From Outcast to Legend: Thiago's Rise

Chapter 7

Vespera had already endured the exhausting divorce proceedings, only to return home and face another round of accusations.

She rubbed her temples. "You think I haven't tried?"

Both men looked at her. "What do you mean?" Caius demanded.

"I already filed a police report. I accused Thiago of assault."

"You did?"

"Yes. My original plan was simple. Once the police detained him, he'd be forced to negotiate with me. If he wanted the charges dropped, he'd have no choice but to return."

"That's actually smart." Nicola's eyes brightened.

"But unfortunately, it accomplished almost nothing." Vespera interrupted. "The police are moving unbelievably slowly. They said they'll investigate, collect statements, review evidence, and follow procedures."

She mocked the officer's calm tone. "Please wait patiently, ma'am."

Caius slammed his fist onto the table. "Worthless! They'll only move faster if someone pays."

"Exactly. They hinted that the investigation could be... expedited." Vespera emphasized the final word with obvious disgust. "But expediting it would require substantial bribes."

"So pay them," Nicola frowned.

"With what money?" Vespera glared at him. "I've already spent enough. I'm not throwing away even more cash."

She had no intention of wasting a fortune merely to pressure Thiago. Not when there was no guarantee it would work.

Just then— "Waaaaah!" A loud cry echoed from upstairs. Evren came running into the living room with tears streaming down his face. "I want Daddy!"

He stomped his feet repeatedly. "I want him now!"

Vespera forced herself to remain calm. "Evren, stop crying."

"No!"

The little boy wiped his eyes. "I want to play fetch!" Evren continued through his sobs.

"I throw the disc ...and Daddy runs like the dog and brings it back! I want to play!"

Neither Caius nor Nicola found anything strange about those words. To them, Thiago had always existed to entertain the family.

Vespera's patience wore thinner. "Enough."

"But I want him!"

"I said enough."

"You make him come back!" Evren grabbed several toys and hurled them across the room. Plastic cars struck the wall and building blocks scattered across the floor. Then he picked up a decorative vase.

Crash!

The expensive vase shattered into dozens of pieces. Still crying, he grabbed another toy. Everything within reach became ammunition for his tantrum.

In the past, whenever Evren behaved this way, Thiago had always been the one kneeling beside him, comforting him with gentle words until he calmed down.

Now... Thiago was gone, and Vespera had already spent the morning being blamed by her father and brother.

Her patience finally snapped. "That's enough!" Her voice exploded through the room. "You've broken enough!"

Evren froze. He had never seen his mother scream like that. Instead of calming down, he cried even louder.

"I hate you! I want Daddy! I don't want you!"

Those words pierced Vespera's already shattered emotions. She clenched her fists so tightly her fingernails dug into her palms.

"Why are you yelling at him?" Caius immediately frowned.

Nicola clicked his tongue. "He's just a child."

Vespera stared at both of them in disbelief. "You've got to be kidding me."

Caius ignored her expression. "If Thiago were here, none of this would've happened. He would've settled Evren already."

"Exactly. He always handled the kid. That's why you need to get him back," Nicola added.

Vespera couldn't believe what she was hearing. Not one person had asked whether she was alright or hurting. They didn't seem to care that her marriage had just collapsed.

Instead— their concerns were who would pay the property taxes, cover the electricity bill, repair leaking pipes, drive Caius to his appointments, buy groceries, clean the yard, hand over spending money every month, and become their free labor again, just like Thiago?

For the first time in years, Vespera felt genuine disgust toward her own family. They showed no concern for her divorce or what her future would hold. Neither of them cared about her happiness.

To them, Thiago had never truly been a son-in-law. He had been nothing more than an unpaid servant, a walking ATM, and a seemingly endless source of free money.

The realization made her stomach churn. Yet, she couldn't vent that anger toward them, but Thiago.

"It's all his fault," she muttered under her breath. If he hadn't left or insisted on the divorce, none of this would've happened.

She silently swore she wouldn't let him off so easily. However, even while blaming him, she knew that the single revelation that Thiago now knew Evren wasn't his biological son would destroy everything.

No matter how much pressure she applied, the chances of reconciliation had become almost nonexistent.

"Waaaaah!" Evren's cries filled the house once more. The shattered vase remained scattered across the floor.

Nicola continued complaining about unpaid bills. The atmosphere became unbearably suffocating. Vespera suddenly felt unable to breathe. "I..." She took several quick breaths. "I'm going outside."

Without waiting for permission, she grabbed her handbag. "I need some fresh air." She hurried toward the front door.

The moment she stepped outside, she inhaled deeply.

The silence of the street felt far kinder than the noise inside the house.

........

At almost the same time... several kilometers away, Thiago Moretti was enjoying one of the finest lunches he had ever eaten. The hotel's elegant restaurant overlooked a beautiful lake, and soft piano music drifted through the dining hall.

A waiter placed another exquisite dish before him, and he smiled.

In his previous life, he had often skipped meals so Vespera and Evren could eat better. Sometimes he had survived on instant noodles while buying expensive food for them.

He remembered countless occasions when he had watched Evren happily eat the last piece of meat on the table while pretending he himself wasn't hungry.

Thinking about it now, he couldn't help laughing. "What an idiot I was." He shook his head. "I starved myself for a bastard son."

The irony almost amused him. This life would be different. Every bite he took now belonged to himself. No one else.

After finishing lunch, Thiago paid the bill before taking a taxi directly to the State Lottery Administration. The building bustled with activity, and several officials carefully examined his winning tickets and documents. The procedures lasted for hours.

Finally, after taxes had been deducted, the remaining prize money was transferred. A notification of one billion dollars appeared on his phone.

The enormous balance reflected under his name, making Thiago quietly stare at the screen.

Even though he had expected it, actually seeing the number still felt surreal. Several representatives from prestigious banks approached almost immediately.

"Mr. Moretti, we'd be honored to provide private wealth management."

Eventually, Thiago selected the bank branch closest to Jacquer Estate. After opening a new account there, a graceful woman wearing a professional business suit approached him with a warm smile.

"My name is Flora Rain. I'll be serving as your dedicated wealth manager." She handed him a business card.

"With assets of this size, have you considered long-term investment planning? We offer customized portfolios, international asset allocation, trust management..."

Her words flowed naturally. She was clearly experienced.

"What are your current financial goals, Mr. Moretti?"

Thiago remained perfectly calm. "I appreciate your concern."

He accepted her business card. "I'll contact you if I need professional assistance."

Flora realized he wasn't interested in surrendering control over his newly acquired fortune, so she wisely chose not to pressure him further.

"If you ever require anything, my contact information is available twenty-four hours a day," she smiled.

After exchanging a few more polite words, Thiago left the bank.

Outside, he hailed another taxi to Jacquer Estate. Remaining close to the Morgan family wasn't because he still cared about them. Quite the opposite.

Most importantly, he intended to watch the Morgan family experience the very apocalypse they had once dragged him into.

Eventually, the taxi stopped before a luxurious real estate office. The polished sign read—Fancy Home Realty.

Thiago stepped inside and a receptionist immediately greeted him. "Good afternoon, sir. How may we assist you?"

"I'm Thiago Moretti. I want to purchase a house."

"Certainly."

Thiago spoke without hesitation. "I specifically want the detached residence located at the highest point of Jacquer Estate. The one with the garage and the rooftop platform."

"I'll pay the full listing price, but I want the purchase completed today and the keys in my hands before sunset."