I rushed back home, getting in touch with my lawyer while on the way.
With plenty of time to spare, I joined Ethan's live - stream and watched calmly.
The number of viewers in the stream surged as Ethan ranted, "Don't have kids if you're broke. You know how tragic a life of poverty is?"

"After years of hard study, why can't I have a simple graduation gift?"
"Why live a broke, slavish life? It's better to leave at my peak, free."
The comments were a mixed bag - some pleaded with him, some egged him on, and some blindly agreed with him.
But my viral post had started to turn the tide, sparking skepticism among the viewers:
"What's this 'simple' gift? I saw a single mom post about a kid demanding $70,000."
"An Apple suite, huh? What's with this materialistic craze? Does graduation make you royalty?"

"Classic. 'Don't have kids if you're poor.' You look well - fed, kid. Just mad that your ego isn't being stroked?"
An eagle - eyed netizen spotted a clue: "This neighborhood matches that single mom's post. Is this the ungrateful son?"
Netizens dug up all sorts of information about Ethan - his school, family, grades, and even his pre - exam boasts about his $70,000 wish list.
"He's from my school. Terrible grades, and he bragged about a wish list he thought his mom would buy after the exams. Exactly $70,000."

"What a saga. Why not ask your cheating, deadbeat dad? It's easier to guilt the one who actually cares."
"Don't want a broke life? Try working, not whining like the sky owes you cash."
When I arrived home, there was a large crowd gathered below.
Together with the firefighters, I climbed up to the roof.
Ethan was flustered. He had been expecting blind support, not the online roasting he was getting from the netizens.
He argued online, claiming that he just wanted to reward himself for his years of study. He called me selfish for not spending money as a manager should and even defended his dad: "Dad has a new family, but he loves me. He bought me limited - edition sneakers - thousands of dollars worth. What has Mom ever bought? Why judge him?"
The crowd gasped in disbelief:
"Love is one pair of shoes, and then he's been ghosting for years? You're clueless. Your mom has spent way more on your tuition and living expenses."
"With that IQ? Skip college and go hit the factory. Buy your own stuff."
"No luxury gifts, no love? Your mom's efforts mean nothing to you."
As he continued to bicker, a firefighter crept up behind him and yanked him down.
I rushed forward, tears streaming down my face, and hugged him for the cameras.