Mike stood outside "Sweet Delights", his heart racing with excitement. The baker handed him the expensive cake he had ordered for Elysa's birthday. "Your cake is ready, Mike," the baker said with a smile. Mike handed over his card to pay for the cake, maxing out his balance. He checked his phone, hoping to see a response from Elysa, but his message was still unread. He shrugged it off, thinking she might be busy.As he stepped out into the pouring rain, he waited for a taxi, but none came. He decided to make his way to Elysa's house on foot. As he approached her house, he heard loud music and laughter. A knot formed in his stomach. He opened the door, and his heart sank. The room was filled with Elysa's friends, and they were having a blast. Elysa was sitting on Mark's lap, laughing and smiling.Mike stood there, soaking wet from the rain, and called out Elysa's name slowly. "Elysa..." The music stopped, and everyone turned to look at him. Elysa's eyes met Mike's, and he saw a flash o

"The man in the picture is Axel, your twin brother," the woman replied, her eyes locked on Mike's.Mike's eyes widened in shock. "Twin brother?"The woman nodded. "Yes, Mr. Douglass, the founder of the Rykard Empire, had twin sons. He lost one during a visit to an island for a charity event. He had a ghastly accident with his wife, and she died. One of the twin boys was also lost."Mike's mind reeled as he processed the information. "You mean, I'm the second son that was lost?"The woman nodded again. "Yes, Mike. You are the son that was lost. Mr. Douglass has been looking for you all these years, until he passed away."Mike's eyes dropped, his mind racing with questions. "Where is Axel now?" he asked, looking up at the woman.The woman's expression turned grave. "Axel had an accident while traveling to Las Vegas. We suspect a murder attempt. The company can't announce this to the world right now, as it might cause a withdrawal of many investors."Mike's eyes narrowed. "What do you me

Mike stood up, his movements fluid and deliberate. He glanced at Ryder, who was still seated, lost in thought. Without a word, Mike turned and walked away, leaving Ryder to his deliberations.As he stepped out of the building, Mike was immediately swarmed by a sea of reporters, all clamoring for a statement. The air was thick with the hum of cameras and the shouted questions of the press corps."Mike, what's the latest on the investigation?""Can you confirm or deny the allegations of corruption?""Mike, how do you respond to the claims of wrongdoing?"But Mike remained silent, his face a mask of calm determination. He pushed through the crowd, his eyes fixed on the black sedan waiting at the curb.The chief security officer, a towering figure with a stern expression, opened the door for Mike and cleared a path through the throng of reporters.As Mike slid into the car, the officer leaned in, his voice low. "How did it go, sir?"Mike didn't respond, his gaze fixed on some point outsid

Mark was about to start the engine when his phone suddenly rang, shrill in the silence of the car. He hesitated for a moment before picking it up, his eyes scanning the caller ID. He checked the caller ID and saw Elysa's name flashing on the screen. He picked up the call, his heart still racing from the encounter with Mike."Hey, how did your meeting with the company director go?" Elysa asked, her voice cheerful.Mark's mind racing, he replied, "Do you know who Mike's father is?"Elysa's tone changed to confusion. "Why are you bringing Mike into this conversation? What's going on?"Mark's voice rose in frustration. "Just answer me, Elysa! Do you know who Mike really is?"Elysa's response was calm. "Nothing special about him, Mark. He's just an orphan, a church rat who feeds on others' hard-earned income."Mark's voice was incredulous. "No, Elysa! You're wrong! Mike deceived everyone! He's the richest man in the country, the heir to the Almighty Rykard Empire!"Elysa's laughter was mo

Mike turned to take his leave from Uncle Scott, but before he could walk away, Uncle Scott's voice stopped him."Wait, Axel. I heard someone telling me that they found out where your second brother, Mike, is."Mike's heart skipped a beat as he turned back to face Uncle Scott. "What are you talking about?"Uncle Scott's eyes glinted with malice. "Do you think that if Mike returned, you can still claim to be the legal heir?"Mike paused, his mind racing with the implications. He knew that Uncle Scott was trying to scare him, to make him doubt his own claim to the company.But Mike didn't take the bait. He didn't say anything, just turned and walked away, leaving Uncle Scott standing alone in the compound.As he walked, Mike could feel Uncle Scott's eyes on him, boring into his back. But he didn't look back, didn't give him the satisfaction of seeing his reaction.Mike knew that he had to be careful, that Uncle Scott would stop at nothing to get what he wanted. But he was determined to s