Chapter 36

After all this, it was certain Darren would have to go abroad. Since then, he'd been listless and spent his days at home. He underwent several medical examinations at the hospital, but no abnormalities were found. Doctors, and the entire Bennett family, concluded he was physically fine, attributing his poor mood to the upcoming departure.

His grandfather and other family members were disappointed, suspecting Darren was exaggerating his condition. They believed he was lying, even feigning weakness after receiving a clean bill of health. Darren felt increasingly isolated within his family; everyone, including Sally, doubted him. He could see the disbelief etched on Sally's face.

Bang!

Darren jumped up, his sudden movement causing him to knock over a table. Unable to bear staying home any longer, he stormed outside.

After running for a while, however, he stopped. The vastness of the outdoors offered no escape, only intensifying his frustration. He had nowhere to go.

Just then, his phone rang.

He answered curtly, "Who?"

"Why are you so angry?" a voice replied deliberately.

Darren frowned. He recognized the voice: Bob, a college acquaintance who disliked him. Bob had previously confessed to a girl who rejected him in favor of Darren, leaving Bob humiliated. This led to a fight, which Darren won.

Bob, also from a wealthy family, held a grudge and sought revenge. Recognizing the potential trouble, Darren almost hung up, but Bob's taunts goaded him into accepting a meeting.

Darren arrived to find Bob at a billiard hall. Bob, cue in hand, looked up.

Leaning against the billiard table, Darren asked, "What do you want?"

Bob smirked, gesturing to his companions to clear the table. "You're going abroad, so I won't see you again, right?"

Darren's face darkened. "Are you mocking me?"

"No!" Bob chuckled. "I'm saying, 'Congratulations!'"

Before Bob finished, Darren slammed his fist on the table.

Bob sneered, "Why are you so weak now? That's not like you!"

He then advanced, fists clenched, and struck Darren's chest. Darren, still agitated, tried to block the blow, but Bob remained unmoved.

Bob laughed. "So the rumors are true! You really are weak!" His laughter ceased abruptly, replaced by a cold glare. Grabbing Darren's collar, he hissed, "You're in trouble today." He threw Darren to the ground. "Teach him a lesson! There are no security cameras!" he snarled to his accomplices. "This isn't your day, Darren."

The others circled. Darren remained outwardly calm, but his heart pounded; he felt genuine fear for the first time. He recalled Lauren's words: "Do you know the feeling of being weak and helpless?" He knew now. Alone and vulnerable, he crouched, shielding his head with his hands.