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THE ANCESTRAl HEIR SYSTEM Chapter 90: pretending to be married
To create an opportunity for Maya and Ethan to reconcile, Old Ms. Mimi decided to use Lily’s critical condition to her advantage. The only uncertainty was whether Ethan would agree. After all, he had already divorced Maya and severed ties with the Reynolds. He had no obligation toward them, let alone a distant relative like Grandaunt Lily. Because of this, Klein and his children weren’t optimistic about the plan. Maya’s mother, Julia, sighed and said, "Maya, I know you’re hopeful, but don’t get ahead of yourself. Ethan has become so coldhearted. He left you standing in the rain for two hours without a second thought, and he even tried to set you up with a disabled man. Do you really think he’ll agree to pretend you’re still married—for your sake?" Maya bit her lip, silently acknowledging that Ethan had indeed grown ruthless. But despite her doubts, she gathered her courage and dialed his number. At that moment, Ethan was still at The Timeless Restaurant, finishing his meal with
THE ANCESTRAl HEIR SYSTEM Chapter 91: Ethan identity have be exposed for long
"No, no! Not like how we used to be! We have to act like a loving couple—completely affectionate with each other!"Maya’s voice trembled as tears welled in her eyes. She immediately regretted her words, realizing she had reminded Ethan of how poorly she had treated him in the past.Ethan chuckled, though his laughter held a tinge of sarcasm. "I don’t think that’s necessary. We can simply tell her we’re still married. No need for an elaborate act."Truthfully, Ethan had no objections to the idea of pretending. In fact, he might have suggested it himself even if Maya hadn’t. He knew how much Lily had wanted their marriage to last, and with her on her deathbed, learning they were divorced would only bring her heartbreak.Considering that Lily had once saved his life, Ethan couldn't bring himself to let her pass away in sorrow.Maya quickly insisted, "No, it’s absolutely necessary! Grandma told us that Grandaunt Lily found out about your real identity a long time ago. She also knows about
THE ANCESTRAl HEIR SYSTEM Chapter 92: Meeting Grandaunt Lily
Maya was at a loss for words, finally realizing that it seemed inappropriate to drink champagne on such an occasion.Champagne was usually drink during celebratory event like weddings or when one's favorite's sports team has won a championship.Who would pop champagne when a relative is on her deathbed? Maya silently put away the champagne and said, "Hubby, can I connect my cell phone to the Bluetooth speaker of the car? I want to play a song in my playlist." Maya and Ethan had slightly different tastes in music. The trip this time would take close to two hours, and it'd be agonizing for her if they kept playing songs she disliked. Ethan would never force others to listen to the song he liked. Hence, he allowed Maya to connect her phone to the Bluetooth player and play her preferred songs.To his surprised, the first song that Maya played after connecting her phone to the Bluetooth player of the car was 'A thousand Reason to be Sad.' The familiar piano prelude instantly reminded b
THE ANCESTRAl HEIR SYSTEM Chapter 93: They say once a cheater, always a cheater
As Maya spoke, Ethan played along, pretending to be the devoted husband she portrayed him to be.“Oh? That’s wonderful,” Lily said, nodding with a pleased smile.Maya continued excitedly, “Grandaunt Lily, I have even better news for you! Ethan isn’t from an ordinary family—he comes from an incredibly wealthy and powerful lineage! His family’s net worth is in the hundreds of billions, and he’s now the president of a major corporation!”Ethan watched Lily closely, expecting a look of shock or surprise.But to his surprise, her smile only grew, her expression remaining calm and content. It was as if she had already known.“Great… great… that’s wonderful,” she murmured, her voice filled with satisfaction rather than astonishment.She let out a small sigh. “All my children are doing well… Ahem…” Lily coughed a few times, and Maya quickly helped her take a sip of water. After a brief pause, she continued, “The only one I’ve worried about all these years… is Maya.”She reached out weakly, pl
THE ANCESTRAl HEIR SYSTEM Chapter 94: Ethan and Maya are still married
Ethan knew deep down that he still had feelings for Maya, but that didn’t mean he could forgive her.Since their divorce, he had met plenty of stunning women—Clara, the elegant and intelligent deputy president of his corporation; Sarah, his alluring and confident secretary; and even Renee, the lively young woman with an incredible figure.With his current status, finding a new partner would be effortless.But despite the lingering emotions he had for Maya, and despite the fact that she hadn't physically betrayed him, Ethan had no intention of rekindling their relationship.Meanwhile, in Lily’s dimly lit bedroom, the two elderly women sat together in hushed conversation.The silence of the late night made their voices almost imperceptible. Their combined years nearly reached two centuries, and their words carried the weight of time and regret.Old Ms. Mimi held Lily’s frail hand, her expression heavy with sorrow. “Lily, you’ve known about Ethan’s true identity all this time… why didn’t
THE ANCESTRAl HEIR SYSTEM Chapter 95: Giving Maya a second chance
Lily’s room was dimly lit, casting long shadows across the walls. She lay weakly on the bed, her eyelids barely open as she hovered on the edge of life and death.Old Ms. Mimi sat beside her, while the rest of the Reynolds family stood silently around the room, their expressions tense.All eyes were on Ethan, waiting for Butler Frank’s response.Given Ethan’s status as the president of the Walt Disney Corporation and one of the most influential figures in Los Angeles' business world, they knew he had the power to uncover the truth with ease.John and Ms. Julia, however, were restless with unease. The information John had received from his friend—was it truly accurate?“Please, let it be true,” Ms. Julia whispered repeatedly in prayer, her hands clasped together.Suddenly, the sharp vibration of a phone cut through the silence.Buzz…Ethan’s sleek Porsche-designed phone lit up, and the entire room seemed to hold its breath.He glanced at the screen—but instead of Butler Frank’s name, a
THE ANCESTRAl HEIR SYSTEM Chapter 96: coveting Hundred of Billions In assets
Two days after the funeral, Ethan and the Reynolds family left Pasadena.Seated in the back of a limited-edition Maybach Landaulet, Ethan and Maya held hands, their fingers intertwined as they basked in each other’s presence. The luxurious interior of the car exuded elegance, but the true glow came from the joy on Maya’s face.She turned to Ethan, eyes twinkling. “Honey, I was thinking… I’d love to invite some of my old college friends over for a little gathering tonight. It’s been ages since I last saw them, and I want to celebrate with the people who were once such a big part of my life. Would that be okay with you?”If they had been returning to their upscale apartment in New City Residential Estate, she wouldn’t have even needed to ask. But she was clearly referring to Ethan’s villa in Beverly Hills, a place she now saw as her own.Since their marriage, Maya had firmly believed that his home was hers as well.Ethan let out a quiet sigh, though his expression remained neutral. He w
THE ANCESTRAl HEIR SYSTEM Chapter 97: Cayden Huxley Fancies Maya Reynolds
The Huxley Estate, New York New York—the most developed city in the United States. In one of its most exclusive residential districts, where property prices soared to nearly $3,000 per square foot, stood the grand estate of the Huxley family. Inside, Tony West was on his knees, his voice filled with desperation. "Grandpa, please! You have to help the West family!" Kneeling on the polished marble floor, Tony swallowed his pride as he pleaded with the elderly man seated before him—Arthur Huxley. Arthur, the patriarch of the Huxley family, was also the founder of Breezy Express, one of the nation’s leading domestic courier companies. His influence extended far beyond business, making him a powerful figure in elite circles. But Arthur was not alone. His son, Dave Huxley, and Dave’s wife, Emily Wilden, sat beside him, their expressions unreadable. Also present were Dave’s two sons—Shane and Cayden Huxley—Tony’s cousins. Shane, at 25, carried himself with an air of maturity a
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Chapter 142: Renee's fate
During dinner, Ethan didn’t openly tell Corny about Renee’s affair. Instead, he danced around the subject, dropping vague hints that suggested something was amiss.At some point during the meal, whether deliberate or accidental, the conversation veered toward infidelity.All three of them—regardless of their differing views or gender—came to the same conclusion: once someone crosses the line and cheats, there's no going back. The trust is shattered forever.When dealing with a cheating spouse, they agreed there are really only two options: either walk away for good or pretend not to care and quietly pursue your own romantic interests on the side.But Corny wasn’t the kind of man who could play that game. Despite all the time he spent traveling for business, surrounded by opportunities, he had never once strayed. Not because he didn’t have the chance—but because he valued loyalty and commitment above all else.To him, love and marriage were sacred. And once that bond was broken, the on
Chapter 141
“Whoa!” Mike exclaimed, eyes wide in shock. His face turned serious with a hint of nervousness. “Man, that’s... seriously intense.”Ethan smirked. “It gets better. Her husband’s going to catch you two in bed.”Mike nearly jumped out of his seat. “Hey, don’t joke like that!”He looked genuinely alarmed. “Come on, we’ve been friends for over a decade—you wouldn’t throw me under the bus like that, right?”Clearly shaken, Mike imagined worst-case scenarios. What if the husband showed up with a gun? Or even a baseball bat? Either way, it sounded painful.But Ethan reassured him calmly, “Relax. The guy’s not violent. If he walks in, the worst he’ll do is break down in tears. He’s not the type to get physical.”Mike breathed a little easier, but was still puzzled. “So what’s the deal? What did this guy do to you that you want to put him through something like that?”Ethan’s tone softened. “You’ve got it wrong. He didn’t do anything to me. He’s actually a good man, and I consider him a friend
Chapter 140
Ethan sat in a modest room at an Express Hotel, sipping a cup of black tea from a paper cup. Across from him sat Mike—an old friend, now his ally in a new mission.Whenever Mike traveled to New York, he usually stayed at luxury hotels like The Peninsula. But this time, he didn’t bat an eye at the modest Express Hotel room Ethan had booked—a place that cost less than $50 a night.Mike understood Ethan’s background well. Despite not coming from wealth, Ethan had once trained alongside basketball legends like LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, and Dwyane Wade—an opportunity few from humble origins ever had.“It was actually pretty easy getting here by plane,” Mike said casually as he settled in.Ethan studied his old friend’s striking features—so reminiscent of a young Leonardo DiCaprio—and spoke sincerely. “Mike, I asked you to come not just to catch up, but also because I need a favor.”Mike picked up the paper cup and took a sip of the cheap black tea without complaint.“Say no more, man,
Chapter 139: All this while you never notices me
Ethan could easily tell that, as a businessman, Corny didn’t really have much in common with an unemployed guy like him. But Corny still seemed eager to get closer to Clara through Ethan. Ethan smiled and said, “No problem! When are you coming back to Los Angeles? I’ll set up a dinner for you and Miss Clara.” Corny replied, “Let me check my schedule... The earliest I can make it is the day after tomorrow.” Ethan then added, “Corny, do me a favor—don’t let your wife know you're coming back just yet.” Corny sounded puzzled. “Why? Every time I come home from a business trip, I always let her know in advance. If I don’t, she gets upset.” “My wife loves me a lot. She even insists on picking me up at the airport whenever I get back. She says she likes the feeling of welcoming her husband home.” Ethan sneered inwardly. Corny, you poor fool. You’ve been living in the dark for so many years and still have no clue! 'Why do you think she insists you tell her ahead of time? It’s because sh
Chapter 138: there are plenty of things you could do for me..
“Whoa!” Mike exclaimed, eyes wide in shock. His face turned serious with a hint of nervousness. “Man, that’s... seriously intense.” Ethan smirked. “It gets better. Her husband’s going to catch you two in bed.” Mike nearly jumped out of his seat. “Hey, don’t joke like that!” He looked genuinely alarmed. “Come on, we’ve been friends for over a decade—you wouldn’t throw me under the bus like that, right?” Clearly shaken, Mike imagined worst-case scenarios. What if the husband showed up with a gun? Or even a baseball bat? Either way, it sounded painful. But Ethan reassured him calmly, “Relax. The guy’s not violent. If he walks in, the worst he’ll do is break down in tears. He’s not the type to get physical.” Mike breathed a little easier, but was still puzzled. “So what’s the deal? What did this guy do to you that you want to put him through something like that?” Ethan’s tone softened. “You’ve got it wrong. He didn’t do anything to me. He’s actually a good man, and I consider him a
Chapter 137: Putting Renee down
Ethan had already settled the score with Tony and Cayden. Now, there was one more person on his list—Renee. Renee hadn’t harmed Ethan directly. In fact, she hadn’t even blocked his number. He figured that if they happened to cross paths on the street, she’d probably still smile and greet him as if nothing ever happened. Over the past three years, unlike others, Renee had never mocked him for being a live-in son-in-law. And yet, Ethan still held resentment toward her. “If it weren’t for Renee Quinn,” Ethan thought, “maybe Maya wouldn’t have changed into the person she is today.” He could still vividly recall the sweet, sincere, and innocent Maya from three years ago. Back then, after marrying Ethan, she would politely ignore flirtatious advances from other guys on campus and purposely maintain a respectful distance from any man. She had once been the picture of loyalty and purity. But everything changed after Maya witnessed Renee cheating on her husband for the first time follow
Chapter 136: Custody of the child
Maya stared at Cayden in disbelief. They had never been intimate, so she knew without a doubt that the baby wasn’t his.“What are you saying?” she asked, confused. “If I don’t go through with the abortion, how can we even get married?”Cayden had previously told her he didn’t mind the pregnancy, but also claimed that his grandfather was old-fashioned and would never approve unless she terminated the baby.Now, Cayden took a deep breath, already prepared with an answer. “Maya… I need to be honest. I lied to you.”“Lied to me?” Maya’s expression froze. “About what?”Lowering his head, Cayden put on a guilty, remorseful look. “The truth is… my grandfather doesn’t even know you’re pregnant—or that you’ve been married before. I never told him.”“As for what I said about needing to have an abortion before we could get married… I made that up too.”Maya blinked, puzzled. “But why would you lie about something like that?”Cayden sighed, playing the part of the conflicted lover. “Because I was
Chapter 135: Cayden's plans
“What’s going on, Shane?”Cayden looked at his brother, confused and concerned. They were close, and he could tell something was off. Shane seemed unusually downcast, and it even looked like he had been crying.Letting out a heavy sigh, Shane said quietly, “Cayden, there’s something you need to know. Your symptoms may have eased for now, but the doctors found... side effects.”He hesitated, then continued, “They believe the virus you were infected with may have affected your fertility.”Cayden’s expression froze, the color draining from his face.To a man, losing a finger or even a limb was painful—but losing the ability to have children was a crushing blow to his pride and identity.Physically, he might still appear whole—but in this vital way, he was now broken.“You’re saying... I’ll never be able to father a child?” Cayden asked, grabbing Shane’s arm in panic.Shane tried to reassure him. “Cayden, don’t jump to conclusions. It’s just a possibility, not a certainty. The medical res
Chapter 134: Cayden's infertility
Cayden was in an exceptionally good mood today. He believed he had finally succeeded in toppling Ethan from his role as president of the Walt Disney Corporation, reducing him to nothing more than a broke nobody.Even better, he had forced Ethan to divorce Maya—the woman Cayden had been pursuing—effectively stealing her away.To Cayden, everything was going exactly according to plan.He’d never been one to lose in matters of love, and this felt like just another victory.Although Ethan had injured one of Cayden’s fingers, it wasn’t something that seriously disrupted his daily life.He had trained himself to be ambidextrous, so eating, drinking, or even playing games on his phone posed no issue.After chatting with Maya on the phone for a while, and feeling pleased with himself, Cayden finished his IV treatment and invited her to join him for a round of Call of Duty: Warzone.Cayden couldn’t move the index and middle fingers on his right hand, but luckily, he only needed his thumb to pl
