Chapter Thirteen
Author: Lamina
last update2025-03-06 13:18:09
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
Continue to read this book for free
Scan the code to download the app

Related Chapters

  • 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

  • Cheated & Despised, now the Billionaire Heir   Chapter Fifteen

    "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

  • Cheated & Despised, now the Billionaire Heir   Chapter Sixteen

    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

  • Cheated & Despised, now the Billionaire Heir   Chapter Seventeen

    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

  • Cheated & Despised, now the Billionaire Heir   Chapter Eighteen

    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

  • Cheated & Despised, now the Billionaire Heir   Chapter Nineteen

    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

  • Cheated & Despised, now the Billionaire Heir   Chapter Twenty

    "I heard you've been stirring up trouble ever since your arrival," Magnus said.Damian tilted his head. "Yes, sir. But it's not my fault."A sinister smirk curled at his lips as he added, pointing at Ethan. "It's because of that riffraff."One of the attendees gasped. "Did he just call a VIP that?""A worthless pauper like him should not be here. His presence alone is a stain on people like us, which I tried to point out to everyone, especially her." Damian's gaze shifted to Lara.“She seemed to have no idea, which is what made me realize that this was a test from your order. It’s the only logical reason someone like him would even be here." His smirk returned.He adjusted his suit, his smirk growing even wider. "So, you can't really blame me, sir. As someone about to be tied to this powerful company, I had to clean up the trash I spotted."The whole time Damian was talking, Ethan couldn’t shake the smile on his lips. He was just waiting for the moment Damian realized what he had plan

  • Cheated & Despised, now the Billionaire Heir   Chapter Twenty-one

    Damian gave Ethan an intense, angry look, his body shaking slightly as he lifted his eyes to meet Ethan's.A smirk curled on Ethan's lips."You seem surprised," he drawled."Did you really believe you had the power to dictate anything in my presence?""Didn't I warn you earlier?" he chuckled.Damian swallowed hard, his confidence wavering. "I thought—""That's your first mistake," Magnus cut in coldly."Thinking you mattered."He shifted his attention to Damian, glaring down at him with pure disdain."You’ve got two minutes to get it done," he sneered, his voice dripping with contempt."And while you’re at it, get on your knees, lick his shoe, and hold it like the pathetic loser you are.""Make it quick—I don’t have all day to waste on you."Damian's eyes widened in shock upon hearing that. But did he have a choice? His mind was thrown into another round of conflict and confusion.Magnus took a deep breath. "Your time starts now."Vanessa could see Damian’s growing panic—his temple da

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