He had never dared to touch upon the topic of Felix, nor dared to mention Finn's dark and painful past, for he feared he would suffer an uncontrollable emotional breakdown.
And at this very moment, it was as if they were merely fragments he had carefully pieced together in a hollow facade.
After being struck by a violent external force, those fragments scattered all over the floor.
Shattered even more completely.
Seeing Peter trembling with rage, his eyes reddening, Max and Andrew stared at Aiden with fierce eyes, both prepared to strike immediately and throw the man out. But before they could act, a figure rushed straight toward them even faster.
Slap—
A loud, resounding slap landed on Aiden West's face without a moment's hesitation.
A crisp slapping sound echoed through the silent living room, stunning everyone in their tracks; even the air seemed to freeze at that moment.
Everyone looked at Catherine in disbelief as she had acted so outrageously in this moment.
Chapter 106: Prologue
Everyone looked at Catherine, who had struck, in disbelief.
Not to mention Aiden, who was dazed after taking that heavy slap, even Joseph seemed to have never seen this side of his wife.
Stunned, Finn shouted in his heart, [As expected of you, the great Lady Catherine!]
Shut up! You have no right to speak about Peter like that!" Catherine shielded Peter firmly behind her, glaring with uncontrollable rage at Aiden, who looked as if he had frozen on the spot. "Get out of this house right now! Immediately! Go!
Aiden covered his face, the stinging pain finally spreading across his skin with a delayed sensation, his eyes filled with shock and fury.
To be honest, before he came here, he had anticipated being violently thrown out by Young Master Osborn's bodyguard, but he never expected that the first person to strike him would be Mrs. Wilson, who seemed the most amiable and easy to talk to—the woman he originally thought would be the easiest to persuade and the easiest to break through.
The usually gentle and dignified Catherine stared back without a hint of fear.
The woman's palms were numb and trembling slightly from the force she was using, but there was not a hint of retreat in her eyes.
The prologue of Top Rich Family: My Brother's Short Drama Ruined Me.
“You don't need to make excuses, what is there to excuse?” Aiden was about to retort when he was interrupted by Catherine's even more intense scolding. “Who do you think you are? Don't think you're doing something noble right now; you are nothing but a cold-blooded reporter who ignores the truth, spreads rumors, has no moral bottom line! Just as Steve Andrew said, if it weren't for the fact that Felix is the only person who can save you from your current predicament of ruined reputation, you wouldn't have paid any attention to that missing child at all. Much less would you have gone to such great lengths to find him! Why are you acting like a savior in front of us now?”
Mr. West, since you've also taken a slap from my wife, let's just lay everything out on the table. " Joseph gently placed an arm around Catherine's trembling shoulders, softly patting her back to soothe her agitation, while his eyes turned toward Aiden, filled with icy fury. "If the Palman case has nothing to do with Young Master Finn, would you really dig up this long-forgotten incident from two years ago? You made such a grand spectacle to attack and slander him, irresponsibly directing all the public pressure toward Young Master Finn. From the very beginning, your goal was simply to ride Young Master Finn's fame to grab attention. There's no need to put on an act in front of us now, don't you dare claim that this was all for Felix.
Such hypocritical words only made the Wilsons feel disgusted to their very core.
"Yes, there are indeed countless people in this world who look forward to finding Felix's whereabouts, their feelings are sincere, but so what? They just want an answer, they just want some spiritual solace." Catherine took several deep breaths, trying to calm her anger, but the tears she was fighting back fell anyway, the woman said in a low, sobbing voice.
Catherine certainly knew that the people in this world loved fairy tales with happy endings, but where in this world are there so many fairy tales?
Some irreversible tragedies are destined from the very beginning to have irreparable regrets.
But fortunately, Finn still returned to their side.
You don't need to use that to convince me. I don't care about those voices at all, I certainly don't care how maliciously you speculate about us. Because deep in my heart, I know very clearly that I deeply love Felix," Catherine said, staring at Aiden with absolute determination. "I don't need to prove anything to anyone. Compared to you hypocrites who seek private gain through a child's suffering, Joseph and I are the ones willing to give our lives for our child!
Every word from Catherine was like a cry surging from the deepest depths of her heart, an unquestionable determination that also carried a heart-wrenching pain.
So, don't target us with your ideas. We have no interest, nor will we waste our time being entangled with someone like you under the guise of doing what's best for Felix." Catherine's tone was absolute, leaving absolutely no room for negotiation. "Take your so-called clues and get out!
"Why are you so angry?" At this moment, Finn, who had been silent until now, sighed and walked up to Peter.
Finn reached out with both hands to cup the young man's red-rimmed face.
Peter was still trembling uncontrollably, gasping for breath, yet he still couldn't speak.
Having endured two intense shocks in such a short amount of time, Finn could certainly tell that Little Spider's already unstable mental state was even worse now.
Go sit down for a while." Finn pulled Peter over to the sofa and sat him down, reaching out to squeeze the young man's trembling hand. Then, Finn looked toward Aiden West, who was standing stiffly in place, said, "Mr. Aiden West, you should sit down as well.
Aiden was stunned, seemingly not expecting that Finn Osborn, who had remained silent until now, would actually have the desire to speak with him.
I already know why you came, I accept your apology." After the man sat on the sofa looking confused, Finn Osborn spoke calmly, "However, you heard their refusal to your request for the Wilsons with your own ears.
Aiden clearly felt the indifference and rejection from everyone in the room, so he was even more surprised that Finn Osborn would accept his apology. It was precisely because of this that Aiden was even more taken aback.
The person who should have harbored the most resentment and hostility toward him was Finn Osborn, who had been innocently attacked and boycotted, becoming embroiled in a massive online controversy because of him. Yet, at this very moment, this arrogant Young Master seemed to be acting like a detached outsider.
Aiden could see clearly right now that the eyes of everyone in this room blatantly displayed their wariness, alienation, hostility toward him.
But only Finn's emerald eyes were exceptionally calm.
It seemed to be nothing more than a simple first meeting with a reporter with whom he had no connection whatsoever.
"I believe your promise to Felix is sincere, but if you weren't carrying a voice recorder and a pinhole camera, I would find your sincerity even more convincing." Finn's green eyes swept indifferently over Aiden's clothes; this information had also been secretly told to him by System PP.
After Finn finished speaking, everyone showed a look of astonishment.
Aiden's expression also grew even more stiff.
You were secretly filming and recording too? What exactly are you trying to do?!" Andrew and Max both rushed forward in a fury, reaching out to tear the equipment off Aiden, their voices filled with disgust and anger. "You really had no good intentions from the very beginning!
Of course, they immediately realized that Aiden had come here specifically this time to record some kind of material, even wondered if those interrogating questions he just asked were intended to induce them into saying something, allowing him to edit and distort the truth once again—and besides, he had even taken a slap from Catherine.
"Andrew, Max, no need." Finn shook his head to stop them. He certainly knew that Joseph and Catherine's responses just now were beyond reproach. Even if Aiden released the video, the people online would only praise Catherine for that magnificent slap.
“I can understand. You are a journalist, perhaps this equipment is one of your basic professional requirements,” Finn continued. Now that he was essentially a public figure, he didn't mind being filmed. After all, Finn felt that he had always acted with complete transparency, so even if he were actually filmed, it wouldn't provide anyone with any leverage over him. “There are many unfortunate people in this world. If you have the inclination to help them, I don't think it's a mistake; in fact, I would encourage you to do so.”
Aiden froze, unable to help but wonder, could there really be a turning point in this matter?
Perhaps the kind Young Master Osborn, who possesses an extraordinary compassion for poor children, will truly be willing to accept his proposal.
But among these unfortunate people, you chose Felix. Most of this is undoubtedly driven by your own selfishness, something anyone can see; there is no need for you to deny or justify it." Finn's gaze fell calmly on Aiden as he continued speaking based on the facts, his tone devoid of any accusation, "I do not reject human selfishness, because many of the things I do now are also driven by my own selfishness.
The prologue of this story begins with a high-stakes drama. The protagonist, Peter Parker, is a young man with an Innocent First Love Face. He is currently an Osborn Group Intern, working under the watchful eye of the Osborn Group. However, his life is far from ordinary; he is actually the Life-long Nemesis of the powerful Osborn family. In the midst of the chaos, a mysterious system appears in his mind, granting him a unique ability. This system is not just any system; it is a specialized one that tracks Misery Value. By causing or witnessing intense emotional turmoil, Peter can accumulate points to upgrade his abilities. As the story unfolds, Peter finds himself caught in a web of conspiracies involving the Stark Group and S. H. I. E. L. D. He must navigate the complex social hierarchies of the elite, from the high-society gatherings of the Osborn brothers to the high-tech laboratories of Stark Industries. Will Peter Parker remain a mere observer, or will he use his newfound powers to change his destiny? The journey has only just begun.
“But there is one kind of person I particularly despise.” Finn watched Aiden with eyes that seemed devoid of any emotion; having met all sorts of people alongside his Host, he had naturally developed an equally strong psychological resilience. Compared to the nuisance Aiden West, who was merely babbling, the way Marston had kidnapped and harmed Harry Osborn previously was far more egregious. “It's those people who, after making a series of wrong decisions, stumble upon a single thing that seems correct amidst a pile of errors, then use that to claim the moral high ground—rightfully believing they have done nothing wrong, even going so far as to turn around and criticize those who truly uphold their principles.”
The prologue of the story begins.
You're not getting any younger. Since you've been a journalist for so many years, you should know even more—
If a tower wants to stand tall and unshakable, every floor must be solid, it needs an even more stable foundation to support it.
There was no sarcasm in Finn's words; instead, they sounded like a calm explanation of the facts, or perhaps even a form of guidance.
You must walk every step firmly.
Otherwise, sooner or later, the entire tower will come crashing down.
Sooner or later?
Aiden naturally immersed himself in it—
Is it a matter of time? Or is it happening right now?
Mr. West, as far as I know, this isn't the first time you've earned traffic by relying on one-sided truths and sensationalist reporting." Finn's gaze remained calm and devoid of sarcasm, but those emerald eyes seemed capable of piercing through one's soul, making Aiden feel an unbearable chill, "If you make a mistake and then rely on luck, thinking that since no one notices or cares, you can keep making mistakes.
You should have been mentally prepared for this long ago; sooner or later, the eruption of a single incident will cause all your past efforts to come to nothing." Finn stared straight at Aiden, calmly analyzing the current situation, "The situation you find yourself in now is, in itself, an inevitable consequence.
Andrew looked at Finn with admiration; in his eyes, Young Master Finn could always use his most penetrating insight to see through to the truth behind facts at a single glance. Precisely because Andrew was the secretary closest to Finn, he naturally knew that Young Master Finn was like a precision machine in his work, executing every step perfectly according to the established plan.
I'm not saying this to deny you, nor am I saying it to criticize you." Even after saying this much, Finn still deliberately added a sarcastic, euphemistic touch, demonstrating the art of language. "Yes, everyone makes mistakes; it's perfectly normal, the world has a high tolerance for error. I won't judge what you have done in the past, but what matters most is whether you can truly live with a clear conscience.
Aiden sat where he was, his entire body stiff, feeling as if he had been completely seen through.
Every word from the young man in front of him was like a blunt knife, slowly carving into his heart, piercing through all of his self-righteous pretenses.
Aiden subconsciously recalled how, back when the Wilsons had stepped forward to defend Finn Osborn and the entire internet's perception of Finn had flipped, he had been suffering from the backlash and had frantically searched for any dirt on Finn Osborn. He certainly didn't believe that a young man raised in a wealthy family since childhood and immersed in hedonism would have no scandals behind him.
But Aiden really couldn't find anything.
All he could find were some trivial, inconsequential rumors regarding the Osborn brothers fighting over their inheritance. But everyone knew that as long as it involved Finn Osborn, his brother Harry Osborn would always be the first to step forward to defend him; even if those rumors had once been true, they no longer mattered. Because the current Harry Osborn loved his younger brother to death, could not tolerate even a hint of harm or slander against Finn in his eyes.
Moreover, Finn Osborn's value to the Osborn Group is a "New Era" that everyone has witnessed with their own eyes.
Young Master Osborn is naive and playful, but he seems to have never actually made any substantial mistakes.
Beneath the flamboyant, high-profile, attention-seeking aura of a wealthy family, every step this young man takes seems to be even more cautious and steady than Harry Osborn's upon closer inspection.
He can treat everyone with kindness and enthusiasm, maintain all interpersonal relationships perfectly.
Possessing capabilities and maneuvering skills no less than Harry Osborn's allowed the Osborn Group's business sector to expand in an innovative and high-traffic manner.
Those "friends" who once criticized Finn could each have enough dirt dug up on them to get them kicked out of Young Master Osborn's social circle. Even the accusations they once hurled at Finn seem, in hindsight, extremely ridiculous and fragile, nothing more than a desperate attempt to ride his coattails.
Even those private parties that were once viewed by the outside world as mere frivolity, everyone now feels, upon reflection, that Finn Osborn was never simply indulging in pleasure. It seemed to be just the Young Master's way of building connections and accumulating resources; those of his friends had all become his business partners, adding luster to the future of the Osborn Group.
As a journalist, Aiden naturally knew that when a person is being attacked by the entire internet, any single flaw or mistake would be infinitely magnified and used by those with ulterior motives to make a scene. Yet, even in that situation, not a single mistake worth digging up could be found regarding Finn Osborn. Furthermore, none of Finn's countless friends leaked even a shred of negative news that would damage his reputation; instead, they continuously came forward one after another to support him.
In fact, as netizens dug deeper, they instead unearthed even more stories promoting the virtues of Finn Osborn, making him appear so "perfect."
Yes, clean and perfect.
At this moment, Aiden West even felt that Finn Osborn was terrifying.
He was clearly just a young, twenty-year-old Young Master from a wealthy family who seemed to live in his brother's shadow and indulge in pleasure, yet he possessed such steady composure, meticulous thoughts, firm principles. Even without the halo of the Osborn Group, this young man seemed capable of shining brilliantly in every field through his own radiance.
It was as if he already knew—
How should every step of life be taken to achieve impeccable perfection?
Just as Finn said himself, every step he takes is steady, all to build an unshakeable tower.
I followed your press conference, but I didn't respond. It wasn't because I looked down on you or felt you weren't worthy of a response," Finn's voice rang out again, interrupting Aiden West's thoughts. His tone remained calm, possessing a detached clarity, "It was simply because I felt there was no need.
Finn had once assisted a hundred hosts to reach the pinnacle of their lives, so naturally, he had long ago learned the template for success at life's peak.
He understood more than anyone else—that a second life was incredibly precious.
“Time will provide the best answer.” Finn's eyes were calm, possessing a clarity and composure that belied his age, as he spoke slowly, "I have never liked to rely on words to defend myself. In five years, everyone will see what I have done, they will see what I have brought to this world. The people of this world won't care whether I once responded to some insignificant farce, or whether I once forgave a journalist who slandered me."
Aiden sat on the sofa, his face pale and his body cold.
Of course, he believed Finn's words; he knew what kind of brilliance the Young Master Osborn would achieve five years from now, his vision would never be limited to the present. This suddenly made Aiden feel as if he were truly a clown, exerting every ounce of strength to hype himself up, to disguise himself, to make excuses, to fight desperately to salvage his reputation.
But he wasn't even considered by this Young Master Osborn.
Expand your horizons, Mr. Aiden West." Finn picked up the folder from the coffee table, flipped through it casually, then gave a light chuckle before handing it back to Aiden. "Stop trying to walk down Felix's dead end; it's utterly meaningless in itself.
"Since the path of a journalist is no longer viable, why not try a different one?" Finn suggested sincerely.
"Are you trying to blacklist me?" Aiden asked, his voice dry and hoarse as he took the folder.
Not at all." Finn's lips curled into an indifferent smile. "I just think you aren't worthy of being a journalist.
Aiden's face turned pale, at this moment, he felt an extreme sense of shame.