They Sacrificed My Marriage to Save My Brother Chapter 04

They Sacrificed My Marriage to Save My Brother Chapter 04 My Achievements Were Stolen
Todd’s welcome party was held at home. Kael had even hired a private chef from a five-star hotel.
Banners hung everywhere, boldly printed: WELCOME HOME, BELOVED SON TODD!
Todd wore the navy-blue suit Nyx had tailored for him, brimming with pride. He had an arm slung loosely around Nyx’s waist, basking in the guests’ endless praise.
“Mrs. Foote, you’re truly blessed! Your eldest son is outstanding, and your youngest is bound for greatness!”
“Indeed, and Nyx is so thoughtful and devoted to Todd.”
I sat alone in the corner in my worn, faded coat.
I glanced up just as Kael strode toward me.
“Hand over your USB drive.”
I froze in confusion. “What USB drive?”
Kael’s face darkened instantly. “Don’t play dumb with me!”
He gritted his teeth, voice sharp with urgency. “Your latest research paper! Todd’s system just issued another mandatory task. Hand it over, or he’ll die! I’m giving you three seconds!”
A cold, absurd sense of disbelief washed over me.
That research report had cost me three grueling months of nonstop lab work, burning myself out and ruining my health. It was not only my life’s academic achievement, the key to the top graduate award, but also critical to the family business. Without my years of relentless dedication, this family would have collapsed long ago.
“I refuse.”
Kael grabbed me by the collar, his other hand scrambling roughly through my pocket.
I thrashed desperately, shielding my pocket. “Dad, am I not your son? This research is tied to our family’s future—”
“Rainer.” A frigid voice cut me off sharply.
Nyx appeared out of nowhere, her brows drawn tight with contempt. “Don’t be shameless. Hand it over right now, or I’ll strip you of everything you have left.”
I stared straight at her, tears spilling uncontrollably down my cheeks.
Impatience flashed across Nyx’s gaze. She reached into my pocket without hesitation.
The pocket was empty. Just like the hollow void left in my chest.
She took the USB drive straight to the projector. The large screen lit up, displaying Todd’s name as the sole author of my research.
Beneath the dense rows of data lay every one of my sleepless nights, every ounce of my drained energy and suffering.
The audience burst into warm applause, showering Todd with endless praise.
“Mr. Foote, you’re so fortunate! Your son has returned home with such extraordinary talent!”
“The Foote family is truly full of geniuses!”
Todd stood on stage, bowing graciously. Nyx stood beside him, clapping softly, her eyes filled with nothing but admiration. My parents grinned from ear to ear, utterly elated.
I stared at that perfect, glowing foursome, madness boiling in my veins. I charged toward the stage without a second thought.
In that moment, a cold mechanical voice echoed inside my head.
“Detected host suffering extreme injustice and emotional collapse. System self-destruction protocol initiating. Terminating host to cease all suffering.”
Shock rooted me to the spot.
“Countdown: five minutes.”
After a dazed, long moment, I snapped out of my stupor and sprinted onto the stage. “This is my research! I wrote every word of it!”
Before I could finish my sentence, Kael flew into a violent rage and kicked me brutally off the stage.
My back crashed hard against the floor. My internal organs screamed in agony, as if they’d ruptured entirely. Blood gushed from my mouth, nose, and fresh wounds.
Suddenly, a woman pushed through the crowd and kicked me hard in the stomach.
“Rainer, you scumbag! You blackmailed me with private photos, stole my research, and manipulated my feelings! I’ve had enough of you!”
I stared at her in utter disbelief, pure despair crashing over me.
Dolia Vey—Nyx’s closest best friend.
I finally understood. They never just wanted to take everything from me.
They wanted to ruin my reputation, bury me alive in shame.
“Dolia, stop.” Nyx stepped forward, feigning mercy. “Leave him some dignity.”
But her pretense of kindness only nailed me permanently to the cross of public humiliation.
Whispers exploded across the crowd, quickly turning to vicious abuse.
“I never knew Rainer was such scum!”
He looks clean-cut, but his heart’s pitch black.”
My vision blurred, the world’s noise fading into a chaotic buzz.
The system’s beep echoed in my mind once more.
“Detected host in critical agony. Early self-destruction activated. 10, 9, 8, 7, 6…”
The countdown closed in fast. Panic, pain, and helplessness melted away from me entirely.
I looked at my father, mother, the woman I loved, and Todd’s triumphant smiles—and slowly closed my eyes.
“5, 4, 3, 2, 1.”
“Buzz——”
“Congratulations! Hidden system successfully activated!”