Chapter 3
Author: Rissa
last update2026-04-07 01:37:08

The Ferrari pulled up to a massive white villa with gold-trimmed gates. Chloe didn't look at Alex as she parked the car. She just grabbed her leather briefcase and stepped out, her heels clicking sharply on the stone driveway.

"You're staying in the east wing," Chloe said, pointing toward a smaller door. "My maid, Martha, will show you where it is. I've got to get back to the office. The board is meeting at four, and Jason’s father is going to try to freeze my accounts."

"Do you want some help with that?" Alex asked, leaning against the car.

Chloe paused and let out a cold, short laugh. "Help? Alex, you're a guy who was living in a basement three days ago. You don't know anything about corporate law or hostile takeovers. Just stay out of sight. If my Aunt Victoria sees you, she’ll have a heart attack, and I don't want to deal with that today."

"I'm just saying, I'm a good listener," Alex said with a shrug.

"I don't need a listener. I need a miracle," she muttered. She checked her watch and hurried toward the main entrance.

Alex watched her go. He felt a bit sorry for her. She was carrying the weight of a whole empire on her shoulders, and her own family was trying to trip her up. He turned toward the east wing and found Martha, an older woman with a sour face, waiting for him.

"So, you're the one," Martha said, crossing her arms. "I've seen some gold-diggers in my time, but you’re the first one who didn't even bother to buy a nice suit before showing up."

"I like these clothes," Alex said. "They're comfortable."

"They’re trash," Martha snapped. "Follow me. Don't touch the walls. I just had them polished."

She led him to a small, clean room with a touch of luxury—still far better than where he had been sleeping before. "You stay here. Don't go into the main house unless Miss Chloe asks for you. And don't think you’re a master here just because of a piece of paper."

"I wouldn't dream of it, Martha," Alex said, tossing his small bag onto the bed.

As soon as she left, Alex’s phone buzzed. It was Silas.

"Young Master, I've tracked the Miller family’s moves. They’re planning to humiliate Miss Chloe at the family dinner tonight. They've invited a famous appraiser to look at the family’s collection. Jason intends to show off a rare vase to prove he’s more capable of handling the family’s assets."

"A vase, huh?" Alex smiled. "What kind?"

"A Blue Phoenix vase from the Ming Dynasty, sir. It’s worth about five million. Jason bought it at an auction last week. He wants to gift it to the family matriarch, Victoria."

"Is it real?"

"The system says... no, sir. It’s a very high-quality fake. Jason doesn't know. He got scammed by a dealer in Europe."

"This is going to be fun," Alex whispered. "Silas, I want the real Blue Phoenix vase. It’s in a private collection in London, right? Buy it. Get it here by six p.m."

"It’s already done, sir. It’s on a private jet as we speak."

Later that evening, the villa was glowing with lights. Luxury cars filled the driveway. Alex was sitting in his small room when the door was kicked open. Jason Miller stood there, looking smug in a white tuxedo. Behind him were Sarah and a few other cousins.

"Look at this," Jason laughed, pointing at the small room. "The king of the trash heap in his natural habitat. Sarah, look at your ex. He’s living like a servant."

Sarah walked in, clutching Jason’s arm. She looked around the small room and wrinkled her nose. "Alex, this is pathetic. You really sold your soul just to live in a closet? You could've just apologized to me and worked in Jason’s warehouse. At least you’d have some dignity."

"I'm doing just fine, Sarah," Alex said, not looking up from his phone. "How’s the car Jason bought you? Did the check clear yet?"

Jason’s face turned red. "You shut your mouth. That car is worth more than everything you’ve ever touched. Come on, everyone. My mother is waiting in the grand hall. We've got a surprise for the family."

Alex stood up. "I think I'll join you. I'm part of the family now, aren't I?"

"You're a joke, not family," Jason spat. "But sure, come along. I want you to see what real wealth looks like. It might be the only time you ever see something worth millions."

They walked into the grand hall. Chloe was there, looking stressed. She was wearing a deep blue dress that made her look like royalty. When she saw Alex with Jason and Sarah, she frowned and walked over.

"I told you to stay in your room," she whispered to Alex.

"I got lonely," Alex said softly. "Besides, I wanted to see the big surprise."

"Chloe, darling!" A tall, sharp-featured woman walked toward them. This was Victoria, the head of the Miller household. She ignored Alex completely. "Jason says he has a gift for the family. Something to celebrate his upcoming promotion to Vice President."

"He hasn't been promoted yet, Aunt Victoria," Chloe said firmly.

"He will be, once the board sees how much better his taste is," Victoria said.

Jason stepped forward. Two men carried a large wooden crate into the center of the room. They opened it carefully, revealing a stunning blue-and-white porcelain vase. The guests gasped. It was beautiful.

"This is the Blue Phoenix vase," Jason announced, his voice booming. "One of only three in the world. I spent five million dollars to bring this home to you, Mother. It’s a symbol of the Miller family’s rising power."

The guests started clapping. Victoria looked like she was about to cry with pride.

"It’s beautiful," Sarah whispered. "Jason, you're amazing."

"It’s a fake."

The room went silent. Every head turned to look at Alex, who was standing at the back with his hands in his pockets.

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