The Hidden Heir: From Rags To Riches

some certain necessary actions

Sophia's house — located in Riverside District — was first constructed ten years ago; thus, looking old and shabby.

Its appearance naturally did not match the status of someone from the Harrison Family in Clearwater City.

Upon their return back home, Ethan's father-in-law, William, and mother-in-law, Helen, sat on the sofa with serious expressions.

"Ha!" Helen sneered. "Ethan, you still have the face to come back home?"

"We have already heard about the incident that took place at the wedding today. Ethan, you really are the bearer of misfortune, having once again messed up our plans!" Helen scolded as she stomped her feet and stood straight up.

"Forget it. Mom, stop scolding him. Ethan is not to be blamed. Brother-in-law had no intention of helping us in the first place," Sophia said.

Upon hearing her words, Helen boiled in anger and exclaimed furiously, "Stupid daughter, you still want to speak up for him? Have you not suffered enough in his hands? If it wasn't for him, would you be living in such terrible circumstances right now? You should have married into a wealthy family instead!"

"Mom, why do you always want to rely on others? Can't you rely on yourself?" Sophia retorted.

"Relying on yourself? Alright... I will respect your words." Helen smiled bitterly and swept her gaze towards William with resentment. "My daughter has been working extremely hard every single day, suffering for you. But what about you? Have you done anything for her?"

William sighed heavily, his face full of worry.

Having expected such a situation prior, Ethan had already sneaked into the kitchen without anyone noticing.

...

"It's time to eat."

After preparing a whole meal, Ethan began setting up the bowls and chopsticks on the dining table. As the rest of the family gathered around, all of them remained absolutely silent.

"Ethan, the words that Natalie uttered today, surely you must already have heard about..." Helen looked at Ethan with a serious expression.

"Mom!" Sophia slammed down her chopsticks and shouted. "I will not divorce Ethan under the pressure of others."

"What? Don't tell me you still like him?" Helen replied as she stared at her daughter. "Do you still not understand the situation at your father's factory? He owes his employees several months of salary and is on the verge of bankruptcy. When the time comes, won't our whole family end up poverty-stricken?"

"Furthermore, do you think that the matter is so simple? Having offended Natalie and her husband, in addition to assaulting Derek, do you really think they won't get revenge on our family?! Divorce is definitely the best choice at this moment. You don't have to be involved with this good-for-nothing any longer!"

Sophia bit her lips and found herself unable to utter a single word.

Seeing her daughter like this, Helen said sternly, "William, why are you sitting here in silence? Help me persuade our daughter!"

William looked helpless and kept silent.

After finishing his bowl of rice, Ethan washed up his bowl and chopsticks before walking back into his room.

He then sat on the bed with his legs crossed like a resting dragon.

Meditation had become one of the habits he had developed over the years.

Regardless of the things and events happening on the vulgar world outside...

This was the only time he had to calm his mind down as his heart would not waver in the slightest in this moment.

From Ethan's perspective, meditation felt as if he was cleansing his body from all the impurities he gathered throughout the day. Like dust in the water, the matters of the mortal world would eventually settle down.

Half an hour later...

Ethan suddenly reached out and grabbed a black pebble in front of his bed. With a quick shake of his fingers, the pebble turned into dust and slipped right through his fingers.

"Inner strength has successfully formed," Ethan muttered to himself as a trace of excitement flashed before his eyes.

According to the words of his master, he would only be considered a true descendant of the Dragon Mansion after successfully awakening his inner strength.

At that time, Ethan would finally be able to make changes to his life by looking for the members of the Hartley Family in the Imperial City via the jade token he received from his master. Furthermore, he would be able to get his hands on many things such as ancient medicine, money, personnel, etc. In the path of martial arts, there is certainly no limit to one's potential. However, only after one awakens their inner strength could they then come into contact with the people of the ancient martial arts world to seek further enlightenment and pursue the peak of life.

Under the constant watch of their enemies, the members of the Dragon Mansion must never expose their connection to the mansion. Otherwise, their life would definitely be in danger.

"With my inner strength fully awakened, I can finally take action with my own hands," Ethan thought to himself as he held a green jade token in his hands — his eyes shining brightly with excitement.

...

The next day.

Ethan was once again stopped by a black Bentley as soon as he walked out of Riverside District.

"Are you only willing to talk about matters regarding the Hartley Family only if I show up personally?"

A middle-aged man in a dark blue suit got out of the car and looked at Ethan with an indifferent expression.

The middle-aged man stood tall and straight with angular features on his face. With eyes filled with vigor, he lingered with a dignified and imposing presence.

Looking at the outline of his face, the man looked quite similar to Ethan.

"Heh, I never expected you to come and find me in person," Ethan spoke with a cold smile.

Despite it being more than a decade since the last time they met, Ethan nevertheless recognized the man standing before him as his biological father, Richard.

"I understand your reason for not wanting to meet me. However, don't you want to see your grandfather for the final time?" Richard asked.

Upon hearing his unexpected words, Ethan remained silent for a moment. In the entire Hartley Family, his grandfather was the only person who treated him with kindness. His grandfather's face was the only one he still remembered clearly from his days in the Hartley Family.

Richard said, "Let's find a place to have a proper talk."

...

Twenty minutes later, Clearwater Hotel, 26th floor.

In the large conference room, Richard and Ethan were the only ones present as they sat opposite each other on the lengthy meeting table.

"Your grandfather has been sick in bed for the past two years. Despite his deteriorating health, he has only been nagging about wanting to see you once again. He just... wants you to come back," Richard said in a slow manner. "Your first and third uncle are both married, yet they only have two daughters. At this moment, you're the only man in your generation with the blood of the Hartley Family."

"The only one with the blood of the Hartley Family..." Ethan muttered as he revealed a self-deprecating look. "So, you want me to be your bargaining chip for the family's inheritance?"

"You are simply too naive," Richard snorted coldly. "Our Hartley Family has a huge family business in the Imperial City, in addition to the countless branches of our family. According to the rules of the family, if the family head dies with no one there to take over the third generation, then the family head will be replaced by another family. At that time, the Hartley Family will no longer be ruled by our branch!"

"And what does it have to do with me?" Ethan said calmly.

"Over the past few years of your grandfather falling ill, your third and fifth uncle have already been preparing to fight for the family's inheritance, causing an unnecessary ruckus within the family. Are you just going to sit here and do nothing while your grandfather watches everything he had built up crumble into dust?" Richard asked with a look of disappointment.

Ethan frowned slightly and sneered.

After all, he knew the true nature of his father, Richard. For the sake of power, he would do whatever it takes without any regards to the feelings of others.

If it was not for his grandfather's serious illness, his position in the Hartley Family would never have been shaken to begin with. Furthermore, as the second successor of the Hartley Family of Imperial City, how could he lower his status and come to Clearwater City to look for him?

"Ethan, could it be that you actually want to stay in this tiny Harrison Family and be humiliated like this for the rest of your life?" Richard said. At this point, it was far too obvious that he had investigated the situation of Ethan's life after discovering his whereabouts.

"Yesterday, during the wedding of the Harrison Family, you suffered such a great humiliation but did not even have the strength to resist," Richard added. "Don't you want to have the power to get revenge on them?"

"As long as you're willing, you can make everyone in the Harrison Family kneel at your feet with a single command!" Richard stated.

Despite his cunning persuasion, Ethan shook his head and did not say anything.

Richard snorted coldly, "You are still so young. Don't lose your lifetime's worth of money and splendor just because of a moment of anger. You are still young and have never tasted the true power. After forcing the Harrison Family to kneel before you, you will truly understand its pleasure!"

"I know you hate me from the bottom of your heart. You can also hate me for the rest of your life and not acknowledge me as your father," Richard said seriously. "The only thing you need to do is return to the Hartley Family and recognize your grandfather. Then, you will be able to take what you deserve from the Hartley Family and do whatever you want with it."

"Such a simple condition yet a great opportunity to reach the heavens in a single bound. Are you still not willing to accept it?"

Ethan said plainly, "I don't need your help."

Richard frowned and sighed, "I had indeed failed you and your mother back then, but you would have done the same if you were in my position."

"A man can lose everything in life! However, the only thing he must not lose is the power he holds in his hands!"

Ethan shook his head and sighed in utter disappointment. Even after a whole decade, Richard still did not feel any sort of remorse or guilt for him and his mother.

At this moment, he truly believed his decision to be correct. He was the perfect example of a man who lacked emotions and only sought after power in their eyes.

"I will choose a time to go back and visit my grandfather. However, the matter of the Hartley Family has nothing to do with me," Ethan stated before standing up and leaving.

"You!" Richard stared at Ethan with a sharp gaze.

"Alright, you may leave. I have already told you the conditions and will be waiting for your response. I believe that you will change your mind in the end," Richard said in a calm, confident manner.

Understanding Ethan's current situation extremely well, he did not believe that Ethan would reject such an enticing offer.

How could a loser who had been a son-in-law for two years refuse the opportunity to get out of his dire situation and even reach the heavens in a single bound?

Who would not want to excel in life?

"Heh, do whatever you want."

Ethan sneered before leaving Clearwater Hotel confidently without taking a single glance back.