Chapter Fourty-five
Author: Lamina
last update2025-03-30 15:10:48

“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
Continue to read this book for free
Scan the code to download the app

Related Chapters

  • Cheated & Despised, now the Billionaire Heir   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

  • Cheated & Despised, now the Billionaire Heir   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.

  • Cheated & Despised, now the Billionaire Heir   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

  • Cheated & Despised, now the Billionaire Heir   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

  • Cheated & Despised, now the Billionaire Heir   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

  • Cheated & Despised, now the Billionaire Heir   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

  • Cheated & Despised, now the Billionaire Heir   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

  • Cheated & Despised, now the Billionaire Heir   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

Latest Chapter

  • Chapter Eighty-two

    The bag was ripped from Damian's head, and he blinked rapidly as his eyes adjusted to the dim light. His heart hammered against his ribs like it wanted to escape."What the hell is happening? Where am I?" He shouted, struggling against the ropes that bound him to the chair.The room was dark, with only a single lamp casting long shadows across what looked like an abandoned warehouse. Concrete walls. High ceilings. The smell of dust and forgotten things.“Can someone just answer me?” His voice wavered, panic creeping in as he glanced over his shoulders—seeing two figures standing there.A deep voice cut through the darkness. "That's enough."Damian squinted, trying to make out the figure sitting across from him. It was the mysterious man.He was leaning back in a leather chair, his face hidden in shadow. All Damian could see was the outline of broad shoulders and the occasional glint of light reflecting off a watch."What's going on? Where am I?" He whispered.The mysterious man tap

  • Chapter Eighty-one

    Damian felt a brief flicker of hope, realizing someone was about to stand up for him.“I hope you all know that’s an offense,” the man said coldly, the words like an icy slap.Damian’s eyes flickered around the room, trying to gauge the reaction.The crowd was still, frozen in uncertainty, before murmurs began to spread again. Some seemed to hesitate, the weight of the legal consequences sinking in, but others were not so easily deterred.Then, he stood up and approached the bartender. "How much does he owe?"The bartender looked surprised. "Thirty-seven dollars and fifty cents."The man pulled out his wallet and slapped sixty dollars on the counter."That covers his tab—and mine too,” he said calmly.The whole bar went silent. Everyone just stared, completely caught off guard.Relief washed over Damian's face. "Thanks, man. I really appreciate it."He hesitated, then added in a whisper, "Could you spare a little more? Just to get me through the night?"With his car now impounded by

  • Chapter Eighty

    Damian's head swam as he leaned against the sticky bar counter.Three empty glasses sat in front of him, and he was working on a fourth.The cheap whiskey burned his throat, but he didn't care. It numbed everything else."Another," he slurred, pushing his empty glass forward.The bartender, a burly man with a thick beard and tired eyes, shook his head. "You've had enough.""I said, another." Damian's voice rose, drawing a few glances from nearby patrons.With a sigh, the bartender poured one last drink. "This is it, then we're settling up."Time blurred as Damian drained the glass.When the bartender returned with the bill, Damian fumbled for his wallet, pulling out what little cash he had left. He counted it twice, his fingers trembling.“What’s up?” the bartender asked, raising a brow when he noticed Damian’s face turn red after counting it a second time."I'm... I'm short," he slurred."That's funny because I didn't even realize it.""How short?" The bartender's voice hardened.“A

  • Chapter Seventy-nine

    In a dining room on the other side of the city, the mysterious man sat by himself at a long table, eating his dinner. His phone vibrated against the table. He wiped his mouth with a napkin before answering. "Speak," he commanded. "Sir," came a nervous voice from the other end. "We've been trying to contact the assassins, but there's no response. None of them are replying to their emails." The man's hand tightened around his fork. "And?" His voice was dangerously calm. "And... we think... well, it appears Ethan's power has already been activated. It seems we were wrong about it." "So, the assassination failed," the man said under his breath. There was a momentary silence, then a crash as the man slammed his fist against the table, sending wine glasses toppling and plates clattering. "You're telling me," he said, his voice shaking with rage, "that not only did they fail to kill him, but his power is already active?" "Y-yes, sir. It seems so." "Find out exactly what happened,

  • Chapter Seventy-eight

    Ethan stood in the center of the chamber, feeling the power surge through his veins.The ring pulsed with golden light, sending waves of energy up his arm and throughout his body. It felt different now—stronger, more intense—since he had accepted his destiny.Magnus watched him from a few feet away, his eyes filled with a mixture of pride and something else Ethan couldn't quite identify."So," Ethan said, breaking the silence, "what's the next step? Now that I've decided to embrace all this."Magnus walked over to a stone pedestal in the corner of the chamber and ran his fingers along the ancient carvings."First, we need to formally announce your return as the King of the World to the Order," he said."There will be a ceremony—a ritual as old as the organization itself. But some members will have to be present to witness your official acceptance. That's the problem at the moment."He turned to face Ethan, his expression serious. "Then, your training begins. You need to learn how to c

  • Chapter Seventy-seven

    The apartment door burst open with a bang.Magnus rushed in, his face pale with worry. Lara was right behind him, accompanied by several of his soldiers who had their hands on their weapons."Ethan!" Magnus shouted, freezing at the sight of the bodies scattered across the floor.Blood was everywhere. On the walls. The furniture. Pooling on the floor.Magnus rushed to Ethan, grabbing his shoulders and looking him over frantically.“Are you okay? What happened?” His eyes quickly landed on the blood staining Ethan’s clothes, then shifted around, checking him for any injuries.Ethan smiled calmly, lifting his hand to show the ring on his finger."I'm fine, Dad. Thanks to this ring." He wiggled his finger.Magnus’s jaw tightened. He wasn't comforted.Lara pushed past the soldiers, her face ghostly white as she took in the scene.Her hand flew to her mouth."Oh my god," she whispered, her voice shaking.Then, she crossed the room, stepping carefully around a body.She reached out, touching

  • Chapter Seventy-six

    Then, like a dam breaking, power surged through Ethan.The ring on his finger grew warm, then hot—pulsing with golden light that traveled up his arm in glowing veins. The pain in his side faded as strength filled every muscle in his body."What the—" one of the men started to say.Ethan moved so fast he surprised himself. His fist connected with the leader's jaw with a sickening crack. The man flew backward, smashing into the wall with enough force to dent the plaster, then slumped to the floor in a daze.The other three attacked at once.Ethan ducked under a knife swing and caught the man's wrist, twisting until bones snapped with a wet crunch. The attacker screamed, his weapon clattering to the floor. But Ethan didn't stop there. In one fluid motion, he pivoted behind the man, placed one hand on his chin and the other on the back of his skull, and wrenched with supernatural strength. The crack echoed through the apartment as the man's cervical vertebrae shattered. The attacke

  • Chapter Seventy-five

    Ethan drove through the quiet city streets, the buildings blurring past like ghosts. His fingers drummed the steering wheel as he replayed the evening in his mind. “She’s either brilliant,” he muttered, “or trained to be." "And him..." He believed Mr. Chen was too grateful. "He is not just some grateful old man throwing a thank-you dinner. No." Ethan shook his head. He was convinced there was a hidden agenda behind it. "It would be smart to keep them all at arm's length," he muttered. "Especially her." Yet he couldn't deny she intrigued him and that he wanted to see her again. The thought followed him all the way home, along with the memory of her smile when she talked about her research. Real or fake? He couldn't tell for sure, and that bothered him more than he wanted to admit. When he finally reached his apartment building, he was tired, and his head was beginning to pound again—that same dull ache that had been plaguing him for weeks. As he unlocked his door and steppe

  • Chapter Seventy-four

    The garden was beautiful under the soft lights that lined the stone paths.Flowers bloomed everywhere, their scents mixing in the cool night air."I'm actually glad for the chance to talk with you properly," Sophia said as they walked."My father said you spotted financial irregularities that no one else caught. That requires an incredible eye for detail."Ethan glanced at Mr. Chen. "You give me too much credit, Mr. Chen.""I doubt that," she replied before her father could."Speaking from experience?" Ethan asked."My research involves finding patterns in protein folding that might lead to new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases," she explained."It's about seeing what others miss."Then, she gave a slight shrug. "So, yeah.“I might be speaking from experience.” Her smile turned soft—just enough to make his heart skip a beat.“That’s… actually kind of fascinating,” he said, genuinely intrigued.He got what she was saying, even though he was pretty sure he wasn’t supposed to—jus

Explore and read good novels for free
Free access to a vast number of good novels on MegaNovel app. Download the books you like and read anywhere & anytime.
Read books for free on the app
Scan code to read on App