Rise of Marcus Reid: Betrayal to Dominance

Chapter 1

Dr. Elena slid the envelope across her desk toward Marcus. Inside was the genetic confirmation he’d been waiting for, the proof he needed to claim his grandfather’s vast fortune.

A smile crept onto his face. Soon he’d present this to his granddad. Then Elena spoke up, her tone sharp and cutting.

“Looks like your marriage just fell apart.”

Marcus blinked. “Excuse me?”

Why would his wife’s best friend say something like that? Unease crawled up his spine.

“I’m not following,” Marcus said, already reaching for the test results. His stomach dropped the moment he saw the paternity section. The DNA didn’t belong to him. It belonged to someone else entirely.

A chill swept through him. His body felt unstable, as if the ground beneath him had vanished.

“This can’t be right.”

“Maybe you should ask your wife that question instead.”

“Where is Sophie?” Marcus’s voice came out sharp, desperate.

This test was supposed to validate his inheritance claim. That was the whole point.

Elena’s comment made his skin crawl. His heart began to pound in an irregular, suffocating rhythm.

He’d been trying to reach Sophie, but she’d been barely responsive. Ever since she’d been promoted to Regional Finance Director, just recently, she’d treated him like he was beneath her. The kids, Roman and Eva, had become his sole responsibility. She offered no help whatsoever.

Not that he minded caring for them alone, but he’d specifically asked her to come with him for these tests. She’d refused point-blank.

He was sitting in Westbrook Medical Center waiting room, collecting the genetic proof for both his children.

“It appears she’s…” Fragmented sentences escaped him. His mouth wouldn’t cooperate. His fingers trembled uncontrollably.

“What the hell is going on here? What is this?” He slammed the folder down on the armrest. “But the children, they have her features, her…”

Physical resemblance proved nothing. That much was obvious now.

A thin, sinister smirk spread across Elena’s lips. “Your wife is probably at the airport welcoming home her new billionaire. He’s been living overseas.”

Marcus felt the blood drain from his face. Elena’s smirk widened before she slipped out of the room, leaving him drowning in shock.

Throughout Ashford, Sophie had always been pursued by wealthy, influential men, despite being married. In their five years together, she’d never shown interest in any of them.

His grandfather had sent him into the world at twenty to humble him. To build his own wealth. To prove himself.

“You need to find a woman who doesn’t chase money. Marry her. Have legitimate children. Those heirs will determine whether you inherit what’s mine. Five years is your window. After that, Alan gets everything.” His grandfather’s words still echoed. Alan was his younger brother, a student abroad back then, but he’d recently completed his degree and was heading home.

Marcus had believed Sophie loved him. Now his mind fractured into incoherent fragments. His lungs felt paralyzed. He sat motionless for half an hour, awareness fading in and out.

Finally, after numerous tries, he managed to get Sophie on the phone.

“Sophie, is this happening? I’m not the biological father? You’ve been deceiving me this whole time?” His voice cracked with anger.

“Hey babe, who’s that?” A male voice filtered through the speaker. One he almost recognized. Terror seized his chest.

“Who are you with, Sophie?” But she offered no response, only letting his anxiety mount.

Sophie exhaled deliberately. “The doctor must have filled you in on everything.” Her delivery was emotionless, devoid of any regret or apology.

Marcus pressed his teeth together so hard his gums bled.

That single word, ‘our’, used to make him happy. Now it was poison.

She was taunting him. Their bond. Their shared life.

She went on.

“I decided to spare you the agony of getting both pieces of bad news simultaneously. You’ll be hearing from my legal team. I’m unavailable for a meeting.”

“Are you actually doing this?”

“Are you not comprehending me?” she shot back coldly. “Stop asking me to repeat myself.” Her voice softened slightly, probably conscious of her new companion’s presence.

“I’m currently occupied with my new lover, just back from overseas. He’s incredibly wealthy. I should never have settled for a common delivery worker. Someone of my caliber deserves better.” She sneered before disconnecting.

Marcus headed home, desperate to see her face-to-face. Maybe this was all some twisted prank. But the security personnel stationed at the gate, men who’d always greeted him respectfully, now barred his entry.

“The lady instructed us. You’re no longer permitted inside.”

Rage flooded through him. He nearly charged forward when a sedan appeared, and a man exited from the driver’s seat. It was Sophie’s attorney. Marcus felt his knees buckle.

The lawyer withdrew several documents from his leather case.

“Mr. Marcus. Your wife has tasked me with delivering these to you. Please sign these documents.” His tone was businesslike, his gaze deliberately averted.

Marcus accepted the papers reluctantly. He unfolded them slowly. The first line made everything real.

DIVORCE DECREE…….