THE TRAMPH WHO BECAME AN HEIR TO A FORTUNE

chapter 2

Max stepped forward to the podium beside Valerie. His hand reached out to Valerie. Max's gaze toward Valerie was warm.

Dylan clearly saw this. A sharp pain stabbed at his chest as Valerie accepted Max’s hand, returning his warm gaze with a smile.

"I announce that I will soon marry my daughter to Max Miller. So, this event is not just Valerie's birthday, but also the proposal from our future son-in-law, Max Miller." Applause filled the room, though whispers of surprise could be heard immediately.

"Hey, isn't Miss Valerie already married?" some guests murmured, while others nudged each other and watched intently, waiting for the next dramatic moment in the controversial Haroldson family gathering.

How could it not be controversial? They hadn't even finished their mourning period, but already they were holding a party? The invited guests were secretly wondering what could have prompted the Haroldson family to insist on holding a celebration in the midst of mourning.

"Poor thing, her husband isn't considered at all." Guests shared their opinions.

These voices were ignored by Valerie and Max, who exchanged smiles. Max confidently presented a velvet heart-shaped box containing a ring to Valerie.

"Valerie, marry me!" Max declared, bowing his head.

Dylan stared in disbelief, hastily making his way through the crowd of guests.

Max smiled at Valerie. Valerie wanted to respond, but...

"I can’t allow this. Valerie is still my wife, legally and religiously!" Dylan raised his voice, causing all the guests to look his way.

"I want to, Max. I want to be your wife and divorce that beggar of a husband," Valerie said.

"Val, Grandpa’s will said I should take care of you," Dylan had now reached the stage. Max glared angrily as Valerie’s hand was pulled away by Dylan, preventing him from placing the ring on her finger.

Hanry glared as well, pushing Dylan angrily. "Get off the stage. You’re a beggar, you have no shame!"

"Grandpa is gone, and our ridiculous marriage is over, Dylan!" Valerie snapped at Dylan.

"No, you're still my wife!" Dylan insisted.

Without warning, Valerie's hand flew to Dylan's face, slapping him hard.

"I hate being your wife. I obeyed back then because of Grandpa. Now, I’m only willing to be Max’s wife!" Valerie’s voice screamed in anger.

Dylan was stunned, feeling the sting on his cheek, the sharpness of Valerie’s nails cutting into his skin. His pride was shattered in front of hundreds of guests. He held his cheek, but it didn’t last long. Two of Max's bodyguards dragged him away forcefully, taking him far from the event.

"Losers will always be losers!" Max’s voice was clear. Dylan struggled, but his strength was no match for the two burly bodyguards.

Whispers filled the room. The guests were stunned by the turn of events.

"Look, her beggar son-in-law can’t accept it."

"Why doesn’t Miss Haroldson finish things with that beggar first?"

"Poor guy, he’s probably getting beaten up."

Many other sharp comments could be heard. Dylan felt embarrassed and pained by them, but he held it all in. His heart steeled itself, as the marriage had happened because he had obeyed Grandpa Hanry’s wishes. Dylan felt obligated to follow that.

Dylan was pulled out of the Haroldson house. "Let me go!" he cried, struggling in pain repeatedly. He tried everything to free himself.

The two men had already pulled Dylan away from the poolside, where the lavish party was taking place. They dragged him into a car and took him to an undisclosed location.

Max’s bodyguards threw Dylan’s body down harshly, looking down at him with a grin, their smiles like wolves ready to pounce.

"What do you want from me?" Dylan backed away, wary of the movements of the two men.

"To destroy you! Hahaha..." one of them answered. Their laughter echoed clearly.

Dylan ran, but his steps were easily caught. The blows kept raining down on his body. Occasionally, Dylan tried to shield his face, but the two men were swift and well-trained. He felt fresh blood trickling down his forehead and lips.

Dylan collapsed to the ground, unable to move. His eyes and ears still worked, but he felt dizzy. Trying to resist being dragged by the tall men was impossible. They stopped their assault and dragged Dylan’s battered body away.

They threw Dylan into a nearby river. Dylan tried to open his eyes, reaching for anything near him, but all he found was water, and his body refused to move. His muscles tensed, trying to swim, but he couldn’t even open his eyes.

Water rushed into his mouth, his throat constricting painfully, unable to exhale. He sank deeper, unable to move any longer.

Max’s bodyguards cleaned their hands and left without a trace of guilt.

Dylan felt cold. He didn’t realize his body was being lifted by two men dressed in black, heading toward the riverbank. The last image in his mind was of his mother, lying in a hospital bed with several machines attached to her. Who would visit her if he died now? Tears fell from his eyes as a strange sense of lightness carried him upward into the air. He wanted to open his eyes, but he couldn't.

Several hours later, Dylan opened his eyes. "Miss Alicia, Young Master Dylan has awakened," someone in a brown suit said, smiling at a woman beside Dylan.

Dylan squinted, seeing a white room with the sharp scent of medicine. He tried to sit up, but his body fell back onto the hospital gurney.

"You’re awake. I’m Alicia, your twin sister," the woman said gently.

"Who are you? Am I dead?"

"Not yet, brother. You can start fresh and be reborn as Ethan Harrison now. I’m sorry I just found you."

"What are you saying?" Dylan held his head. "Am I dreaming?"

The doctor approached. "Young Master, we need to examine you," the doctor said, bowing respectfully to Alicia.

"Do what’s best for my brother. Ensure tight security outside this room," Alicia instructed firmly. The man in the brown suit nodded respectfully and left. Dylan narrowed his eyes in confusion.

The doctor examined Dylan’s entire body. Dylan remained silent, trying to recall who the Harrison family was in this city.

Dylan trembled. 'Harrison? The Harrisons are a family that owns a large portion of businesses in banking, real estate, and several television stations. Could it be the same Harrison family?'

The doctor returned and bid farewell, while Alicia remained by Dylan’s side. "Are we really twins?" Dylan asked doubtfully.

"The DNA test results came back this morning. You are my brother. Grandpa is waiting for you at the Harrison mansion. Get better soon!" Alicia smiled and took Dylan’s hand warmly. Dylan felt his heart warm. He remembered his mother’s embrace, now lying in the hospital. If this woman was lying, Dylan didn’t care; the warmth of her love made him tear up. Now Alicia hugged him. "Brother!" Alicia finally burst into tears, sobbing on Dylan's shoulder.