Mom rushed forward, took my hand, her eyes brimming: "Son... you've lost weight."
Dad turned away, wiping his eyes.
I noticed Dad's hair, mostly white now. Mom's new wrinkles.

My heart clenched.
Suddenly, I knelt:
"Mom, Dad... I was wrong. Wrong to marry Scarlett Davis. Wrong to cut you off."
Mom pulled me up, hugged me tightly: "Sweetheart, we don't blame you. We're taking you home."
I saw tears welling in Dad's eyes.
Mine fell uncontrollably.

They were titans in their fields.
Their carefully raised, cherished son had broken their hearts.
Yet here they were, forgiving, welcoming me home, assuring me I was still their beloved child.
My parents were my bedrock.

My willingness to be the scandal's punching bag served two purposes.
First: Going home.
I missed them. But I was stubborn.
The worse I was trashed, the sooner they'd find me.
I needed their help to crush those snakes.
Scarlett and Liam were A-listers. Capital protected them.
A civilian couldn't fight capital.
Only capital could beat capital.
Second: Making the scandal huge, ensuring their permanent downfall.
The best way to destroy someone? Lift them high. Let them grow arrogant, think they've won.
Then watch them fall from heaven to hell.
I played along with their PR. I could also destroy them.
I relished holding all the cards.
Soon after I got home, my parents threw an elite soirée.
Attendees were industry giants.
I wasn't interested.
I found my best friend, Ethan, to get some air.
Unexpectedly, I saw someone from the past. Ethan's eyes lit up:
"Jason! Your childhood friend Anya's here!"
"She neverattends these things! Jason, she came for you, right?"
"Don't be ridiculous. She's engaged."
Though I'd cut ties, I knew Anya had taken over her family's empire after returning from studying abroad. She owned the nation's biggest talent agency, launching countless stars. A powerful figure.
Ethan and I stood nearby. She was the center of attention, accepting compliments.
"To what do we owe this rare pleasure, Anya?"
"Ms. Stone is notoriously hard to pin down."
Anya smiled:
"Just discussing business with Mr. Williams. Thought I'd join the fun."
I stared, momentarily lost, then smiled.
She looked as fiercely untouchable as ever.
"Jason, long time no see."
She greeted me smoothly, like no time had passed.
"Long time no see."
I accepted her olive branch.
After all, when the fish bites, you reel it in.
Those who play with fire get burned.
A "source" leaked to Twitter:
"HUGE REVERSAL in Scarlett Davis & Liam Thompson scandal! Civilian dude was the LEGAL HUSBAND! Scarlett dumped him after fame. SHE & LIAM ARE THE CHEATERS!"
"Scarlett's PREGNANT with the side-piece's baby!"
Three photos and a video.
Photo 1: My marriage certificate to Scarlett.
Photo 2: Scarlett's positive pregnancy test.
Photo 3: Liam holding Scarlett's arm at a clinic.
Video: Security footage of Benjamin slapping me, Scarlett ordering me to kneel.
Capital ensured this topped the trends. Rival capital couldn't suppress it.
The public devoured it. Anya Stone intervened.
She was useful when leveraged.