Ethan was baffled by the nonsense he had just heard.
To think someone could be so shameless and cunning.
The people watching began to mutter in disdain.
"That's it. Just some loser who couldn't take the rejection."
"What a shameless idiot."
She had managed to convince them that Ethan was, in fact, the bad guy.
"No, she's making this all up. She's a liar," Ethan said, feeling the need to defend himself. But James moved toward him and grabbed him by the collar.
"You son of a bitch. You want to die? Stalking my girl because she rejected you? How did you get her number, huh?"
"I'm not a stalker. She is..." Ethan paused. "She was my girlfriend. We only broke up today."
"Yeah, right," James scoffed. "Like I'll believe that."
"Oh, James, the rejection must have made him lose his mind," Katie said in a pitiful tone. Ethan's expression turned bitter.
"You lying bitch."
"Shut up!" James yelled, his grip tightening.
Ethan strained.
Things weren't looking good for him, as everyone was buying Katie's act.
"You said you've been seeing each other for two months. That means she was two-timing you. Two-timing us," Ethan said, trying to convince James, hoping he'd see reason, but—
"Don't lump us together, trash. Why would she two-time me with a poor loser like you?" James snapped, looking visibly pissed.
He was the son of a wealthy family, while Ethan was just a poor waiter.
The difference was apparent—from their clothes to their looks and status—so it was obvious which of the two men an attractive young lady like Iris would choose.
"But it's the truth, she—"
Ethan didn't get the chance to finish. James slapped him hard across the face.
Ethan staggered back, holding his cheek in shock.
He looked around and saw the disdain on everyone's faces.
No one believed him.
"Babe..." Iris called out with a frightened expression, hugging James's arm tightly. "I'm scared he'll come after me after this. What do we do?"
"Don't worry. I'll call the cops right now. They'll make sure he ends up in jail," James said, taking out his phone.
At this, Iris froze. If the cops investigated, they'd find out Ethan was telling the truth—and that would be bad for her.
"There's no need to go that far, babe. It's my fault. I was the one who broke his heart. I don't want him to suffer for it."
"Oh, Ethan, you're too kind," James said, kissing her forehead.
Ethan gasped. He couldn't believe he had dated someone so manipulative.
She had convinced the crowd too.
"What a goddess, caring for a scumbag in this situation."
The crowd praised her for her supposed benevolence, and their hatred for Ethan intensified.
To them, he was just a bitter ex trying to ruin a beautiful couple—pathetic and pitiful.
They began to hurl insults at him, and Ethan was infuriated by the unfairness of it all.
"Quit acting like a saint, Iris. You're just scared the cops will find out who the liar really is."
"Shut up, you piece of shit!" James snapped. "Are you that shameless? Just accept her kindness and fucking leave."
Ethan fired back.
"You know, for someone from a wealthy family, you're quite dense."
"What?!" James couldn't believe his ears.
"And yes, I do have shame. I'm ashamed I ever dated such a manipulative bitch like her."
"You bastard!"
James punched Ethan in the face, knocking him to the ground.
Then, incensed, he called out:
"Hey, manager!"
The manager, Mr Davis, who had been watching, hurried over.
"Yes, Mr. James," he said with a gulp.
James was the heir to a rich family, powerful enough to shut the restaurant down with a single call. Whatever he wanted, the manager was ready to do.
"How can you hire a piece of shit like this as staff?"
"I'm so sorry, sir. I'll get rid of him right away," the manager apologized before swiftly turning to Ethan.
"You. Don't ever show your face in this restaurant again. You're fired."
Ethan's eyes widened in shock, and his heart sank.
He needed this job—it was the highest-paying part-time job he had.
He had debts and bills to pay. Most of them were covered by the salary from this place.
If he got fired, how was he supposed to cope?
"But sir, please—I need this job."
"You didn't think of that before causing a scene. Just leave, right this instant," the manager said dismissively.
"No, it's not fair. You can't treat me like this. I—"
The manager cut him off with a slap across the face.
Ethan froze, his head snapping to the side.
"You want to ruin me, you piece of shit? Take your nonsense and leave. Why drag me into it?"
Ethan slowly raised his hand to his stinging cheek.
He couldn't believe this was happening.
"Security. Escort him out of the premises immediately," the manager ordered.
Two hulking men flanked Ethan and grabbed his arms.
Ethan struggled against their hold, but it was futile.
They were too strong. He was yanked off his feet and dragged helplessly out of the restaurant.
"No... You can't do this!" Ethan cried out as he struggled.
"I'm telling the truth! Iris is a liar!"
Iris cowered behind James, who held her tightly. Then, she let out a small, victorious grin—just enough for Ethan to see.
It hit him.
Iris was a monster.
He shouldn't have caused a scene.
They had broken up. He should've just walked away.
But he couldn't—because he couldn't accept that he had been cheated on.
For so long... and he hadn't noticed.
There had been signs she was straying, and he had taken them as signs to try harder to impress her.
And she had taken advantage of that.
He really was a fool.
As Ethan was dragged out of the café, the manager once again turned to James and apologized.
James gestured for him to come closer, then whispered:
"Make sure to beat the lights out of him... break a bone or two if you will."