my daughter, my daughter will be entering into a life of wealth and privilege. No one will dare to threaten us or try to intimidate us anymore!
• Walt gave a proud nod.
• He then shot Alex a look and provoked, “My dear class rap, I'm going to hold a grand wedding for Heather tomorrow. Won't you come and give us your blessings?”
• “Don't worry. I'll definitely be there!” Alex sneered as a cruel glint appeared in his eyes. “By then, you'll get on your knees and beg for my forgiveness!”
• “Beg for your forgiveness? Are you serious? Everyone in town knows that you're a good-for-nothing who had been cuckolded. Why would I ask you to spare me?”
• “You were the one who deliberately spread rumors about my wife betraying me, right?”
• “We'll see each other tomorrow. Our university mates and I will be eagerly awaiting your arrival,” Walt responded with a chuckle, without explicitly admitting or denying that he had spread the rumors. He then turned to leave in his car.
• Heather looked at Alex, disappointment evident in her eyes.
• Then, when she turned to look at Walt, she was filled with disgust.
• Despite knowing Walt's character well, she couldn't lash out at him, as she needed his help.
• Suddenly, a taxi rolled up to the curb, and Heather eagerly stepped off the sidewalk to wave it down. She didn't even glance back at Carmen and Lucas as she opened the door and got in.
• Clearly, she was in a foul mood.
• Carmen glared at Alex, her voice rising with every word. “B*stard, how dare you yell at me? I'll make sure you pay for this!” With that, she grabbed her son's hand and hailed a taxi to leave.
• Alex whipped out a cigarette. After lighting it, he took a puff as a vicious glare appeared in his eyes. He spun around and stalked to his electric scooter.
• Walt, since you refuse to back down, don't blame me for being ruthless.
• With that thought in mind, he dialed a number he hadn't dialed in eight years.
• “It's me, Charlie,” Alex said when the call was connected.
• “Mr. Jefferson! I can't believe you've finally called after eight years!” An old man's excited voice rang out from the other end of the line.