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Sinclair's Lost Heir[The Rise Of The Betrayed Son-in-law] CHAPTER 53
Ethan’s POV I forced a breath through my nose and strode forward, shoulders squared."Evening, gentlemen," I called, my voice slicing cleanly through the laughter.Both men turned sharply. "Ethan, my boy!" Tim Roberts barked, rising slightly from his chair. "Look at you! Bigger than a bloody line-backer. What the hell are they feeding you over at Sinclair?" Grandfather cackled. "Deals and enemies, that's what! Come on over here, son." I smiled tightly and crossed the few feet between us. Both men clapped my back so hard I nearly stumbled. "You’re both exaggerating," I said, fighting the tension climbing my spine. "Last I checked, I still fit through doorways." Tim shook his head, grinning. "You could probably bench press William and me both without breaking a damn sweat." "And humble, too," Grandfather chimed in, his eyes gleaming. "Heard about the Landmark account, boy. Two days. Clean sweep." "Youngest chairman in New York history," Tim added proudly, raising his glass in sa
Sinclair's Lost Heir[The Rise Of The Betrayed Son-in-law] CHAPTER 54
Ethan’s POV Eventually, between hiccupped breaths, Mr. Roberts straightened, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand."My God, Will," he gasped, nudging my grandfather with his elbow, "I swear you missed your calling. You should have been an actor." My grandfather chuckled, reaching for his glass of whisky, still struggling to steady himself. "Didn't have much of a choice, did I?" he said between chuckles. "You threw me into the deep end." "Yeah, but you didn’t even blink!" Mr. Roberts howled. "Just slid right into character like a pro. No script. No briefing. Just pure, natural drama." "Are you two done?" I cut in sharply, unable to hide the irritation in my voice anymore. Mr. Roberts looked over, still grinning like a mischievous schoolboy. "Alright, alright," he said, lifting a hand in mock surrender. "Don't get your knickers in a twist, Ethan." "Just explain," I said, managing a tight smile I didn’t feel. "Please." Mr. Roberts exchanged a final glance with Grandfather
Sinclair's Lost Heir[The Rise Of The Betrayed Son-in-law] CHAPTER 1
Ethan’s POV“Ethan Carter!” barked one of the officers, his tone leaving no room for explanation. My fingers froze on the keyboard as heads shot up around me. The noise level dipped into an eerie silence before erupting into frantic whispers. I never saw it coming. One moment, I was sitting at my desk, going over the final numbers for the day, the soft hum of printers and the low murmur of employees filling the office. The next, the heavy double doors to the finance department slammed open, and the room was flooded with uniformed officers and security guards.I turned my head, my pulse quickening. I still remember the shock as if it were yesterday. I had been poring over quarterly reports in my Manhattan office when the sound of rapid footsteps and raised voices shattered the calm. I rose unsteadily, my heart hammering in my chest, as I tried to form a question. “What’s going on? Who—what is this about?” I managed, my usual firm voice trembling, my words dissolved into a cacophony
Sinclair's Lost Heir[The Rise Of The Betrayed Son-in-law] CHAPTER 2
Ethan’s POV I was marched down a cold hallway, the overhead lights buzzing faintly. The station smelled of sweat, old coffee, and the faint metallic tang of desperation. We stopped in front of a dimly lit room. Inside, a table sat at the center, flanked by two chairs. On the tabletop, a thick folder lay open, revealing pages of evidence.“Sit,” one of the officers ordered as he pushed me into a chair. I barely had time to adjust before another man entered the room—a detective, his sharp eyes studying me like I was an insect under a microscope. He tossed a stack of papers in front of me.“Do you recognize these?” he asked coolly.I stared at them, my breath hitching. Bank statements. Transaction records. All showing massive amounts funneled into private accounts under my name. My signature was on every page.“This isn’t real,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “I never made these transfers. I did not sign any of these papers! Today is my first day of even setting eyes on them.”
Sinclair's Lost Heir[The Rise Of The Betrayed Son-in-law] CHAPTER 3
Ethan’s POVThe clang of the iron bars echoed in my ears, a sharp reminder of my new reality. My cell was cramped, the air thick with the stale scent of confinement. Just hours ago, I had stood before the judge as my world unravelled. My marriage to Vanessa had been legally erased, a mere signature dissolving five years of my life. But that wasn’t the worst part. The gavel had struck like a death knell, sentencing me to seven years for economic crimes and negligence at Hale Pharmaceuticals.Seven years.I slumped onto the thin mattress, staring at the ceiling. The weight of it settled over me, a future painted in monotonous shades of regret and isolation. My name, once respected, was now synonymous with scandal. My so-called friends had vanished, and my family—what little I had—had turned their backs. The Hales had made sure of that.A lifetime ago, I had fought to belong, to prove my worth. And for what? To be discarded like a broken pawn the moment I was no longer useful.A sharp r
Sinclair's Lost Heir[The Rise Of The Betrayed Son-in-law] CHAPTER 4
Ethan’s POV Inside, the bedroom was nothing short of opulent. A massive king-sized bed, draped in silk sheets, stood against a backdrop of floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking an expansive garden. A chandelier hung overhead, casting warm golden light across the room. There was a walk-in closet that looked larger than my old apartment, and a bathroom that gleamed with pristine marble and gold accents. A seating area, complete with a fireplace and leather armchairs, added to the grandeur."Take some time to settle in," Olivia said, her voice softer now. "It’s a lot to process. Rest. Grandfather will want to see you first thing in the morning."She left me alone in the vast room, and I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. I sat on the edge of the bed, running a hand through my hair. Just hours ago, I had been in a prison cell, my future nothing but a bleak stretch of empty years. Now, I was standing in the palace, my name carrying a weight I hadn’t yet fully grasped. I l
Sinclair's Lost Heir[The Rise Of The Betrayed Son-in-law] CHAPTER 5
Ethan’s POV The silence of my study was interrupted by a sharp knock at the door. I didn’t look up immediately, finishing the last few lines of the document I was reviewing. It had been days since I officially entered the Sinclair Empire, and the sheer volume of information I had to absorb felt endless.“Come in.” My voice was calm, measured.One of my personal security guards stepped in, his stance rigid. “Sir, the President requests your presence in his study.I set down the papers, rubbing my temples briefly before rising. “Did he mention why?”The guard shook his head. “No, sir. Only that it is urgent.”I nodded. My grandfather wasn’t one for unnecessary summons. Whatever this was about, it had to be important. Still, I didn’t let it bother me. With a steady breath, I adjusted my cuffs and made my way out.The corridors of the Sinclair estate stretched long and elegant, bathed in the soft glow of chandeliers. Every servant, every guard I passed either bowed or genuflected. It was
Sinclair's Lost Heir[The Rise Of The Betrayed Son-in-law] CHAPTER 6
Ethan’s POV “That’s your great-grandfather,” Olivia said beside me. “And your great-grandmother.”“They look…” I trailed off, searching for the right word. Regal. Powerful.“Formidable?” Olivia supplied with a smirk. “That’s because they were. The Sinclairs have always been more than just businessmen. They didn’t just build empires. They protected them.”I turned to her. “Protect them?”She gestured toward another painting—a battle scene. Men in suits, wielding weapons, fighting alongside uniformed soldiers. “Every Sinclair is trained. Business, politics, combat. It’s not enough to be rich. Power without strength is meaningless.”I studied the painting, realization dawning. Olivia’s voice softened. “And now, you’re one of them, as you always have been.”“What happens now?” I asked.She turned, motioning for me to follow. “Now, you get ready to begin your training.” We approached the martial arts hall. It was built for function, not luxury. The floors were lined with cushioned mats, t
Latest Chapter
CHAPTER 54
Ethan’s POV Eventually, between hiccupped breaths, Mr. Roberts straightened, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand."My God, Will," he gasped, nudging my grandfather with his elbow, "I swear you missed your calling. You should have been an actor." My grandfather chuckled, reaching for his glass of whisky, still struggling to steady himself. "Didn't have much of a choice, did I?" he said between chuckles. "You threw me into the deep end." "Yeah, but you didn’t even blink!" Mr. Roberts howled. "Just slid right into character like a pro. No script. No briefing. Just pure, natural drama." "Are you two done?" I cut in sharply, unable to hide the irritation in my voice anymore. Mr. Roberts looked over, still grinning like a mischievous schoolboy. "Alright, alright," he said, lifting a hand in mock surrender. "Don't get your knickers in a twist, Ethan." "Just explain," I said, managing a tight smile I didn’t feel. "Please." Mr. Roberts exchanged a final glance with Grandfather
CHAPTER 53
Ethan’s POV I forced a breath through my nose and strode forward, shoulders squared."Evening, gentlemen," I called, my voice slicing cleanly through the laughter.Both men turned sharply. "Ethan, my boy!" Tim Roberts barked, rising slightly from his chair. "Look at you! Bigger than a bloody line-backer. What the hell are they feeding you over at Sinclair?" Grandfather cackled. "Deals and enemies, that's what! Come on over here, son." I smiled tightly and crossed the few feet between us. Both men clapped my back so hard I nearly stumbled. "You’re both exaggerating," I said, fighting the tension climbing my spine. "Last I checked, I still fit through doorways." Tim shook his head, grinning. "You could probably bench press William and me both without breaking a damn sweat." "And humble, too," Grandfather chimed in, his eyes gleaming. "Heard about the Landmark account, boy. Two days. Clean sweep." "Youngest chairman in New York history," Tim added proudly, raising his glass in sa
CHAPTER 52
Ethan’s POV "Think, Ethan! Think!" I barked, slamming my palm against the steering wheel hard enough to make the horn wail briefly.I was racing nowhere fast, and every second ticked like a bomb in my chest. Olivia was out there. Alone. Missing... not quite anyways. And I was sitting here like an idiot, useless, with nothing but a dead phone and fraying nerves to show for it. "Who the hell do I call?" I muttered, dragging my hand through my hair. "The police? And tell them what? That my… what? My what? Olivia wasn’t mine. Never was." I cursed under my breath, tapping the steering wheel rhythmically as I scanned the empty street for answers that weren’t there. "I can't blow this up," I gritted out. "If I make noise, the media will smell blood. She’ll get dragged through the dirt."That wasn’t an option. Not for Olivia. Never for her. I leaned back against the seat, exhaling sharply, when suddenly, like a spark snapping in the dark, it hit me. "Her grandfather," I said aloud, the
CHAPTER 51
Ethan’s POV "Pick up the damn phone, Olivia," I muttered under my breath, pacing the living room like a caged animal. I pressed the device harder against my ear, as if sheer force could will her to answer. Another voicemail. Another dead end."Fine," I snapped at the silence, yanking the phone from my ear and staring at the blank screen like it had personally betrayed me. "Ignore me, then. See if I care."I tossed the phone onto the coffee table, the clatter slicing through the heavy stillness of the room. For a moment, I just stood there, breathing hard, hands curled into fists at my sides.Why should I care? She wasn't answering. Big deal.Maybe she was busy. Maybe she finally realized what a bastard I was.Good for her.Wasn't that what I wanted? To push her away before she could get too close?Hadn't I made that crystal clear the last time we met, spitting venom just to watch her flinch?I sank down onto the leather sofa, scrubbing a hand over my face.But what if she wasn’t just
CHAPTER 50
Ethan’s POV “Are you sure you want to do this?” Jordan’s voice crackled through the secure line. “Because once this gets out, there’s no going back.” “No one burns my house and walks away,” I said flatly, gripping the edge of my desk. “Let it burn them instead.”“You’ll be starting a war.”“I didn’t start it. The Hales did the moment they tried to ruin me.”Silence on the other end. Then a slow exhale.“Alright. The files are ready. Everything you asked for—bank transfers, offshore accounts, distribution routes, and the tapes from the warehouse surveillance.”I closed my eyes for a second, letting the gravity of it wash over me. “Send the package anonymously to the District Prosecutor,” I said. “Make sure it can not be traced back to me.” “Already handled. By tonight, the press will be begging for statements.”“Good,” I muttered, staring at the framed photo of myself on the shelf. “Let them watch it burn.” The call ended. It was only a matter of hours before the news spread like
CHAPTER 49
Vanessa’s POV “Of course it’s Nathan’s,” he scoffed, waving the packet. “That brother of yours really comes in handy when you need an alibi, doesn’t he?”“Goodness, Collins, what is wrong with you?” I took a step back, robe clutched tight, trying to gather what little dignity I had left.“Wrong with me?” He laughed, but there was no humor in it. “I’m not the one playing house in a silk robe with mystery condoms on the floor.”“Nathan brought his junk here, trashed the place, and I’ve been trying to get everything back in order. That’s it. I’m tired. I haven’t even eaten today.”“You want me to believe that?” His voice dropped, low and dangerous. “Then prove it.”My jaw tightened. “Prove it how?”He stepped closer. Too close. “Let me touch you. Right here. Right now.”My breath caught. “What?”“You’re so innocent, right?” he said, pressing a hand against the wall behind me, trapping me. “Then let me touch what’s mine.”“We’re not doing this.” I shoved at his chest, but he didn’t budge
CHAPTER 48
Vanessa’s POV Tired of the whole drama, I slammed the door behind Nathan and his pathetic entourage, locking it with more force than necessary. The bass from the now-silenced speakers still thudded inside my skull, a cruel echo of the madness I had just evicted. Drunk girls with smudged mascara and glittered heels had been stumbling over my Persian rug like it was a damn runway. Nathan, high out of his mind, had laughed at thin air, drooling over the same chaos he dragged in. My home, my place if solace, had turned into a drug-fueled circus in a matter of hours.“Why do I even let him back in?” I muttered aloud, tightening my silk robe around me. “Because he’s my brother? Or because somewhere in my deranged heart I think he’ll change?”Maybe I was the deluded one. Always hoping. Always giving him another chance. But I was done. Done playing mother, fixer, savior.I needed to cleanse every ounce of that filth. I needed a bath, something hot enough to scald off Nathan’s stench from my
CHAPTER 47
Vanessa’s POV As I stepped into the foyer, the sharp thump of bass-heavy music slammed into my ears like a slap to the face. My heel paused mid-step. That sound... it was coming from the west wing. The west wing? That place hadn’t seen life in years.“Who the hell is playing music in there?!” I hissed aloud, my voice slicing through the silence of the hall like a whip.My fingers curled tighter around my clutch, jaw clenched and body tense. Which one of the staff had lost their damn mind? That wing was sacred. Deserted. Locked down. No one went in there. Not unless they wanted to face my wrath.“Have the maids gone stupid? Or just suicidal?” I snapped under my breath, heels stabbing furiously into the marble tiles as I advanced. Each echo of my steps was a countdown.The closer I got, the more the bass trembled through the walls. Rap music, filthy lyrics, distorted and booming with disrespect. My fists balled up.“I swear, if this is someone’s idea of a joke, they won’t live to tell
CHAPTER 46
Vanessa’s POV I had just returned home from seeing Ethan, an experience I would rather not recount to anyone.I sat in my car, parked just outside the house like the marble driveway suddenly demanded my respect. My fingers were still trembling around the steering wheel, nails digging into the leather as if the wheel had wronged me. I couldn’t go inside. Not yet. Not while my heart was still stuck in that cold, heartless office where he’d looked at me like I was filth.“He hates me,” I whispered under my breath, my voice cracking. “He really... hates me.”I tilted my head back against the headrest, blinking away the sting in my eyes. I hadn’t cried when he yelled. Not when he called security. Not even when he spat the word trash like it belonged to me. But now, alone in the quiet bubble of my car, it hit differently.“Who wouldn’t?” I muttered, scoffing bitterly at myself. “I practically destroyed the one person who actually loved me.”He loved me once. I know he did. There was no way
