The quiet rise
Author: Tolyn
last update2025-07-22 21:30:36

While the media buzzed with headlines and hollow praise, Ethan walked through campus like any other student—no entourage, no forced charm, no carefully rehearsed image.

At first, people whispered when he passed. The name Richardson carried weight, and his brother's magazine cover only made him more visible. But what surprised many was how Ethan didn’t lean into the spotlight. He didn’t correct anyone, didn’t chase attention. He simply was.

In lecture halls, he asked the right questions—not to impress, but to understand. He spoke to janitors with the same ease he used with professors. In study groups, he listened more than he spoke. His humility stood out in a place full of performance.

And slowly, the whispers changed.

“Have you worked with Ethan in the lab?”

“He’s actually brilliant. And kind, too.”

“Not like what the papers make him out to be.”

One day, a professor even paused mid-lecture to acknowledge him.

“Mr. Richardson, you have a clarity that’s rare in first-ye
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  • After the storm, the stars

    Two Years Later – Springtime at the Richardson Estate The Richardson Estate had never looked more alive. The once-shadowed halls now echoed with laughter and music. The roses in the garden bloomed brighter, as if celebrating the peace that had finally returned. Staff moved around with ease and joy. No tension, no secrets, no schemes. In the heart of it all stood Ethan, now twenty-nine, tall and steady, dressed in a soft cream blazer, sleeves rolled up. He was no longer the boy he used to be. He was the man the Richardson legacy now rested on—and he wore it well. Success had poured in like the rain he once prayed for. The company thrived more under his leadership, the family foundation had expanded internationally, and more importantly, the emotional weight of the past had finally been laid to rest. But his proudest achievement wasn’t something printed in magazines or discussed in boardrooms. It was the woman laughing barefoot by the koi pond, a crown of wildflowers in her

  • Justice

    The morning sun filtered through the tall windows of the Richardson estate as Henry stepped through the grand foyer, suitcase in hand and the scent of international airports still clinging to his coat. His gait was light from a successful trip abroad—one that had secured a major expansion for the family company. But that triumph evaporated the moment he saw Stephanie standing at the top of the staircase, her face pale, her eyes red-rimmed. “Steph?” he asked, dropping the suitcase. “What happened?” Steph descended the stairs slowly, every step weighted. She didn’t speak until she stood directly in front of him. “It’s Ethan,” she said quietly. Henry’s chest tightened. “What about him?” She took his hand. “He was kidnapped.” The color drained from his face. “What—what do you mean kidnapped? When?” “Two nights ago. He and Iva were on a private dinner. No security. Anna… and Liam… they planned it.” Henry took a staggering step back. “My sister?” “I didn’t tell you because

  • Blood over legacy

    At first, it was glances—soft, lingering, full of meaning. Then it was Ethan lingering a few seconds longer by Iva’s desk, or Iva walking just a bit closer beside him during meetings. The office began to notice, but no one said a word. They didn’t need to. It was in the way Ethan smiled more. The ease in his step. The quiet joy that had returned to his eyes after such a long period of storm. And Iva—her glow was undeniable. Surprisingly, the staff weren’t skeptical or gossipy. Instead, there was this quiet, shared understanding that somehow, this was right. As if heaven had finally smiled on Ethan Richardson. It was the company’s worst-kept secret. But no one dared ruin it. Back at the Richardson estate, Ethan knew the news would reach the media soon, and worse—he didn’t want his parents to find out through a viral headline. So he decided to tell them first. He arrived home late afternoon, stepping into the drawing room where his parents sat having tea. Steph was flippin

  • Seeing you

    The glass walls of Steph’s office overlooked the sweeping lawns of the Richardson estate. It was a minimalist room — no clutter, no distractions. Just power distilled into cool tones and cold steel. She sat behind her polished desk, going over a proposal from one of the family’s international partners, when Mitchell walked in. She never knocked. She didn’t need to. Steph looked up, reading her expression before she spoke. “What is it?” she asked, setting her pen down. Mitchell — efficient as always in her crisp charcoal suit — cleared her throat. “Just confirmed from our people downtown… Laura is back in town. With her parents. Quiet entrance, no press, no scandal — yet.” Steph raised an eyebrow, leaning back slightly in her chair. Her voice was calm, almost amused. “After the humiliation they suffered, I assumed they’d crawl under a rock somewhere in Europe.” Mitchell gave a small, dry smile. “Seems the rock got too cold.” Steph reached out her hand, palm open. Mitc

  • The comeback

    As the weeks passed, the firestorm of rumors that once clouded the Richardson name began to dim like a once-raging bonfire reduced to gentle embers. It was as if the world, fueled by its insatiable hunger for scandal, had finally moved on to another headline. And yet, amid the fading chaos, Ethan quietly became the storm’s calm eye — a man who, even while working from home, was closing high-profile deals with the same finesse and clarity he was known for. He didn’t need a flashy office or a daily presence at the firm to prove his worth. In fact, working remotely only added to his mystique — the man who fell from grace and rose even higher. Clients trusted him more than ever. Investors leaned in when he spoke. Partners deferred to his judgment. In conference calls and digital meetings, Ethan’s voice carried the weight of experience, the calm of wisdom, and the renewed energy of someone who had rediscovered his “why.” But while Ethan rebuilt his professional life quietly, iva — ever

  • The weight of betrayal

    “Exclusive reports confirm that the child Laura Richardson is carrying is not her husband Ethan’s, but that of Liam Richardson, Ethan’s older cousin and vice president at Richardson Empire!”“The news comes with further shocking allegations of a murder plot involving both Liam and his mother Anna Richardson, allegedly planning to poison Ethan through Laura...”“This revelation is shaking the very foundation of the Richardson family, a dynasty known for power, wealth, and control.”The internet exploded.Headlines swirled like wildfire. Twitter, TikTok, Instagram—every platform had a take. Think pieces, memes, moral debates, exposés. Ethan’s face, grim and tired, was everywhere. So was Laura’s tear-streaked one. And Liam—smiling smugly in old photographs, now branded a snake.The Richardsons were trending in every country. And not in a good way.Inside Liam’s penthouse, a television blasted the latest panel discussion as Anna paced like a caged tiger. Liam stood by the window, hands in

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