2024-10-30 18:22:16“So, everyone, I think Moonlight is perfect for tonight, don’t you?” He cast a challenging look at Ethan, a glint of mockery in his eyes.
As the group stood outside the campus, Mike folded his arms with a sly grin.
The name drew a gasp from the group.
Claire frowned, voicing what everyone was thinking.
“Moonlight? Isn’t that… a bit much, Mike? That place is ridiculously expensive.”
Mike chuckled, feigning kindness.
“Oh, come on, Claire. It’s not a big deal. If Ethan finds it a bit too pricey, I don’t mind splitting the bill with him.” He turned to Ethan, smirking. “What do you say, Ethan? You up for it?”
Ethan’s eyes sparkled with a calm confidence that took Mike by surprise.
“Sure, Mike. That’s the deal.”
Mike’s grin faded for a second before he forced it back.
He had been counting on Ethan backing out, not agreeing.
“Well… alright then! But remember, this isn’t just some fast-food joint. Dinner there can easily cost a thousand bucks.”
Ethan shrugged nonchalantly.
“I’m aware. I’m looking forward to it.”
Claire watched the exchange, clearly uncomfortable.
She leaned over to Ethan and whispered, “Are you sure about this? Moonlight isn’t cheap… and Mike’s only trying to provoke you.”
Ethan smiled at her reassuringly.
“I appreciate your concern, Claire. But I think it’s time I finally join a class event. I’ll cover my part.”
Mike clapped his hands together, breaking the moment.
“Great! Well then, what are we waiting for?” He gave Ethan a smug look. “Let’s see how deep those pockets go, Ethan.”
As they arrived at Moonlight Restaurant, the sleek, polished marble entrance and glittering chandeliers overhead caught everyone’s attention.
Mike turned to Ethan with a mocking smile.
“You know, Ethan, if you’re having second thoughts, we could always go somewhere more… affordable.”
Ethan shook his head, his voice steady. “No need. I’m decided.”
Claire raised an eyebrow at the banter, clearly uneasy. “This is really unnecessary, Mike. Moonlight’s too much.”
Mike laughed, shrugging it off.
“Oh, come on, Claire. If Ethan feels it’s too much, we can always go somewhere more affordable.” He paused, turning to Ethan with a taunting look. “Unless… you’re having second thoughts?”
Ethan met Mike’s gaze steadily. “No second thoughts. I’m looking forward to it.”
Mike’s grin slipped for a moment.
He’d expected Ethan to back down, and now he was in too deep to admit he’d been bluffing. “Alright, then!” He let out a forced laugh.
“But, you know, the place is pricey—easily a thousand bucks for a decent dinner.”
They stepped into the restaurant, and the lush decor and ambient lighting enveloped them in sophistication.
The restaurant manager greeted them warmly, bowing slightly.
“Good evening. Will you be dining in the hall, or would you like a private room?”
Mike saw his chance and jumped in before Ethan could respond. “We’ll need a private room, of course,” he said, with a mocking glance in Ethan’s direction. “After all, Ethan here seems ready to go all out.”
Ethan smiled, unfazed. “A private room? No....”
Mike mocked, "Hey Ethan, you want us to have dinner at the lobby? Please, we have beautiful girls like Melissa and Claire here, can't you be generous?"
Ethan smiled, "Generous? Of course I will be...I mean, we can't just settle for a private room..."
Mike raised an eyebrow, his expression one of barely concealed irritation. “Oh? What are you thinking, then?”
Ethan kept his voice calm. “I think the supreme VIP room will be perfect.”
A hush fell over the group, and even the host seemed momentarily taken aback.
The supreme VIP room at Moonlight was legendary, reserved for only the wealthiest clients and coming with an extravagant price tag—at least $10,000 for the evening.
The words landed like a bombshell. Mike’s jaw dropped slightly, and he struggled to recover his composure. “The… supreme VIP room? Ethan, that room is at least ten thousand dollars!”
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THE BEGGER BOY IS RICH HEIR CHAPTER 12
The manager nodded, smiling politely. “Indeed, sir. The supreme VIP room offers a truly exclusive experience.”Mike forced a laugh, trying to mask his shock. “Ethan, are you sure? I mean, that’s… a bit excessive, don’t you think?”Ethan gave him a cool look. “You suggested the best, didn’t you, Mike? I’m just making sure we get the full experience.”Mike, left with no way out, forced a smile. “Alright, then. Let’s do it.”Other students also cheered as they were getting a free treat in the most expensive place.As they followed the manager toward the supreme VIP room, Mike’s mind raced.He’d wanted to embarrass Ethan, but it was quickly becoming clear that he’d underestimated him.As they entered the Supreme VIP room, eyes shifted toward Ethan in surprise.It was rare for anyone to casually suggest going to such a high-class area, especially for someone like Ethan, who kept a low profile.But here he was, looking completely unbothered.Mike scoffed, watching Ethan with suspicion.He m
THE BEGGER BOY IS RICH HEIR Chapter 13
The restaurant buzzed with laughter and clinking glasses.For the first time in years, Ethan felt like he was part of something special.He glanced around the table, enjoying the moment. His friends wore wide smiles, and even the air felt lighter, but he couldn’t ignore Mike's silence.It seemed out of place among the laughter and cheers, and his pale face contrasted sharply with everyone else’s rosy cheeks.“Hey, Mike, you doing okay?” Ethan asked, trying to keep his voice light.Mike glanced at Ethan, attempting a smile that fell flat.“Yeah… just… a little tired.” His voice was low, his eyes darting back to his phone. He’d been busy tapping away, hardly looking at his meal.One of the guys nudged him, laughing.“Mike, you’re missing out, man! This steak is the best I’ve had in years.”Mike forced a chuckle. “I’m fine. Just, uh… sorting out some stuff.”In truth, Mike was on his phone, sending out desperate messages to some friends.Hey, buddy, can you lend me a bit? Just fifty or s
THE BEGGER BOY IS RICH HEIR CHAPTER 14
The restaurant fell silent as the stacks of crisp bills spilled out from Ethan's shabby, worn-out bag.The money was piled high, neatly arranged in rubber-banded bundles, each bundle worth a small fortune.Gasps filled the room as his classmates stared, mouths agape, at the unexpected display of wealth.Mike was the first to break the silence, his face twisted in disbelief and anger.“That… that must be stolen!” he sneered, pointing a trembling finger at Ethan. “There’s no way you’d have that kind of money. Who’d you rob, huh?”Ethan tilted his head, his expression calm and amused.“Stolen? Really, Mike? Why don’t you call the police, then? They can come here and verify it. I’d be happy to cooperate.”Mike’s sneer faltered for a moment, but he quickly recovered, putting on a brave face.“Oh, don’t get cocky. Just because you managed to get your hands on a pile of cash doesn’t mean you’re anyone important.”“Funny,” Ethan replied with a smirk. “I could say the same about you.How’s it
THE BEGGER BOY IS RICH HEIR CHAPTER 15
Ethan after paying the bills, trying to ignore the curious stares and whispers. He’d expected a reaction, of course, but not the level of attention he was now getting.The moment they walked out of the restraunt, his classmates swarmed him.“Ethan, where’d you get all that cash?” one of them asked, leaning forward eagerly.“Yeah, man,” another chimed in, “You’ve been splurging like crazy. Did your family hit the jackpot or something?”Ethan chuckled, scratching the back of his neck.“Not exactly the family… Just me. I, uh, I won the lottery.”Gasps and murmurs spread through the room like wildfire.Everyone was either shocked or impressed, and a few classmates even looked a little jealous.Ethan kept a casual smile on his face, but he could feel their eyes on him, probing, questioning.He wasn’t sure how long they’d buy the story, but for now, it seemed to be working.Claire approached him cautiously, her face lighting up with a gentle smile.“Wow, Ethan, that’s… amazing. I’m happy fo
THE BEGGER BOY IS RICH HEIR CHAPTER 16
After dinner, Ethan returned home with a satisfaction.He was always humilated, looked down but today it was different, as he laid down on his bed. "Money with right use can really change life. That was proved today," he smiled, with a relief sigh.The next morning, he arrived at the local driving school, a modest building with a small sign that read "City Driver’s Academy." Ethan walked in, scanning the room for someone who looked like an instructor.As he walked in, Ethan noticed his assigned instructor leaning a bit too close to a young woman who looked uncomfortableAt first, he thought it might just be an awkward angle, but then he noticed the man’s hand resting on her leg.The girl subtly tried to move away, her face tense and her body language screaming discomfort.“Just stay quiet and follow along if you want that license,” the instructor whispered, his hand pressing down on her leg.“You wouldn’t want to make things harder for yourself, would you?”Ethan’s chest tightened wi
THE BEGGER BOY IS RICH HEIR CHAPTER 17
The instructor laughed, his voice ringing out with smug satisfaction. He leaned back against his desk, crossing his arms as he looked down at Ethan.“You really don’t get it, do you?” he sneered.“Do you know why I’m so untouchable? My uncle runs things at the police station. No one dares cross me. Anyone who even tries ends up in jail for life—lost, forgotten, rotting away. And you’re just a common college boy,” he added with a mocking chuckle.“So I’d think twice before playing hero.”Ethan clenched his fists, his face set with determination. He glanced at the girl beside him, who was trembling, her hands gripping his arm in fear."I…I can’t do this," she whispered, her voice laced with dread. "I want out."Ethan gave her a reassuring nod, his voice calm but filled with conviction."Don’t worry. I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere. I won’t let him get away with this."The instructor burst into laughter, his face twisted with derision.“Oh, that’s cute,” he jeered, straightening and
THE BEGGER BOY IS RICH HEIR CHAPTER 18
The instructor laughed arrogantly as his police officer uncle entered the room, his confidence boosted tenfold. Turning to Ethan, he smirked, his voice mocking.“So, this was your big plan?” he jeered, his eyes glinting with malice.“Call the cops? Well, here he is. Now what are you going to do, hero?”Before Ethan could respond, the instructor lunged forward and punched him hard, sending him sprawling to the ground.“That’s for earlier,” the instructor sneered, looking down at Ethan with smug satisfaction. “You’re nothing but a little punk who doesn’t know his place.”Ethan winced, steadying his breath as he pushed himself up, meeting the instructor’s eye with steady resolve.“He’s been harassing her,” he said firmly, nodding toward the girl. “Someone has to stop him.”The officer crossed his arms, his face twisted into a smirk as he shook his head.“And who exactly is going to do that, huh?” he chuckled.“You?” He looked at Ethan as if he were nothing more than an inconvenience.“Ki
THE BEGGER BOY IS RICH HEIR CHAPTER 19
The officer’s face went pale as the police chief’s words sank in.His arrogance quickly melted into fear, and in a desperate attempt to save himself, he dropped to his knees, hands clasped together.“Chief, please!” he begged, his voice shaking.“I didn’t do anything—I swear! It was him,” he said, pointing a trembling finger at his nephew, the instructor. “He’s the one who’s been causing all this trouble! I hardly even know him!”The instructor’s face contorted with fury as he looked down at his uncle, who was now groveling before the chief.“Oh, really?” he sneered, crossing his arms.“You don’t know me? That’s rich, considering you’ve been benefiting from my ‘business’ for years! Money, women…every time I gave you a cut, you were more than happy to take it.”The officer glanced up at him, his face desperate.“That’s a lie! You’re trying to drag me down with you!”The instructor laughed bitterly, shaking his head.“Save it, Uncle. You’ve always been in on this. Don’t act like you’re
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CHAPTER 223
The stench of burning metal and charred wood filled the air as Ethan stepped over the wreckage of the Elliot warehouse. Smoke still curled from the debris, and the wailing sirens of emergency responders faded into the distance. The bodies had been removed, but the message remained—scrawled across the blackened walls in dark red streaks.“You took our king. Now we take yours.”Ethan’s jaw clenched as he studied the words, each letter dripping like an open wound. He didn’t need a forensic team to confirm it—this was blood. A message, personal and deliberate.Lisa approached cautiously, her voice low. “This isn’t just about Dominic. The Serpent isn’t retreating, Ethan. They’re evolving.”Ethan exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. He knew better than to assume victory meant safety. Dominic was gone, but the organization that had built him wasn’t.“They’re making it clear,” he murmured. “They’re not after my company, my money, or my name. They want blood.”Lisa met his gaze, h
CHAPTER 222
Ethan’s grip tightened around the silver ring as he strode down the hospital corridor. The cold metal burned against his palm, as if whispering secrets he wasn’t ready to hear. His father—the man who had spent years shaping Ethan into a leader—had kept this from him.The Serpent was never meant to die.Those words from the note echoed in his head like a curse.Lisa kept pace beside him, her face tense. “Are you sure about this? Your father’s barely stable. Pushing him could make things worse.”Ethan’s eyes darkened. “I don’t have time to wait. He’s been hiding something, Lisa. And I need to know what.”Lisa exhaled sharply but didn’t argue. She knew Ethan well enough to recognize when he was beyond reason.Harris met them at the hospital room’s entrance, arms crossed. “Guards are stationed outside. No one’s coming in or out without clearance.”Ethan nodded, shoving open the door.Inside, the room was dimly lit, the steady beep-beep of the heart monitor the only sound cutting through t
CHAPTER 221
Ethan’s team fanned out behind him, weapons at the ready. But Dominic merely laughed. “And here I thought you’d come alone. Guess even you need help sometimes.”Ethan didn’t bother with small talk. He charged, launching a lightning-fast strike at Dominic.Their bodies collided in a flurry of fists and fury. The throne toppled, Dominic’s wine spilling across the marble floor.The final battle was raw and savage—no more pretense, no more cunning ploys.Just two men locked in a brutal contest for dominance. Dominic, trained by The Serpent’s best assassins, moved with lethal grace, delivering kicks and jabs that rattled Ethan’s ribs.But Ethan had learned from every betrayal, every war.He’d honed his body and mind through a thousand battles. This is more than a fight for the empire, he thought, ducking a vicious swing.This is about saving Lisa—and ending Dominic’s tyranny once and for all.Their blows echoed in the chamber, each strike painting splatters of blood on the polished floor.
CHAPTER 220
Ethan’s boat sliced through the dark waters, the roar of the engine muted by the relentless night wind. His heart thundered with a singular purpose—rescue Lisa, end Dominic.Everything else—empire, reputation, vengeance—faded in the face of this final confrontation.Lisa was there, captive on a private island owned by one of The Serpent’s offshore shell companies. And Dominic had made the deadliest mistake of his life: he’d taken the one person Ethan would tear the world apart to save.Harris crouched at the bow, scanning the shoreline through night-vision goggles. “We’re close. Spotlights at ten o’clock. Probably the outer perimeter.”Ethan nodded, eyes fixed on the distant flickers. “The estate’s heavily guarded. We won’t get a second chance.”Mike, seated behind Ethan, gripped his rifle. “We land, go in silent, and eliminate resistance. Let’s not give them time to raise alarms.”Ethan felt a cold determination grip his core. No mercy tonight. His thoughts churned: I’ve let Dominic
CHAPTER 219
Later that evening, Ethan received a call from the prison warden. Victoria wanted to speak with him. He almost ignored it, but something in his gut said otherwise. Within the hour, he stood in the sterile hallway outside Victoria’s high-security cell, tension coiling in his chest.Victoria sat on the single metal bench inside, her regal demeanor undiminished by the jumpsuit and concrete walls. Her eyes, cold and calculating, locked onto Ethan’s.She smirked. “You look tired. The weight of the empire wearing on you, dear brother?”Ethan’s voice was icy. “Cut the act. Why’d you call?”She inclined her head, as if she were still in control. “I can help you bring Dominic down. I know he’s winning. I know The Serpent is backing him. And I know how to break him.”Ethan snorted. “You expect me to trust you? After everything you did?”She shrugged, unfazed. “I don’t need your trust. I just need your desperation. And you are desperate, aren’t you?” Her voice turned mocking. “You’re losing, Eth
CHAPTER 218
Dominic’s sudden rise had shaken the Elliot empire to its core.For weeks now, Ethan watched helplessly as the world embraced Dominic’s claim, painting him as the “true heir” and mocking Ethan as a usurper.Elliot Enterprises was on the verge of collapse, and the board members—those Ethan had spent years proving himself to—began to waver under Dominic’s promises.Yet Ethan wasn’t about to surrender everything he’d built. Not when he knew that Dominic’s ascendancy wasn’t mere coincidence.It was a calculated assault orchestrated by The Serpent, the shadowy cabal that had once silently shaped the family’s fortune. He’d been cornered, ridiculed, and discredited, but he wasn’t down.He was planning his counterstrike.Ethan paced the length of the conference room, his footsteps echoing against the polished marble floor. His jaw was tight, and his eyes flickered with the cold fire of determination.Around the long table sat his most trusted circle: Lisa, Mike, his legal team, and the few ex
CHAPTER 217
Ethan sat in silence, the weight of his mother’s revelation pressing down on him like a vice.Illegitimate.That one word had the power to strip him of everything he had built. Every deal, every empire, every ounce of control—gone, just like that.For the first time in years, uncertainty gnawed at the edges of his confidence.Lisa stood across from him, arms crossed, her sharp gaze never leaving his face. “Say something.”Ethan clenched his jaw, fingers tapping against the polished wood of his desk. His mind churned through every possible outcome, every move that could counteract this.Harris leaned against the wall, shaking his head. “Damn. If this gets out, the courts won’t even need to rule against you. The board will turn on you first.”Lisa scoffed. “Let them. If they’re stupid enough to believe a piece of paper is what makes a leader, they don’t deserve to be part of this empire.”Ethan exhaled sharply, shaking his head. “The law doesn’t care about strength, Lisa. It cares about
CHAPTER 216
Ethan had fought wars in the shadows, crushed rivals without breaking a sweat, and survived attacks that would have buried weaker men.But this?This was an attack on his very existence.And right now, Dominic was winning.Lisa stormed into Ethan’s office, her face flushed with anger. She slammed a thick folder onto his desk, her voice sharp. “They’re fast-tracking Dominic’s case.”Ethan barely glanced at the documents. He already knew what was inside. Instead, he leaned back in his chair, fingers tapping rhythmically against the desk. Calm. Calculated. Dangerous.Harris, standing near the window, scoffed. “What a damn surprise. When you’ve got The Serpent pulling strings, the law bends however they want it to.”Lisa’s nails dug into her palm. “They’re not just after your company, Ethan. Dominic is trying to rewrite history.”Ethan arched a brow. “Let me guess—he’s playing the poor, long-lost heir?”Lisa’s jaw tightened. “Worse. The media is framing him as the wronged son while you’re
CHAPTER 215
Ethan had always known wars weren’t won overnight. But this? This was the kind of attack meant to break him, to strip him down until he had no choice but to surrender.Too bad Dominic didn’t know who he was up against.Lisa stormed into Ethan’s office, her phone clutched tightly in her fist. “You need to see this.”She shoved the screen in front of him. The headline hit Ethan like a punch to the gut."FIRE CONSUMES ELLIOT TOWER—ARSON SUSPECTED."Ethan’s eyes flickered to the live footage below the text. The once-imposing skyscraper now stood in flames, firefighters battling against the roaring inferno. Smoke billowed into the night sky, and panicked voices filled the broadcast.Harris leaned against the desk, arms crossed. “That’s not just property damage. That’s a power move.”Lisa’s voice was tight with rage. “Dominic ordered this. I know it.”Ethan let out a slow, measured breath, keeping his fury in check. “He’s destabilizing me. Burning my empire down—literally.”Lisa’s glare sha
