2024-02-24 05:42:23"I got this for you, Julia," a woman's voice rang out from across the table, belonging to Lena Reynolds, Ms. Julia's sister-in-law.
"It cost thousands of dollars!" Lena exclaimed, presenting a gift containing a set of bracelets with a net worth of $400,000.Meanwhile, Ms. Julia's siblings surrounded her, each adorned with unique birthday artwork on their heads, while Maya entered the room carrying a cake with her mom's name elegantly written on it. "Happy birthday, Mom!!!" Maya exclaimed, wrapping her arms around her mother as she sat, her excitement evident on her beaming face. "Let's blow out the candle by spelling your name! Ms. Julia" Sophie spoke out, appearing behind Ms. Julia and placing a hand on her shoulder. With her long black hair cascading down her back, Sophie looked stunning at just twenty-five years old.Suddenly, the clink of a spoon against a glass echoed through the room, breaking the excitement that filled the air."More age, my love, in more money?" Old Ms. Mimi interjected, interrupting the atmosphere as her children and grandchildren sat around the table, surrounded by drinks and food.Old Ms. Mimi beamed with joy as she celebrated her eldest daughter's birthday, surrounded by her grandchildren. One of them sat beside her, holding her hand.At 80 years old, Old Ms. Mimi had just two children who dutifully catered to her desires. Being the last elder of the Reynolds family, she held the ultimate authority and final say over family matters. No one dared to challenge her rule, and she also oversaw the family business.Ms. Julia, the second-born of the Reynolds siblings, was a well-known figure in town for her remarkable achievements. She chose not to adopt her husband's surname, believing him to be inferior.Being the firstborn, Klein Reynolds shared the responsibility of managing the family business alongside Old Ms. Mimi.Klein has two children, a boy and a girl. Alexander, who is older than Sophie, while Sophie and Maya are the same age.As they all sat down, the chef entered the room with a tray of Old Ms. Mimi's favorite meal - four eggs and a steaming cup of coffee. "Old Ms. Mimi, your usual is ready," announced the chef as he placed four eggs and a glass of coffee in front of her."Thank you," Old Ms. Mimi replied with a hint of a smile.As the aroma of the meal hit her, she couldn't help but express her delight. "Well preserved! Let's dig in," she declared to the family.Reaching for her fork and knife, she cut into the egg and took a bite. But as soon as the food touched her tongue, she spat it out in disgust, her face flushing with anger."Holy Mary!" she exclaimed, sending a wave of shock through everyone present. "Who prepared this meal?" she demanded, using her hand to fan away the offensive odor."I was the one who prepared it, ma," the chef nervously confessed as he approached her, fully aware of Ms. Mimi's infamous reaction."And who asked you to prepare the meal?" she inquired sharply."I did it on my own, ma," the chef replied fearfully."Are you daft? You can't even cook eggs to my liking! What are we paying you for if you can't handle such a simple task?" Ms. Mimi scolded, her frustration palpable in the air. "Get the hell out of my sight!" she yelled, splashing water from a glass.The chef was fortunate at that moment as his actions could have led to his dismissal from his job. Ms. Mimi had a severe aversion to paper in her food due to skin sensitivity issues, as advised by her private doctor. Her attention then turned to their absent son-in-law, Ethan. "And where is that good-for-nothing son-in-law?" she demanded, her voice laced with frustration.But Ethan was the only one who knew how to prepare Old Ms. Mimi's usual meal."Get him here to clean this mess up!?!" Klein glanced around the room and commented in confusion, "Huh? That good-for-nothing Ethan seems to be nowhere in sight." Ms. Julia gazed wide in disbelief, "What? It's my 50th birthday. How dare he not show up!?" "Maya!!! What's going on!?" Old Ms. Mimi interrupted, her voice grew incensed. Maya responded respectfully, "He might have had to work." "Work? Driving his taxi customers around? Hahaha, that's rich!" scoffed Sophie. Alexander joined in, "He's a disgrace to the Reynolds! I once came across him while cruising in my Rolls-Royce Boat, but I couldn't bring myself to admit to my friend that he's part of our family!" As the tension in the room was palpable, Samantha stood up, her attention cutting through the uncertainty that filled the room. All gazes were fixed on her as she made her way toward Ms. Julia, whispering some words in her ear.But Old Ms. Mimi interrupted the conversation. "Speak it out, I could hear you discussing Ethan. What did he do? Has he brought shame into the family?" she questioned, her voice filled with concern and a hint of anger."No, ma'am. I was simply asking Ms. Julia if she misplaced any of her money. Because we saw Ethan at the store last night saying he needed a suit worth one million dollars," Samantha explained calmly, maintaining a polite demeanor."One million dollars?" Old Ms. Mimi repeated, bursting into laughter. "Where did that worthless son-in-law think he'd get that kind of money? His parents aren't rich; they couldn't even dream of having that much money in their lifetime!" She then turned her gaze directly to Samantha. "Are you absolutely certain about what you're saying? Because he is too broke to afford that amount of money!"Old Ms. Mimi's eyes blazed with fury as she bellowed, "Bring him back this instant! I need to uncover where he's getting that money from. Is he stealing from our flesh and blood!?"Maya was taken aback by the intensity of her grandmother's rage towards Ethan. She knew she had to speak the truth."Grandmother, Ethan won't be coming. We're getting a divorce." "Divorce!?" Old Ms. Mimi echoed the word, her grip on the glass cup of water loosening until it slipped from her hand, crashing to the floor.In the Reynolds family, the elders held the power to arrange marriages for their daughters, a tradition upheld with unwavering respect. No one dared to defy this tradition by seeking a divorce without the elder's approval, whether the elder was living or deceased."Who granted you the audacity to seek a divorce!?! Have you forgotten that your marriage was ordained by your late grandfather!?!" Old Ms. Mimi scolded, her voice filled with disappointment and anger.Maya, overwhelmed by guilt and sorrow, dared not be impertinent. She fell to her knees, tears streaming down her face, and clasped Old Ms. Mimi's feet in a desperate plea for forgiveness."Grandmother, I would never dare to defy Grandpa's wishes, but Ethan... He's a relentless bully!" Maya confessed through sobs, her heart heavy with the weight of her words.Witnessing Maya's distress, Ms. Mimi tenderly lifted her granddaughter, offering comfort through gentle strokes."Maya, my dear, cease your tears. You are my blood, while he is merely a despicable son-in-law. Tell me how he has tormented you. I will make sure he learns a lesson he won't forget!" Ms. Mimi vowed, her protective instincts kicking in.Maya composed herself, wiping away the tears she had shed under duress, and addressed the gathered family with a tremor in her voice. "Ethan had a tryst with another woman!"
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THE ANCESTRAl HEIR SYSTEM Chapter:6 Falsely accusations
"What!" Old Ms. Mimi's body quivered with shock at Maya's accusation. Thankfully, Klein reacted swiftly, moving to offer support and comfort to the distressed elderly woman.Old Ms. Mimi erupted in a fit of rage. "He's a despicable beast! We provided him with a luxurious apartment and a fancy car for three years, and yet he couldn't even show loyalty and devotion to you. How dare he engage in such deceitful behavior!?"Maya cunningly played the blame game, falsely accusing Ethan of infidelity to manipulate the situation and win Old Ms. Mimi's trust effortlessly.Maya's adeptness at concealing her true nature allowed her to maintain a facade of innocence and goodness in front of her family.Had Ethan not stumbled upon Maya in the hotel room and witnessed the truth firsthand, he would have continued to believe in Maya's facade of purity and kindness, despite her underlying arrogance.Maya's parents, who had also fallen victim to their daughter's deception, directed their anger towards E
THE ANCESTRAl HEIR SYSTEM Chapter 7: The Encounter
Alexander arrived at the appointed spot just as Ethan did, his car's sudden rumble catching Ethan's attention as he waited. Stepping out of his cab, Ethan made his way towards Alexander's stationary vehicle, parked with precision near the cab's bonnet. Alexander remained in his car, a commanding presence even without stepping out."Get in. Grandma wants to see you," Alexander stated, his tone carrying a sense of solemnity.Assuming that Old Ms. Mini wished to intercede on behalf of her granddaughter Maya. Ethan's voice hardened as he responded, "Even if your grandmother pleads for Maya, it won't make a difference. I am determined to divorce her."A look of confusion crossed Ethan's face as he heard Alexander's next words. "You fool, what's going through your head? Do you really believe my grandmother is here to plead with you? She's here to enforce the family's traditions and rules upon you!"Thus began an unexpected turn of events, as Ethan realized that the meeting with Grandma Mimi
THE ANCESTRAl HEIR SYSTEM chapter:8 Worthless son in law Ethan
"Unbelievable!" Klein's voice thundered, his eyes ablaze with fury as they locked with Ms. Julia's in a narrow gaze. "You and your worthless son-in-law, how could you allow Alexander to be hurt? You owe me an explanation for this!"The mention of Ms. Julia and her family were necessary because Ethan was their son-in-law, implicating them in the situation. The panic was evident in Ms. Julia and her husband's faces."All that troublemaker does is bring chaos into our lives. The next time I see him, I'll have him arrested!" Ms. Julia snarled with malice."Should we involve the police, Madam?" Samantha inquired tentatively."Silence your tongue, you person with cognitive disabilities!" snapped the old Ms. Mimi."This is a family affair, keep the authorities out of it! I'll ensure he faces the consequences he deserves," Old Ms. Mimi declared firmly before approaching Klein and whispering something in his ear."Klein, I know you have connections with the triads. Enlist their help to give tha
THE ANCESTRAl HEIR SYSTEM chapter: 9 Enforcing the family rules
Old Ms. Mimi, Klein, and Alexander exchanged knowing grins. Ten minutes later, Ethan pulled up in his cab at the entrance of the Freehand Hotel.He dialed the customer's number and announced, "Mr. Diego, your taxi has arrived. I'm waiting at the entrance of the Freehand Hotel. Please come out with your luggage."Meanwhile, Andrew was engaged in conversation with Old Ms. Mimi and the others in the hotel lobby. "Could you come over and help me with some luggage from the room?" he asked.Ethan glanced up at the lavish banner hanging at the hotel entrance, which read "Happy 50th Birthday, Julia."The Freehand Hotel was renowned for its birthday banquets and was frequented by the elite of Los Angeles for various events. The high cost of staying at the Freehand Hotel could easily deter those from a lower socioeconomic background. Ethan assumed Maya's family had chosen this venue for the celebration.Ethan explained, "taxi drivers aren't allowed to enter the hotel. Please call the security te
THE ANCESTRAl HEIR SYSTEM chapter: 10 Too scared to admit
Ethan gazed at Maya's outward beauty, yet he saw her inner ugliness. "Haha, you betrayed me, accused me of infidelity, and now you wish to strike me? What a remarkable wife I have indeed. I've married a true rarity!"Ethan's frustration knew no bounds. To everyone's surprise, Alexander seized the giant enforcement ruler and charged towards Ethan."You scoundrel! How dare you hit me? I'll ruin your face!" Alexander threatened, attempting to strike Ethan with the enforcement ruler.Ethan remained composed, swiftly evading the blow. He seized Alexander's arm with his left hand and deftly twisted it, causing Alexander to inadvertently strike himself in the face with the giant enforcement ruler.Smack!The forceful impact left Alexander's already grim visage looking even more distorted.The onlookers were left in utter astonishment at the unexpected turn of events."How dare a live-in son-in-law strike the heir of the Reynolds!?"Old Ms. Mimi rose to her feet, her voice booming, "Scoundrel!
THE ANCESTRAl HEIR SYSTEM Chapter: 11 Ethan not longer welcome in the Reynolds family
In the presence of esteemed figures including the chief of staff of a well-known transportation company, Tony was already privy to Ethan's employee number visibly displayed on his attire. Without delay, a vigilant bodyguard accompanying the chief swiftly input Ethan's employee number into the company's application to review his most recent order.Upon completion of the check, the bodyguard affirmed, "Tony, you're correct. There appears to be a slight delay in payment."Before the bodyguard could elaborate further, Tony interjected, "The reason for the delayed payment stems from his unprofessional conduct, specifically his act of carelessly discarding my phone to the ground."With this revelation, the public sentiment began to shift, aligning more with Maya and Tony's perspective.Turning towards Maya, Ethan inquired, "Are you not going to clarify why I dropped the phone?"Maintaining an air of innocence, Maya crossed her arms, subtly emphasizing her point with a raised finger. ""You w
THE ANCESTRAl HEIR SYSTEM chapter: 12 Not Giving Ethan a way out
At that moment, Ethan joined in the laughter and lifted a glass of wine before making his way towards Maya."Congratulations, Maya. You can now search for a man who truly suits you," Ethan remarked.Maya's response was chilly. She sensed that Ethan was concealing his inner turmoil and resentment behind his smile.With a cold huff, Maya said, "If you were to kneel down and plead with me now, perhaps Grandma might show you some leniency and refrain from casting you out, at least temporarily."Ethan chuckled in response, "You've betrayed me, and yet you expect me to kneel and beg to you?""Truly, they are the epitome of the pseudo-elite in high society!" Ethan swiftly downed the contents of his glass, adding, "You are far from deserving it!"Tensions rose as their exchange hung in the air, leaving both Maya and Ethan at a standoff."You..."Maya's stunning features were now a mask of anger. She had always held herself with regal poise in front of Ethan, like a queen in his presence.Yet t
THE ANCESTRAl HEIR SYSTEM chapter: 13 Clara the deputy president
Realizing Ethan's formidable combat abilities that surpassed even the professional fighters Klein had sent, the Reynolds family began to feel a sense of unease. Klein spoke up, "Folks, this formidable individual, Ethan, possesses extraordinary fighting prowess. I wouldn't be surprised if he decides to approach the affluent residents of Los Angeles to offer his services as a personal bodyguard. Who among you is willing to obstruct his potential path in this direction?" A hush fell over the room as the attendees pondered. In a city like Los Angeles, teeming with wealthy individuals, nobody dared to assert that they held the authority to influence or impede Ethan's prospects as a bodyguard. Suddenly, a woman who had been quietly seated for some time let out a charming laugh that captivated the room. All heads turned to behold a woman clad in a striking red business suit, exuding an aura of allure and sophistication. Despite appearing to be in her early thirties, she possessed the magn
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Chapter 92: Meeting Grandaunt Lily
Maya was at a loss for words, finally realizing that it seemed inappropriate to drink champagne on such an occasion.Champagne was usually drink during celebratory event like weddings or when one's favorite's sports team has won a championship.Who would pop champagne when a relative is on her deathbed? Maya silently put away the champagne and said, "Hubby, can I connect my cell phone to the Bluetooth speaker of the car? I want to play a song in my playlist." Maya and Ethan had slightly different tastes in music. The trip this time would take close to two hours, and it'd be agonizing for her if they kept playing songs she disliked. Ethan would never force others to listen to the song he liked. Hence, he allowed Maya to connect her phone to the Bluetooth player and play her preferred songs.To his surprised, the first song that Maya played after connecting her phone to the Bluetooth player of the car was 'A thousand Reason to be Sad.' The familiar piano prelude instantly reminded b
Chapter 91: Ethan identity have be exposed for long
"No, no! Not like how we used to be! We have to act like a loving couple—completely affectionate with each other!"Maya’s voice trembled as tears welled in her eyes. She immediately regretted her words, realizing she had reminded Ethan of how poorly she had treated him in the past.Ethan chuckled, though his laughter held a tinge of sarcasm. "I don’t think that’s necessary. We can simply tell her we’re still married. No need for an elaborate act."Truthfully, Ethan had no objections to the idea of pretending. In fact, he might have suggested it himself even if Maya hadn’t. He knew how much Lily had wanted their marriage to last, and with her on her deathbed, learning they were divorced would only bring her heartbreak.Considering that Lily had once saved his life, Ethan couldn't bring himself to let her pass away in sorrow.Maya quickly insisted, "No, it’s absolutely necessary! Grandma told us that Grandaunt Lily found out about your real identity a long time ago. She also knows about
Chapter 90: pretending to be married
To create an opportunity for Maya and Ethan to reconcile, Old Ms. Mimi decided to use Lily’s critical condition to her advantage. The only uncertainty was whether Ethan would agree. After all, he had already divorced Maya and severed ties with the Reynolds. He had no obligation toward them, let alone a distant relative like Grandaunt Lily. Because of this, Klein and his children weren’t optimistic about the plan. Maya’s mother, Julia, sighed and said, "Maya, I know you’re hopeful, but don’t get ahead of yourself. Ethan has become so coldhearted. He left you standing in the rain for two hours without a second thought, and he even tried to set you up with a disabled man. Do you really think he’ll agree to pretend you’re still married—for your sake?" Maya bit her lip, silently acknowledging that Ethan had indeed grown ruthless. But despite her doubts, she gathered her courage and dialed his number. At that moment, Ethan was still at The Timeless Restaurant, finishing his meal with
Chapter 89: Grandaunt Lily
"Mr. Ethan…!"Liam and Butler Frank tensed as Maya splashed water onto Ethan’s face.As his subordinates, they felt responsible for failing to prevent such an offense against their master.Butler Frank quickly apologized, bowing his head. "This is my fault. I’m getting old and powerless… and Liam can’t stand to intervene either."Ethan remained composed, casually picking up a napkin and wiping his face. "Don’t worry about it. The water wasn’t even cold. Besides, I expected her to react this way."He had deliberately provoked Maya to ensure she understood—there was no future between them.---After storming out of The Timeless Restaurant, Maya immediately called Renee.Renee had only just driven away, but upon hearing Maya’s voice, she turned the car around and returned to pick her up, taking her straight to Old Ms. Mimi’s villa.As soon as Maya walked through the door, her family gathered around, eager for details about the dinner.Still fuming, Maya recounted everything that had happ
Chapter 88: Setting a blind date for his ex
Maya was so thrilled that, in her mind, she already saw herself as Ethan’s wife.'If Butler Frank is Ethan’s servant, that means he’s mine too.'With that thought, she turned to him and said, “Butler Frank…”Ethan’s expression darkened slightly. He had expected her to address him properly as Mr. Romano Reyes, not so casually as Butler Frank.Ethan himself could speak to him that way because Butler Frank was his subordinate—but Maya had no such privilege.Without the slightest hesitation, Maya continued, “Butler Frank, I’m flattered by your kind words. Since Ethan considers you family, I’ll do the same from now on. You don’t have to worry about a thing.”Ethan nearly laughed. The way she spoke made it sound as if she were bestowing Butler Frank some grand favor—like she was magnanimously declaring she wouldn’t treat him as a mere servant once she became the mistress of the household.Butler Frank, ever the humble man, simply nodded politely. “Thank you… thank you.” Though he knew Maya
Chapter 87: As Ethan Forgiven me
The next morning, Ethan didn’t arrive at the office until ten.He had spent the entire night captivated by Marissa’s singing.With a glass of whiskey in hand, he listened as her voice transported him to a bygone era of New York, immersing him in a world of nostalgia and elegance.Marissa’s talent was undeniable—her voice rivaled that of a true diva.Had she not come from a wealthy family, with no need to pursue a career, she could have easily achieved fame and stardom.Mesmerized, Ethan pulled out his phone and recorded a few videos of her performance, sending them to his grandfather and Butler Frank.His grandfather, impressed not only by her voice but also by her timeless beauty, couldn’t help but express his admiration for her.Butler Frank couldn't help but feel envious of Ethan—he had long harbored feelings for Marissa.However, despite having had quite a bit to drink, Ethan didn’t lay a finger on her.The only thing he asked was for her to try on every dress she had brought with
Chapter 86: sleeping over
Ethan stared at Marissa, utterly baffled, unable to grasp her intentions.Marissa rose from the ground, her expression transforming completely. Determination burned in her eyes, as though she had resolved to risk everything, even her dignity, for her cause."Mr. Sinclair," she began, her voice steady despite the weight of her words, "Giovanni, Tony, the Walt Disney Corporation staff, and those from the West’s company all know I came here to meet you today."Ethan nodded, his tone indifferent. "I know that. So what?"Marissa took a deep breath, then suddenly said, "I can stay here tonight."Ethan froze, utterly taken aback by her statement. What a brazen thing to say!It was in that moment he finally pieced together her meaning.The scandal of Tony sleeping with Maya—Ethan’s ex-wife—had been a public humiliation, tarnishing Ethan’s pride and reputation as the president of the prestigious Walt Disney Corporation. But if Ethan were to sleep with Tony’s mother, Marissa, the narrative woul
Chapter 85: Blind date
Three years ago, Sophie was just a high school girl with a petite and modest appearance, far from the alluring figure she had now developed.Back then, Ethan had always viewed her as a younger sister and never entertained any inappropriate thoughts about her. However, things had taken an uncomfortable turn recently.Alexander, ever the troublemaker, had been sending Ethan provocative photos of Sophie—images she hadn’t even posted on her Instagram. Each picture was more seductive than the last, leaving Ethan increasingly unsettled.Now, Ethan avoided even glancing at Sophie. Those photos lingered in his mind, and he found himself battling thoughts he knew were entirely inappropriate.The very idea made him feel despicable. Regardless of how attracted he had been to Maya, it had been within the bounds of marriage. But Sophie? That was entirely off-limits.Resolute, Ethan ignored Sophie’s attempts to engage him and left the villa without looking back.As he walked to his car with Lucky s
Chapter 84: reconciling
Ethan glanced at the bracelet but didn’t reach for it. "I don’t take back what I’ve already given. And let’s make one thing clear—I wasn’t freeloading off the Reynolds these past three years. I don’t want anyone thinking otherwise."His tone was firm, leaving no room for argument. The Reynolds had supported him during his time as a live-in husband, and Ethan wasn’t about to let them weaponize that against him now.Old Ms. Mimi gave a small nod of acknowledgment and took the bracelet back. She had always admired it, viewing it as a prized possession from her “formal son-in-law.” Now that she knew it was a gift from Ethan, she had been eyeing it with even more affection.As Ethan adjusted Lucky in his arms, he said flatly, "If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going now.""Wait!" Maya called after him, her voice soft but insistent. "I’d like to speak with you alone. It won’t take long."Before Ethan could respond, Miss Julia chimed in eagerly, "Yes, Ethan! You’ve barely been here a moment.
