Chapter 2

While we waited for my cousins, another figure suddenly burst into the gala hall.

It was my childhood friend, Seraphina Hart. She was holding a beautifully wrapped gift, clearly meant to celebrate the inheritance.

"Ethan, once you take over the company, we can finally get married!"

Marcus, who was still groaning on the floor, felt his heart drop. Was Seraphina here to back me up?

I looked at Seraphina with a cold smirk.

When we were kids, she used to follow me around, constantly begging me to marry her when we grew up.

But the moment Julian was adopted, she became his most loyal dog, taking pleasure in humiliating me alongside him.

Sure enough, Seraphina ran straight past me and went to Julian. She tenderly straightened his collar before turning around to glare at me with pure disgust.

"You ungrateful leach! Did you really think you were the young master of the Sterling family?"

"Know your place, Ethan! The man I'm marrying is the true heir, Julian Sterling, not a lowlife like you."

With just a few words, Seraphina completely stripped me of my identity in the eyes of the crowd.

The guests looked at me with renewed disgust.

"Julian is far too kind to this snake. That's why he got so arrogant!"

"Seriously, a stray living off the Sterlings' charity should have been kicked out years ago!"

A smug grin spread across Julian’s face.

Looking at the two of them, I smiled.

I pulled out a flash drive, plugged it into the system, and projected its contents onto the massive screen behind the stage.

It was a signed letter from my father, explicitly declaring me, Ethan Sterling, as the sole heir to the Sterling empire!

I looked at Julian coldly. "Well, Julian? What do you have to say now?"

The guests quickly began reading the projection.

"That... that really is Arthur Sterling's signature! It clearly says Ethan is taking over the business."

"Then why did the Sterling sisters tell everyone that Julian was the successor?"

Julian began to panic. He hadn't expected me to have this document.

Seraphina immediately stepped forward, pointing her finger at my face.

"Ethan! How dare you forge Arthur Sterling's signature! Your methods are pathetic!"

The guests wavered, their eyes shifting between Julian and me.

I stood tall, sharp-eyed, and carrying an aura of natural nobility—like a king born to rule.

Julian, despite his expensive suit, had a look of desperate, cheap deceit in his eyes—like a street rat trying to play dress-up.

Sweat poured down Julian’s face. He quickly tried to defend himself.

"Ethan, if you're really the successor, why didn't Victoria and Chloe let you attend any of the preparation meetings? Why am I the one standing on this stage tonight?"

Seraphina chimed in, glaring at me. "Julian is too soft-hearted. He let a parasite like you live in his home, only for you to stab him in the back!"

With just a few sentences, the tide turned again.

A squad of security guards rushed the stage. Before I could move, they pinned me to the floor.

Seeing me down, Marcus crawled over and kicked me brutally in the chest.

He grabbed me by my hair and slammed my head against the marble floor over and over, until blood stained the white tiles.

"An adopted stray trying to steal Julian's birthright! You need to learn some respect!"

The metallic scent of blood filled the air.

I grit my teeth, suppressing the agony, and roared, "My father is on his way! Let's see how you survive when he gets here!"

In my past life, Julian stole my inheritance, and I died before my father could return from his overseas trip.

But in this life, I contacted him early. He was already on his way.

Julian walked over to me, looking down at my bloody state. He leaned in and whispered mockingly in my ear:

"Dad is in Europe, you idiot. At least make up a believable lie."

"Besides, the Hart family is a massive conglomerate. Once I marry Seraphina, no one can touch me."

Suddenly, a booming voice echoed through the hall.

"What is the meaning of this madness?!"