Cheated & Despised, now the Billionaire Heir

Chapter Six

Vanessa sat at her sleek vanity, her fingers drumming against the polished surface as she listened to her mother’s indignant huffing on the other end of the line.

“You should have seen it, darling,” Blanche seethed.

"That filthy stray acted like he was somebody important! If I hadn’t witnessed it myself, I wouldn’t have believed it!”

Vanessa’s eyes remained cold as she adjusted her earrings.

“That doesn’t matter,” Vanessa said flatly.

“Tomorrow, at Aurelius Group's anniversary celebration, I’ll be attending with Damian. That's what matters for now. I’ll make sure he gets a proper lesson afterwards."

Blanche gasped, excitement immediately replacing her anger. “Oh, you’re going with Damian?”

Vanessa smirked slightly. “Yes. And trust me, Damian won’t let Ethan continue to act out. He’ll remind that stray dog of his place.”

Yvonne practically squealed. “Oh, this is perfect! He’s just pretending to be rich. I can't wait to see how Damian will get him utterly humiliated!”

Vanessa’s lips curled into a smile, but it didn’t reach her eyes. Ethan had survived. But survival didn’t mean he could thrive.

Blanche lowered her voice, leaning in conspiratorially, even though she was on the phone. “Speaking of tomorrow’s event, there’s something you need to know.”

Vanessa arched a brow. “What is it?”

Blanche’s tone turned smug. “Damian’s father received some inside information.”

Vanessa’s fingers paused mid-adjustment. “Go on.”

“The new chairman of Aurelius Group will be making an appearance,” Blanche continued. “And Damian’s father has been in direct contact with people inside the company.”

Vanessa’s interest piqued. “You mean…?”

Blanche’s voice was thick with satisfaction. “Damian's project proposal has already been nearly approved. All that’s left is for the chairman to sign off on it tomorrow at the event. Once that happens, the cooperation will be officially confirmed.”

Vanessa leaned back, a slow smirk forming.

This was big.

"That must be the surprise he said he had for me tomorrow. That asshole," she chuckled.

If Damian’s project was backed by Aurelius Group, their entire family’s status would rise overnight. From a third-tier family to a second-tier powerhouse.

It wouldn’t just benefit Damian. It would mean wealth, power, and influence for all of them.

Blanche continued, practically glowing through the phone. “Once the deal is sealed, we will also be in a position to command respect in the city. No more bowing to those second-tier families. We’ll be one of them.”

Yvonne clapped her hands. “Oh, Mother! This is fantastic!"

Vanessa exhaled slowly, feeling the gears in her mind shift. Yes. This was perfect.

Tomorrow wasn’t just an anniversary celebration.

It was the day her family would step up in the world.

Blanche’s voice dripped with satisfaction. “After tomorrow, our family will be untouchable.”

Vanessa’s gaze hardened.

And Ethan? He would be crushed beneath their feet.

At the same time, inside the herb store.

The tension hung heavy in the air. The store owner, desperate to salvage the situation, wiped the sweat off his forehead and forced a trembling smile.

“Madam Lara, please, allow us to make amends,” he said quickly, his voice nearly shaking.

"This entire situation was a grave mistake. As a token of our deepest apologies, we would like to offer the Bloodshade Root to Mr. Ethan free of charge.”

Ethan tilted his head, amused. Now they want to grovel? Just minutes ago, they were ready to throw him out like trash.

Without hesitation, he took the herb and pocketed it.

"Good,” he said with a smirk.

"I’ll consider this compensation for your lack of professionalism.”

The store owner bowed deeply, his voice nearly cracking. “T-Thank you, Mr. Ethan. Thank you, Madam Lara.”

Without sparing them another glance, Ethan and Lara walked out of the store.

The villa was silent, bathed in the faint glow of the moonlight filtering through the wide windows.

Ethan sat cross-legged on the polished wooden floor, the Bloodshade Root placed carefully in front of him.

His fingers grazed over the ancient markings on his ring, and almost instinctively, he knew what to do.

With precision, he crushed the herb into a fine powder, mixing it with a special blend of ingredients he had memorized the moment his power awakened.

As he swallowed the concoction, heat flooded his veins.

His breathing deepened. His pulse slowed. The energy surged.

Every fiber of his being felt like it was awakening, strengthening, evolving.

Hours passed, yet he didn’t feel even a hint of exhaustion.

His mind was sharper, his body lighter, his strength more refined.

By the time the first light of dawn broke through the windows, Ethan opened his eyes.

For the first time in his life, he felt limitless.

Ethan stepped out of the sleek black car that had been arranged for him, his expression calm but unreadable.

The towering glass building of Aurelius Group’s headquarters gleamed under the morning sun, its imposing presence a reminder of the power it held in the city.

As he strode toward the entrance, a familiar, grating voice sliced through the air.

“Well, well… look who decided to show up.”

Ethan didn’t need to turn to know who it was.

Damian.

The man stood near the entrance, his arm casually draped around Vanessa’s waist, his smug smirk practically radiating arrogance.

Vanessa, standing beside him in an elegant designer dress, looked stunned for a brief second before her expression hardened into disgust.

She let out a mocking laugh. “You again? Are you stalking us now?”