The smell of fried bacon and toasted bread filled the white kitchen. Lucas stood by the stove, holding a wooden spatula. He wore a faded apron over his simple blue shirt. His eyes were fixed on the kitchen clock. The black hands pointed to eleven in the morning. He had just sixty minutes left.For three long years, Lucas had cooked every single meal in this house. He cleaned the polished marble floors until his knees hurt. He washed the dirty dishes and washed every piece of clothing by hand. He did it all without complaining. He stayed silent even when people walked over him like dirt on a rug.Nobody in the Vance family knew the true reason behind his actions. They did not know about the promise he made to his dying grandfather three years ago. His grandfather was a powerful man who wanted Lucas to hide his real power. He wanted Lucas to live like an ordinary, poor man for three full years. The old man wanted Lucas to learn humility and patience before taking over the family king

Lucas looked down at the fifty million dollar loan application on his large wooden desk. He held the heavy red stamp in his right hand. He did not press the stamp down on the paper just yet.Dropping the stamp now would destroy Julian's company in an instant, but Lucas knew that quick destruction was too easy. He wanted Julian and the Vance family to fall from the very top."Hold this file for now, Thomas," Lucas said, his voice smooth and cold. "Let Julian celebrate a little longer. The higher he climbs, the harder he will hit the ground when he falls."Thomas bowed his head with deep respect. "Understood, Young Master. By the way, your financial team just finished purchasing the Royal Crown Club through our private investment company. You are now the sole owner of the most exclusive club in the city."Lucas leaned back in his leather chair and looked out the big glass window. "The Royal Crown Club? Isn't that where Chloe said she was going tonight?""Yes, Young Master," Thomas repli

Julian stood frozen on the cold pavement outside the club. The harsh voice of his father echoed through the phone speaker, making his blood turn into ice. The fifty million dollar loan was paused. If that money did not enter their company account by tomorrow, Sterling Enterprises would go bankrupt."Dad, that is impossible!" Julian cried out, his voice high and shaking. "The bank directors told me yesterday that everything was settled! How could they stop it?""I do not know!" his father roared back through the phone. "The senior vice president called me personally! He said the order came straight from the top office! The new chairman of Grand Dragon Financial is reviewing every major contract himself! You get your useless head back home right now!"The phone went dead.Julian dropped his arm slowly. His face was pale, and sweat poured down his cheeks despite the cold night wind. He looked down at his bare feet covered in dirt, then turned to look at Chloe.Chloe stepped back, her ha

The quiet room suddenly became loud as people started talking all at once. The camera lights flashed fast, hitting the stage like bright lightning.Beatrice stood frozen on the platform, her face turning as white as a piece of paper. Her hands were shaking so hard that she almost dropped her microphone.The expert appraiser walked up onto the stage with a big magnifying glass. He picked up the smooth green stone carefully and examined the tiny mark carved near the gold ring at the top. He adjusted his glass and looked very closely. Then his eyes went wide with shock."This jade necklace was registered twenty years ago!" the appraiser yelled into his microphone so everyone could hear. "The true owner name carved inside the official ledger is Lady Vance, the late mother of Lucas Vance! Beatrice Vance is not written on this paper at all!"Gasps of horror filled the huge room. The rich guests in the front row turned around to look at Beatrice with disgust. People began pointing their fing

The heavy iron gates clicked shut behind Lucas, leaving Chloe kneeling in the wet mud. Cold rainwater poured over her face, but the pain in her heart was far worse.For three years, she had looked down on Lucas. She had treated him like a dog that had no value. Now, she was the one begging on the floor while he walked back into his warm house.Chloe gripped her wet hands together, her teeth clicking fast from the freezing wind. She knew she could not leave. If she went home without a signed paper, her mother would be locked in a prison cell for ten long years. Her family name would be ruined forever in the city.She dragged herself up from the mud on weak legs. She stood near the closed metal gates, shaking like a wet leaf under the dark night sky."Lucas!" Chloe screamed with all the strength left in her throat. "I will do anything! Please! Just tell me what you want!"Inside the warm house, Lucas stood by the tall glass window. He took another slow sip of his warm coffee. Butler Tho