Chapter 3

Serena claimed to be my cousin, but she was actually just the daughter of my uncle, Charles. And Charles wasn't even Grandma’s biological son.

He was my grandfather’s illegitimate child from some nameless affair abroad.

When Grandfather was young, he had a brief fling during a business trip. Nobody knew the full story, but a year later, he brought a baby boy back to New York.

That baby was Charles.

Grandma, being the graceful woman she was, took the child in and raised him alongside her own sons. But Charles grew up to be deeply resentful.

He wanted the entire King empire for himself. He even tried to ruin my father.

Charles was completely useless at running a business. To bring my father down, he leaked company secrets to our rivals, costing us tens of millions.

He also secretly swapped out high-grade construction materials for cheap, sub-standard ones to line his own pockets. Eventually, one of our major construction projects collapsed because of the faulty steel and concrete. Thankfully, no one was killed.

Yet, Charles showed no remorse. He went as far as hiring hitmen to kidnap my father. Luckily, Dad was smart and escaped.

When Grandma found out, she was furious. She banished Charles to Europe and warned him never to set foot in the US again, or he would be completely cut off from the family fortune.

Serena had grown up in the King estate, and she turned out exactly like her father—a greedy, ungrateful snake.

Four years ago, while my parents were away, she tried to murder me. First, she hired someone to run me over. Lily saved me but lost her own life.

When I tried to flee, Serena’s men caught me. Serena herself held the knife and plunged it into my back.

I only survived by leaping into the rushing Hudson River.

I was going to make her pay for Lily's life, and my own, in blood.

But I knew Grandma. She was incredibly fair. Without solid, undeniable proof, she would never allow me to ruin Serena.

I needed to trap her so tightly she couldn't squirm out of it.

That was why I set Ethan up to meet her. He was my perfect pawn.

Ethan was handsome, tall, and smart. He had always been at the top of his class.

But his family was dirt poor.

Even though he got into Columbia University, his family couldn't afford the tuition. More importantly, Ethan had an insatiable greed. He wanted the best of everything.

If he saw a chance to climb into high society, he would grab it with both hands.

So, when Serena—posing as the ultimate wealthy heiress—crossed his path, he pursued her like a rabid dog.

And Serena, who loved being worshiped, easily fell for a handsome, ambitious Ivy League boy.

Every expensive suit, watch, and pair of shoes I had bought Ethan during our four years together looked low-key but was actually ultra-luxury, custom-made wear.

A girl raised in the luxury of the King family would recognize those brands instantly.

Before the semester started, I had intentionally whispered in Ethan’s ear:

"Make sure you don't get distracted by the wealthy girls at school and forget about me. I heard the heiresses of the King family love handsome, brilliant future elites like you."

So, when Ethan demanded a breakup to be with Serena, I wasn't surprised at all. I was thrilled.