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Cheated & Despised, now the Billionaire Heir Chapter Twenty-three
At the large podium, Magnus stood, about to begin his speech.Just as he adjusted the microphone, Mr. Richard raised his hand.Magnus paused, offering him a nod.With that cue, Mr. Richard stood, adjusting the cuffs of his suit before speaking."Mr. Aurelius, I believe most of us—except perhaps Lara—are trying to make sense of everything that happened in this hall." His voice carried across the hall."Two individuals were forcefully escorted out mere moments ago, one of whom, Damian, was set to finalize a partnership with our company, as agreed in the last board meeting."Murmurs rippled through the attendees, some exchanging glances while others nodded in agreement.Mr. Richard continued, his sharp gaze scanning the room before landing on Ethan. "Furthermore, we have someone here whose presence has caught us all by surprise. And, if I may say so, he seems to be at the center of Damian's removal."He extended a hand towards Ethan. "That young man over there.""Before your arrival, Lar
Cheated & Despised, now the Billionaire Heir Chapter Twenty-four
The vacancy had been a hot topic for months. Speculation had run wild about who would fill the role, especially since Magnus had refused to appoint anyone, despite repeated requests from the board.The sudden mail from him to the directors and stakeholders concerned about it the previous night had only fueled the intrigue.And then came the real shock."Unfortunately, the chairman will not be unveiled today.”The room erupted into hushed murmurs, a ripple of confusion spreading through the crowd.While no one dared to openly challenge Magnus, their frustration was evident.Magnus held up a hand, silencing the noise. "However, I have appointed someone. But he has chosen to remain anonymous for now in order to lead from behind the scenes—and I respect that decision.”His voice dropped slightly, laced with an unmistakable warning. "That being said, I strongly advise those this concerns to be on their best behavior. The chairman and I will be watching closely. Aurelia Group is a powerhous
Cheated & Despised, now the Billionaire Heir Chapter Twenty-five
Damian lay crumpled on the cold pavement, his body aching from the ruthless beating.Vanessa rose from the floor and hurried to his side to help him up despite his groans of pain, her manicured fingers gripping his arm as he staggered."Take it easy, Damian. Let me help you," she said.Blood trickled from the corner of his split lip, and his breath came in ragged gasps as he limped toward his car with her support, his suit now in tatters.He barely felt the cold pavement beneath him.“Bastards,” she spat, glaring at the guards who had already turned their backs."How could they do this to you?”"I swear, we'll make sure all of you pay for this." She yelled, but they totally ignored her."You all are nothing but rabid dogs waiting for orders.”She grumbled under her breath, "Pathetic excuses for guards."However, every step sent daggers of pain through Damian's ribs.But the humiliation burned deeper than his injuries and pain."Who the hell does the chairman think Ethan is to treat me
Cheated & Despised, now the Billionaire Heir Chapter Twenty-six
The silence that followed was more terrifying than any threat could have been. However, the line went dead before Damian could respond. Then, he lowered the phone from his ear, staring at it as realization crashed over him like a tidal wave. He knew his father wasn't kidding, knowing what he was capable of when he got disappointed. Damian choked back a breath, feeling like he was trapped. Vanessa, who had been silently watching, shifted uneasily. "Damian?" "What did your father say?" she asked. However, he stared ahead, unblinking as memories flashed through his mind—his older brother, disowned and cut off for a similar failure three years ago, now working as a bartender somewhere in Mexico. And his cousin, who had disappointed his father once and found herself blacklisted from every major company in the country. His mind was racing with ways to turn the situation around because his entire future was on the line. "Damian?" Vanessa repeated, touching his arm gently. Something
Cheated & Despised, now the Billionaire Heir Chapter Twenty-seven
Vanessa could not understand the reason behind Damian's action. She kept trying to call him during her ride home after her father's driver had picked her up. But she eventually gave up when he didn't answer any of them. Stepping out onto the driveway, she rushed toward the mansion with obvious distress. Her father, Jonathan, raised his eyebrows in surprise as he watched her from his spot under the awning in front of the mansion. "What's going on, sweetheart? Wasn't Damian supposed to give you a ride back?" he asked as she hurried past, barely acknowledging him with a mumbled greeting, clearly frustrated. Initially, she wanted to ignore her father before deciding to have a conversation with him about everything to make sense of how Damian reacted that way. She turned to face Jonathan, her face scrunched in anger. "That asshole chased me out of his car. Can you believe it, Dad?" A flicker of confusion flashed through Jonathan's face. "What?" he whispered in disb
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. "
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
