Chapter 2

Claire contacted me, asking to meet.

“Evan, there’s a problem with our engagement.”

I’d known Claire for over a decade. The moment she said it, I understood.

My voice dropped over the phone. “You heard I’m not the Bennett heir, so you want to call off the engagement?”

She said nothing. Those ten-odd seconds of silence told me everything.

“Fine. But this isn’t something the two of us can cancel on a whim. The Morgans and the Bennetts will need to discuss it. Don’t you agree?”

After a long pause, she said, “All right.”

I hung up and let out a long breath. It felt like a weight had been lifted.

For ten years, I had worked myself to the bone for the Bennetts and taken their company to new heights. My engagement to Claire had also been a mutually beneficial arrangement.

I thought I’d done a decent job as her fiancé. We got along well enough.

We had an unspoken understanding about our relationship, and we always backed each other up in public. I’d thought we shared something real. I hadn’t expected a change in my status to turn us into this so quickly.

I took a deep breath and shook my head. Once everything was packed, I was about to leave when Ryan and my parents came home.

I had to admit, money worked wonders. Yesterday, Ryan had looked frightened and uncertain. Today, in well-fitted clothes, he looked like a different person.

His skin was still weathered and dark, but a little time out of the sun would take care of that.

Seeing the bag in my hand, he froze. “Are you leaving, Evan?”

I nodded. “It’s not very convenient for me to stay here.”

“You’re leaving as soon as I get here? Do you have a problem with me?”

Mom’s expression darkened, too. “Evan, what has gotten into you? Ever since Ryan came home, you’ve done nothing but sulk!”

“Mrs. Bennett, let’s not pretend. Weren’t you all discussing kicking me out in the group chat yesterday? I’m doing exactly what you wanted. Is that a problem?”

Her expression stiffened. “I… They were talking nonsense. That wasn’t what they meant. We can afford to support you. Are you trying to drag our reputation through the mud?”

I smiled. “If that wasn’t what you meant, why did you contact the Morgans?”

“Claire asked to end our engagement today. I’ve given everything back to you. Isn’t moving out exactly what you wanted? Or do you want people saying the Bennetts have two sons? You didn’t give birth to twins.”

She swayed at my words.

Ryan spoke up beside her. “Why would you say that, Evan? Mom only means well!”

“Besides, wasn’t the place you’re moving into bought with Bennett money? If you really want to cut ties, you can’t exactly…”

I stopped and looked straight at him. My expression turned cold enough that he immediately shut his mouth.

“I decide what to do with the money I earn. Whether I depend on the Bennetts or the Bennetts depend on me is something you clearly don’t understand. Have someone explain it to you.”

With that, I walked out. Mom called after me. “Evan! Evan!”

I didn’t look back. They were the ones pushing me out today. There would be plenty of time for them to beg me later.

I hadn’t expected Dad to call almost as soon as I left.

“Evan, they don’t know any better, but you do. Can’t you leave everyone a little dignity and stop making a scene?”

“Ryan’s welcome-home party is tomorrow. You need to be there.”

I smiled without answering. When my assistant heard I had left the Bennetts, he immediately followed me.

“Wherever you go, Mr. Bennett, we’re going with you.”