THE HEIR IS BACK

Ethan Reed sat on the edge of his bed, staring at the golden cards his sister had sent him, their shiny surfaces reflecting the sunlight streaming through the window. He turned them over in his hand, still unable to wrap his head around the fact that these small pieces of plastic represented a fortune beyond his wildest dreams. His phone buzzed on the nightstand, snapping him out of his thoughts. It was time to call his parents and confirm the truth.Taking a deep breath, he dialed his mother’s number. After a few rings, she answered, her familiar voice filled with warmth.“Ethan, honey, how are you?” she asked, her tone laced with the usual affection, but Ethan couldn’t ignore the undercurrent of tension.“I’m fine, Mom,” Ethan replied, struggling to keep his voice steady. “But I need to know… is it true? Are we really… rich?”There was a pause on the other end before his father’s voice joined the call. “Emma told you, didn’t she?” he said, a note of frustration creeping into his voi

The lively chatter and laughter in the private dining room of Ru Yi Restaurant came to an abrupt halt when the door swung open, and Nathan Scott strolled in, a cocky grin plastered on his face. His presence immediately cast a shadow over the festive atmosphere. Megan’s smile faded as she spotted him, her eyes narrowing.“Nathan, what are you doing here?” she demanded, crossing her arms over her chest. “I told you not to come.”Nathan shrugged, looking entirely unbothered. “Oh, come on, Megan. I’m just here to join the celebration. I even brought a gift.” He gestured to the elegantly wrapped box in his hand, smirking as he made his way to the center of the room.Megan’s dorm mates exchanged uneasy glances, but Nathan ignored them, scanning the room with a smug expression. “Speaking of gifts, where’s the man of the hour, huh? Has anyone seen our dear Ethan? Or is he too busy running errands for pocket change?”A ripple of uncomfortable laughter spread through the room as Nathan’s eyes g

Ethan stood awkwardly in the luxurious lounge of the Hot Spring Resort, his eyes scanning the opulent décor that surrounded him. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting a warm glow on the marble floors. The room was filled with people dressed in designer suits and evening gowns, their conversations filled with the easy confidence of those who belonged in such a setting. Ethan, on the other hand, felt like a fish out of water.“Please, have a seat, Young Master Reed,” Robert Greene said, gesturing to an elegant chair near a grand table laden with gourmet dishes. His voice was respectful, almost reverent, as if Ethan were royalty.Ethan hesitated, then nodded, sitting down carefully. “Thank you, Mr. Greene.”“Call me Robert, please,” the manager insisted, smiling. “Your sister speaks very highly of you.”Before Ethan could respond, Robert’s phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, his expression shifting to one of urgency. “Excuse me, Young Master Reed. I need to take this cal

Ethan trailed behind the group as they made their way into the Imperial KTV. The luxurious ambiance of the venue was a sharp contrast to the dive bars and budget karaoke joints he was used to. The plush red carpets, golden chandeliers, and private rooms with state-of-the-art sound systems screamed opulence. He couldn’t help but feel a pang of irony as he walked through the place he now owned, a secret he was still wrapping his head around.“Come on, Ethan, don’t lag behind!” Megan called, pulling him out of his thoughts. She looped her arm through his, a determined smile on her face. “I’m glad you decided to come. Tonight, we’re just going to have fun, okay?”Ethan nodded, forcing a smile. “Yeah, sure, Meg. Whatever you say.”They entered one of the private rooms where the others were already settling in, and Nathan, who was leaning back in an oversized leather chair, spotted them. His lips curled into a sneer.“Well, well, if it isn’t the karaoke king himself,” Nathan mocked, loud en