Smile, Miss Carter.”The photographer’s cheerful voice echoed through the Imperial Grand Hotel ballroom.Flash!Another photograph captured the city’s newest power coupleMarcus Ashford and Sophia Carter stood beneath an arch of white roses, their fingers intertwined as hundreds of distinguished guests applauded.Crystal chandeliers bathed the ballroom in warm golden light. A string quartet played softly while waiters glided through the crowd carrying silver trays filled with champagne.Tonight wasn’t just an engagement party.It was a celebration of power.The Ashford family was one of the wealthiest and most influential families in Nova City. Being associated with them meant prestige, opportunity, and influence. Invitations to this banquet had become the most sought-after tickets in the city.Near the back of the ballroom, unnoticed by almost everyone, stood a young man in a neatly pressed navy-blue suit.His name was Ethan.Unlike the other guests, he wore no luxury watch. His shoe

The convoy moved silently through the rain-soaked streets of Nova City.Inside the lead Rolls-Royce, only the soft hum of the engine broke the silence.Ethan sat by the window, watching the familiar city slowly disappear behind sheets of rain.His reflection stared back at him.The same face.The same man.Yet everything about his life had changed in less than an hour.Across from him, Samuel Grant sat with perfect posture, his hands resting on a polished wooden cane.Neither man spoke.The silence wasn’t uncomfortable.It was heavy.Finally, Ethan broke it.“If everything you said is true…”Samuel looked up.“…then why was I allowed to live an ordinary life?”Samuel sighed quietly.“Because an ordinary life was the only way to keep you alive.”He looked out the window.“The people who destroyed your family searched for you for years.”“They bribed officials.”“They hired investigators.”“They even monitored orphanages and adoption records.”“If they had discovered your identity…”He

The study fell silent after the assistant delivered her message. Samuel Grant slowly closed the letter Ethan had just folded. His expression remained calm, but the tension in his eyes betrayed the seriousness of the situation. “When is the meeting?” he asked. The assistant straightened her posture. “In one hour, Mr. Grant.” “They’ve requested your immediate presence.” Samuel gave a slight nod. “I’ll be there.” She bowed respectfully before leaving the study. The heavy wooden door closed with a soft click. Ethan looked at Samuel. “What exactly is the Board of Directors?” Samuel walked toward the tall windows overlooking the estate. Beyond them, the lights of Ashford Manor glowed against the darkness. “They are the men and women responsible for helping govern Ashford Global.” He paused. “Some served your father faithfully.” He looked back at Ethan. “Others…” “I’m not so sure.” Ethan frowned. “You think one of them betrayed my family?” “I don’t accuse people withou

The silver key felt unusually heavy in Ethan’s hand.He stood before the old bookshelf in Richard Ashford’s study, his eyes fixed on the nearly invisible keyhole hidden beneath the carved wooden frame.For a brief moment, he hesitated.What if this was another step into a past he wasn’t ready to face?He took a slow breath.Then gently inserted the key.Click.A soft mechanical sound echoed through the room.Nothing happened.Then…A low rumble vibrated beneath the polished wooden floor.Ethan instinctively stepped back.The bookshelf slowly slid to one side, revealing a narrow passage hidden behind it.Cool air drifted from the darkness beyond.A row of small lights flickered on automatically, illuminating a stone staircase leading underground.Ethan stared in disbelief.“There was a secret room…”“…inside the study?”He looked behind him.The mansion was silent.Samuel was still at the board meeting.There was no one to ask.Curiosity overcame caution.He stepped into the passage.A

The atmosphere inside the hidden chamber grew heavy.Ethan stared at Samuel.“My adoption records?”Samuel nodded grimly.“Those records are the only documents that connect your current identity to the night you disappeared.”“If our enemies obtain them before we do…”“They could erase the final evidence proving who you are.”Ethan frowned.“But you already have DNA reports.”“We do.”Samuel folded his arms.“But the law doesn’t rely on one document alone.”“A complete chain of evidence is much stronger.”“The adoption records could expose who rescued you…”“…and perhaps reveal who betrayed your parents.”Ethan looked at the old journal resting on the table.“So this isn’t just about my inheritance.”Samuel’s eyes hardened.“No.”“It’s about the truth.”A sharp knock echoed from above.One of the estate’s security officers hurried into the chamber.“Mr. Grant.”“What is it?”“The cybersecurity team traced the intrusion.”Samuel’s expression sharpened.“To where?”“They masked their lo