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Cheated & Despised, now the Billionaire Heir Chapter Thirty-four
The cold marble tomb shone in the moonlight, surrounded by an eerie silence.Ethan knelt on the white stone, his knees pressing against the ground as he placed a bouquet of white lilies—his mother's favorite according to his father—at the base of the ornate headstone.His face showed deep pain as he traced the golden letters of her name: Elizabeth Aurelius.Ever since learning about her death and what caused it, a constant ache of grief and anger had been eating away at him.The mortuary was silent except for the sound of Ethan's own ragged breathing as he fought back tears."Hey, Mom," he whispered, his voice cracking. "It's me, your son." He sniffed.The silence that answered him was deafening."I'm sorry I haven't been here sooner. It's been..." He paused, running a hand through his hair."It's been fucked up, honestly."He adjusted his position, sitting cross-legged on the cold floor."So, it turns out I'm alive. Funny, right?" he chuckled.He wiped at his eyes wi
Cheated & Despised, now the Billionaire Heir Chapter Thirty-five
Damian's father waited nervously in the living room of Magnus' mansion, his normally confident demeanor replaced by the anxious fidgeting of a man who knew he was barely tolerated in this sacred space. The opulent room, with its crystal chandeliers and ancient artifacts that whispered of power accumulated over generations, made him feel like the peasant he essentially was in comparison to its owner.He was there to talk with Magnus about the deal that fell apart. Since he didn't trust Damian to fix the problem, he followed what Mr. Richard had suggested instead.The moment the door to the living room swung open, revealing Magnus, who was in his pajamas, Damian's father shot to his feet, nearly knocking over the untouched glass of scotch on the side table."Mr. Aurelius, sir, thank you for seeing me on such short notice," Damian's father started with a slight bow, his voice uncharacteristically pitched higher than usual.He knew better than to offer his hand to Magnus.
Cheated & Despised, now the Billionaire Heir Chapter Thirty-six
Back in Magnus' living room, Lara had joined Magnus, now sitting across from him on one of the couches.They had been in his study talking about work when the guards told Magnus that Damian's father was outside causing a scene, desperately trying to meet with him.She looked confused when Magnus told her to let the board members of Aurelius Group and Aurelius Imprint Conglomerate know about a meeting in two days where Damian would present the deal."So you gave them another chance," she stated, not bothering to phrase it as a question.He sighed and leaned back on the couch. "That's what Ethan wanted. He already predicted something like this would happen before now. I don't just know what he aims to achieve with it."Her lips curled in a faint smile. "He's just so unpredictable."He nodded in agreement. "Yes, he is.""But that's one of the things that concerns me about him," he said, a rare moment of vulnerability he allowed only in her presence."What has Ethan been doing with himsel
Cheated & Despised, now the Billionaire Heir Chapter Thirty-seven
The low hum of the Mercedes’ engine blended with the quiet of the night as it glided down the dimly lit streets.Ethan sat in the backseat, his posture relaxed but his mind anything but, as he stared out the window, watching the blur of streetlights and towering buildings.Lara occupied the front passenger seat, her expression unreadable.Her chauffeur handled the wheel, his eyes fixed ahead, as if sensing the storm brewing behind him.The auction they were heading to had been marketed as a charity event—a noble attempt to rescue a financially struggling orphanage. A place that, on paper, existed to nurture abandoned children. But Ethan knew better.That institution was nothing more than a breeding ground for cruelty, run by soulless opportunists who fed off misfortune. It had been his prison, his battleground, the place where kindness was a currency never spent on children like him.He had lived in its suffocating walls, endured its brutality, and now, he was returning—not as a helpl
Cheated & Despised, now the Billionaire Heir Chapter Thirty-eight
Lara frowned slightly. “That’s a lot of information. What exactly are you looking for?”“Everything,” Ethan repeated, his gaze unreadable. “Their assets, their investments, their investors, their weaknesses. I want a full breakdown—who they do business with, where their money flows, and what they don’t want the world to see.”She studied him carefully. “And what are you planning to do with it?”He tilted his head, a slow smirk forming. “That’s not your concern.”She gave a small nod, her hesitation fading into resignation. "You’ll have the files tomorrow night."He leaned back, satisfied. “Good.”The auction was already in full swing when they arrived.The hall was illuminated by cascading chandeliers.A painted canvas adorned the walls, waiting for the highest bidder to claim it.The soft hum of conversation barely interrupted the auctioneer’s steady calls, each bid raising the stakes for the masterpiece currently on display.Yet the moment Ethan and Lara stepped through the grand do
Cheated & Despised, now the Billionaire Heir Chapter Thirty-nine
A grin spread across Ethan’s face the moment he spotted the house supervisor of the orphanage, now aged, along with a few staff members.“Perfect,” he murmured, his smile growing as he and Lara strode toward the front row, aware of the lingering gazes following them.However, the moment they settled into the first row, hushed voices fluttered around them:"Look at them... they're sitting so close.""Is that really her? I've never seen her show interest in anyone before.""Who is that man with her? He... they look like they could be a couple.""She’s never even smiled at a man in public before. This is history in the making.”"It's not possible. She's known for being married to her work. She's allergic to romance."“But look at how close they’re sitting… do you think…?”"Who is he, though? I’ve never seen him before."Ethan’s lips curled into a smirk as he leaned close to Lara and whispered, "Looks like you’ve got yourself a reputation.’”His smirk widened, but her expression remained
Cheated & Despised, now the Billionaire Heir Chapter Fourty
“What… did I just hear him place a $10 million bid?” Blanche’s voice wavered in disbelief."Or am I dreaming?”Vanessa’s brows knitted together as she turned to Ethan, who met her gaze with that same smug smirk—only now, it had stretched even wider.“Whoa! Who is this guy?” someone blurted out.“He must be filthy rich to throw out a bid like that, as if he’s just buying a toy,” another person chimed in.“Never seen him before,” a man muttered under his breath."But he’s got to be someone big if he can drop that kind of money without flinching.”Even the auctioneer, momentarily stunned, stared at Ethan with his mouth slightly open before regaining his composure. “Just to confirm—$10 million?”Ethan met his gaze and gave a firm nod. “Yes.”The hall erupted in another collective gasp, even louder than before.One of Ethan's admirers exclaimed. "Wow! This is crazy!"Lara, just as shocked as everyone else, leaned in toward Ethan. “I know what you’re trying to do, sir. But honestly, you hav
Cheated & Despised, now the Billionaire Heir Chapter Fourty-one
Ethan leaned back in his chair, his lips curling into a smirk. “What’s the matter? Not even going to put up a fight for the bid? Or have you finally accepted that you simply can’t afford to?”Vanessa scoffed, her expression twisted with disdain. “You? My competitor?”She let out a scornful chuckle. “You’re not even worthy of being my opponent. You’re not even worthy to stand in my shadow.”He nodded and gave a slight shrug. "Yet, here we are."“Why do you insist on living a fantasy, huh?” she spat, eyes blazing."You walk in here, acting like you belong—throwing out ridiculous bids like you actually have the money!"Someone murmured, “What… she really mean it? That he's poor?""Interesting." He nodded, tapping his fingers against his knee."That’s what you think of me?”"Who do you think you are?” she scoffed loudly, flipping her hair as she let out a sharp laugh."Seriously, do you think sitting here makes you one of us? This isn’t some street market where you can bluff your way to t
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Chapter Fifty-five
Ethan's voice dropped slightly. "You’ve requested a substantial upfront investment from Aurelius Group—more than necessary for operational expansion.”He leaned back slightly. “But that’s not the real issue. The real issue is where that money is going because it's not indicated in the proposal and if I'm not mistaken, you didn't mention it in your presentation."The room went deathly still.He looked directly at Magnus now. “Where do you think it would be going to, Mr. Aurelius?"He tilted his head slightly. "A shell company?"The words rang out, sinking into every person in the room. Even the most indifferent directors were now leaning forward, their intrigue replaced with concern.Magnus’s expression darkened slightly as anger surged within him, realizing that Damian and his father were trying to outsmart him.Damian took a slow breath, forcing a tight smile. “That… that’s probably just an oversight.”“A mistake? You actually call that a mistake?!” Magnus scoffed, his voice heavy wi
Chapter Fifty-four
Damian blinked, clearly confused. “Focus on what?”Ethan laughed softly and shot a glance at Magnus. “Has he not been told?”“I’m here to make sure your presentation is on point,” Ethan replied.Mr. Richard, looking lost, turned to Magnus.“I… honestly don’t get it.” He shrugged slightly. “Is he a legal consultant or what? Our legal teams have already checked everything and given the green light, so…”“It’s just a bit confusing, and I think others feel the same way,” he said, glancing around the room.People nodded in agreement.Magnus didn’t even look at him as he said, “You all know I don’t sign anything unless I’m sure. Think of this as one last check.”Mr. Richard swallowed hard and nodded.Damian shot him a disbelieving look. As his father’s right-hand man, he expected Mr. Richard to fight tooth and nail to get the deal signed, not giving up like this.Then, Magnus shifted his gaze to Ethan, leaning back on his chair. "Go on. Let's get this over with real quick."Ethan shifted,
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.
