Chapter 1

At the family dinner where the division of family assets was decided, I tore up the inheritance waiver my father wanted me to sign in front of everyone.

As the least-favored second son, it was the first time I had ever openly rebelled.

My father slammed the table and shot to his feet. “You ungrateful bastard! Without my money, you’re worse than a dog!”

Adrian fanned the flames beside him. “Dad, don’t be mad. Let him starve for two days, and he’ll come crawling back to beg you.”

But none of them knew that the secret fund my grandmother left me had completed a controlling acquisition of their company’s biggest rival last week.

Family dinners at the Bennett house were always suffocating.

At the long mahogany dining table, my father, Richard Bennett, sat at the head, while my older brother, Adrian Bennett, sat on his right.

I sat at the very end.

Expensive dishes filled the table, but I had no appetite.

Today was not a simple family gathering, but a trap set specifically for me.

“Ethan, sign this agreement.”

My father’s voice came over without the slightest emotion.

A document was pushed in front of me, its title printed in bold: Voluntary Waiver of Inheritance Rights.

I looked at those words and found them ridiculous.

Adrian spoke, his tone gentle.

“Ethan, don’t blame Dad for being harsh. The company is at a critical stage right now, and we need to consolidate all our resources. You don’t understand the company’s business, so those shares are useless in your hands. Why not transfer them to me? I won’t treat you badly in the future.”

He was always like this, saying the most considerate words while doing the cruelest things.

The other relatives at the table also began speaking one after another.

“That’s right, Ethan. Your brother is doing this for the good of the family too.”

“We’re family. Don’t draw the lines so clearly.”

“Would your father ever hurt you?”

I ignored them.

My gaze stayed only on Richard.

“Dad, what if I don’t sign?”

Richard slammed his fork hard on the table.

“You have no right to negotiate with me. The Bennett family raised you all these years, and now it’s time for you to contribute to the family.”

His tone was filled with unquestionable authority.

“Everything I gave you, I can take back at any time. If you sign, you’ll still get a monthly allowance. If you don’t, I’ll cut off all your cards immediately and throw you out with nothing.”

I picked up the agreement and read it from beginning to end.

The terms were so harsh they were almost laughable.

Not only did I have to give up all my shares and assets, but even the old house my mother left me had to be handed over too.

Holding the agreement, I stood up.

Everyone’s eyes focused on me.

Richard’s eyes carried a warning, while the corner of Adrian’s mouth hid a smug smile.

In front of everyone, I tore the agreement into pieces.

Shreds of paper drifted down like snow.

The entire dining room fell silent.

“You!”

Richard sprang to his feet, pointed at me, and trembled with rage.

“You ungrateful bastard!”

I looked at him calmly.

“I said I won’t sign.”

“Good. Very good!” Richard laughed in fury. “From today on, I, Richard Bennett, will pretend I never had a son like you! I’d like to see how you survive without my money! You’re worse than a dog!”

Adrian immediately stepped forward to support him, putting on a fake show of concern.

“Dad, don’t be angry. It’s not worth ruining your health. Ethan is just confused for the moment. Once he hits a wall out there and starves for two days, he’ll naturally know to come back and beg you.”

I did not want to watch their hypocritical performance any longer.

I turned and left the home that had always made me feel like I could not breathe.

When I reached the door, I heard my father and Adrian talking inside.

“Dad, don’t worry. I’ve already contacted the banks. As long as you say the word, all of Ethan’s accounts will be frozen.”

“Good. That bit of pocket money he has won’t last him a week. I want him to know what happens when he defies me.”

“He was spoiled rotten by Grandma and always thinks he’s so capable. Without the Bennett family, he’s nothing.”

I stood outside the door as the icy wind blew across my face.

I could not feel the cold.

My heart was colder than the winter night wind.

I took out my phone and dialed a number.

“Claire, it’s me, Ethan. The plan can begin.”