2025-10-27 12:34:14Ethan POV
The shock of everything that had happened still gripped me as Henry led me into the largest mansion I'd ever seen. Lily was in my arms, crying softly, her tears soaking through my shirt. My shirt. My cheap, worn-out shirt that probably cost less than the doormat of this place. "Have a seat, young master," Henry said, gesturing to a living room that looked like something from a movie. Multiple couches, each one probably worth more than a car. "I'll get you some tea." I carefully sat down on one of the couches, adjusting Lily so she was comfortable. She clutched her rabbit toy tightly, her eyes red and swollen. Minutes later, Henry returned with two mugs of tea. He placed them on the coffee table in front of us. Lily had fallen asleep against my shoulder, her breathing finally steady. "I figured it would be better if we discussed this over tea," Henry began, sitting across from me. "I'll answer every question you have, so feel free to ask." I looked at the mug, then back at him. "Who was Richard Blackwell, and why did he claim to be my grandfather? Why is this little girl calling me family? What the hell is going on?" I needed answers before my head exploded. "We met this morning," Henry explained. "When you saved Miss Lily from those kidnappers. By the time we turned to thank you, you had disappeared. But you dropped your ID card. That's how we located you." I'd dropped my ID? I didn't even notice. "You are the grandson of Richard Blackwell," Henry continued. "Miss Lily is your cousin—the daughter of your mother's younger sister." My mother. The maid. The woman the Pierce family treated like garbage. "Your mother was the missing daughter of the Blackwell family," Henry said quietly. "She lost her memory in what we now believe was a deliberate poisoning. She became a maid to survive, worked in your father's home, and eventually got pregnant with you." My chest tightened. Mom never talked about her past. I always thought it was because she was ashamed. But she couldn't remember. "We couldn't find her for years," Henry continued. "When we finally did, she was already gone. We learned she had given birth to a son, but we had no idea where he was. She'd given birth on the streets after being kicked out while pregnant." I felt sick. Mom had given birth to me alone. On the streets. In the cold. And I'd spent my whole life thinking I wasn't wanted. "We tried searching for you immediately after finding her," Henry said. "But we couldn't locate you. It's been nineteen years. We finally found you just before your grandfather's death." "So my mom... she was rich?" I asked. "She was part of this family?" "Yes," Henry confirmed. "She was Richard Blackwell's eldest daughter. His pride and joy. When she disappeared, it broke him. He never stopped searching for her." I thought about all the years Mom and I struggled. All the times she worked herself to exhaustion. All the times Victoria Pierce made her cry. If only we'd known. If only we'd found the Blackwells sooner. "Since you've been removed from the Pierce family," Henry said, "you will no longer carry their name. You are now Ethan Julius Blackwell, young master of the Blackwell family." Ethan Julius Blackwell. It sounded foreign. But also... right. "Why am I the heir?" I asked. "Because you are the direct descendant of Richard Blackwell," Henry answered. "His only grandson." "What about Lily's parents?" "Her parents died in a car accident when she was two years old. She's five now. She has no one else." I looked down at Lily sleeping against me. She'd lost her parents young, just like I'd lost my mom. No wonder she'd clung to me so quickly. "Who are the Blackwells?" I asked. "Why is everyone so afraid of them?" Henry's eyes widened in surprise. "You don't know who the Blackwells are?" I shook my head. "I didn't pay attention to news about rich people. I was too busy trying to survive." "The Blackwell family is the wealthiest in the country, if not the world," Henry explained. "We own businesses across every major industry—real estate, technology, banking, pharmaceuticals, media, manufacturing. The Blackwell name commands respect everywhere." I tried to process that. "So now... I'm part of all that?" "You're not just part of it," Henry corrected. "You're the head of it. As the heir, you'll inherit not only the wealth but the responsibilities. People will look to you to lead the family and its businesses." "But I don't know anything about running businesses," I protested. "I've spent my whole life being pushed around and ignored." "That's why we're here," Henry said reassuringly. "You won't be alone. There are advisors, lawyers, and managers in place. And I'll be by your side to help you adjust." I sighed, looking down at Lily again. "What happens to her?" "As the young master, you'll be her guardian. She's family, and it's your responsibility to take care of her." In less than twenty-four hours, my entire life had changed. I'd gone from homeless and penniless to a billionaire guardian. It was overwhelming. "I don't know if I'm ready for this," I admitted. "No one ever is," Henry said with a small smile. "But I have faith in you, young master." I wanted to believe him. But part of me still felt like that unwanted kid in the Pierce household. "Why don't you take some time for yourself?" Henry suggested. "Go shopping, clear your mind. Get some proper clothes. The driver will take you anywhere you want to go." I glanced down at my worn jeans and cheap jacket. He had a point. "Okay," I said. "I'll go." Maybe some time away from all this would help me process everything.
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Chapter 2 5: Protecting the Innocent
The safehouse was nothing like our mansion—just a simple two-story home in a quiet suburb, surrounded by normal families living normal lives. But it had something more valuable than marble floors or crystal chandeliers: anonymity. No one would look for Lily here, hidden among tricycles on driveways and basketball hoops in yards. Brandon's security team had swept it three times, installed cameras that covered every angle, and stationed guards who looked like regular neighbors working on their gardens. Lily sat on the living room carpet, coloring in a book Emma had brought. She didn't know why we'd moved so suddenly, only that it was an adventure. Her innocent trust broke my heart. Soon, very soon, I'd have to tell her the truth about her parents' death, about Victoria's role in making her an orphan. But not today. Today, she just needed to be safe. Dr. Sarah Mitchell arrived at noon, carrying a leather bag filled with toys and books instead of medical equipment. She was the best chi
chapter 24
The building loomed before me, dark windows like empty eyes. Somewhere inside, Victoria waited with Lily's mother, playing her final game. But she didn't know what I knew now. She didn't know Robert had confessed, that we had proof of murder, that her entire empire had crumbled while she hid in shadows.I entered through the main doors, following signs to the ICU ward. The hallways were dusty, abandoned equipment covered in sheets like ghosts. My footsteps echoed too loudly, announcing my presence. Victoria wanted me to feel alone, vulnerable. But Brandon's team was outside, Morrison's units surrounded the building, and justice itself stood behind me.Room 314 had light coming from under the door. I pushed it open slowly, finding exactly what I expected. Victoria stood "You came," she said, her voice strange, almost surprised. "I wasn't sure you would.""You can't hide anymore," I said simply. "It's over, Victoria. We know everything. The murders, the stealing, all of it."Victoria l
Chapter 23: The Shallow Grave
Maxwell's hands shook as he set the folder on my desk. I'd never seen him like this—face pale, eyes haunted, looking like he'd discovered something that changed everything. He'd been investigating all night, following paper trails that started with Lily's trust fund and led somewhere neither of us expected."You need to see this," he said quietly, opening the folder to reveal death certificates, police reports, and insurance documents. "Lily's parents didn't just die in an accident. They were murdered."The words hit me like cold water. I stared at the documents, each one telling part of a story I didn't want to believe. James and Sarah Chen, Lily's parents, had died five years ago when their car went off a cliff on Mountain Road. The investigation had ruled it an accident—brake failure on a rainy night. But Maxwell had found something everyone else missed."The insurance payout was three million dollars," Maxwell continued, pointing to highlighted sections. "It went into a trust for
chapter 23
Twenty-three lives. Victoria was willing to commit mass murder to avoid prison. The woman's descent into evil was complete. I immediately texted the information to Detective Morrison, Brandon, and the fire department. They needed to evacuate that building now."There's more," Sophia said, pulling out a folder. "I found these in her safe. I think... I think they're about your mother."My hands froze as I opened the folder. Inside were photographs I'd never seen—my mother when she was young, beautiful, happy. Standing next to her in several photos was a younger Charles Blackwell, my grandfather. They looked in love, completely absorbed in each other. But in the background of one photo, barely visible, was Victoria. Watching. Always watching."She was obsessed with your grandfather," Sophia explained quietly. "She thought if she could get rid of your mother, Charles would choose her. But he chose your mother instead, and Victoria never forgave either of them."The pieces clicked together
chapter 22: Following the Money
Maxwell's office looked like a financial crime scene at three in the morning. Papers covered every surface, laptop screens glowed with spreadsheets, and empty coffee cups formed small cities on his desk. He hadn't slept since the kidnapping attempt, and his usually perfect suit was wrinkled, tie loosened. But his eyes were sharp as a blade when he waved me over to his main computer screen."Found it," he said simply, pointing at a transaction history that looked like abstract art. "The kidnappers were paid fifty thousand each, wired from an account in the Cayman Islands yesterday morning."I leaned closer, studying the numbers while Lily slept safely at the estate with Emma watching over her. The screen showed a maze of transfers, each one bouncing through different countries, different banks, designed to hide the source. But Maxwell had followed every thread, untangled every knot."The Cayman account belongs to a shell company called Celestial Holdings," Maxwell continued, pulling up
chapter 21
The second man was younger, nervous. His leg bounced constantly, and sweat beaded on his forehead despite the cool room. He looked like someone who'd made bad choices and knew more were coming. When they asked about Victoria, his eye twitched—just for a second—but he said nothing.I studied them both, these men who'd tried to steal Lily's innocence again. They were tools, weapons aimed by someone else's hand. But tools could sometimes be turned against their users.Brandon stood beside me, his anger radiating like heat. "Give me five minutes alone with them," he muttered."No," I said, though part of me wanted the same thing. "We do this legally. Every step by the book. Victoria's the real enemy, not these hired thugs."Back in the counselor's office, Lily had fallen asleep in the chair, exhausted by trauma and tears. Looking at her peaceful face, I made a decision. The penthouse wasn't safe enough anymore. The security was good, but Victoria had resources we hadn't discovered yet. Sh
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