The meeting had begun, and Nathan scrolled through his phone one last time, hoping for something, any proof, that could back up his claims against Liam. There was nothing. Every message, every call log, every note he thought might help amounted to nothing tangible.By the time the family meeting had ended without the vindication Nathan had hoped for. Evidence against Liam was nonexistent, or at least, it appeared so to Mr. Hayes, whose approval of his adopted son was unwavering. Nathan had presented his claims carefully, recounting the incidents he had witnessed, explaining how Liam’s manipulations had interfered with his engagement to Cassandra but every point seemed to fall flat.Mr. Hayes dismissed them with a wave of his hand, praising Liam’s loyalty to the family, his charm, and his apparent dedication to the family’s reputation. Nathan felt the sting of betrayal, hearing Mr. Hayes’ disapproval, the humiliation deepened.Marjorie had remained composed, neither endorsing nor refut

Dawn hadn’t broken when Nathan slipped out of the Hayes mansion and made his way to the courthouse. The faint smell of paper inside reminded him of childhood libraries. He clutched the folder of legal documents in his hands.The lawyer who had agreed to meet him, a tall woman with brown eyes and a crisp suit, greeted him without warmth. “Mr. Hayes,” she said, scanning his folder. “We need to file your claim first. Everything must be in order.”Nathan nodded, his throat tight. “I’ve prepared everything. Birth certificates, affidavits… everything you asked for.”She glanced over the paperwork, tapping her pen on the desk. “Good. I’ll submit this to the clerk. The sooner it’s on record, the better your chances.”As she left to handle the filing, Nathan’s stomach knotted. He had rehearsed this moment countless times, imagining the judge’s nod, the acknowledgment of his rights. But the courthouse was a different arena. Here, influence and money often mattered more than truth.He waited nea

He ignored it, leaving it unanswered.The very next morning, at a charity auction warehouse, the volunteers hustled around tables stacked with donated items. Donors chatted politely, laughing softly and holding glasses of sparkling water or juice. Nathan walked through the crowd, trying to maintain composure. He kept his eyes down, hoping no one noticed his tension. Liam hovered nearby, and Nathan knew better than to trust his smirk. With Liam watching him, the warehouse, usually a place of goodwill, had become a stage for humiliation.As the auction began, Nathan noticed some subtle movements of items being exchanged without proper records. Something felt wrong, but before he could react, a volunteer approached him, wide-eyed and trembling."Mr. Nathan, there’s a problem with the funds," the volunteer whispered. "The donors are upset. They think… they think you took money."Nathan froze, he glanced around, seeing shocked faces turning toward him, some donors stepped forward, pointin

The pier was busy with the usual weekend noise. Seagulls flew overhead. Fishermen pulled in their lines, children ran between benches, and couples leaned on the railings, watching the water shimmer in the late afternoon sun.Nathan’s steps slowed as he approached, sensing that the day’s calm would be shattered. He spotted Liam across the pier, already making a show. “Stop right there,” Liam called, his voice carrying over the murmur of the crowd. “You think you can ruin everything for me, Nathan?”“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Nathan said, keeping his voice steady, though it felt brittle.Liam’s eyes narrowed. “Don’t play innocent. Everyone saw it. You tried to attack me. All of you witnesses, right here.”Some in the crowd murmured in agreement. Others simply watched, intrigued by the drama. Nathan realized that the setup was perfect. Liam had timed this confrontation to coincide with peak foot traffic. His humiliation would be public and undeniable.Cassandra arrived, h

Nathan stepped into the city theater, adjusting his cufflinks as he tried to calm the sudden tightness in his chest.He had hoped to attend quietly, to observe, then Liam appeared.He moved through the crowd with that practiced arrogance, stopping near Nathan as if the room itself bent to his will. A whisper reached the nearby guests, then a louder one, and soon the murmurs coalesced into attention. Liam raised his hand, drawing the spotlight.“Nathan Hayes,” Liam said, his voice carrying over the soft chatter, “has been plotting against the Hayes family.”Marjorie appeared at Liam’s side, her face pale but composed. Nathan’s stomach sank.“To protect our family,” she said, her voice trembling only slightly, “I must denounce Nathan Hayes as disloyal.”The words struck harder than Liam’s accusation. It was not a rumor, not a hint of doubt but a verdict. Nathan’s body stiffened. The room seemed to spin. His eyes searched Marjorie’s.He opened his mouth, wanting to speak, to defend himse