Chapter 2

"You really enjoy playing the victim to fish for sympathy." Jonathan sneered, pulling his hand back in disgust when Frederick tried to grab him. He raised an eyebrow and looked down at Frederick with an air of arrogance. "Let me help you with that." Before Frederick could react, Jonathan's foot shot out and slammed into his stomach. The force sent him flying over ten meters before his frail body crashed heavily onto the ground. The entire crowd gasped in shock. Frederick coughed up blood, his face turning ghostly pale as a flash of hatred flickered in his eyes. He hadn't expected Jonathan to kick him, especially not in front of everyone. The old Jonathan had always craved familial love, enduring insults and accusations without fighting back. He had never dared to defy his parents or sisters, let alone act out in such an audacious way. Even when he was wronged, he would endure it in the name of family. However, Jonathan was completely different today. What happened? Frederick lowered his gaze, hiding the murderous intent brewing in his heart. Interesting. Jonathan used to grovel and beg for the Campbells' affection, and yet they still despised him. Now that he was acting out, they would only hate him more. He lifted his head and shot Jonathan a defiant look. So what if Jonathan was their biological son? The Campbell family's legacy and the stunning Stella would always belong to Frederick! Tears welled up in Frederick's eyes as he forced himself to look pitiful. With his lips trembling, he asked softly, "Jonathan, is it me? Am I not good enough? W-Why would you hurt me like this?" The Campbells and Stella finally snapped out of their shock. They rushed to help Frederick up, their faces filled with worry. Stella's heart ached as she spotted the blood trickling from the corner of Frederick's mouth. The surrounding guests held their breath. Though they wanted to criticize Jonathan for his outrageous behavior, the sight of his lean, muscular frame intimidated them into silence. "Jonathan, you're completely out of line!" Gregory roared, his face red with fury. "You've ruined this birthday party! Do you have any respect for our family? For the Campbell name and everything it stands for?" In the world of the wealthy, birthday parties were more than just celebrations—they were opportunities to build connections and expand influence. Gregory had planned this party to introduce Frederick to influential figures, paving the way for him to take over Campbell Group. But Jonathan, this ungrateful wretch, had ruined everything! Jonathan's voice was calm, his eyes cold and detached as he said, "When you brought me back to the Campbell family, you swore you would make up for the 15 years of familial love I had missed out on." His lips curled into a bitter smile. "And like a fool, I believed you." Gregory and the others froze. "For three years, I walked on eggshells around all of you, doing my best to please you. And what did I get in return? Nothing but disdain and neglect. Where's the so-called love you promised me?" Jonathan's tone sharpened, his piercing gaze locking onto Gregory. "You constantly accuse me of bullying Frederick. Do you think I'm so stupid that I'd go out of my way to pick on someone you clearly adore? "You never believed me when I explained, but you'd trust every word he said. Twisting the truth, confusing right from wrong—your blind favoritism for Frederick is truly astounding." Jonathan added coldly, his tone devoid of warmth, "For three years, I've gotten not a single ounce of love from any of you. He wears countless designer clothes, while I'm stuck in tattered, hand-me-downs that I can't afford to throw out. "He has a bedroom, a study, a music room, a walk-in closet, and a gaming room. Me? I live in a 100-square-foot storage room. Every holiday, every birthday, he gets a mountain of expensive gifts. Meanwhile, you've forgotten every single one of my birthdays." The faces of Gregory, Eleanor, and the sisters darkened visibly. To the guests watching, Jonathan's words painted a damning picture. It seemed as if the Campbells had been outright abusing him. Eleanor's gaze lingered on Jonathan's worn, faded black outfit, clearly washed too many times. A flicker of surprise crossed her face. "Jon, you…" She opened her mouth, searching for words, but couldn't find any. After a long silence, she simply closed her mouth helplessly. The three sisters frowned slightly. While Jonathan wasn't lying, they didn't feel they were entirely at fault either. How were they supposed to know what he lacked if he never asked for anything? Frederick froze. Everyone here knew he wasn't the Campbells' biological son. Jonathan's accusations only highlighted the fact that he had stolen Jonathan's rightful place in the family. His face burned with shame. Keeping his head down, he cast a venomous glare at Jonathan from the corner of his eye. Gregory stood in stunned silence for a moment before recovering. His expression shifted, trying to salvage some dignity as the head of the household. "Jonathan, if you needed something, all you had to do was ask. We're not so petty that we'd deny you material things." Eleanor, quick to catch on, gestured to a nearby maid. "Prepare the master bedroom on the third floor for Jon. Also, buy him a new wardrobe—make sure everything fits properly." Frederick's expression stiffened. For the first time, a genuine sense of crisis gripped him. Eleanor sighed and turned to Jonathan. "Jon, you've misunderstood us. Your father, your sisters, and I… of course we care about you. It's just that Frederick has always been frail, so we've naturally been more attentive to him. But that doesn't mean we don't love you." She added, "You and Frederick are both my children. You should get along. Frederick, he—" "No need." Jonathan cut her off, his face blank. If these guests weren't here, would they still be doing this? He knew the answer. Gregory and Eleanor were only acting now because they didn't want to tarnish the family's reputation. A flicker of unease passed through Gregory and Eleanor's faces. For some reason, they couldn't shake the feeling that this Jonathan was completely different from the one they knew. Jonathan's hand clenched tightly in the pocket of his jacket, his fingers gripping a pen and a folded piece of paper. In his previous life, this was the moment he had already wanted to leave the Campbell family. He had even written out a formal document to sever ties. But he had held onto an impossible dream, thinking that if he just waited a little longer, maybe—just maybe—the Campbells would truly accept him. That was until the night before his college entrance exams, when Jonathan had been thrown out of the Campbell residence. His luggage was unceremoniously dumped at the gates by the maids. It was pouring rain that night. Dragging his suitcase through the drenched streets and narrow alleys, Jonathan searched for a place to stay. That was when Frederick sent six thugs after him. They ambushed him and beat him up. Drenched from the rain and feverish, Jonathan collapsed. A kind stranger found him and rushed him to the hospital. He was unconscious for five days and missed the exam entirely. Now, gripping the agreement in his pocket, Jonathan steadied his resolve. After a deep breath, he pulled it out and handed it to Gregory. "Mr. Campbell, Madam Eleanor, let's end this," he said plainly. Gregory took the document and glanced at its contents. His eyes widened in shock before narrowing in rage. The head of the Campbell family, usually so composed, looked like he was about to explode. "Jonathan, what is the meaning of this?" he roared. "An agreement to sever family ties?" The place erupted into chaos. "What? He wants to cut ties with the Campbell family?" "Is he out of his mind?" "Am I hearing this right?" Born into privilege, living a life most could only dream of, and he was throwing it all away? Eleanor stood frozen in place, staring in disbelief. The three sisters were equally stunned, unable to process what they'd just heard. Stella frowned, her sharp gaze fixed on Jonathan. What was he trying to pull this time? Meanwhile, Frederick was secretly thrilled. If Jonathan publicly cut ties with the Campbells, it would be irreversible. Even if he regretted it later, there would be no going back! Jonathan's voice was calm, almost detached. "I'm tired. Cutting ties is best for everyone." Gregory's fury boiled over. "Oh, so you're just going to throw this tantrum and sever ties, huh? You think this is some way to punish us for favoring your brother, and you're threatening us with this?" He spat, "You ungrateful brat! Instead of learning anything decent, you pick up these rebellious, shameful habits!" Eleanor's whole body trembled with anger. The child she carried for nine months was now standing before her, declaring he wanted to sever their bond! She couldn't accept it! She marched toward him, her heels clicking sharply against the gravel. Jonathan had grown taller, so much so that she had to tilt her head to meet his gaze. Her face flushed with fury, Eleanor raised her hand and swung it toward his left cheek.