Chapter 4To My Dad, I'm Only Worth One Dollar

Jake turned his head toward Zayn with confusion.

When their eyes met, Zayn flashed a cruel smile as he brandished his phone. "A freeloader like him cares about his reputation the most. If we strip him, take photos of his pathetic state, and force him to admit he's just someone's boy toy, what will happen to him?"

"Not only will he voluntarily shut up about this, but even his backer will find him repulsive and dump him! He will be completely under our control!"

I was shocked, not knowing how to react. "Dad, a-are you going to watch him do that to me?"

I thought my ties with Jake would at least make him hesitate.

Enraged and jealous, Zayn barked, "What did you call my dad?"

Then, he confronted Jake, "Dad, do you know this loser?"

Panic crept into Jake. He quickly tried to appease his son. "Zayn, don't listen to his crap! I don't even know him. He's just a scamming lunatic! You're my only son, and the only one I love."

"Dad, please. We're bound by blood. Please ask him to stop… Don't let them hurt me…" Even though I was disgusted by his fake loving-father persona, I knew I was all alone now. I had to try to awaken whatever last shred of humanity he had left.

A crisp slap landed on my face.

Jake glared at me with warning in his eyes, looking ready to tear me apart. "Damn you, bastard! How dare you spew nonsense here? Who's your dad? If a reality check is what you need, I'll give it to you now!"

He turned back toward Zayn, giving his silent approval.

With that, Zayn commanded the thugs, "What are you waiting for? Get him!"

Then, he propped the camera up and aimed it at me.

The men laughed wickedly as they approached me, while I backed away in sheer terror.

They ripped off my jacket. Buttons popped off my shirt and clattered onto the ground, exposing my chest.

I thrashed fiercely as I roared, "Let me go! You bastards! Get off me!"

Jake stood to the side, a fleeting look of pity in his eyes, only to be quickly replaced by cold indifference. "Zayn, a few photos are enough to intimidate him. Don't end up killing him."

Zayn nodded agreeably, but his gaze toward me was dripping with pure malice.

I knew then that he wouldn't let me go.

Just as they were about to strip me bare, the blonde lookout stationed at the intersection came scrambling in sheer panic. "W-We have a problem! Zayn, Mr. Litt, rows of black Maybachs just rolled up outside. They've blocked off the road."

Before he could even finish, dozens of lethal-looking bodyguards swept into the area.

The crowd froze. They were too terrified to speak.

But Zayn and his men remained oblivious, still trying to rip my clothes off.

A cold, booming voice rang from the back of the crowd. "How dare you hurt my man! You must have a death wish!"