I Helped Him Climb Up, He Watched Me Fall

“Maybe their travel money was stolen, too. If the head of the family is corrupt, the rest won’t be any better.”

“People sent you money because they trusted you. Even life-saving money wasn’t spared. No wonder you’re isolated now.”

In no time, netizens dug up every bit of my personal information. The insults spread far beyond me—they targeted my entire lineage.

Even on my old daily posts, people who once praised me now hurled vile insults, all because of unverified rumors.

Reading through the comments, I felt like a boulder was crushing my chest.

I couldn’t let this continue.

I organized every transaction and record, determined to print them out and throw them in Calvin’s face.

Just then, my mother called. Her voice was trembling.

“Honey, what’s going on? A group of young people confronted us just now. They started yelling at you. Your father got so upset he could hardly breathe.”

“Are you being bullied? Don’t be scared—Dad and I will come home right away to support you.”

I didn’t cry when strangers defamed me or spat venom online. But hearing my mother’s voice, my eyes burned, and tears finally fell.

I didn’t want them to worry, so I gently reassured her. I said I’d handle everything, step by step.

Then I noticed a new comment—someone had posted a photo of my parents.

“Hey, family, anything to explain? I’m about to give them a lesson on raising a daughter right.”

My ears rang instantly. I almost collapsed under the weight of panic.

“Mom, where are you and Dad? Are you okay?”

“We’re fine. Your father was struggling to breathe from anger, so we went back to the hotel to rest.”

I finally exhaled.

“Good. Stay there and don’t go out. Please don’t worry about me.”

After hanging up, I clenched my fists so tightly my nails dug into my palms.

They could insult me all they wanted—but dragging my family into it was something I wouldn’t tolerate.

I called Calvin.

“Hello? What’s up? Thought of a way to pay me back yet?”

His smug voice oozed arrogance. I fought the urge to slam the phone against the wall.

“I’ll say it again. You transferred every cent voluntarily. You know exactly where the money went.”

“Oh, and you recently won the lottery, right? Just be honest, return the money, and I’ll help calm the netizens down for you.”

“If not… well, I can’t say what those impulsive people online might do.”