In the hallway of Corholt General Hospital, a sixteen-year-old girl knelt before a middle-aged doctor in a white coat. Tears streamed down her face, her voice trembling with desperation."Doctor Wilson, I'm begging you... please save my mother," Lily Ashford pleaded, her voice hoarse. Her hands clutched the hem of the doctor's coat. "I promise I'll pay all the medical expenses. I'll work hard, even if it takes years. Please, don't let my mother die..."Doctor Wilson stared at her with cold eyes, then roughly pulled his coat from Lily's grip."Enough!" he snapped. "It's pointless spending any amount of money—your mother won't survive. Even surgery would be useless!"Lily staggered back, her face pale."But—""I'm the best cardiac specialist in this hospital," Doctor Wilson cut her off with an arrogant tone. "Just from one examination, I already know her condition. End-stage dilated cardiomyopathy. Her left ventricle is swollen to twice its normal size, ejection fraction below 20 percen

Meanwhile, at the Anthony Mansion—a luxurious Victorian-style mansion that once belonged to the Ashford family—the atmosphere was full of festivities.Crystal chandeliers sparkled on the ceiling of the spacious ballroom. Classical music flowed softly from an orchestra in the corner of the room. Dozens of formally dressed guests gathered, holding champagne glasses, laughing and chatting in low voices that sounded elegant.Tonight was Richard Anthony's 52nd birthday celebration.And not just any celebration—this was a party attended by the elite of Corholt City. Businessmen, politicians, high officials, and various influential figures.In the middle of the crowd, Richard Anthony stood in an expensive black suit, a satisfied smile plastered on his face. Beside him, Victoria wore an elegant red dress, looking like the queen of the night. Her arm was linked with a handsome man in his thirties—her boyfriend.The man was Charles Whitmore, heir to a wealthy family that owned a property busine

Lein stepped out of the Anthony Mansion with calm steps. The large door behind him closed, separating him from the laughter and mockery still faintly heard from inside the ballroom.He stopped for a moment in the front yard, staring at the magnificent mansion that was once his home—the Ashford family home."They're laughing," Lein thought to himself, his face remaining cold. "Good. Let them feel everything is safe, everything is still fine."A thin smile carved on his lips—a smile that didn't reach his eyes."I could destroy them right now. But that's too easy. Too fast."He remembered his mother's pale face, and Lily trembling as she hugged him.For five years they lived like slaves."I'll let them laugh with satisfaction. And when they feel on top of the world... I'll destroy them. Slowly, painfully, until they kneel at Mom and Lily's feet, crying and begging for mercy."Lein walked out of the gate, then hailed a passing taxi."Corholt General Hospital," he said briefly.The taxi dr

Lein and Lily left the Stellar Properties building, then hailed a passing taxi."Avalon Hill," Lein told the driver.The taxi driver nodded, then started driving.Lily sat beside Lein with hands still trembling. Her eyes stared out the window, but her mind was far away.A villa worth one hundred million dollars.Bought in cash.Without hesitation.Everything felt like a dream.Several minutes passed in silence. Only the sound of the taxi engine was heard softly.Finally, Lily gathered the courage to ask."Brother..." she whispered softly, her voice almost inaudible. "Where... where did you get that much money?"Lein looked at her for a moment, then smiled thinly."Five years is a long time, Lily," he answered in a calm tone. "A lot has happened."Lily frowned. "But... one hundred million dollars, Brother. That's... that's a very large amount."Her voice trembled slightly. "Even Ashford Corp back then never had that much money at one time."Lein looked out the window, his gaze calm but

Lein stood in the middle of a magnificent ballroom filled with laughter and music. But that festive atmosphere turned into a nightmare in an instant.His father—Thomas Ashford—lay on the cold marble floor. His face was pale, his eyes wide with shock, his hands clutching his chest tightly. Around him, the bodies of loyal Ashford family servants and guards lay lifeless, blood pooling on the floor.Richard Anthony stood above it all, laughing loudly with terrifying satisfaction.Victoria looked at Lein with a gaze full of disgust—a gaze that destroyed his soul deeper than any sword.Lein wanted to move. Wanted to scream. Wanted to save his father.But his body couldn't move.He could only stand there, watching his father slowly die before him, while the Anthony family's laughter thundered throughout the room."FATHER!" Lein screamed desperately.But it was too late.Thomas Ashford's eyes slowly lost their light, his hand fell limply to the floor.And Lein's world... shattered.GASP!Lein