2024-11-30 06:29:52The heir
The day of the gala had arrived, and Antonio got ready quickly. The suit he wore hung loosely on his frame. It was one of Brandon’s old suits, a bit worn at the edges but still serviceable. Antonio stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the lapels, his eyes catching the faint lines of wear on the fabric. He sighed. It would have to do. He had no other options. After fixing his tie, Antonio ran a hand through his hair and took a deep breath. Tonight wasn’t for him; it never was. This was for Lisa, James, and their world. He was just an accessory, something to be tolerated when necessary and discarded when inconvenient. With one last glance at himself, Antonio turned and headed downstairs. James Carter and his wife, Helena, were already in the foyer, dressed in their finest. Lisa stood next to them, her gown shimmering under the light, her face a picture of controlled excitement. Antonio couldn’t help but admire how beautiful she looked. “Are you ready?” Lisa asked without looking at him. Antonio nodded. “Yes, I’m ready.” “Good,” James said. He glanced at Antonio’s ill-fitted suit and gave him a sneer. “Remember what I told you, Antonio. Stay out of our way. I don’t want anyone knowing we’re associated with you. Understand?” “Yes, I understand.” Antonio nodded. Without another word, they all headed to the car, and Antonio took his usual place behind the wheel. When they arrived, the car was swept away by attendants, and the Carter family stepped out, instantly blending into the glamorous crowd. Antonio lingered behind, following at a distance. As they entered the lavishly decorated ballroom, James spotted an old friend across the room. He and Helena immediately made their way over, leaving Antonio and Lisa behind. Lisa, however, wasted no time. She spotted her friends seated at a table and excused herself, barely giving Antonio a second glance. Antonio watched her go. He stood awkwardly on the sidelines, watching the elegant crowd mingle. After a while, the boredom and loneliness began to weigh on him, and he decided to take a stroll outside. The cool night air hit his face as he stepped out of the gala. Antonio wandered through the manicured gardens, Just as he was about to turn back toward the ballroom, a voice called out from the shadows. “Antonio.” Antonio froze, his brow furrowing in confusion. The voice was unfamiliar. “Antonio,” the voice repeated, a little louder this time. Antonio turned toward the voice, his eyes scanning the darkness. A man stepped forward, his face partially illuminated by a nearby lantern. He was older, with sharp eyes and an intense gaze that seemed to pierce right through Antonio. “I’ve finally found you,” the man said, a strange excitement in his voice. “I’m sorry, do I know you?” Antonio asked confused. The man’s eyes gleamed, and he took a step closer. “You don’t know me, but I know you, Antonio. The long-lost heir has been found at last.” Antonio blinked, stepping back slightly. “I think you’ve got the wrong person.” The man shook his head, a slow smile spreading across his face. “Oh no, I know exactly who you are. You are the heir to the Matteo empire.” Antonio’s heart skipped a beat. “The Matteo empire? You’re mistaken. I’m not—” The man cut him off, his voice urgent now. “Roll up your sleeve.” “What?” “Roll up your sleeve,” the man repeated. “Show me your birthmark.” Antonio felt a chill run down his spine. How could this man possibly know about the birthmark on his arm? Only a few people knew about it, and it had always been something he never thought much of. “Who are you?” Antonio asked. The man didn’t answer right away. He simply stared at Antonio, his gaze unwavering. “I can’t explain everything here,” he said finally. “It’s too public. But I need you to trust me.” “Trust you?” Antonio asked. “I don’t even know who you are.” “My name is Edgar,” the man said, stepping even closer. “I’ve been looking for you for years, Antonio. You are the last surviving heir of the Matteo family.” Antonio shook his head. “I’m no one. You’ve got the wrong person.” Edgar eyes flashed with impatience. “Roll up your sleeve. If I’m wrong, I’ll leave you in peace. But I’m not wrong.” Reluctantly, Antonio pulled up his sleeve, revealing the small, crescent-shaped birthmark on the inside of his forearm. “There it is,” Edgar said triumphantly. “The mark of the Matteo line.” Antonio stared at the man, his mind racing. “How do you know about this? What is all of this?” Edgar handed Antonio a business card. “I can’t explain everything here. If you want answers, meet me tomorrow at the address on this card. It’s not safe to talk here.” Antonio glanced down at the card. Before he could say anything more, Edgar turned and disappeared into the shadows, leaving Antonio standing alone in the garden. He stood there for a long moment, staring at the card in his hand, his mind a whirlwind of confusion. Could it be true? Could he really be the heir to some empire he’d never even heard of? Tucking the card into his pocket, Antonio turned and walked back inside. He would have to find out the truth.
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Chapter 60
Epilogue: Antonio's mindset, It was a stark contrast to the chaotic life he had once lived, and yet it held a familiarity that grounded him. He stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, his silhouette bathed in the golden glow of the rising sun. The city sprawled beneath him, vibrant and alive, much like his new beginning.The months following his rise to power had been transformative. Antonio De Luca was no longer the underdog who had been dismissed by society or the contract husband tethered to someone else's ambitions. He was now a man in control of his destiny, a king of his own making.But kings, he had learned, could not rule without mercy.A Clean SlateLisa sat across from him in his spacious office one evening, her fingers nervously tracing the edge of her teacup. Gone was the confident, calculating woman who had once entrapped him with a contract. In her place was someone humbled by her mistakes, someone who had learned that power was not a birthright but a privilege.“I want t
Chapter 59
The Rise of a KingThe grand boardroom of the newly rebranded De Luca Holdings was a testament to Antonio’s ascension. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a panoramic view of the city skyline, reflecting the empire he had built with relentless determination. The long mahogany table was filled with executives, their faces a mixture of awe and reverence as they awaited his decision on a pivotal merger.Antonio De Luca sat at the head of the table, a position he had fought tooth and nail to claim. He wore a tailored suit that screamed power, his presence commanding the room without the need for raised voices or dramatic gestures."Mr. De Luca," one of the executives ventured cautiously, "your approval on this deal would solidify our market dominance in Europe."Antonio leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers as he considered the proposal. "Send me a detailed analysis by the end of the day. I don’t sign off on anything without understanding every detail," he said, his voice measured
Chapter 58
The Fall of TitansLisa’s parents, had once commanded the upper echelons of society. Their name was synonymous with power, their wealth an impenetrable fortress that ensured their dominance. But now, that fortress had crumbled, leaving behind nothing but ruins.The mansion they had once proudly called home was sold off to cover debts. The family’s sprawling estate, which had hosted countless soirées and charity galas, now sat empty, its silence a haunting reminder of their downfall. Margaret and Charles, once larger than life, were now mere shadows of their former selves.The Catalyst for CollapseThe unraveling of the Langfords’ empire began with Antonio’s divorce from Lisa. Antonio had been the key to their survival, the anchor that had held their fragile financial stability together. His resources, influence, and growing empire had propped up their failing fortunes for years. But the moment Antonio ended the contract marriage, the support system they had come to rely on disappeared
Chapter 57
The End of the ContractAntonio paced the length of his own study, his mind racing as he prepared for what had to be done. The office room—a symbol of his reclaimed legacy—did little to soothe the turmoil in his heart. The polished desk, the intricate overhead, the commanding view of the city—all of it felt meaningless compared to the raging within him.For years, the marriage contract had bound him and Lisa together, an arrangement born out of convenience and necessity rather than love. But now, with his father’s legacy restored and his own empire thriving, Antonio knew he could no longer live in this farce.He had to end it.The DecisionAntonio picked up the divorce papers he had prepared days ago, running his fingers along the edges of the document. It wasn’t an impulsive decision. He had thought it through carefully, weighing the consequences and the freedom it would bring.Lisa deserved to move on as much as he did. She had been cruel, yes, but in her own way, she had suffered
Chapter 56
The Past CallsAntonio leaned back in his chair, his gaze fixed on the outside of his towering office. The lights, once a symbol of his ambition, now seemed to mock him, reminding him of all he had sacrificed to reach the top. Lisa’s words lingered in his mind, cutting deeper with each passing moment. She had been right—he had become consumed by power and vengeance, forgetting the boy he once was, the man she had once believed in.But with her letter came memories he had buried deep, memories of the humiliations and condemnations he had endured, not just from strangers but from Lisa herself and her circle of high society elites. The past came flooding back, a torrent of pain that he could no longer ignore.The Early Days of the ContractAntonio remembered the day Lisa first proposed the marriage contract. He had been sitting on the cold steps of a rundown apartment complex, clutching his growling stomach as rain poured down around him. Lisa had approached him like a savior, her des
Chapter 55
The Cost of VictoryAntonio had always thought that achieving success would be enough to fill the void. He had dreamed of wealth, power, and recognition for so long that he believed they were the ultimate antidote to the pain of his past. But now, as he sat in the silence, the grandeur of his empire surrounding him, the realization struck him—success alone wasn’t enough. The taste of vengeance had been sweet at first, but now it felt hollow, like a fleeting victory that had no substance behind it.The lights of the city twinkled in the distance, like the stars he had once dreamed of reaching. But now, even as he stood at the top, the view felt empty. The ghosts of his past, the memories of those he had wronged, seemed to haunt him more than the people he had sought revenge against.He had made them all pay—the bullies from his past, his family who had dismissed him, the people who had made him feel small. They had all been humbled, broken in one way or another. And yet, in the after
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