MICHAEL'S POVI stared at my grandfather in complete shock, struggling to process what he'd just revealed. "Isaac? You said Rafael before. Who is Isaac?"My grandfather's expression grew even more pained as he corrected himself. "I'm sorry, Michael. Isaac is his real name—Isaac Sterling. Rafael was just the name he used in his business dealings to distance himself from the family.""Isaac Sterling," I repeated slowly, the name feeling foreign and dangerous on my tongue."Yes," my grandfather confirmed. "Isaac is my eldest son. I had him with a woman I loved deeply before I married your grandmother."I felt my world shift again as another piece of the puzzle fell into place. "So Isaac is your firstborn son?""That's correct," my grandfather said heavily. "When I became successful—filthy rich, as you put it—I fell in love with your grandmother and married her. Isaac's mother felt betrayed, abandoned.""What happened to them?""I provided for them financially, of course," my grandfather

MICHAEL'S POVI rushed through the hospital corridors alongside my grandfather's stretcher, my heart pounding as the medical team worked frantically to stabilize him. The emergency room was a blur of urgent voices and medical equipment as they wheeled him into surgery."Sir, you'll need to wait outside," one of the nurses told me firmly. "The doctors will update you as soon as they have news."I found myself pacing the sterile hospital corridor, my mind racing between worry for my grandfather and the terrifying reality that Isaac Sterling was now free and hunting our family. The weight of everything I'd learned tonight was crushing—my true identity, my inheritance, and the deadly enemy who wanted to destroy us all.As I continued pacing, I remembered that my adoptive mother was also a patient in this same hospital. The thought of seeing her, of having some connection to the simpler life I'd known before tonight's revelations, drew me toward the patient information desk."Excuse me," I

MICHAEL'S POVThe fury building inside me reached a breaking point as I listened to the Fletcher family's accusations. "Why are you blaming me for Derek's madness?" I demanded, gesturing at the destruction around us. "He's the one who brought thugs into your home! He's the one who destroyed your property!""Because you provoked him!" Elena shrieked back. "You humiliated him at the Mayor's event!""You embarrassed him in front of the entire city's elite!" Robert added angrily. "What did you expect would happen?""We told you to just apologize and give him back his car," Tina said with venom. "But no, you had to be stubborn and prideful!"Derek was watching this family meltdown with obvious satisfaction. "See, Michael? Even your own wife's family knows you're the problem here."He stepped closer to me, his voice taking on a commanding tone. "Now, I want you to kneel down and beg me for forgiveness, just like I was forced to do by the Mayor.""That will never happen," I replied firmly."

MICHAEL'S POVI looked directly at Derek, my voice steady despite the rage burning inside me. "I'll pay your debt. Let Sarah go."Derek let out a harsh laugh, his grip still tight around Sarah's throat. "Oh, you'll pay? Just like that? Where exactly are you going to get two million dollars from, Michael?""From my account," I replied simply.The entire room erupted in mocking laughter."Your account?" Carmen wheezed between fits of laughter. "What account? Your savings of fifty dollars?""This is getting pathetic," Elena added with cruel amusement. "Michael, stop embarrassing yourself with these ridiculous lies."Derek was practically doubled over with laughter. "This is the most desperate thing I've ever seen! You actually think we'll believe you have two million dollars?""Prove it then," Derek said smugly. "Send the money to my account right now, and I'll let Sarah go.""Give me your account number," I said, pulling out my phone."Michael, stop this," Robert pleaded. "You're just m

MICHAEL'S POVSarah dropped to her knees beside her grandmother, her voice breaking with desperation. "Please, Grandmother, get up from the floor. We can figure this out together.""There's nothing to figure out!" Elena wailed, her tears streaming down her face. "We're facing financial ruin because of your worthless husband!""Maybe we can negotiate with the Hamilton family," Sarah suggested hopefully. "If we explain what happened, maybe they'll show mercy—""Mercy?" Elena cut her off with a bitter laugh. "You clearly don't know anything about the Hamilton family, Sarah. They are the most ruthless, unforgiving people in this entire city."Robert nodded grimly. "Grandmother's right. The Hamiltons don't negotiate, and they certainly don't show mercy to people who damage their property.""They'll want their money immediately," Tina added with growing panic. "Full compensation, no payment plans, no excuses."Elena's voice rose to a shriek. "The Hamilton family has destroyed entire busines