Chapter 1

My dad was the billionaire chairman of Vantage Group, and I was his only biological son.

Yet, my mother and sister let the charity case they sponsored pose as me.

At university, Brandon Cole bragged to everyone that he was the sole heir of the White family. He even dared to take my seat at today’s annual shareholder meeting.

He sat on the executive platform, looking down at me with a sneer.

"Ethan, stop embarrassing yourself. You’ve seen the luxury now, so go back to your gutter. This isn’t a place for trash like you."

"After all, I’m the only true heir to Vantage Group."

In my past life, my mother and sister had beaten all the fight out of me. Faced with Brandon’s mocking and threats, I had only bowed my head and endured it.

Too bad for them—I was reborn.

Right in front of the entire board, I stepped up onto the stage and slapped Brandon across the face.

"A stray dog begging at our doorstep dares to bark at his master?"

Every eye in the room locked onto me. Nobody expected someone as timid as me to lift a hand.

My mother, Eleanor, who had always doted on Brandon, ignored everyone’s stares and rushed forward to wrap him in her arms.

My sister, Chloe, lunged at me and kicked me hard in the stomach.

Her sharp stiletto heel dug into my gut. Pain exploded through my abdomen.

I fell to my knees on the cold marble floor, cold sweat beading on my forehead.

Chloe wasn’t satisfied. She grabbed a fistful of my hair, jerked my head back, and slammed her hand against my cheek over and over, screaming:

"You ungrateful piece of trash! Are you out of your mind? How dare you hit our young master!"

"Did my charity make you think you could walk all over us?!"

I didn't beg for mercy like I used to. I just stared at her coldly, my eyes filled with pure rage and disgust.

I had been so blind. I had actually treated her as my real sister, while she only used me as a punching bag.

I had actually dreamed of earning a shred of love from her.

I didn't cry. I didn't cower. I just looked past her shoulder and smiled chillingly at Brandon. The look in my eyes made him shiver. He immediately grabbed Chloe’s arm.

"Chloe, look at the way he’s staring at me. He’s insane! It’s terrifying!"

Chloe had never seen me look so ruthless. A flicker of unease crossed her face, but she raised her hand to hit me again out of habit.

"You dare glare at him? You dare call the family who feeds you beggars? Is this how you repay our charity?!"

I turned my eyes to Chloe.

"Charity? I am the sole legitimate heir of Vantage Group. Why the hell would I need your charity?"

My words set Chloe off. She grabbed my throat, her long acrylic nails digging straight into my skin.

Eleanor’s face hardened. She took the microphone on the podium and faced the entire boardroom.

"Everyone, Ethan is just a poor scholarship student our family sponsored out of pity. He didn’t do well in school, but we wanted to give him one more chance by showing him how the corporate world works."

"I never imagined he would become so twisted with jealousy over Brandon that he'd resort to violence. It's disgusting!"

I stared at the woman talking into the mic, completely numb. My voice trembled with bitter rage.

"You’re my mother. Does your conscience not hurt when you lie like that?"

Even though I had prepared myself for her betrayal, hearing her disown me in public still felt like a dagger to the chest.

Eleanor didn't care about what I said. She raised her hand and slapped me across the face.

"Shut your mouth, you beggar! How dare you speak to me like that!"

"Security! Drag him out! Teach him a lesson so he knows who really owns Vantage Group!"

"Let me tell you something, Ethan. Don’t get any crazy ideas. Did you really think receiving a few handouts made you part of this family?"

Brandon’s shoulders shook, tears welling in his eyes as he looked at Eleanor and Chloe.

"Mom, Chloe... I was always so nice to him. I never bullied him. Why is he doing this to me?"

Seeing Brandon play the victim pushed Chloe over the edge. She turned around, shouting at the guards to call the police.

"Security, get in here! Throw this lunatic out! Don't let him ruin our event!"