At that moment, Mom, who hadn't said a word until then, stepped forward and played the peacemaker.

"That's right. How could you say things like that? You both accepted his gifts. You know what? Let's just drop it."

I pushed her aside. "I don't understand what you're all talking about. What's wrong with dating someone and receiving gifts? You're all insane."

"That boyfriend of yours is not a good man. He has a wife and a kid, and you still shamelessly cling to him. What's the matter with you?"

"What nonsense are you talking about? How could my boyfriend have a wife and a kid? We've known each other for five years now!" I argued.

Thankfully, I had prepared for this long ago. I pulled out Charlie's certified civil record. Under marital status, it showed he was unmarried.

"I really don't know where you heard those rumors about him having a wife and a kid. At the very least, you should have some evidence."

Dad took the document and looked at it with David. There, they both saw that Charlie wasn't married.

"Forget it. I didn't expect this young lady to be so crafty. The document is obviously fake. I've seen plenty of fake ones selling online.

What bad luck for the family. We're the ones who'll get humiliated in the end. At this point, I might as well sever ties with her."

Dad had been half convinced, but after he heard Mom's inner thoughts, doubt crept back in.

"Are you messing with me? It's fake, isn't it? Does your boyfriend not have parents? Where’s his parents’ information?"

As he spoke, Dad tore the certified civil record into shreds.

I laughed out of sheer anger. "Are you insane? Why did you tear up someone else's certified civil record?

"You won't believe me, right? Fine. I'll call the police. Surely you'll believe them."

I was about to pull out my phone when David snatched it away and slammed it to the ground, smashing it to pieces.

"You troublemaker! Get on your knees!" Dad grabbed a stick nearby and brought it down hard on my knee, and the pain sent me crashing to the floor. "I'm going to break your legs!" he shouted.

As I was pinned to the ground in utter humiliation, Mom stood a short distance away, grinning in satisfaction. Just then, a voice came from the doorway. "Selena, are you okay?"

Charlie rushed in, shoved Dad aside, and pulled me into his arms.

Fortunately, I had prepared in advance and asked him to wait downstairs. If I didn't go down within half an hour, he was to come up and look for me.

He made it just in time, so my legs were spared.

"Perfect timing! The adulterer finally shows up. How dare you trick Selena? I'll end you!" David rolled up his sleeves and charged forward, only to freeze when he saw Charlie's face.

"M-Mr. Dawn? How could it be you?"