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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. "
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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.
