The Scorned Heir

Chapter Three

Ethan locked his gaze on the stranger's face. His eyes were hauntingly familiar. His hair was short and had faded to white, making him appear like a wealthy elderly CEO—someone who was born into old money.

Regardless, Ethan felt positive he had a distant history with this man.

A flood of heat rushed through his consciousness as he recognized who the man was. Archibald, his grandfather’s butler.

Leonard Stark was his grandfather, a man well-known in business for his power, money, and brilliance. He was one of the country's wealthiest me.

He was, nevertheless, lonely. After disowning his only son twenty-seven years ago, when the young man decided to marry Ethan's mother, he had no one except business colleagues around him. He’d been enraged, resenting the marriage to a commoner, and swore he didn't want anything to do with his son.

He’d lost his last living son and daughter-in-law several years ago, and they had no children. Because of this, when the old man died, he had no one to give his inheritance to. Nobody to take over his billion-dollar business except Ethan, the son of the son he'd rejected years before.

"Master Archibald." Ethan exhaled, his eyes wide with surprise.

"I was confident you'd remember me. I wanted to expose who I was, but every time I've met you, even when you were a baby, you've always been brilliant." Archibald said with a smile, his almost wrinkled face glowing with happiness.

"How did you find me?" Ethan inquired a little hesitantly. "How did you also find my adoptive mother in the nick of time?"

"You're not a hard man to locate, Ethan. And you should know that nothing is too difficult for your grandfather or myself." Archibald reacted with a smile. "Please accept the card."

But Ethan had a lot to think about. He was engaged in an internal conflict with his thoughts. He was particularly hazy, with different questions flying through his mind then.

He thought about his late parents. Where had his grandfather been since he lost them? What did he do to help? Did he even weep for them? Why was the old man showing up when he didn’t even attend the burial?

Yes, he was in desperate need of funds. This card alone can change his life in the blink of an eye. He'd be so fucking wealthy that he wouldn't be able to manage it all. But he didn't want anything from his grandfather. He might be foolish, but he had his reasons. He also had questions that needed to be answered.

"I will not accept that."

The stunned expression on Archibald's face was unforgettable, but Ethan remained unfazed.

"Why?"

"I will not accept money from a man who abandoned me for years." Ethan continued, his jaw clicking. "Not only me but his son as well. I don't care if he feels forced to provide for me, but I can't take anything from a man whose existence I had forgotten until now." He finished obstinately.

"Oh, Ethan boy. I completely understand how you feel."

"I'm glad you do." Ethan spat.

"However, people make mistakes. It is unavoidable. Your grandfather has been consumed by grief as a result of his error. And he keeps thinking about what he might do to make amends to you.”

"Mistake? You call this a mistake? Years of abandoning his son and family? Even after his kid died, he didn't seek me out? Those are not errors, Master Archibald.” Ethan retaliated.

Archibald remained mute, sensing his rage. He didn't want to enrage the young man any further.

He spoke again after a few seconds."I'm sorry about how you feel, young master. Think about this again. Your grandfather has already transferred the funds for your adoptive mother's necessities, and she is currently undergoing surgery. Consider how much better your and her lives could be if you accept this. I advise you to consider the pros and cons before making any decisions."

Ethan sighed and stroked the bridge of his nose in thought. He understood Archibald was correct. He claimed he didn't require the funds, but his mother did. If she died, no amount of his rage or resentment could pay her bills or bring her back.

However, 10 billion dollars? A total of 10 billion dollars was stored in an account in his name. Ethan soon realized that when he accepted that card, everything in his life would change.

He wouldn't be the same man who was made fun of by Larry or Taylor. He wouldn't be the same powerless man who was humiliated regularly by Sir Rogers and his family. No. Instead, he'd be wealthy and formidable Ethan White.

"Alright." He eventually spoke up. "I'd take it.”

Archibald grinned and handed him the card again, which he collected, examining the crafted object.

His family was wealthy, wealthy enough to have a royal bank card. These cards were extraordinarily uncommon and could only be obtained by mighty men.

“Thank you, Archibald.”

"Please do not thank me." Archibald said. “I've also been told that your grandfather is transferring and entrusting all of his assets and inheritance to you.”

Ethan could feel the air around him freezing. This was not possible.

Just hours ago, he’d been begging for a hundred thousand dollars to pay his mother's medical bills. Now, he had just learned that he would inherit his grandfather's businesses and fortune. What the heck? How could his life have changed so quickly?

"Everything?" He inquired, thinking he’d misheard, but Archibald confirmed with a nod.

"Yes. Stark Industries, which still has the most stocks and a market worth of almost two trillion dollars, will be yours. Your grandfather also possesses over 80 billion dollars in assets that will be given to you once you are ready."

Ethan's jaw fell in astonishment. He examined Archibald's face for signs that he wasn't telling the truth but found none. Only genuine respect flowed from the old man's face.

The Starks company was one of the country's largest and most successful. It was substantially larger than the Rogers, Stitch, and other companies combined. It was a respected corporation, and it was all his.

"I can't believe this."

Archibald laughed. "Your grandfather is looking forward to hearing from you. If you need to contact me, here’s my business card.” He gave Ethan his business card. “Please pardon me now. I have to be on my way. I wish your mother the best of health. And lest I forget, the password for the Royal Bank card is 303020."

This said, he turned and walked away, leaving Ethan speechless.

Quickly walking to the hospital's cashier section to pay the outstanding medical fees, Ethan decided to think about everything later.

The transaction did not take less than two minutes to complete. Thirty thousand dollars was paid for his mother after some paperwork and a quick swipe of the card.

Magically, Ethan’s life had taken a turn for the better, and he still couldn’t believe it.

…….

Ethan arrived home, his mind muddled by thoughts. He couldn’t wait to tell his wife about the life-changing experience he’d encountered, but at the same time, he was convinced it wasn’t a good idea. Not yet. Not until he decided to take the inheritance and all that came with it entirely.

Unfortunately, when he arrived at the mansion, he discovered Ronan Rogers had kicked them out.

Cassie's sister, Elizabeth, joyfully told him as soon as he arrived.

"You wuss! You have successfully destroyed my sister's life. Grandpa Rogers is furious, and he doesn't want to see any of you again in this mansion. You've been demoted from house servant to trash collector. Rubbish, you'll feed the chickens and pigs from now on!”

Ignoring her ranting and remaining silent, Ethan quietly exited the estate for the shabby guest cottage where his beloved wife and parents had relocated.

He wasn't received well there either, as Cassie's parents yelled at him.

"What brings you back? Have you come to damage us even more? I'm curious as to why you were allowed into this family. I have no idea what you did to my daughter to keep her with you. You are a curse on our family." His mother-in-law spit on him.

"Why would you say that to him, Mother? He is my husband, as well as your son-in-law." Cassie, who had come to his aid, informed her mother.

"He is no son of mine." Her father exploded. "He is a worthless man who should have never married you."

Ethan remained silent, refusing to defend himself. He knew they had no idea his life was turning around, and he had no plans to spill anything.

"When he finally destroys this family, and the company goes bankrupt, maybe you will listen to me and your father." Cassie's mother stomped out of the room, yelling. Her father followed, scowling at them.

'The company goes bankrupt.’ Ethan's face furrowed at those words, but he said nothing as Cassie led him to their room.

As the door clicked shut and they were within the boundaries of their privacy, she inquired. “How is your mother?"

"She’s fine. The surgery was successful," Ethan said as he sat on the bed.

"That's fantastic. Did you manage to get some money?”

He gave a nod. “I did. A generous man gave me the entire sum to pay the hospital bills."

Cassie excitedly put her hand over her mouth. "Wow. This is fantastic news." She stated.

"Yes. I am relieved that she could be saved."

Cassie sat next to him, and there was a lengthy pause before Ethan asked. "What did your mother mean about the company? She brought up the subject of bankruptcy."

Cassie let out a long sigh. "We're on the verge of going bankrupt, and Mason offered us a deal that could save the company. But do you know what his proposal was?"

"That you marry him?"

She gave a nod. "Thinking about it makes me sick. Everyone now thinks I'm trying to damage the company by saying no."

"I suppose so. This marriage has never been respected or supported by them. I can't say I blame them."

Cassie frowned. “I don't give a damn what people think. What matters is that I adore you. If they have alternatives for saving the company, they should try them immediately or risk losing everything. I don't care.

Ethan looked at his wife as she spoke. His heart was overflowing with passion and love. She was still standing by his side despite everything—even willing to go against her family if need be.

She never questioned him, and she was satisfied with whatever he gave her.

Damnit, but Cassie deserved the world, Ethan reasoned.

Thinking about her led him to a simple conclusion—an instant decision.

He would accept the inheritance. If he did, he could take over Rogers Company anonymously and make his wife the CEO. They had been humiliated so long that it was time to be joyful and move on graciously. It was time to demonstrate to the Rogers family that he was not a curse.

Then and there, Ethan White swore to give his wife a better life.