Chapter 2

2.

When I got home, the tension holding me together finally snapped.

I collapsed onto the sofa, rubbing my temples until they hurt.

Brooks sent me a text, telling me to get some rest.

"I've got this, Silas. Don't worry too much."

I wanted to stop worrying, but the thought of Archer walking free after what he did made my stomach churn.

And now, I had a cheating wife to deal with.

While I was lost in my thoughts, Brooks sent me another link.

It was a video of Archer being interviewed by a reporter.

"Mr. Montgomery, Silas Sterling says he plans to appeal. What are your thoughts?"

In the video, Archer gave a smug, calculated smile.

"The public isn't blind. He can appeal a thousand times, but the truth won't change."

"However, as a fellow entrepreneur, I can understand Silas's desperation."

His words were vague, but they triggered a new wave of speculation online.

People started digging into my personal life.

The comments under the video were disgusting.

"Found him! Silas Sterling, CEO of Sterling Ent. Apparently, his company is on the brink of bankruptcy!"

"I heard he's lost his house. Everything is being seized to pay off his debts!"

"No wonder he's so obsessed with this lawsuit. He just wants a payout!"

"Like mother, like son. Both scammers!"

"Wait, let's not judge yet. The full story isn't out."

"Are you blind? The video is right there. What more truth do you need?"

The edited video of my mom started trending again. I clicked it and watched her clutching her chest, lying on the sidewalk.

"Hey, I'm just trying to help you. Don't try to pin this on me!" Archer's voice was mocking in the recording.

"You... you hit me..." my mom gasped.

"Ma'am, I'm recording everything. I just saw you fall..."

The insults piled up in the comments.

"I heard the old lady died. Good riddance. Karma is a bitch."

"God finally took out the trash."

"I bet she's done this dozens of times. A professional scammer."

"Poor guy. He tried to help and ended up getting sued for defamation."

"No good deed goes unpunished when dealing with people like her."

I stared at those words, my soul turning to stone.

Every single word was a lie.