"You think," Ethan raised his hand slowly, watching the sunlight sparkle across the dull metal. "A convict could take such an expensive ring into prison?"Jenny stared at him for a second, confusion flickering, then immediately suspicion replaced it."You’re lying." Her eyes hardened with accusations, as she convinced herself he was lying. "Charlie told me he arranged everything for you to spend in prison, he bribed everyone to treat you well, the guards knew not to touch you, we made sure you were respected and..." "Respected?" Ethan interrupted, his voice turned into a cold whisper. "Is that what you call those things I've gone through in that prison?" Jenny stepped back slightly.He lowered his hand, recounting three years in prison."On my first day, the warden broke my finger just to take that ring from me, the more I resisted, the more I got beaten, it didn't end there, every day after that… beatings, torture, humiliation and worse."For a second his voice wavered, as he conti

"What exactly do you want, Ethan?" Sally’s voice sliced through the chatter and music of the room as she grabbed Ethan’s arm tightly and pulled him aside. "Why can't you let us be at peace at least for a few hours of partying? Can't you really see Charlie being happy? Are you back just to create chaos here?" Ethan slowly turned toward her, his gaze remained icy cold."Chaos can’t disturb what’s already rotten." He replied, shaking her hand off with effortless disgust.Before she could react, Jenny stepped between them, glancing around anxiously to ensure no one was watching. "Sally, leave him, he’s not in the right state of mind." Sally narrowed her eyes, hissed in a venomous voice, "I’ll deal with you after the party!" Ethan let out a cold, mocking laugh and stepped back, with hands in his pockets. "You buried me for someone else. What’s left to discuss?""What’s happening here?" Jerome Carvendish stood at the top of the staircase, his tall frame radiating authority. His suit was

"Arrogant bastard," Jerome cursed, his voice shaking with rage. "Once you step out of this house, you’re worse than a stray."Ethan didn’t look back.He heard every word not just from Jerome but from Sally and Hailey as well, but he chose not to let them touch him.Without a second glance, he walked away.After a few steps, he turned and climbed the stairs, his thoughts heavy and distant.All he wanted was to visit his grandfather. "I’m sorry, Grandpa… I can’t endure this anymore. Not even for you."The only person who has always been kind and affectionate towards him is his grandfather, so he is the only person Ethan wants to see before he permanently leaves the Carvendish family.One moment of peace, but peace was a luxury long stolen from him.And then Charlie showed up out of nowhere, he stood halfway down the staircase, leaning against the railing with his arms crossed and a smug grin stretching across his face."Well, I thought you'll be on your way to leave the mansion," Charli

"You’re saying.… This is the man I’m supposed to marry?" Scarlett Caspian’s calm voice echoed inside the vast office as she held the thin file between her elegant fingers, her sharp eyes scanning the photograph clipped on the first page.Her secretary, who stood respectfully across the desk, lowered her head slightly before answering."Yes, Miss Scarlett. This is the young master Ethan Carvendish."Scarlett did not reply immediately.Her eyes remained fixed on the photograph.A young man stood there, his expression cold, distant, and completely detached from the world around him, yet there was something hidden inside those eyes, something deeper than pain, something far more dangerous.In the other photos as well, in every family photo, while the adopted son stood proudly at the center, Ethan remained at the edge, like an unwanted servant who had accidentally wandered into the frame.Not a single complete photograph of him existed. In every image, he was either cut in half or reduced

"Remember this, Charlie… Tonight is the night your future will be decided in the Elite world."Jerome's deep voice carried pride as he adjusted Charlie’s collar with his own hands, his eyes filled with satisfaction that he had never once shown toward his biological son.They stood at the grand entrance of the Caspian estate, and even for people of their status, the sight before them was overwhelming.The mansion was no longer just a mansion, it looked like a palace born from wealth and power itself.Golden lights cascaded from crystal chandeliers hanging high above the marble stairs, illuminating the endless line of luxury cars arriving one after another, while men in black suits stood like silent guardians at every corner, their sharp eyes scanning every guest with disciplined vigilance.Elite families had gathered.Business emperors whose names could shake entire markets stood in quiet conversation.Political figures whose decisions shaped nations walked through the hall with practi