Ethan groaned as he stirred, the scent of blood still thick in the air.
His body no longer ached. Instead, a strange energy pulsed through him, as if a dam had burst open inside his veins. His fingers curled. The ring on his hand glowed faintly. “What the hell…” A flood of knowledge crashed into his mind—techniques, movements, abilities far beyond his understanding. His breath hitched. It was as if an ancient force had awakened within him. Before he could process it, a snarl echoed through the dimly lit cage. The dogs. Their once-aggressive stance wavered. One by one, they whimpered and backed away, their heads lowering. They’re… bowing? To me?Ethan’s heart pounded. He took a cautious step forward. The strongest of the pack—a monstrous black hound with piercing red eyes—let out a low growl, but it wasn’t threatening. It was submissive. A grin tugged at Ethan’s lips. Whatever had changed within him… it was real. A sharp gust of wind swept through the cage, carrying the distant sound of helicopter blades slicing through the air. Ethan tensed. The doors to the cage burst open. A flood of figures in tactical gear stormed in, their formation precise and ruthless. “Target secured.” Ethan’s gaze snapped to the woman leading them. She moved like a shadow, her icy blue eyes assessing him with an eerie calm. Her long, dark hair was tied in a tight ponytail, and she carried herself with an air of deadly efficiency. She spoke first, her voice cool and sharp. “Ethan Cross.” He squared his shoulders. “Who’s asking?” She didn’t flinch. “ Lara. You need to come with us.” Ethan scoffed. “Yeah? And why would I do that?” Lara stepped closer, her expression unreadable. “Because you are the son of the King of the World.” Silence. Ethan stared at her, waiting for the punchline. When none came, he let out a dry laugh. “That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard.” Lara didn’t waver. “And yet, you feel it, don’t you? The power awakening within you. Your body no longer weak. The knowledge filling your mind.” Ethan’s jaw clenched. She wasn’t wrong. But this was insane. He crossed his arms. “Let’s say, for a second, that I believe you. Why the hell would my ‘father’ leave me to rot in some orphanage?” Lara’s gaze darkened. “Because he thought you were dead.” Ethan’s breath hitched. “Bullshit.” She remained composed. “He searched for you. For years. Enemies hid you, buried your identity, made sure you would never find your way back.” His mind raced. He had spent his entire life believing he was nothing, that he had no past, no future beyond what he scraped together. Now, this? Ethan exhaled sharply. “And you expect me to just walk away with you?” Lara tilted her head. “You don’t have to believe me. But if you want answers—real answers—this is your chance.” His fingers brushed over the ring. The power inside him surged again, demanding to be acknowledged. He met Lara’s gaze. “Fine. But if this is some elaborate trick—” “It’s not.” She turned, signaling to her team. “Move out.” The soldiers stepped aside, clearing a path. Ethan hesitated for only a second before following them toward the waiting helicopters. As the rotors roared to life, he glanced back at the cage, at the dogs still watching him with reverence. Ethan stepped off the helicopter, the cool night air brushing against his skin. His boots hit the marble floor of a massive estate, the sheer grandeur of it making his stomach twist. Towering pillars framed the entrance, golden chandeliers cast a soft glow over the polished floors, and a sense of absolute authority filled the space. But none of that mattered. Because the man standing before him looked exactly like him. Ethan froze, his heart hammering in his chest. It wasn’t just a resemblance—it was like staring into a mirror, except the man was older, his features sharper, more refined. His piercing golden eyes bore into Ethan, his silver-streaked hair neatly combed back, his stance exuding an aura of dominance that made it impossible to look away. The man smirked. “So, we finally meet.” Ethan’s fingers curled into fists. “Who the hell are you?” The man took a step forward, his gaze never wavering. “I am Magnus Aurelius. Your father.” Ethan let out a sharp laugh, shaking his head. “Yeah, right. My father? That’s funny, because my ‘father’ is dead. At least, that’s what I was told.” Magnus studied him, his expression unreadable. “They fed you lies. They took you from me. Buried your identity so deep that even I struggled to find you.” Ethan’s jaw clenched. “And what, you just moved on? Gave up?” Magnus exhaled, his gaze darkening. “I never stopped searching. But by the time I uncovered the truth, they had erased every trace of you.” His voice held an edge of something Ethan couldn’t quite place—regret? Pain? Ethan crossed his arms. “So why now? What changed?” Magnus smiled slightly. “You did.” His eyes flickered to Ethan’s hand, where the ring still faintly glowed. “Your bloodline awakened. That ring—it responded to you. Just like it did to me.” Ethan glanced at the ring, his pulse quickening. He didn’t understand any of this, but he couldn’t deny the shift inside him—the energy, the power. Magnus stepped closer. “You are not just Ethan Cross. You are Ethan Aurelius, my heir. And it’s time for you to take your rightful place.” Ethan scoffed. “Rightful place? As what?” Magnus’s smirk widened. “As the next King of the World.” Silence stretched between them. Ethan searched for any sign of a joke, but Magnus was completely serious. “You expect me to just accept this? To step into whatever empire you’ve built?” Ethan asked, voice sharp. Magnus didn’t hesitate. “Yes. And your first task is to take control of Group A.” He gestured toward Lara, who stood quietly nearby. “She will assist you as the CEO. But from this moment on, you are the owner.” Ethan’s mind struggled to catch up with what he had just heard. Magnus spoke as if he were handing over a mere department, but Aurelius Group was no ordinary company. It was a powerhouse, a titan in the business world—one of the most influential corporations in the country. Even top elites fought tooth and nail to gain its favor, yet Magnus was handing it to him like it was nothing more than a formality. And despite its staggering influence, Aurelius Group was still just a subsidiary of the Aurelius Imperium Conglomerate—a mere fraction of the empire Magnus controlled. The weight of it settled on Ethan’s shoulders, but beneath the disbelief, something else flickered—power, responsibility, and the knowledge that from this moment forward, everything had changed. However, his brows furrowed. “I don’t know the first thing about running a business.” Magnus smirked. “You don’t have to. Not yet. You’ll learn. Observe. You have the instincts, Ethan. It’s in your blood.” Ethan swallowed hard. Every part of him screamed that this was insane. But deep down, something stirred—a sense of belonging he had never felt before. Magnus reached into his pocket and tossed something at him. Instinctively, Ethan caught it. A sleek, jet-black card. "There’s no limit,” Magnus said smoothly. “Use it however you see fit.” Ethan stared at the card, his mind spinning. Magnus placed a firm hand on his shoulder. “The world is yours to take, Ethan. The only question is… will you?”
Related Chapters
Cheated & Despised, now the Billionaire Heir Chapter Three
Ethan Cross sat in the grand study, his fingers tracing the smooth edge of the black card his father had given him. The weight of Magnus Aurelius’s words still pressed heavily on his mind. “The world is yours to take, Ethan.” "Ethan," Magnus said, leaning forward in his leather chair, "I need you to prepare for the Aurelius Group anniversary tomorrow." Ethan raised an eyebrow. "Me, Father?" Magnus's eyes gleamed with purpose. "Yes, to step up as my heir and take over as CEO —the official announcement will happen at the event." Though he was nervous, he confidently nodded his head. Magnus had no doubt that Ethan would accept. After everything he had endured at the hands of others, Magnus knew he would want to prove them wrong. Ethan let out a slow breath, pushing down the storm inside him. This wasn’t just about stepping into a powerful position. This was about proving something—to himself, to those who had abandoned him, and to the people who thought he was nothing mor
Cheated & Despised, now the Billionaire Heir Chapter Four
Yvonne giggled, tilting her head. “He's just like a housefly buzzing around a feast, thinking it belongs to the table.” Ethan chuckled, eyes gleaming with amusement. “Funny. But remind me—when has a housefly ever walked away from the table uncrushed?” Blanche turned to the clerk with a huff. “You see how disrespectful he is? And you’re still considering letting him take the herb?” The clerk, desperate to please her, nodded quickly. “Yes, Madam. This establishment values its esteemed clientele above all." The clerk shifted his gaze to Ethan. "Sir, please be reasonable. You wouldn’t want to cause trouble, would you?” Ethan inhaled deeply,clenching his jaw. So that’s how it is? Just because these two draped themselves in gold and reeked of self-importance, they expected the world to bend to their will. He leveled the clerk with a cold stare. “First come, first served. That’s how business works. Or do you just make up the rules as you go?” Blanche rolled her eyes. . “O
Cheated & Despised, now the Billionaire Heir Chapter Five
The room was thick with silence. Lara’s cold gaze locked onto Manager Hensley, her fingers twitching at her sides. Then— SMACK! The crisp sound of her palm meeting his cheek echoed through the store. Hensley staggered, clutching his face, eyes wide with pure disbelief. Blanche and Yvonne gasped audibly. The clerk nearly dropped to his knees. Ethan? He just smirked. Hensley, still dazed, scrambled to recover. His mind worked at lightning speed, and suddenly, a brilliant conclusion formed in his head—this man, this pathetic errand boy, must be Lara’s personal servant! He immediately bowed. “Madam Lara! I—I had no idea your assistant was here to collect something on your behalf! Please forgive my ignorance!” Lara’s lips twitched in irritation. “My assistant?" Hensley nodded rapidly, sweat forming at his temples. "Yes, of course! A noblewoman like you wouldn’t waste time buying things yourself! This lowly servant should’ve spoken up sooner!” Ethan’s smirk deepe
Cheated & Despised, now the Billionaire Heir Chapter Six
Vanessa sat at her sleek vanity, her fingers drumming against the polished surface as she listened to her mother’s indignant huffing on the other end of the line. “You should have seen it, darling,” Blanche seethed. "That filthy stray acted like he was somebody important! If I hadn’t witnessed it myself, I wouldn’t have believed it!” Vanessa’s eyes remained cold as she adjusted her earrings. “That doesn’t matter,” Vanessa said flatly. “Tomorrow, at Aurelius Group's anniversary celebration, I’ll be attending with Damian. That's what matters for now. I’ll make sure he gets a proper lesson afterwards." Blanche gasped, excitement immediately replacing her anger. “Oh, you’re going with Damian?” Vanessa smirked slightly. “Yes. And trust me, Damian won’t let Ethan continue to act out. He’ll remind that stray dog of his place.” Yvonne practically squealed. “Oh, this is perfect! He’s just pretending to be rich. I can't wait to see how Damian will get him utterly humiliated!”
Cheated & Despised, now the Billionaire Heir Chapter Seven
Ethan finally stopped, turning his gaze to see Vanessa and Damian standing just a few steps away. Vanessa was draped in an elegant designer dress, her arms crossed, her lips curled in amusement. Damian, dressed in an expensive tailored suit, had one hand tucked in his pocket while the other was casually slung over Vanessa’s waist. Damian let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. “Unbelievable. I thought we left the stray dog in the dirt, but here he is, wagging his tail again.” Vanessa tilted her head. “Maybe he’s here to beg?” She smirked. “How pathetic.” Ethan remained calm, his hands resting inside his pockets. Damian let out a mock sigh. "You do realize where you are, don’t you? This isn’t a place for people like you.” He adjusted his cufflinks before giving Ethan a disdainful look. "Unlike you, I actually belong here.” Ethan raised an eyebrow. "Oh?” Damian’s smirk widened. "That’s right.” He puffed his chest out. “I was personally invited to Aurelius
Cheated & Despised, now the Billionaire Heir Chapter Eight
Ethan stood in the gleaming lobby of Aurelius Group’s headquarters, every nerve in his body thrumming with energy. The guard he’d slapped away was sprawled several feet back, groaning in pain. Nearby, Damian and Vanessa looked on with a mixture of shock and smug triumph, as if believing that, any second now, Ethan would be dragged out in disgrace.A small crowd of onlookers, many of them lower-level employees or visitors to Aurelius Group, began to gather around.Their hushed murmurs and curious glances only amplified the tension in the air.The fallen guard struggled to his feet, his voice hoarse with anger.“He… he attacked me! This guy’s got a fake black card, and he’s causing trouble!"Ethan merely rolled his shoulders, refusing to rise to the provocation. He couldn’t help but notice Vanessa’s derisive smirk and the condescending tilt of Damian’s head as they both seemed to savor the spectacle.“Fake card, huh?” Ethan said softly, holding the sleek, jet-black piece of plastic b
Cheated & Despised, now the Billionaire Heir Chapter Nine
One guard stepped forward, placing a meaty hand on Ethan’s shoulder. "Let’s go.”Before Ethan could shake the hand off, a sharp voice cut through the tense silence. "What in the name of all that’s holy is going on here?”All eyes turned toward a tall, older gentleman in a distinguished gray suit striding purposefully across the lobby. His posture radiated authority, and a faint badge on his lapel indicated a high-ranked position within Aurelius Group.The manager stiffened instantly, turning to face the newcomer. "S-Sir Chandler! I, uh, we have a situation with a trespasser.”Sir Chandler—clearly the manager’s superior—shot a quick glance at the group of guards, at Damian and Vanessa, then locked his gaze on Ethan. "A trespasser, you say?”Damian opened his mouth to speak, but Sir Chandler ignored him, directing his attention to the manager’s hands, which still clutched the clipboard. "Give me a proper explanation, or I’ll start demoting people on the spot.”The manager swallowed har
Cheated & Despised, now the Billionaire Heir Chapter Ten
Vanessa’s and Damien’s mouths fell open in shock at the sight before them— Sir Chandler, apologizing to Ethan. Damien ignored Sir Chandler’s warnings and sneered. “Are you seriously apologizing to this worthless bastard?” He let out a scoff, his brows drawing together in disbelief. “Or wait… are you two in on this together?” His lips curled in disgust as he gestured at Ethan. “Did you set this up? Is this your doing?” Straightening his suit, he gave Sir Chandler a look of pure disdain. “Don’t worry, once the chairman signs that document, this will be your last day here. Scum like you, who will always be filth no matter where you go, don’t belong in a place like this. I’ll personally make sure you crawl back to the gutter where you came from—” The manager stepped closer to Damian and whispered something in his ear. "You clearly don't know who he is, Mr. Damiab. I'd advise you to keep your mouth shut—" "Or what?!" Damian snapped at the manager, his face twisted in fury. Van
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
