I straightened myself, every wound on my body burning with pain.
But when I thought of my father, I gritted my teeth and rushed back to the hospital.
People pointed at me everywhere I passed.
That was when I realized the court video had already gone viral online.
Heidi had become the delicate angel millions wanted to protect, while my father and I were cursed as parasites, villains, and swindlers.
When I walked into the ward, my father was wrapped in layers of bandages, both legs shattered, even his breathing trembling.
I almost collapsed from the pain in my chest.
Others in the room murmured complaints.
“A person like that is vicious. Injuring himself just to fake an accident.”
“He better not try to extort us. Tell them to get out.”
I tried desperately to explain, but no one wanted to believe me.
My father listened to their words, shaking with anger as he pounded the bed.
He had spent his whole life helping others, yet he was being insulted like this, all because he trusted the wrong person.
He looked at me with hopeless eyes.
“I treated Caleb like a son. He has never been wronged in his life. Why would he help others hurt me? What did I do wrong?”
I could no longer hold back. Tears streamed down my face.
But the people around us kept mocking.
“You are all vicious. This is the retribution you deserve.”
More and more people crowded around the door, throwing filthy and hateful looks at us.
I could not bear to let my father suffer another second. I decided to discharge him.
But when the doctor brought the bill, I froze completely.
All the charges had been raised to more than ten times the original amount.
The doctor lowered his voice.
“You offended someone you should not have. Some debts must be paid.”
Bodyguards surrounded me like hunters blocking their prey.
It was clear they would not let us go without the money.
My hands trembled as I took out my phone, only to find the account balance had become zero.
Caleb had transferred everything out.
I called him immediately.
Caleb’s voice was lazy, even amused.
“Heidi has been having trouble sleeping. Consider this her emotional compensation.”
I could not stop myself from shouting.
“That is my father’s medical fee.”
“As long as you publicly admit you slandered Heidi, she will give you a large payout,” Caleb said calmly.