The Discarded Heir's Ultimate Revenge

Chapter 4: The breaking point

Ethan stared at the silver emblem in his palm, his mind suddenly racing. "The star and moon... I've seen this before."

"What?" Vincent leaned forward.

"My mother had a necklace. Same design." Ethan's eyes widened. "She wore it every day until... until she got sick. Then she gave it to me. Told me to keep it safe, that it was important."

"Where is it now?"

"In my room. At the Morrison estate." The words tasted bitter.

Vincent's . "I'll send men to retrieve it. You don't need to—"

"No." Ethan's voice was steel. "I'll get it myself."

"Ethan, after what happened today—"

"After what happened today, I won't run from them anymore." Ethan met his grandfather's eyes. "They're nothing but trash. Why should I fear trash?"

Pride flickered across Vincent's weathered face. A slow smile spread. "You truly are Sarah's son. Very well. But if you need assistance—"

"I won't." Ethan pocketed the emblem. "I'll be back within the hour."

"Good." Vincent clasped his shoulder once more. "Show them the man you've become."

The Morrison mansion loomed against the darkening sky, every window blazing with light. Ethan approached the front gate, his jaw set, his heart surprisingly calm. Just hours ago, he'd fled this place broken and defeated.

Now, he returned as someone else entirely.

The gate stood open. Unusual. As Ethan walked up the driveway, he heard voices—shouting, laughter, the crash of breaking glass.

He rounded the corner to the side entrance and stopped.

His belongings littered the lawn like garbage. Books, clothes, photographs—everything he owned scattered across the manicured grass. Servants scurried back and forth under Derek's supervision, hauling boxes and bags from the house.

"Careful with those!" Derek called out, grinning. "Oh wait, who cares? It's all worthless junk anyway. Just like the loser who owned it!"

The servants laughed nervously.

"Derek." Ethan's voice cut through the chaos.

His half-brother spun around, surprise flashing across his face before morphing into cruel delight. "Well, well, well. Look who crawled back. Didn't Dad tell you to stay gone?"

"I'm here for my things."

"Your things?" Derek laughed, the sound grating. "These aren't your things anymore. You don't own anything. You're nobody. A homeless stray with nowhere to go."

Ethan walked forward, ignoring him, heading toward the pile of belongings.

"Hey!" Derek stepped into his path. "I'm talking to you, dog. Where do you think you're going?"

"Move."

"Make me, you pathetic—"

Ethan shouldered past him, crouching to sort through the scattered items. Where was it? Where was the necklace?

"Did you seriously come back here?" Derek's voice rose with mocking disbelief. "After the beating you took today? After watching me with Vanessa? God, you really are as stupid as you look."

Ethan's hands moved methodically through the pile.

"Actually, I should thank you for coming back." Derek pulled out his phone. "Tomorrow night, we're throwing a banquet. Huge affair. The Kidman family partnership is being officially announced, and Dad wants to make it a real celebration."

"Congratulations," Ethan said flatly, still searching.

"Oh, but that's not all!" Derek's grin widened. "We're also announcing the cancellation of your pathetic engagement. And—here's the best part—Vanessa and I are getting married. She'll be the new Morrison bride."

Several servants gasped. Others exchanged uncomfortable glances.

Ethan's hands stilled for just a moment before continuing their search.

"Nothing to say?" Derek moved closer. "No tears? No begging? Come on, at least give me the satisfaction of watching you break down again."

"Why would I cry over a woman who spreads her legs for bastards?" Ethan's voice was ice.

Derek's face flushed red. "What did you call me?"

"You heard me."

"You little—" Derek kicked at the pile, scattering items further. "You think you can insult me? In my own house? You're lower than the servants here! Lower than the rats in the walls! At least they know their place!"

Ethan stood slowly, a small wooden box clutched in his hand. His mother's jewelry box. "This is what I came for. I'm leaving now."

"Leaving? You think it's that easy?" Derek snatched at the box. "What's so special about this junk?"

Ethan pulled it back. "Don't touch it."

"Oh, is this mommy's stuff?" Derek's eyes lit with malicious glee. "Is this from your dead whore of a mother? The woman who couldn't even keep my father interested?"

"Shut your mouth."

"Why should I? She's dead. Dead and buried and probably rotting by now. Just like her pathetic legacy." Derek laughed. "You know what? Dad's already talking about demolishing her grave. Making room for something actually worthwhile. Maybe a dog park. At least dogs are more useful than—"

"I said shut up." Ethan's voice dropped dangerously low.

"Or what? You'll hit me? Go ahead. Try it. Give Dad another reason to have you arrested for—"

Ethan opened the box, checking its contents. The necklace was there, the star and moon gleaming softly. Relief flooded through him.

"What is that?" Derek peered closer. "Some cheap trinket? Let me see."

He grabbed for the necklace.

"Don't—"

But Derek was faster, his fingers closing around the silver chain. "What, is this supposed to be valuable? Looks like costume jewelry from a thrift store. Just like everything else that worthless woman owned."

"Give it back. Now."

"Why? So you can pawn it for food money?" Derek held it up to the light, sneering. "Actually, you know what? I think I'll do you a favor. Put this garbage out of its misery."

He raised his hand, clearly intending to smash the emblem against the stone pathway.

Something snapped inside Ethan.

His fist connected with Derek's face before conscious thought caught up. The satisfying crunch of cartilage. The spray of blood. Derek stumbling backward, the necklace flying from his grip.

"You broke my nose!" Derek clutched his face, blood streaming between his fingers. "You psycho! You actually—"

Ethan caught the necklace before it hit the ground. Then he turned back to Derek, his expression colder than his half-brother had ever seen.

"That was your first mistake," Ethan said quietly. "Touch her things again, and it'll be your last."

Derek's eyes widened in genuine fear. "Guards! GUARDS! He's attacking me!"

Footsteps thundered from inside the mansion.

Chapter