2025-03-02 11:39:49“What’s so funny?” Damian snarled, his jaw tightening.
Ethan ignored him, the smirk still playing on his lips as he swirled the wine in his glass that a waiter had handed to him begrudgingly. Vanessa turned to Damian, lifting her chin to meet his gaze. In a low whisper meant to calm him, she said, “Don’t waste your breath on someone like him, babe. Today is for winners, not losers.” She glanced at Ethan before adding, “Besides, it’s good he’s here. At least he’ll get to watch you seal the deal right in front of him.” Damian chuckled, nodding in agreement before leaning in to kiss her. When she pulled away, she turned her attention back to Ethan, closing the space between them as she locked eyes with him. “Trash like you should know your place,” she spat, her voice dripping with disdain. “Just because you managed to sneak in with some cheap trick doesn’t mean you’re on the same level as Damian." She tossed her hair over her shoulder and let out a fake laugh. "Dream all you want. You can never be like him. You'll always be the insignificant worm you’ve always been.” Damian laughed, pulling Vanessa closer by the waist. "Once I get the chairman’s signature, you might as well kill yourself to escape my wrath—though I hope you won’t," he chuckled. Ethan’s expression remained calm, but the lingering smirk on his lips rattled Vanessa. "Quite the fantasy, Damian. But I wouldn’t sign it for you." Damian and Vanessa exchanged a look before laughing in disbelief. Turning to the guests with a grin, Damian said, "Did you all hear that?" He snickered. "He said he wouldn't sign the document for me." The hall erupted into laughter instantly after they had exchanged amused glances. “What a joke!” someone snickered. "He’s pretending to be the chairman of Aurelius Group? Does he think we are stupid?” “Someone throw this clown out!” Another voice jeered. "Yes!" Another affirmed. "This is impersonation at its peak. He needs to be punished severely for it!" Vanessa’s laughter rang louder. “Oh, Ethan, you never fail to embarrass yourself. This is beyond delusion.” Ethan met her gaze steadily. "And you always did underestimate me, Vanessa. But that’s nothing new." Before Damian could add another insult, the doors swung open again, and a tall man strode in. It was Mr. Lorenzo. He walked into the room with pride, making everyone to notice him right away. His gaze swept the room before he spoke. "I am pleased to confirm that the identity of Aurelius Group's new chairman will be officially announced today, adding a significant highlight to our agenda," he announced, his voice carrying across the hall. Whispers about it spread across the room immediately. Ethan smirked. Mr. Lorenzo had never met Ethan and did not recognize him. Damian quickly went to greet him. "Mr. Lorenzo, I'm glad you're here," Damian said in a very respectful voice. "I thought you weren't going to make it here very soon." "I had more important things to do," Mr. Lorenzo replied, barely looking at Damian. He looked around the room carefully. "Now, where is this troublemaker you told me about?" Damian, wanting to please Mr. Lorenzo, quickly pointed at Ethan. "Over there, sir. And he's been causing problems, even saying he's the chairman of Aurelius Group." Mr. Lorenzo looked surprised. "Really?" "What should we do with him?" Damian asked, hoping to do a favor for Mr. Lorenzo. "My family would be happy to take care of this problem for you, after all you've done to help us work with Aurelius Group." Mr. Lorenzo's face twisted with contempt as he approached Ethan, circling him like a predator toying with its prey. The crowd parted, creating a spectacle for all to witness. "So this is the nobody who dares impersonate the chairman?" Mr. Lorenzo's voice dripped with mockery. He reached out and flicked Ethan's suit lapel, deliberately leaving a smudge from his fingers. "Wearing a cheap knockoff suit to a prestigious event. Pathetic." He turned to address the onlookers, raising his voice for maximum humiliation. "Ladies and gentlemen, observe closely! This is what happens when the rats from the gutters try to dance among eagles." Mr. Lorenzo grabbed Ethan's wine glass and deliberately poured its contents onto the floor at Ethan's feet. "Did you honestly believe you could fool anyone of importance?" he sneered, his face inches from Ethan's. "People like you were born to serve, not lead. I can only imagine how ashamed your parents must be to have raised such a pathetic, delusional failure." The crowd erupted in laughter. Mr. Lorenzo soaked it in, his confidence swelling with every sneer and snicker. Vanessa let out a chuckle. "Ashamed? Please. That would require them to be alive. Their wretched souls are long dead and rotting in the dirt." Mr. Lorenzo snickered. "Really? Perhaps you're desperate to join them over there." He snapped his fingers in Ethan's face. "But first, you need a lesson you'll never forget." His eyes narrowed dangerously as he stepped back. "Break his leg," Mr. Lorenzo commanded, signaling to two burly guards who immediately stepped forward. "Break it slowly. I want to hear it snap." He adjusted his cufflinks with casual cruelty. "Let it serve as a warning to anyone else who dares to step above their rank. In this world, you either know your place—" he glanced around the room with a threatening smile, "—or we teach it to you." Vanessa crossed her arms, nodding in agreement. “Yes. Someone like him shouldn’t even be breathing the same air as us.” Damien grinned as the guards stepped forward, ready to carry out the command. Vanessa’s lips curled in excitement, savoring Ethan’s impending humiliation. But just as the guards reached Ethan, a sharp voice cut through the tension. "Touch him, and you'll regret it." The room immediately fell to deadly silence as Lara walked forward.
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She looked powerful and important. Her eyes were angry as she stared at Mr. Lorenzo. "Who do you think you are to try to hurt him?" she said angrily. "Are you trying to get yourself killed?" Mr. Lorenzo's face turned pale as he recognized her. His hand stopped in mid-air, and the guards quickly stepped away from Ethan. "Ms. Lara," he said nervously, no longer acting proud. "I didn't know you would be here tonight." People in the crowd started whispering to each other, looking confused. Lara was the famous General Manager of Aurelius Imperium Conglomerate. Why was she protecting someone like Ethan? "Tell your guards to back off, Lorenzo," Laura ordered in a voice that no one would dare argue with. "Now." Mr. Lorenzo quickly nodded and waved for the guards to move away. "There's been a mistake," he said, trying to save face. Damian and Vanessa looked at each other with worry. They weren't smiling anymore. "A mistake?" Lara laughed in a cold way. "I think the only mistake is tha
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The question sent a ripple through the crowd. "Wrong?" Damian sneered. "I know exactly who holds power in this company. And in a few hours, I’ll be sitting among the top tiers. You’re nothing but a nuisance trying to play a game you can’t win." Ethan chuckled softly, tilting his head with an amused glint in his eyes. "Are you sure about that?" For a brief moment, Damian’s confidence wavered, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his face. Vanessa let out a mocking laugh. "I told you, babe—it’s pointless wasting words on this nothing." With that, she turned her attention to the two guards standing nearby, her tone icy and commanding as if she held some authority. "Throw this dirty pig out. Right now!" The audacity. The guards hesitated, exchanging uncertain glances before their eyes flicked to Lara, silently seeking her permission. When they saw her expression—still unreadable—they shifted their gaze to Mr. Lorenzo, who gave a nod, greenlighting the order. As the guards took their
Cheated & Despised, now the Billionaire Heir Chapter Fourteen
The hall was deathly silent after Ethan announced that he was a VIP guest as confusion spread like wildfire among the attendees before whispers filled the air."A VIP?! Him? No way!""That has to be a mistake!""Wait… If he’s really a VIP, does that mean he holds more power than us?"Ethan couldn't help but smirk as he overheard their whispers.They all seemed reluctant to accept that he was no longer the person he used to be.Mr. Richard chuckled, trying not to offend Lara, and asked her if Ethan's claims were true.When she confirmed, "It's exactly as he said," the whispers intensified.Enjoying the moment, Ethan reached into his pocket and pulled out a sleek black pen that his father had given him, its Aurelius Group insignia shining under the chandelier lights.The gasps of realization that followed were almost overwhelming."Wait… that insignia," a female director from another subsidiary of Aurelius Group exclaimed, pointing at the pen, her shock evident in her voice."Doesn't th
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"Mr. Ethan," Mr. Chen said, extending a hand with a confident smile.Ethan’s sharp eyes met his, and he took the offered handshake, his grip firm."I don't think you mentioned your name earlier," Ethan replied, smiling.Mr. Chen chuckled. "Chen... Chen Wei. A name you might start hearing more often. I believe we’ll be seeing each other very soon."Ethan studied him, noting the confidence in his tone. There was no arrogance, just certainty—like he already knew their paths were bound to cross."Hmm. Why are you so certain we will?" Ethan kept his brows furrowed, feigning confusion."Let's just say I recognize potential when I see it," Mr. Chen replied, taking a sip of his champagne."Besides, I think you and I could have some mutually beneficial conversations about the future."Ethan chuckled, tilting his head with a smirk. “I think you’ve got me confused with someone else, or maybe you just have a really skewed view of who I am.”“Have you forgotten that I’m just a broke nobody? I have
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Outside the hall, Vanessa and Damian’s faces burned in fury, glaring at the closed doors. Damian’s fist was clenched. Mr. Lorenzo stood beside them, looking even more miserable because he knew he had created this nightmare for himself through his own shortsightedness. “That fucking bitch!” Damian spat, seething. "She dares to humiliate me? I swear, she’ll pay for this even worse than that pig! She has no idea who she just messed with.” Mr. Lorenzo, pacing back and forth while mumbling, "This is a disaster... a complete disaster," stopped abruptly, frustrated that neither Damian nor Vanessa seemed to grasp the gravity of what had just happened. “Both of you still don’t get it?!” His fingers fidgeted with his tie as if it was suddenly suffocating him. “That’s not just some nobody we pissed off. Do you have any idea what happens to people who cross someone like him?” “Damn it… I should have never agreed to this. I'm screwed.” He placed his hands on his temples in perplexit
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Damian’s rage-filled eyes locked onto Vanessa’s, suddenly attentive. "This might be a test by the chairman," she clarified with a smile. "Think about it—this humiliation, this public spectacle. It's exactly how the old guard weeds out the weak. They push to see who breaks and who pushes back harder." "And maybe..." She tilted her head. "He wants to see how you'll manage the situation before deciding whether to sign the deal or not. From what I heard, the chairman has unconventional ways of approaching things." She traced a finger down his tie. "And we both know you’ve never been one to back down from a challenge, have you?" Her words penetrated the fog of his anger, and a slow smirk crept onto his lips. "That’s the only explanation for this. Because why else would Mr. Chandler, the manager from earlier, and that woman humiliate us all because of Ethan?" She added.He scoffed coldly, disgust creeping into his expression. "Ethan being the reason I was humiliated? How pathe
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Thinking Damian had turned the situation in his favor, Mr. Lorenzo hurried over with a desperate, almost servile smile. "Your name... it will echo across every corner of the world," he said, grinning eagerly."It's just a matter of time." He added.“Shut up.” Vanessa's voice was razor-sharp with disdain, her expression curled into a sneer."You are nothing but a useless leech, groveling wherever the wind blows.”Slowly lowering his arms, Damian shot Mr. Lorenzo a withering glare. "Look at you—now groveling for my help like a starving dog."Damian scoffed. "Have you already forgotten what you called me just minutes ago? A dead brain."Mr. Lorenzo's forced smile wavered as reality sank in. He had just blown his only chance of getting his job back—that was what being thrown out of the hall meant. His own shortsightedness had cost him again.Still, unlike Damian, who was being tested, he knew Magnus would only forgive him with Damian’s help.Forcing his smile back in place, he let out a
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As soon as Magnus stepped in with the guards, a heavy silence blanketed the room as conversations died mid-sentence.People instinctively lowered their gazes, as if the very air had grown too thick to breathe.Some clutched their hands together tightly, shoulders hunched, avoiding even a glimpse of his face—as if looking at him directly might bring punishment.He didn’t just enter the hall—he took control of it. The very air seemed to shift around him, expanding and contracting with his every step, as if the space itself recognized his presence.Damian and Vanessa exchanged smug glances as they watched Ethan and Lara bow to Magnus.Vanessa leaned toward Damian and whispered, "Let’s see how he handles this. Though, honestly, I hope he tears them apart."She smirked, casually flipping her hair over her shoulder before locking eyes with Ethan."You’re done, loser," she thought, her smile widening as she held his gaze.As Magnus approached Ethan and Lara, Damian grinned in anticipation.M
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Chapter Fifty-three
Every director and executive widened their eyes in shock and confusion the moment Ethan walked in with Lara."Wait... isn’t that—?" One of the senior board members of Aurelius Imprint Conglomerate stopped mid-sentence, his expression shifting from curiosity to unease.Damian stiffened.However, no one dared to acknowledge the storm that had just walked in, with Magnus' warning from the other day still fresh in their minds.Despite their efforts to stay composed, most of them couldn’t help but lean in and whisper to each other, wondering why Ethan was there."This has to be a mistake," another whispered, glancing nervously at Magnus.However, with a confident stride, Ethan walked straight to the empty chair Magnus had reserved for him near Lara—which he had been instructing people not to sit in since the meeting began.Then, he acknowledged Magnus with a slight nod before letting his gaze sweep the room.When Damian’s eyes met Ethan’s, his face twisted with a mix of disbelief and disgu
Chapter Fifty-two
At the head of the table in the Aurelius Group boardroom sat Magnus. To his right was Lara, while to his left sat the Vice President of Aurelius Group, Mr. Lorenzo.On the right flank, the directors of Aurelius Imprint Conglomerate sat in crisp suits, while on the left, Aurelius Company’s top executives sat.At the far end, opposite Magnus, a group of individuals sat in composed silence—Damian and his team, awaiting their moment to shape the future of their company.Magnus let out a slow breath, his gaze sweeping over everyone as he tapped his fingers lightly on the armrest.After a brief pause, he gave Damian a small nod. "You may begin.”Damian, exuding the same confidence as the tailored suit he wore, rose to his feet with effortless ease.He straightened his tie and cast a glance around the room.His voice then cut through the air. "Ladies and gentlemen, it is both an honor and a privilege to stand before you today as we unveil a partnership proposal that is not just lucrative but
Chapter Fifty-one
The moment Vanessa cracked the door open just enough to see Damian's face, he flashed a grin, holding out a flower. "Hey, babe."Relief washed over her instantly—he wasn’t here for what she had feared.Still, she forced a frown, narrowing her eyes as she asked coldly, "What do you want?”Despite the anger still simmering inside her, his presence somehow made it less sharp—but she refused to let it show, not after what happened last time.He sighed, his shoulders sagging. "I expected this reaction from you, Vanessa. And honestly, I deserve it.""But can you at least let me in first? Let me explain," he said gently.She hesitated for a long moment, locking eyes with him, before stepping aside."Make it quick,” she muttered, crossing her arms as he entered.He stood in the middle of the room, meeting her feigned burning gaze.“I owe you an apology, Vanessa," he began, his voice low."For how I treated you the last time… I was out of line.”She scoffed. “Out of line? That’s putting it lig
Chapter Fifty
Vanessa slammed the door behind her, her breath coming in sharp, uneven bursts. The humiliation burned hotter than the anger, wrapping around her like a noose.She pressed her back against the door, sliding to the floor as tears stung her eyes."Me? Held up in a holding cell for almost twelve hours… all because of Ethan?!" The thought alone sent another wave of anger crashing through her, making the tears spill faster.She clenched her fists, her nails biting into her palms. It didn’t matter that it was late when they detained her—she could have been released last night, but no, they kept her there until the morning. Like a criminal. Like she had done something wrong.And when she finally got home that morning? Her family had tried to calm her, speaking in measured tones, trying to act like this wasn’t a big deal.“All I need to do right now is get back at Ethan for the disgrace he’s done to me.” The words had left her mouth before she even thought about them, raw and full of fury.He
Chapter Fourty-nine
A man in a coat crossed the nearly empty street with careful, measured steps, his eyes darting around with every step.His sharp jawline, neatly combed dark hair, and calculating gaze were partly concealed behind his sunglasses.When he reached a sleek black luxury car parked under a lone streetlight, he quickly glanced left and right before pulling the door open and sliding into the front passenger seat.Inside, the air was thick with the rich scent of cologne, carried by the car’s air conditioning.A solid partition separated the backseat from the front, ensuring that whoever sat behind remained unseen.This was how the man had always met with the person waiting in the back—no driver, no face-to-face contact, just a voice speaking from the shadows."You’re supposed to be a professional," the familiar voice said."So tell me—how the hell did he figure out he was being followed?”The man in sunglasses—who had just entered the car—was the one who had been secretly tailing Ethan.The ma
Chapter Fourty-eight
Ethan gripped the steering wheel tighter as he chased the black sedan that had always been following him, speeding through traffic in one of the cars his father brought, dodging between lanes with a recklessness that made his heart race.He slammed the accelerator, weaving between startled drivers, eyes locked on his target.His heart pounded as he swerved into the next lane, barely avoiding a delivery truck that honked furiously.The side mirror scraped against the truck’s metal frame, but he didn’t care—his focus remained locked on the car ahead.He was getting too close.They knew he was following them as they took a sharp turn at the intersection just as the light turned red, nearly clipping a passing truck, but he didn't back down—veering after them.He had them—he almost had them—until a mother and child suddenly stepped onto the road.The woman screamed and pulled her child close, shielding him as if that alone could stop the impact."Shit!" Ethan slammed the brakes, tires scre
Chapter Fourty-seven
***BACK TO PRESENT***Yawning, he stood and stretched before making his way to his private gym, ready to train for his morning routine.But the moment he started, something felt off.The raw power that had been coursing through him since the ring activated was weaker today. His limbs felt heavy, and his muscles burned too fast, as if he hadn't trained in weeks. Sweat poured down his face with every movement, and by the third set of push-ups, he was already panting."This is new," he muttered, his brows furrowed in confusion.He clenched his fists, expecting to feel the usual power coursing through him—but instead, he felt nothing.The ring had given him strength beyond human limits, yet now it felt like something was siphoning it away."What could be happening?" he thought.Trying to figure out what was wrong, he attempted to lift the same barbell he always did.But the moment he did, his arms shook uncontrollably, his grip slipping as it crashed to the floor, barely missing his foot.
Chapter Fourty-six
The first thing that registered in Ethan's mind as he stirred awake was the satisfaction from the night before. A slow, almost lazy smile stretched across his lips.He had done more than just pass judgment on Matron Grace—he had given Vanessa a taste of her own medicine.She was never in his plans, but calling him a gigolo—in front of everyone? That was a mistake he made sure she regret.***FLASHBACK***"Isn’t false accusation a crime?” he said when the officers turned to him, their brows furrowed in confusion.Their brows deepened.“She just accused me of being a gigolo in front of an audience which I assure you is a blatant lie.” He clarified."And last I checked, defamation is still an offense. So tell me, gentlemen, why is Mrs. Adams the only one being taken in?"Vanessa’s breath hitched."What... what the hell are you saying?” Her voice trembled as shock and confusion bled through.The officers exchanged uncertain glances.“I know it doesn’t make sense,” the stocky officer mutte
Chapter Fourty-five
“For what?” Mrs. Adams barked, confusion laced in her voice.The second officer—younger—stepped forward."For child abuse, endangerment, and embezzlement,” he stated coldly."We also have reason to believe your crimes go beyond what was captured in the footage you already admitted to.”Ethan had been prepped by the police after filing his report, instructed to find additional evidence to strengthen the case—even with the card in his possession. They didn’t consider him worthy of keeping it but pursued the case as a precaution.When Ethan learned about the auction, he saw it as the perfect chance to act—until he found out his father had been invited and decided to come with Lara.He watched her closely, relishing the flicker of panic in her eyes.Still, she refused to go down without a fight.She chuckled, shaking her head. “Under arrest? On what grounds? Do you think a pathetic video is enough to take me down? You really are as foolish as ever.”“Do you even have a warrant? Because if
