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Cheated & Despised, now the Billionaire Heir Chapter Twenty-eight
Two armored guards stood on either side of the Aurelius estate entrance as Ethan drove in.When he got out of his car, the guards at the mansion door instantly straightened."Young master," they said together, bowing deeply as he walked by.When Ethan walked into the mansion, Helena, the head maid who was in her fifties, came up to greet him.Her gray-streaked hair was pulled back in a severe bun."Master Ethan," she said, bowing slightly. "Your father awaits you on the eastern balcony."He nodded, his fingers absently tracing the contours of the ring. "Thank you, Helena."After telling his father to leave the event without him, his father had told him to stop by before going home.He walked through the opulent living room toward the balcony doors.His father stood at the balcony's edge, his imposing figure silhouetted against the night sky.The balcony stretched wide, overlooking the vast city below. The city lights below shined like stars against the
Cheated & Despised, now the Billionaire Heir Chapter Twenty-nine
The dim glow of flickering torches cast shifting shadows along the cold stone walls as Ethan followed his father down the winding corridor.His father had led him down a narrow, spiraling staircase that seemed to appear out of nowhere in his study after they left the balcony.Dust clung to the edges of the steps, and cobwebs draped over the low ceiling, showing it had been abandoned for years.Etha's curiosity burned with every silent stride because his father hadn’t spoken a word since they began this strange journey.Then, suddenly, his father stopped.Ethan nearly bumped into him, his brows furrowing in confusion as he watched the old man turn to face nothing but a solid wall.There was no door. No markings. Nothing. Just ancient, weathered stone.His father finally spoke for the first time since their silent journey began."The ring..." he said, voice steady but laced with something Ethan couldn’t quite place."It is the key.”Ethan’s frown deepened, his fingers instinctively curl
Cheated & Despised, now the Billionaire Heir Chapter Thirty
Ethan exhaled sharply, his fingers absentmindedly tracing the smooth surface of the ring as the weight of his father’s words sank in.According to his father, the ring had existed for centuries, passed down through their bloodline—but not everyone could wear it. Only those it chose.Ethan could hardly wrap his head around it. For twenty-three years, he had worn something ancient without even realizing its significance. There was even a time he had considered selling it to take Vanessa on a lavish date and shopping spree. But no matter how hard he tried, he could never get it off his finger. Now, he understood why.“Now you understand why I said I never thought I’d set foot in this chamber again." His father cut through his thoughts like a blade."Because only the ring’s true bearer can access this place.”"So you're telling me this ring... my ring is some kind of ancient key?" Ethan's voice echoed against the walls, bouncing back at him like an accusation.His father shook his head. "
Cheated & Despised, now the Billionaire Heir Chapter Thirty-one
“So let me get this straight,” Ethan said, tilting his head, his voice laced with amusement."You expect me to just accept this?" His voice had transformed, becoming sharp and defiant."You want me to swallow this whole... destiny nonsense and march off to restore some broken legacy? Be the King of the World? Is that it?"He snorted, shaking his head. "What am I even saying? You said it earlier already."His father chuckled. "You think you can escape destiny? It's not about what you want. It's who you are."Ethan pushed off the table and rose to his feet, his voice sharper now. “Did it ever cross your mind that maybe—just maybe—I don’t want this life you’re shoving down my throat? That I don’t give a damn about your Order, your history, or whatever twisted legacy you think I should be honored to inherit?”His father let out a low, amused chuckle."You think you have a choice?” he mused, tapping the armrest."The ring chooses its bearer. You don't command it—it chooses and command you.
Cheated & Despised, now the Billionaire Heir Chapter Thirty-two
The air crackled with tension as Ethan stood frozen, his father's confession hanging between them like a physical thing.Ethan stared at his father, waiting for the punchline to a joke that never came as the silence stretched thin."Did you just say you killed your brother?" Ethan asked, his voice barely above a whisper, desperately hoping he had misheard.His father remained silent, and Ethan let out a hollow laugh, running his fingers through his hair until it stood on end."I... I can't believe it. You killed your brother? For what?" he demanded.He paced the room, his footsteps echoing against the walls, before he stopped abruptly to lock eyes with his father. "Please, just tell me I didn't hear you right. Please."His father had dreaded this conversation, knowing that revealing the truth might only strengthen Ethan's resolve against his destiny—although he knew Ethan would eventually take his place as King of the World, whether he wanted it or not.His father's lined face twisted
Cheated & Despised, now the Billionaire Heir Chapter Thirty-three
"Because..." Ethan's father hesitated."Because the ring chose you before you could even walk." He finally revealed.He continued, his voice growing steadier as he revealed more of the past. "He had dedicated his entire life to restoring The Order to its former glory—which, by the way, everything fell apart under his leadership because most members couldn't stand his methods."His father's eyes narrowed at the memory. "And then you came along... just days old, and the ring fit your finger perfectly."Ethan's brows furrowed in confusion. "That doesn't explain—""He snapped!" His father roared."Thirty years of preparation, only to be passed over for a toddler! His own nephew!" His father's face contorted with rage and grief."The ring never chose him, but he couldn’t accept that. He’d rather destroy the true heir than let the order have a real king.”"So he faked your death to make your mother and me believe you were gone forever," he father said, voice cracking slightly."Apparently,
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.
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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.
