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Cheated & Despised, now the Billionaire Heir Chapter Twenty-two
Magnus's eyes, cold and filled with disdain, bore into Damian. "You dare defy me?”Damian lifted his head to meet his gaze. "No, sir... I wouldn't—"“Enough!” Magnus spat, his fury finally breaking through."You, a mere insect, think you can spit on my authority? On my guest?"Without turning his head, he barked, “Guards!”At once, several guards stormed forward, surrounding Damian like wolves.He looked at them in confusion.Before he could say another word, Magnus bellowed, “Beat this fool until he understands what obedience means!” His voice thundered through the hall."Make sure he never forgets it for the rest of his pathetic life."The guards wasted no time. One threw a vicious punch into Damian's stomach, forcing him lower to his knees. Another slammed a heavy boot against his back, sending him sprawling onto the floor.Damian coughed violently, struggling to breathe as pain spread through his body.The attendees were stunned into silence, eyes flickering between Magnus and the
Cheated & Despised, now the Billionaire Heir Chapter Twenty-three
At the large podium, Magnus stood, about to begin his speech.Just as he adjusted the microphone, Mr. Richard raised his hand.Magnus paused, offering him a nod.With that cue, Mr. Richard stood, adjusting the cuffs of his suit before speaking."Mr. Aurelius, I believe most of us—except perhaps Lara—are trying to make sense of everything that happened in this hall." His voice carried across the hall."Two individuals were forcefully escorted out mere moments ago, one of whom, Damian, was set to finalize a partnership with our company, as agreed in the last board meeting."Murmurs rippled through the attendees, some exchanging glances while others nodded in agreement.Mr. Richard continued, his sharp gaze scanning the room before landing on Ethan. "Furthermore, we have someone here whose presence has caught us all by surprise. And, if I may say so, he seems to be at the center of Damian's removal."He extended a hand towards Ethan. "That young man over there.""Before your arrival, Lar
Cheated & Despised, now the Billionaire Heir Chapter Twenty-four
The vacancy had been a hot topic for months. Speculation had run wild about who would fill the role, especially since Magnus had refused to appoint anyone, despite repeated requests from the board.The sudden mail from him to the directors and stakeholders concerned about it the previous night had only fueled the intrigue.And then came the real shock."Unfortunately, the chairman will not be unveiled today.”The room erupted into hushed murmurs, a ripple of confusion spreading through the crowd.While no one dared to openly challenge Magnus, their frustration was evident.Magnus held up a hand, silencing the noise. "However, I have appointed someone. But he has chosen to remain anonymous for now in order to lead from behind the scenes—and I respect that decision.”His voice dropped slightly, laced with an unmistakable warning. "That being said, I strongly advise those this concerns to be on their best behavior. The chairman and I will be watching closely. Aurelia Group is a powerhous
Cheated & Despised, now the Billionaire Heir Chapter Twenty-five
Damian lay crumpled on the cold pavement, his body aching from the ruthless beating.Vanessa rose from the floor and hurried to his side to help him up despite his groans of pain, her manicured fingers gripping his arm as he staggered."Take it easy, Damian. Let me help you," she said.Blood trickled from the corner of his split lip, and his breath came in ragged gasps as he limped toward his car with her support, his suit now in tatters.He barely felt the cold pavement beneath him.“Bastards,” she spat, glaring at the guards who had already turned their backs."How could they do this to you?”"I swear, we'll make sure all of you pay for this." She yelled, but they totally ignored her."You all are nothing but rabid dogs waiting for orders.”She grumbled under her breath, "Pathetic excuses for guards."However, every step sent daggers of pain through Damian's ribs.But the humiliation burned deeper than his injuries and pain."Who the hell does the chairman think Ethan is to treat me
Cheated & Despised, now the Billionaire Heir Chapter Twenty-six
The silence that followed was more terrifying than any threat could have been. However, the line went dead before Damian could respond. Then, he lowered the phone from his ear, staring at it as realization crashed over him like a tidal wave. He knew his father wasn't kidding, knowing what he was capable of when he got disappointed. Damian choked back a breath, feeling like he was trapped. Vanessa, who had been silently watching, shifted uneasily. "Damian?" "What did your father say?" she asked. However, he stared ahead, unblinking as memories flashed through his mind—his older brother, disowned and cut off for a similar failure three years ago, now working as a bartender somewhere in Mexico. And his cousin, who had disappointed his father once and found herself blacklisted from every major company in the country. His mind was racing with ways to turn the situation around because his entire future was on the line. "Damian?" Vanessa repeated, touching his arm gently. Something
Cheated & Despised, now the Billionaire Heir Chapter Twenty-seven
Vanessa could not understand the reason behind Damian's action. She kept trying to call him during her ride home after her father's driver had picked her up. But she eventually gave up when he didn't answer any of them. Stepping out onto the driveway, she rushed toward the mansion with obvious distress. Her father, Jonathan, raised his eyebrows in surprise as he watched her from his spot under the awning in front of the mansion. "What's going on, sweetheart? Wasn't Damian supposed to give you a ride back?" he asked as she hurried past, barely acknowledging him with a mumbled greeting, clearly frustrated. Initially, she wanted to ignore her father before deciding to have a conversation with him about everything to make sense of how Damian reacted that way. She turned to face Jonathan, her face scrunched in anger. "That asshole chased me out of his car. Can you believe it, Dad?" A flicker of confusion flashed through Jonathan's face. "What?" he whispered in disb
Cheated & Despised, now the Billionaire Heir Chapter Twenty-eight
Two armored guards stood on either side of the Aurelius estate entrance as Ethan drove in.When he got out of his car, the guards at the mansion door instantly straightened."Young master," they said together, bowing deeply as he walked by.When Ethan walked into the mansion, Helena, the head maid who was in her fifties, came up to greet him.Her gray-streaked hair was pulled back in a severe bun."Master Ethan," she said, bowing slightly. "Your father awaits you on the eastern balcony."He nodded, his fingers absently tracing the contours of the ring. "Thank you, Helena."After telling his father to leave the event without him, his father had told him to stop by before going home.He walked through the opulent living room toward the balcony doors.His father stood at the balcony's edge, his imposing figure silhouetted against the night sky.The balcony stretched wide, overlooking the vast city below. The city lights below shined like stars against the
Cheated & Despised, now the Billionaire Heir Chapter Twenty-nine
The dim glow of flickering torches cast shifting shadows along the cold stone walls as Ethan followed his father down the winding corridor.His father had led him down a narrow, spiraling staircase that seemed to appear out of nowhere in his study after they left the balcony.Dust clung to the edges of the steps, and cobwebs draped over the low ceiling, showing it had been abandoned for years.Etha's curiosity burned with every silent stride because his father hadn’t spoken a word since they began this strange journey.Then, suddenly, his father stopped.Ethan nearly bumped into him, his brows furrowing in confusion as he watched the old man turn to face nothing but a solid wall.There was no door. No markings. Nothing. Just ancient, weathered stone.His father finally spoke for the first time since their silent journey began."The ring..." he said, voice steady but laced with something Ethan couldn’t quite place."It is the key.”Ethan’s frown deepened, his fingers instinctively curl
Latest Chapter
Chapter 101
***FLASHBACK******Fifteen months earlier—before the bone marrow transplant***The rain poured down in heavy sheets as Ethan pulled his thin delivery jacket tighter around his shoulders, the cheap plastic bag containing clutched against his chest to keep it dry. The electric scooter he used for deliveries had broken down three blocks back, and he'd had no choice but to continue on foot.His shoes squelched with every step, his socks soaked through. But he kept moving. This was his last delivery for the night. After that, he’d head back to his tiny apartment, count the few money he’d made, and stress over how he was going to cover even a small part of Vanessa’s hospital bills. She’d been stuck there for weeks, going through endless tests after they found out she needed a bone marrow transplant.He saw her as his girlfriend—his responsibility—even though her parents could easily afford everything."2487 Oakridge Drive," he muttered to himself, checking his phone again. The address
Chapter 100
Ethan chuckled. "Mercy? As how?""Ever since the scandal, the stock of my company has been in freefall," Mr. Hayes explained, words tumbling out faster now. "Crisis has been happening behind the scenes that the public doesn't know about yet. It's only a matter of time before everyone realizes we're worth nothing."He ran a trembling hand over his face. "I've spent every remaining resource and penny the family has to try to make the charges against the company go away. Just disowning Damian wasn't enough. And to make things worse, investors have been pulling out one by one, and the board of directors is losing trust and hope in my leadership."His voice cracked. "Only Chairman Aurelius can help me and my family now because I know he has the resources, influences, and power to make it happen.""And since you’re obviously close to him, maybe you could get him to help me and forget what my stupid, estranged son did with his greedy attitude."Ethan let the silence linger, watching the des
Chapter Ninety-nine
Ethan tilted his head slightly, his expression shifting to one of innocent confusion—a perfect mask that hid the satisfaction bubbling underneath."Why are you on your knees again, Mr. Hayes? Please, there's no need for that anymore."Mr. Hayes remained where he was, his hands clasped together as if in prayer. His voice trembled with desperate sincerity. "It's because my family and I need your forgiveness and mercy. We need it desperately."Ethan's eyebrows rose slightly, his performance flawless. "Forgiveness? Mercy? I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about.""Please," Mr. Hayes continued, his eyes never leaving Ethan's face. "I had no idea until today about the connection between my son and you. I swear it.”"Please, on behalf of my family, forgive us. Please."A smirk played on Ethan's lips as he tilted his head thoughtfully. "Your son?" He paused, as if something had just occurred to him. "Oh, you mean Damian? Your ex-son, the one you've now disowned?"Mr. Hayes nodded
Chapter Ninety-eight
Seated across from each other in leather chairs in the living room, Mr. Hayes couldn’t contain himself any longer; his words tumbled out like water breaking through a dam.“Ethan, seriously, thank you. You have no idea how much it means to me that you actually want to listen when Chairman—”Ethan laughed. “Come on, don’t even start. Honestly, I should be the one apologizing for the way those idiots treated you. It was embarrassing.”Mr. Hayes shook his head. "No.""They were just doing their job. No need to apologize.”Ethan watched the Mr. Hayes with a relaxed smile, enjoying the desperation that seemed to pour from every pore. "So, about—""Before we get to business, Mr. Hayes..." Ethan cut in. "What would you like to drink? We have an excellent scotch that I think you'd appreciate. Or perhaps something softer?"Mr. Hayes shook his head, his eyes darting nervously. "No, no, I don't need anything. Please, I just want to discuss the situation. Time is running out for me."Ethan's sm
Chapter Ninety-seven
The sound of commotion broke through the peaceful night at the Aurelius castle as angry voices and desperate pleas bounced off the high walls and slipped through the slightly open window of Ethan's bedroom.After all of Magnus’ begging and pressure because he was scared there might be another attack and that the ring might not protect Ethan next time, Ethan finally agreed to stay in the castle until he was crowned King of the World. Magnus had even begged him to stay inside the castle the whole time until then."Please! I need to see him! It's a matter of life and death!""Sir, we have strict orders from Chairman Aurelius. You need to leave now!""You don't understand! I need to see him... Please!"Ethan looked up from his phone, eyebrows lifting with mild interest because the desperate voice sounded oddly familiar. He put his phone down on the bedside table and walked to the window, peering out to catch a glimpse of the scene unfolding at the front gate.Two security guards in bla
Chapter Ninety-six
Later in the day, as Vanessa and her family were still celebrating, a sudden news report interrupted the air.“Breaking news,” the anchor’s voice was grim, grabbing everyone’s attention."New evidence has emerged in the Callum Construction scandal, directly implicating Jonathan Callum and his daughter, Vanessa Callum, along with other executives, in what authorities are now calling one of the largest fraud schemes in the city’s history.”Vanessa’s heart skipped a beat, and so did the rest of her family’s.Then, the screen flickered to show emails—dozens of them—between Jonathan and other directors, discussing ways to cut costs by using cheap materials and bribing inspectors. Then came documents with their signatures at the bottom.“What?!” The words escaped their mouths in unison, their faces paling.The anchor continued, “These emails and documents, provided to us by senior vice president Richard Callum, directly contradict Ms. Callum’s statements from the media briefing earlier, whe
Chapter Ninety-five
"I know you're aware that the evidence used against James Harry and the other supervisors is false," Ethan revealed, his voice surprisingly calm. "Vanessa and her father used it to throw them under the bus and save themselves, isn't it?"Richard's eyes widened. He glanced over his shoulder, then scanned the coffee shop as if looking for hidden cameras or eavesdroppers. When he turned back to Ethan, his face had lost all its arrogance."How do you know about that?" Richard whispered, leaning closer. "That information isn't public. Nobody outside the inner circle knows what really happened."Ethan chuckled. "Have you already forgotten what I told you about the Copper Group deal? You can say I'm... well-informed." He tapped his fingers lightly on the table. "I have my ways of knowing things people think are hidden.""What are you, some kind of hacker?" Richard asked, his eyes narrowing."Does it matter?" Ethan shrugged. "Do I have your undivided attention now?"Richard shifted in h
Chapter Ninety-four
Richard rushed back to the table, nearly knocking over his chair. His composure had been replaced by wide eyes and a pale face because he knew that if the words got out, he would be doomed."How do you know about that?" he repeated, his voice barely above a whisper. "Tell me right now!"Ethan said nothing, just calmly took another sip of his coffee.The silence stretched between them until Richard couldn’t take it anymore. He decided to mask his panic and fear by intimidating Ethan, convinced that people like Ethan always give in eventually, no matter their initial arrogance and boldness."It was Lara, wasn't it?" Richard chuckled."Though I can't understand how she found out..." He ran a hand through his hair, messing it up. "I can’t believe she was so blinded by love that she actually told you something like that,” he said, narrowing his eyes at Ethan and leaning forward. "Now, tell me—what do you want from me? Why are you saying this to my face?”Ethan just stared back at him,
Chapter Ninety-three
The coffee shop buzzed with afternoon chatter. Lara had picked the place, and Ethan was fine with it because it was nice and quiet.He sat at a corner table, watching the door through the steam of his untouched coffee.Right on time, a tall man with perfectly styled dark hair walked in. The man was Richard who Ethan had being waiting for. Richard wore an expensive navy suit that looked custom-made, with a silk tie and polished leather shoes.The moment Ethan lifted his hand and waved, Richard’s eyes immediately narrowed. At first, he ignored Ethan, continuing to glance around the place, hoping maybe Lara was just running late. But after a while, when it was clear no one else was coming, he gave a frustrated sigh and stomped over to the table where Ethan sat.Ethan stood up as Richard approached, flashing a big smile.“Mr. Callum,” Ethan said, reaching out for a handshake.Richard stopped, towering over the table without bothering to sit down. His eyes dropped to Ethan’s outstretc
