The Abandoned Son

Finlay

Demetrius glanced at Zoe. She had received a large amount of money, so her attitude toward him was better than usual.

She said, "You follow him. He will bring you back to your biological parents. You're the rich kid now! Don't forget my gratitude for raising you."

Demetrius asked no further questions and did not pack his luggage. He got into the car and sat down, eyes slightly drooping.

On the way, the man talked a lot. He narrated Demetrius's factual background: he was the only son of the most wealthy family in Phoenix.

His father's name is Kirk Hoffman, and his mother's name is Ivanna Gallagher.

However, he was kidnapped before. His family looked for him and couldn't find him. Then they adopted another boy.

He currently has an adopted brother named Finlay Hoffman. The man also advised him on things to keep in mind while living in his new home.

When he heard Finlay's name, Demetrius' previously calm face suddenly changed, his brows furrowed, and his face seemed to be contemplating something.

The butler looked at him in the rearview mirror, and he just assumed Demetrius was digesting such unexpected news as winning the lottery.

After a flight and another journey by car, the car finally stopped in front of a villa. In an instant, the gate opened, revealing a vast courtyard. The car drove along a road leading to the main door of the mansion.

Demetrius had just stepped out of the car when he heard the echo of a piano inside the house. The man smiled and said, "That player is Finlay, young master. Although you are the son of the Hoffman family, Finlay is also the son of Hoffman. So that…"

He did not finish his words. Demetrius interrupted his words, his expression was very indifferent, and no one could tell if he was happy or sad: "I know."

Demetrius understood what he meant. The Hoffman family's fortune would still be partly, or mostly, Finlay's, and Finlay remained the most beloved son in this family.

To Demetrius, this was not terrible news, but the butler's tone reminded Demetrius that he should know his identity and stop fantasizing. His life would still be the same, even if he were transferred to a wealthy family.

"Your admission procedure has been completed. Now you and the young master are in the same school. It would be best if you understood that to be a member of the Hoffman family, you must have a good academic record and remarkable business achievements. Mr Hoffman and Mrs Gallagher want you to regain your knowledge quickly, so they will invite someone to tutor you tomorrow." The man led Demetrius in a while, informing him of the situation.

The living room is decorated modern and straightforward, but even so, luxury and riches can be seen in many of the expensive items here.

A maid was cleaning the house and suddenly saw Demetrius. She was startled and immediately blamed: "Why bring this guy in? What if this guy transmits bacteria into the house? Get him out, hurry up, he's too dirty!"

The man coughed, he reminded: "Mrs Matthews, this is the second young master."

Demetrius's clothes are a bit old, with some torn places. However, the clothes that Demetrius washed were clean, and there were no spots of dirt, yet she was far away from Demetrius, even taking a few steps back.

Mrs Matthews said nothing more, but she stared at Demetrius with evil eyes as if she wished she could pierce Demetrius with her gaze, making him disappear from the place in an instant.

The man led Demetrius into the bathroom, "The clothes are ready. You shower and then go out to prepare to meet Mr Hoffman and Mrs Gallagher. They are coming." After saying that, he did not forget to remind him, "Your current appearance can't meet them."

Demetrius walked into the bathroom, locked the door, and didn't say anything from start to finish.

Demetrius flashed a flashback of his years at Aunt Zoe's house, and it seemed like nothing was worth it for him to hesitate to leave. But even now, deep inside, Demetrius had doubts about his future as he began a new life in one of America's affluent cities. Demetrius has a bad feeling about his new family.

Mrs Matthews' voice came from outside, "Young master, do you know how to bathe?"

She assumed that Demetrius lived in a poor neighbourhood all his childhood, especially given the weather there. Demetrius must have never touched a water heater or other modern and advanced appliances.

Demetrius did not respond to her words. Her disdain was evident in her disparaging voice. He was annoyed by that. He also has no interest in pleasing someone who already dislikes him.

Mrs Matthews grumbled outside, "Having come here to put on such a haughty look? Do you think the Hoffman fortune will be yours if you return to the Hoffman house? Don't forget to look at your poor body. It doesn't deserve anything if it looks so tattered!"

Demetrius ignored her words and began to bathe himself.

Perhaps because this was a habit Demetrius developed while living with his aunt Zoe. Criticizing him was normal for her, and Demetrius was so used to such words the best response he learned was to ignore her.

Demetrius put on the prepared clothes. They were all luxury brands, and even though he had never been exposed to these, he would have guessed a shirt was at least five hundred dollars, but the size was more extensive for his body, and they didn't look like it was just bought. 

It's not difficult to guess who is the previous owner of this garment.

As Demetrius followed the servant back to the living room, he saw a young man with a familiar face standing on the stairs.

That guy has brown hair, a handsome face, and grey eyes. It was Finlay.

Unexpectedly, the person who stole his girlfriend and his adopted brother was the same. Even though Demetrius no longer has feelings for his ex-girlfriend, that doesn't mean he will forgive him.

"You're Demetrius, my young brother, aren't you?" Finlay smiled and glanced at Demetrius as if it were his first time meeting Demetrius, and there was no friction between the two.

Demetrius looked coldly at Finlay, not bothering to say a word. When the maidservant saw his attitude, she was glower and immediately scoffed: "Young master, please sympathizes. He is from a remote area and has never been properly educated, so he doesn't know politeness."

Finlay laughed, "It's okay. I understand you, Demetrius; you're in an unaccustomed situation for the first time, so it's acceptable if your behaviour is strange or rude."

After saying that, Finlay's gaze fell again to Demetrius's clothes. His smile became even brighter, "Since it's so urgent, I don't know how to buy clothes to suit you, so I had to prepare my clothes. Seeing you wearing it now also looks good, isn't it?"