The Skyrun Hotel's grand ballroom shimmered under the glow of crystal chandeliers, each one worth more than most people earned in a year. Claudia Grant glided through the crowd like royalty, her emerald gown catching the light as she accepted compliments from high society guests. This was her moment—the night she'd spent six months planning, the event that would cement the Grant family's position among the city's elite."Mrs. Grant, this is absolutely magnificent," gushed Rebecca Morrison, wife of a prominent real estate developer. "You've outdone yourself."Claudia's smile was practiced to perfection. "Only the best for my boys' twenty-first birthday. After all, they're the future of Grant Corporation."Across the room, Jim and Jey held court among their friends, their tailored suits and expensive watches announcing their status. Jim's voice carried as he recounted some exaggerated story about their father's business prowess."When the Claire Corporation deal closes next week, we'll b

Charlie had left the Maxwell residence that night a changed man. Gone was the timid scholarship student who once hid in corners, nervous of every glance and whisper. In his place stood someone sharpened by grief, determination, and purpose. Every humiliation, every slight, every insult his former family had thrown at him was catalogued carefully in his memory. His father's betrayal, his stepmother's venom, his stepbrothers' cruelty—all the actions that had ultimately led to his innocent mother's death. All would be repaid. He would make sure of that.The Maxwell estate gates closed behind him with a soft, final click. Charlie sat in the back of the Rolls-Royce, watching the city lights blur past the tinted windows. His mind replayed the party he'd witnessed online—Jim and Jey's smug faces as they announced the Maxwell heir would attend, Claudia's preening triumph, his father's pathetic attempts at dignity. They thought they'd won. They thought discarding him had cleared their path to g

Everything was falling into place exactly as Charlie and Joseph had planned. The accusations, the mockery, the desperate attempts to diminish him—all of it played perfectly into their strategy. Charlie observed the chaos with clinical detachment, noting each reaction, filing away every insult for future reference.The accusations grew louder as the crowd pressed closer, sensing scandal. Charlie remained motionless, his slight smile never faltering as the Grant family and their allies surrounded him like wolves circling prey."He's clearly stolen that suit," Claudia declared, her voice shrill with desperate conviction. "Look at him—just days ago he was begging for scraps, and now he shows up dressed like royalty? It's obvious what happened.""The Maxwell heir was supposed to be here," Jerry Stone added, his tone darkening. "And conveniently, he's missing while his clothes show up on you." He turned to address the crowd. "I think we all know what this looks like."Charles found his voice

The ballroom felt as if it were holding its breath. Conversations had died, glasses were forgotten on tables, and the glittering chandeliers somehow seemed dimmer under the weight of the tension Charlie had unleashed. He stood at the center of the polished marble floor with the calm certainty of a man who knew exactly what he had done—and exactly what he intended to do next. The Grant family's humiliation was complete, their power dismantled piece by piece, yet Charlie remained unmoved. He still had one more matter to settle.“Before I leave,” Charlie said, his voice carrying easily through the hush, “there’s one more issue that needs clarification.”A ripple passed through the onlookers. Perry Stone stiffened, recognizing danger in Charlie’s tone. Jerry, who had been begrudgingly allowed to remain after a stern warning from his father, shifted uneasily, tugging at his collar.“The announcement was made earlier,” Charlie continued, “that Jacy Grant would be marrying Jerry Stone as par

The ballroom remained thick with tension as Jacy stood beside Charlie, her decision clear. Guests watched, riveted, as the Grant family unraveled before their eyes."Jacy, please," Charles pleaded, voice breaking. "Don't do this. You're our daughter. Come home with us.""And be used as a bargaining chip again?" Jacy's voice was steady despite the tears. "Forced into a marriage I don't want? Expected to fix problems I didn't create? No, Dad. I'm done."Claudia’s face contorted with rage. "You ungrateful little—" She stepped toward Jacy, hand raised.Charlie’s bodyguards moved instantly, forming a barrier. "Don't," Charlie said quietly. "She's made her choice. Respect it.""Respect?" Claudia laughed bitterly. "You've destroyed our family! Turned our own daughter against us!""I didn't turn anyone against you," Charlie replied calmly. "I offered Jacy something you never did—a choice. She chose freedom over coercion. That should tell you everything."Jim stepped forward, flushed with ange