Chapter 4

As expected, my DNA had absolutely no connection to the Sterling family.

Tyler James looked like a victorious rooster, chin held high as he pointed at my nose. "You. Get the hell out of the Sterling mansion."

"And burn everything in his bedroom. I don't want any of his cheap trash contaminating my house."

"Mom, give me thirty million dollars. I found a killer startup to invest in. Guaranteed thirty percent return."

He threw himself onto the luxury sofa, crossing his legs arrogantly. "Arthur, you owe me eighteen years of luxury living. It's time to pay it back."

I nodded quietly, pulling out my little notebook from my pocket and flipping to the first page.

Thank God I was always prepared.

Ever since I learned how to read and write, I had been terrified of this day.

So, I had recorded every single cent I spent.

"I calculated it. Over the years, I’ve cost the Sterling family a total of one hundred and thirty-one thousand, one hundred and forty dollars. Don't worry, I will get a job and pay you guys back every single cent."

I nodded, gave them a polite bow, and turned to grab my suitcase.

"Hold on!"

Tyler James lunged forward and grabbed the handle of my suitcase.

"One hundred and thirty thousand? Are you kidding me? The Sterlings are billionaires! Are you trying to scam us?"

"I..."

Before I could finish, my mom called out, "Arthur, what do you think you're doing? This house has plenty of bedrooms. We aren't going to starve just because you're here."

"Mom..."

"Arthur, your mom is right," my dad added. "Even though your risk paranoia is a bit much, it actually balances out the rest of this family perfectly."

"Dad..."

Tears welled up in my eyes as I looked at my parents. My heart felt incredibly warm.

"I... I will do my best to keep up with everyone!"

And just like that, Tyler James officially moved into the Sterling mansion, legally changing his name to Tyler Sterling.

At his official welcome gala, he wore a bespoke tuxedo, walking around the room to schmooze and toast the guests.

"Hello, I’m Tyler Sterling. In the future, if you need anything from the Sterling family, just come straight to me."

The guests smiled and raised their glasses. One guy joked, "Well, Tyler, I have a project here that needs a bit of funding. Just two figures. Want to take a look?"

Tyler’s eyes lit up. He raised his glass. "Oh? That cheap?"

"Bring the contract over. I'll sign off on it myself!"

Standing nearby, I gently tugged on Tyler’s sleeve, signaling him to stop talking.

"Two figures" in high society didn't mean two dollars. It meant two hundred million!

Besides, investing in a project required rigorous due diligence.

You don't just sign off on something over a glass of champagne!

"Get off me!"

Tyler snatched his arm away, shoving me back. "Arthur, you just don't want me to network with these people, do you?"

"Why else would you interrupt when we were having such a great conversation?"

My elbow hit the cold marble column, throbbing with pain.

Before I could speak, Tyler’s face twisted as if he had just realized something.

"Oh, I get it. Are you afraid I'll tell Dad about you secretly selling off our family heirlooms?"

I pinched the bridge of my nose and sighed.

Tyler really was like a dog that couldn't stop eating trash. Here he was, slandering an honest guy like me again.

Does this guy ever learn?