The Billionaire Heir's Revenge

Chapter 1: The Anniversary Divorce

The aroma of freshly prepared dishes filled the dining room.

A lavish feast sat on the table—steamed lobster, roasted duck, premium steak, and a bottle of vintage wine Ethan Blackwell had spent an entire month's allowance buying.

Today was special.

It was his third wedding anniversary.

Ethan stood before a mirror in the kitchen, adjusting the collar of his plain white shirt. Despite the exhaustion visible in his eyes, a small smile appeared on his face.

Three years.

Three years since he had married Sophia Hart.

Three years since he had entered the Hart family as a live-in son-in-law.

Three years of endless ridicule, humiliation, and cold stares.

Yet despite everything, he still loved her.

He checked the time.

7:00 PM.

Sophia should have been home by now.

Ethan carefully lit the candles on the table.

His heart raced with anticipation.

Maybe tonight would be different.

Maybe she would finally see how much he cared.

Maybe they could start over.

The sound of a car pulling into the driveway instantly brightened his expression.

"She's back."

He quickly rushed to the front door.

As the door opened, a stunning woman stepped inside.

She wore a black business suit that perfectly outlined her elegant figure.

Her sharp features and icy aura made her look more like a queen than a wife.

This was Sophia Hart

CEO of Hart Holdings.

One of the youngest business leaders in the city.

Ethan smiled warmly.

"Happy anniversary, Sophia."

Sophia barely glanced at him.

Her expression remained indifferent.

"Mm."

The smile on Ethan's face stiffened.

Still, he forced himself to remain cheerful.

"I prepared dinner."

Only then did Sophia notice the candles and decorations.

A trace of annoyance flashed across her face.

"You did all this?"

"Yes."

Ethan nodded.

"I thought we could spend some time together."

Sophia removed her heels and sat down without enthusiasm.

Ethan quickly poured wine into her glass.

For a brief moment, silence filled the room.

Then Sophia finally spoke.

"Ethan."

Something about her tone made his chest tighten.

"Yes?"

She looked directly into his eyes.

"I want a divorce."

The wine bottle slipped from Ethan's hand.

Crash!

Glass shattered across the floor.

For several seconds, the room became completely silent.

Ethan stared at her.

He thought he had misheard.

"What... did you say?"

"I said I want a divorce."

Her voice remained calm.

As if discussing tomorrow's weather.

As if their marriage meant nothing.

Ethan's hands trembled.

"Why?"

Sophia lowered her eyes.

"The company is in trouble."

Ethan frowned.

Hart Holdings had been struggling recently.

Everyone in the family knew it.

But what did that have to do with divorce?

Then Sophia continued.

"Damien Sterling is willing to invest ten billion dollars."

Ethan's expression darkened.

Damien Sterling.

The wealthy vice president of Sterling International.

A notorious playboy.

A man who had pursued Sophia openly for years.

"What does that have to do with us?"

Sophia remained silent.

That silence told Ethan everything.

His heart sank.

"No..."

"Ethan—"

"No!

He slammed both hands onto the table.

The candles shook violently.

"Tell me you're not doing what I think you're doing."

Sophia looked away.

"I'm marrying Damien."

The words felt like a knife stabbing directly into Ethan's chest.

His face instantly turned pale.

"So that's it."

A bitter smile appeared on his lips.

"You sold our marriage."

"It's not like that."

Ethan laughed.

For the first time in years.

Not from happiness.

But from pain.

"Not like that?"

"You're divorcing your husband and marrying another man because he's rich."

"How exactly is that different?"

Sophia clenched her fists.

"You don't understand."

"The company supports thousands of employees."

"My family built it from nothing."

"I can't let it collapse."

Ethan stared at her.

Suddenly, he realized something.

After three years together...

She had never truly cared about him.

Not even a little.

At that moment, footsteps echoed from upstairs.

Several people descended the staircase.

The Hart family.

Apparently, they had been listening the entire time.

Leading them was Sophia's mother, Victoria Hart.

A woman who despised Ethan more than anyone.

"Since it's already out in the open, let's stop wasting time."

Victoria threw a document onto the table.

A divorce agreement.

Ethan stared at it.

His heart slowly turning cold.

"You planned this."

Victoria scoffed.

"What else did you expect?"

"You've eaten and lived off our family for three years."

"You should be grateful."

Another family member laughed.

"Exactly."

"A useless man like you should thank heaven that Sophia married you in the first place."

"Now you're being discarded. Know your place."

Laughter erupted around the room.

Ethan stood silently.

Listening.

Remembering.

Three years.

Three years of insults.

Three years of being treated like garbage.

Three years of swallowing his pride.

For what?

For this?

Victoria crossed her arms.

"Sign it."

Ethan slowly looked toward Sophia.

He still wanted to hear her say no.

Just once.

Just once.

Tell them to stop.

Tell them she cared.

Tell them their marriage meant something.

Instead—

She lowered her head.

Avoiding his gaze.

That was his answer.

Something inside Ethan shattered.

Completely.

He suddenly smiled.

A calm smile.

The kind of smile that appears after a person loses everything.

"Fine."

Everyone froze.

Even Sophia looked surprised.

Ethan picked up the pen.

"You want a divorce?"

"I'll give you one."

Victoria sneered.

"At least you know your place."

Ethan ignored her.

His eyes remained fixed on Sophia.

"You won't regret this?"

Sophia hesitated.

For a brief second.

Only a brief second.

Then she replied.

"No."

Ethan nodded.

"Good."

Without another word—

He signed.

Ethan Blackwell.

The signature appeared clearly on the document.

The moment the pen left the paper, the marriage officially ended.

Three years.

Gone.

Just like that.

Martha instantly grabbed the agreement.

Relief appeared across her face.

Finally.

The burden was gone.

"Get your belongings and leave."

Ethan laughed softly.

"I'll leave."

He turned and walked toward the stairs.

No one stopped him.

No one cared.

Not even Sophia.

Twenty minutes later.

Ethan emerged carrying a single suitcase.

Everything he owned fit inside it.

Three years of marriage.

One suitcase.

How pathetic.

As he approached the door, a black luxury car suddenly stopped outside.

The vehicle looked expensive.

Very expensive.

The Hart Family exchanged confused glances.

The door opened.

An elderly man stepped out.

His silver hair was neatly combed.

His tailored suit screamed wealth and authority.

Behind him stood six bodyguards.

The atmosphere instantly changed.

The old man entered the house.

His sharp eyes swept across everyone before finally landing on Bruce.

Then—

To everyone's shock—

The elderly man bowed deeply.

"Noble Young Master."

Silence.

Absolute silence.

The Hart Family stared in disbelief.

Ethan frowned.

"Who are you?"

The old man's eyes became slightly red.

"It took us fifteen years to find you."

Everyone froze.

Ethan's heartbeat quickened.

"What are you talking about?"

The old man straightened.

"My name is Sebastian Cole."

"I am the chief steward of the Blackwell Dynasty."

"The Blackwell Dynasty?"

Ethan had never heard of it.

But the shock on Sebastian's face suggested otherwise.

"The wealthiest family on Earth."

Sebastian's voice echoed throughout the room.

Then he delivered the sentence that would change Ethan's life forever.

"Your grandfather passed away three days ago."

"You are his sole surviving heir."

The room fell deathly silent.

Ethan stared at him.

Unable to process the words.

Sebastian slowly handed over a black document.

Its cover carried a golden insignia.

A crown surrounded by wings.

"The inheritance procedures are complete."

"Beginning today..."

His voice trembled with emotion.

"You officially own the Blackwell Global Holdings."

"The world's largest business empire."

"Worth over one hundred trillion dollars."

Boom.

The words exploded like thunder inside the room.

One hundred trillion dollars.

Everyone's faces turned white.

Martha's jaw dropped.

Sophia's wine glass slipped from her fingers.

Crash!

But this time—

No one noticed.

Because every member of the Hart family was staring at Ethan.

The useless son-in-law they had just thrown away.

The worthless husband they had humiliated for three years.

The man they had forced into a divorce.

Had just become the richest man alive.

Ethan slowly lifted his head.

His cold eyes landed on every member of the Hart family.

One by one.

The smile that appeared on his face sent chills down their spines.

"Interesting."

The storm had finally begun.