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Sinclair's Lost Heir[The Rise Of The Betrayed Son-in-law] CHAPTER 36
Vanessa’s POV"Do you realize what this means, Vanessa?!" My father's voice thundered through the marble-floored living room, bouncing off the walls like a ricocheting bullet.I didn’t flinch. I’d grown used to his shouting—especially when things didn’t go his way.He jabbed his phone on the coffee table so hard I feared it would shatter. "Nathan is rotting in a holding cell and I can’t find a single damn lawyer who’s willing to take this case!""Maybe," I said quietly, "they're just afraid of being associated with a sinking ship."He spun to me like a storm. "You think this is funny?""Did I laugh?""Don't play smart with me, Vanessa. This isn't the time.""Then when is the time, Dad? When the cops storm Hale Pharmaceuticals? Or when the SEC tears into our offshore accounts?"He ran his fingers through his thinning hair and resumed pacing. “Goddamn it! Where the hell is Raymond?”Raymond was his long-time fixer. If anyone could’ve pulled us out of this mess, it was him. But apparentl
Sinclair's Lost Heir[The Rise Of The Betrayed Son-in-law] CHAPTER 37
Vanessa’s POV “Ethan, please.” My voice dropped. I hated the tremble I heard in it, but I kept going. “You came here for a reason. Maybe to gloat, maybe to talk. But I’m asking you… please help him.”Nathan growled beside me like a wounded animal. “Vanessa, shut up!”I ignored him.“Help him,” I repeated. “For old time’s sake, or for the sake of whatever little decency you have left.”Ethan chuckled. Not the kind that was amused. The kind that made my skin crawl. Cold, deliberate, and... condescending.“Decency?” he finally spoke, his voice low and smooth. “You’re asking me about decency?”I swallowed.Nathan scoffed. “You see? He’s playing you. He always has.”But Ethan continued, his eyes fixed on me now.“You know, when I was locked up… when your beloved brother came to visit, he didn’t bring a lawyer. He brought laughter. Mocked me through the glass, said it suited me.”He turned to Nathan now, who was grinding his teeth.“You remember what you said to me that day? ‘This is where
Sinclair's Lost Heir[The Rise Of The Betrayed Son-in-law] CHAPTER 38
Vanessa’s POV The morning air was unnervingly still, almost like the world itself was holding its breath. Our black SUV pulled into the courthouse lot without music, without laughter—without a single word.Nathan sat beside me, stiff in his tailored navy suit, the cuffs of his shirt peeking just slightly from his sleeves. His jaw clenched, nostrils flared. But it wasn’t fear on his face. It was something colder. Anger, maybe. Betrayal.“I swear,” he muttered, not looking at me, “if that bastard Ethan shows his face today...”“You need to focus,” I interrupted softly, adjusting my sunglasses to hide my red, sleepless eyes. “Please, Nathan. Just… don’t make things worse.”He scoffed. “Worse? I’m about to be crucified in front of a packed courtroom and the media. How worse could it get?”I didn’t answer. What could I say?Dad stepped out from the front seat, nodded once at the guards, and turned to Nathan. “Keep your mouth shut. Don’t show weakness. Let Leonard speak.”“Leonard’s a tire
Sinclair's Lost Heir[The Rise Of The Betrayed Son-in-law] CHAPTER 1
Ethan’s POV“Ethan Carter!” barked one of the officers, his tone leaving no room for explanation. My fingers froze on the keyboard as heads shot up around me. The noise level dipped into an eerie silence before erupting into frantic whispers. I never saw it coming. One moment, I was sitting at my desk, going over the final numbers for the day, the soft hum of printers and the low murmur of employees filling the office. The next, the heavy double doors to the finance department slammed open, and the room was flooded with uniformed officers and security guards.I turned my head, my pulse quickening. I still remember the shock as if it were yesterday. I had been poring over quarterly reports in my Manhattan office when the sound of rapid footsteps and raised voices shattered the calm. I rose unsteadily, my heart hammering in my chest, as I tried to form a question. “What’s going on? Who—what is this about?” I managed, my usual firm voice trembling, my words dissolved into a cacophony
Sinclair's Lost Heir[The Rise Of The Betrayed Son-in-law] CHAPTER 2
Ethan’s POV I was marched down a cold hallway, the overhead lights buzzing faintly. The station smelled of sweat, old coffee, and the faint metallic tang of desperation. We stopped in front of a dimly lit room. Inside, a table sat at the center, flanked by two chairs. On the tabletop, a thick folder lay open, revealing pages of evidence.“Sit,” one of the officers ordered as he pushed me into a chair. I barely had time to adjust before another man entered the room—a detective, his sharp eyes studying me like I was an insect under a microscope. He tossed a stack of papers in front of me.“Do you recognize these?” he asked coolly.I stared at them, my breath hitching. Bank statements. Transaction records. All showing massive amounts funneled into private accounts under my name. My signature was on every page.“This isn’t real,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “I never made these transfers. I did not sign any of these papers! Today is my first day of even setting eyes on them.”
Sinclair's Lost Heir[The Rise Of The Betrayed Son-in-law] CHAPTER 3
Ethan’s POVThe clang of the iron bars echoed in my ears, a sharp reminder of my new reality. My cell was cramped, the air thick with the stale scent of confinement. Just hours ago, I had stood before the judge as my world unravelled. My marriage to Vanessa had been legally erased, a mere signature dissolving five years of my life. But that wasn’t the worst part. The gavel had struck like a death knell, sentencing me to seven years for economic crimes and negligence at Hale Pharmaceuticals.Seven years.I slumped onto the thin mattress, staring at the ceiling. The weight of it settled over me, a future painted in monotonous shades of regret and isolation. My name, once respected, was now synonymous with scandal. My so-called friends had vanished, and my family—what little I had—had turned their backs. The Hales had made sure of that.A lifetime ago, I had fought to belong, to prove my worth. And for what? To be discarded like a broken pawn the moment I was no longer useful.A sharp r
Sinclair's Lost Heir[The Rise Of The Betrayed Son-in-law] CHAPTER 4
Ethan’s POV Inside, the bedroom was nothing short of opulent. A massive king-sized bed, draped in silk sheets, stood against a backdrop of floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking an expansive garden. A chandelier hung overhead, casting warm golden light across the room. There was a walk-in closet that looked larger than my old apartment, and a bathroom that gleamed with pristine marble and gold accents. A seating area, complete with a fireplace and leather armchairs, added to the grandeur."Take some time to settle in," Olivia said, her voice softer now. "It’s a lot to process. Rest. Grandfather will want to see you first thing in the morning."She left me alone in the vast room, and I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. I sat on the edge of the bed, running a hand through my hair. Just hours ago, I had been in a prison cell, my future nothing but a bleak stretch of empty years. Now, I was standing in the palace, my name carrying a weight I hadn’t yet fully grasped. I l
Sinclair's Lost Heir[The Rise Of The Betrayed Son-in-law] CHAPTER 5
Ethan’s POV The silence of my study was interrupted by a sharp knock at the door. I didn’t look up immediately, finishing the last few lines of the document I was reviewing. It had been days since I officially entered the Sinclair Empire, and the sheer volume of information I had to absorb felt endless.“Come in.” My voice was calm, measured.One of my personal security guards stepped in, his stance rigid. “Sir, the President requests your presence in his study.I set down the papers, rubbing my temples briefly before rising. “Did he mention why?”The guard shook his head. “No, sir. Only that it is urgent.”I nodded. My grandfather wasn’t one for unnecessary summons. Whatever this was about, it had to be important. Still, I didn’t let it bother me. With a steady breath, I adjusted my cuffs and made my way out.The corridors of the Sinclair estate stretched long and elegant, bathed in the soft glow of chandeliers. Every servant, every guard I passed either bowed or genuflected. It was
Latest Chapter
CHAPTER 38
Vanessa’s POV The morning air was unnervingly still, almost like the world itself was holding its breath. Our black SUV pulled into the courthouse lot without music, without laughter—without a single word.Nathan sat beside me, stiff in his tailored navy suit, the cuffs of his shirt peeking just slightly from his sleeves. His jaw clenched, nostrils flared. But it wasn’t fear on his face. It was something colder. Anger, maybe. Betrayal.“I swear,” he muttered, not looking at me, “if that bastard Ethan shows his face today...”“You need to focus,” I interrupted softly, adjusting my sunglasses to hide my red, sleepless eyes. “Please, Nathan. Just… don’t make things worse.”He scoffed. “Worse? I’m about to be crucified in front of a packed courtroom and the media. How worse could it get?”I didn’t answer. What could I say?Dad stepped out from the front seat, nodded once at the guards, and turned to Nathan. “Keep your mouth shut. Don’t show weakness. Let Leonard speak.”“Leonard’s a tire
CHAPTER 37
Vanessa’s POV “Ethan, please.” My voice dropped. I hated the tremble I heard in it, but I kept going. “You came here for a reason. Maybe to gloat, maybe to talk. But I’m asking you… please help him.”Nathan growled beside me like a wounded animal. “Vanessa, shut up!”I ignored him.“Help him,” I repeated. “For old time’s sake, or for the sake of whatever little decency you have left.”Ethan chuckled. Not the kind that was amused. The kind that made my skin crawl. Cold, deliberate, and... condescending.“Decency?” he finally spoke, his voice low and smooth. “You’re asking me about decency?”I swallowed.Nathan scoffed. “You see? He’s playing you. He always has.”But Ethan continued, his eyes fixed on me now.“You know, when I was locked up… when your beloved brother came to visit, he didn’t bring a lawyer. He brought laughter. Mocked me through the glass, said it suited me.”He turned to Nathan now, who was grinding his teeth.“You remember what you said to me that day? ‘This is where
CHAPTER 36
Vanessa’s POV"Do you realize what this means, Vanessa?!" My father's voice thundered through the marble-floored living room, bouncing off the walls like a ricocheting bullet.I didn’t flinch. I’d grown used to his shouting—especially when things didn’t go his way.He jabbed his phone on the coffee table so hard I feared it would shatter. "Nathan is rotting in a holding cell and I can’t find a single damn lawyer who’s willing to take this case!""Maybe," I said quietly, "they're just afraid of being associated with a sinking ship."He spun to me like a storm. "You think this is funny?""Did I laugh?""Don't play smart with me, Vanessa. This isn't the time.""Then when is the time, Dad? When the cops storm Hale Pharmaceuticals? Or when the SEC tears into our offshore accounts?"He ran his fingers through his thinning hair and resumed pacing. “Goddamn it! Where the hell is Raymond?”Raymond was his long-time fixer. If anyone could’ve pulled us out of this mess, it was him. But apparentl
CHAPTER 35
Vanessa’s POV"Do you realize what this means, Vanessa?!" My father's voice thundered through the marble-floored living room, bouncing off the walls like a ricocheting bullet.I didn’t flinch. I’d grown used to his shouting—especially when things didn’t go his way.He jabbed his phone on the coffee table so hard I feared it would shatter. "Nathan is rotting in a holding cell and I can’t find a single damn lawyer who’s willing to take this case!""Maybe," I said quietly, "they're just afraid of being associated with a sinking ship."He spun to me like a storm. "You think this is funny?""Did I laugh?""Don't play smart with me, Vanessa. This isn't the time.""Then when is the time, Dad? When the cops storm Hale Pharmaceuticals? Or when the SEC tears into our offshore accounts?"He ran his fingers through his thinning hair and resumed pacing. “Goddamn it! Where the hell is Raymond?”Raymond was his long-time fixer. If anyone could’ve pulled us out of this mess, it was him. But apparentl
CHAPTER 34
Ethan’s POVShe flushed, the embarrassment spreading rapidly over her cheeks like spilled wine. “No... I didn’t... God, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have touched you. I really shouldn’t have.”I raised a brow, more amused than annoyed. “You were kissing me, Olivia. You call that checking for a pulse?”She covered her face with both hands, muffling her groan. “Don’t make fun of me. I swear, I didn’t come here for that. I knocked, you didn’t answer, the door was unlocked, and... and you looked so peaceful. I got carried away.”Peaceful.Was that how I looked? Like a man who didn’t have enemies trying to kill him? A man who hadn’t orchestrated the takedown of a criminal empire?“You saw the news?” I asked, my tone sobering. “Nathan’s arrest?”She nodded quickly, her hands dropping. “It’s everywhere. They said he was caught red-handed at some elite club with a stash of hard drugs. And you... you’re just sleeping through it all...”“I already knew it was coming,” I said, brushing a hand through
CHAPTER 33
Ethan’s POV “Ethan, you need to sit for this.”I froze just as I reached for my phone on the coffee table. Jordan never used that tone unless it was big. Life-altering big.“Talk to me,” I said, pacing to the window as my fingers tightened around the phone. “What did you find?”“Your hunch was dead-on. Nathan’s not just behind the pills I traced. He’s personally supplying a private circle of elite clients with high-grade narcotics. Cocaine. Fentanyl. Shipped through a chain of fake wellness brands—all tied back to an upscale club downtown. ‘Lavish Red.’ Ring a bell?”I exhaled. “Of course it would be a club. How poetic of him.”“There’s more,” Davis said, voice sharper now. “He’s planning a personal drop-off. Tonight. Midnight. A private VIP lounge. I’ve intercepted texts—he’ll be there with the stuff.”“You’re sure?”“Do I ever call unless I’m sure?”I couldn’t help the grin tugging at the corner of my lips. “No. You don’t.”“Address is 322 Bellerose Street. I’ve already got camera
CHAPTER 32
Ethan’s POV“You want me to what?” Lionel’s voice crackled through the speakerphone, laced with disbelief.“Bid the stock prices low, Lionel. As low as legally possible,” I said, leaning back into the leather of my chair, fingers drumming on the glass table. “Push them so far into a corner they’ll have no option but to sell.”“Christ, Ethan, they’re already gasping for breath. You want to drown them while they’re still conscious?”“Yes.”He exhaled, a breath that told me he was still trying to wrap his head around it. “You do know Richard Hale isn’t the type to let things go quietly, right? If they find out you’re the one buying...”“They won’t,” I cut him off. “That’s why I have you. I’m just a ghost in the shadows, until it is time.”“And what exactly do you gain from pissing them off this bad?” he asked, a little chuckle in his voice.“You mean besides satisfaction?” I said. “The look on Nathan’s face when he realizes the very companies they sold to survive would eventually belong
CHAPTER 31
Ethan’s POV The sky was a perfect shade of blue, the kind that made everything feel like it was going according to plan.The countryside estate was beautiful, and for a moment, it almost felt like I could leave all the chaos behind. The property was vast rolling green hills stretching as far as the eye could see. It was everything I needed: it was perfect for a retreat, just far enough from the city to offer peace but close enough to make any business dealings possible. "Mr. Sinclair, we are here." The driver’s voice broke me from my thoughts. I nodded, checking my watch. I stepped out of the car, adjusting my suit jacket, and surveyed the estate. The property was in pristine condition, with freshly mowed lawns and towering trees surrounding a beautiful colonial style house. My grandfather’s birthday was coming up soon, I wanted to give him a befiting present for his birthday and retirement. "Everything looks good," I muttered to myself, walking toward the agent who had been show
CHAPTER 30
Ethan’s POV “You bought what?” Jordan’s voice cracked through the encrypted line like a whip when I told him that I had bought all the shares put up for sale by Hale subsidiaries. I grinned into the phone, leaned back in my leather chair at the Sinclair estate study. “Every last share they threw to the market. Through a private broker in Dubai. The entire subsidiary is mine now.”“You’re playing God now, huh?” he muttered. “You do realize the Hales are going to freak when they find out they just sold a piece of their empire to their worst nightmare?”I chuckled, low and slow. “That’s the idea.”“You’ve got guts, I’ll give you that. But what the hell are you planning to do with this new toy?”“Use it, Jordan. Every locked door they thought I couldn’t open, I now have the keys. Internal communications, supply chains, financial records—everything.”“Damn. You really pulled this off.”“I told you,” I said, opening a secure email I just received from the broker. “Patience, power, and a p
