The Hidden Heir: From Rags To Riches

the cooperation

Clearwater City, Eastern District, Ning Group Building.

Located in the center of the city, the building stood seventy stories tall and grand.

The Ning Group Building — built in the most prosperous district in the city — also stood as the landmark of Clearwater City.

Ever since the Ning Group moved into Clearwater City a few years ago, it has caused a great sensation throughout the entire East Sea Province.

After all, the Ning Group of the Imperial City stood as the top aristocratic family in the entire Dragon Country.

Arriving at the entrance of the building, Ethan proceeded to walk into the guest hall.

"Sir, may I ask who you are looking for?" The receptionist asked politely.

"I'm looking for your director, Norman," Ethan said calmly.

"You're looking for Director Norman? Do you have an appointment?" The waitress asked.

Dressed in casual streetwear, Ethan did not look like someone who had the qualifications to talk to a big shot like Director Norman.

As the spokesperson of the Ning Group in the Imperial City, Director Norman was a person who possessed a huge amount of wealth. In the entire Clearwater City, there were not many people who were qualified to talk to him.

Ethan said, "Tell him exactly what I say. I am a friend of Nathaniel."

"Okay, please wait a moment." The waitress hesitated for a second before calling Director Norman as she had never heard of Nathaniel in the Ning Group.

On the other side of the building, in the director's office, a middle-aged man with an extraordinary temperament was processing through some documents.

*Knock! Knock!*

"Come in."

After receiving permission, a young male secretary entered and respectfully said, "Director, the front desk notified me that someone is looking for you."

"The front desk? I shouldn't have an appointment at this time of day, right?" The middle-aged man frowned slightly and said in an extremely dignified manner. "That person is probably just someone looking for trouble. You don't have to come and notify every single person who comes looking for me, understand?"

"This..." The male secretary hesitated and added, "Director, that person asked to pass on a message to you. He said that he is Nathaniel's friend."

"I was worried that your family might have come to look for you... so I came to report."

Nathaniel!

The middle-aged man stared blankly at the secretary before knitting his brows.

After all, Nathaniel was the patriarch of the Ning Family of Imperial City, his grandfather's name.

In the entire Imperial City, only the direct descendants of the Ning Family knew part of his grandfather's name, let alone his grandfather's full name. How could anyone else in Clearwater City know that name and even come seeking after him?

"What kind of person is he?" Norman asked.

The male secretary answered, "A young man in his early twenties."

"Ask that person to come to my office," Norman demanded with a confused expression. "A young man in his early twenties?"

Five minutes later, Ethan was brought to the director's office on the 66th floor by the male secretary.

As Ethan sat down boldly...

The imposing middle-aged man stared at him with a serious expression.

"May I ask who you are, sir?" Norman asked, somewhat unable to see through the young man in front of him.

"Do you recognize this?" Ethan said as he took out the jade token.

The surface of the jade token was engraved with complicated patterns while the character, "Ning," was imprinted in the center.

"This is...?" Norman looked at the jade token with a shocked expression — his mind was still a little fuzzy.

This jade token symbolized one's identity and connections to the Ning Family of Imperial City. With only a few of them crafted in total, even he — as the spokesperson of the Ning Family in the province — did not possess one.

During his childhood years, he had only seen his father holding a jade token of the Ning Family. However, the one held by the young man before him looked superior to the one his father possessed.

"Please wait a moment while I invite Elder Howard over," Norman spoke in a respectful tone, not daring to offend this young man who was still a complete mystery to him.

Ethan nodded slightly.

He never doubted the words that his master left behind for him. When he was young, he had once met the master of the Ning Family, Nathaniel. At that time, even Nathaniel acted respectfully in the presence of his master, let alone his grandson.

Before coming here, he discovered that Norman was actually a disciple of the third generation of the Ning Family. Even though he was not considered an outstanding disciple of his generation, he was not an ordinary person either as he was placed in charge of the Ning Corporation of the East Sea Province.

The business that the Ning Corporation dealt with in the East Sea Province included antiques, jade, jewelry, medical research, real estate, and even financial investment. Over the years, they have naturally become the business powerhouse in the industry.

Not long after, Norman invited an old man with white hair and beard who was also wearing a red Tang suit into the office.

Norman then proceeded to retreat to the side.

He was only in charge of managing the business of the group. On the other hand, other matters related to the secrets of their family were all handled by Howard, who was sent by his father.

Although the old man looked to be in his fifties or sixties, each step he took lingered with the presence similar to a dragon. Moreover, his sharp eyes were full of vigor while his body emitted high spirits.

Taking a close look at the jade token in Ethan's hand, the old man gawked in disbelief before he took a breath and introduced himself, "I'm Howard. May I have the pleasure of knowing your name, sir?"

"Ethan."

"Brother Ning has brought the jade token to the Ning Group. Forgive me for being presumptuous, but could I test your identity?" Howard said with a serious expression.

"Sure," Ethan nodded.

From a single glance at Howard, Ethan could tell that he was not a simple old man. By the looks of it, he was certain that Howard was an expert in the world of martial arts.

After nodding in response, Howard suddenly shook his wrist and shot a jade ball that pierced through the air towards Ethan.

Despite the sudden attack, Ethan simply sat in his seat before catching the jade ball with his bare hands.

After opening his hands, a pile of jade dust began slipping out between his fingers.

Seeing this unexpected scene, Norman's brows jumped in disbelief as his eyes were filled with shock.

Howard's expression turned bleach pale as he muttered to himself, "An inner strength expert... at such a young age. Could he be the descendant of that person from back then...?"

As an elder of the Ning Family, he had come into contact with the secrets of the Lin Family regarding ancient martial arts. Thus, he could roughly guess Ethan's true identity.

Howard bowed and said respectfully, "The elder of the third branch of the Ning Family, Howard, greets the Great Elder."

"Norman greets the Great Elder," Norman said in a serious tone.

The jade token in Ethan's hand represented the identity of the Great Elder of the Ning Family. The Ning Family's family rules were extremely strict, and no one was allowed to offend them.

After being acknowledged of his identity, Ethan nodded slightly.

"The Great Elder has come to the East Sea Branch Group this time. Is there anything I can do for you?" Howard asked seriously.

*Beep! Beep! Beep!*

At this moment, Ethan's phone suddenly rang.

"Ethan, you good-for-nothing, where are you right now? Come to the city hospital immediately! I've already gotten someone to draft the divorce agreement between you and Sophia. Come here and sign it now!" Helen's anxious voice sounded from the other end of the phone.

"What's going on?" Ethan asked.

"Sophia's father was at the factory today when Derek suddenly came to buy the factory. Something happened over there that caused him to get injured and hospitalized. Sophia argued with him for a while but was so angered by Derek that she fainted. Even now, Derek is still trying to force the matter. He even wants to sell our house to pay off our debt. He said that if you divorce Sophia, he will be willing to let our family off. All of this is because of you! I beg you... please divorce my daughter if you still have some conscience in you! Our family really can't stand this kind of torment anymore!"

On the other end of the phone, Helen practically begged him with a sobbing tone. The situation seemed to be very urgent.

"I know. I will go over." Ethan hung up the phone as his expression turned cold.

Sophia fainted?

Ethan's eyes turned sharp with menace as he swept his gaze at Howard and Norman.

"Within a day, I want the Harrison's Jewelry Group to go bankrupt," Ethan said coldly.

"Yes! Great Elder, I am at your command," Norman answered respectfully.

Norman heaved a sigh of relief in his heart as he honestly thought the Great Elder would order him to do something that would make things difficult for him.

Compared to the other possibilities, wasn't making a small company like the Harrison's Jewelry Group go bankrupt a simple matter?