Chapter 2

No wonder my brother chose to end his life in such a devastating way.

He had been so kind.

So sincere.

How could someone like him ever stand a chance against a scheming man like Ethan Markers?

I had heard before that Maya had a childhood sweetheart who had studied overseas.

And now, after driving my brother to his death, that man still dared to stand in front of me.

“Ethan, what happened to your face?”

A familiar voice came from behind me.

It was my wife, Vivian Chancer.

But it was as if she didn’t see me at all.

She walked straight past me and hurried to Ethan’s side, carefully touching his face with pain written all over hers.

“Who hit you? Tell me who did this, Ethan. I won’t let them get away with it.”

My gaze grew even colder.

I had almost forgotten.

She and Maya had grown up together.

That meant she and Ethan had been childhood friends too.

Ethan looked even more pleased with himself.

He shot me a provocative glance.

“Vivi, don’t blame Adrian. Nathan just died. It’s understandable that he’s upset.”

Vivian turned and finally saw me.

Panic flashed through her eyes, and she quickly pulled her hand back.

“Honey, why didn’t you call me when you came back? I would’ve picked you up.”

I let out a cold laugh.

Then, right in front of Vivian, I punched Ethan on the other side of his face.

Ethan staggered and fell against Vivian, leaving a clear mark on his cheek.

Vivian looked shocked.

Then she instinctively wrapped her arms around Ethan and shouted at me, “Adrian Hayes, your brother took his own life. Why are you taking it out on Ethan?”

Ethan covered his swollen face and said pitifully, “Vivi, it’s okay. If hitting me makes bro feel better, I’ll take it.”

“Then I’ll give you exactly what you want.”

I stepped forward, grabbed Ethan by the collar, and yanked him hard.

Vivian rushed forward to stop me, but my bodyguards blocked her.

I knocked Ethan to the floor with one punch, then pinned his hand beneath my shoe and gripped the back of his neck.

“You seem confused about who you are, so let me help you understand.

“The Hayes family has only two sons, and both of us are legitimate. There’s no place here for a shameless homewrecker like you.

“You drove my brother to his death. None of you are walking away from this.”

The veins on Vivian’s forehead stood out as she shouted, “Adrian, you’re still the eldest son of the Hayes family. How can you say something so vicious?”

I turned my head and looked at her with contempt.

“What’s wrong? Does it hurt? Are you in love with him too?”

Vivian’s face went deathly pale.

She quickly raised three fingers. “I swear, honey. You’re the only one I love.”

I turned back to Ethan.

Then, by chance, I noticed the custom watch peeking out from beneath his sleeve.

I had designed that watch myself.

Then I had hired a famous master craftsman to make it as Nathan’s birthday gift.

And now, it was on Ethan’s wrist.

Rage burned through me.

I ripped the watch off him.

My nails scraped across his arm, and blood welled up from the cut.

I looked down at him, murderous rage filling my chest.

“You think you’re worthy of touching my brother’s things?”

Ethan cried out, clutching his bleeding arm as tears streamed down his face.

With that fragile, wounded look, it was no wonder Maya and Vivian, who had grown up with him, felt sorry for him.

Even my brother probably would have softened if he saw him like this.

After all, every time Nathan remembered the days when I had been locked in a pigpen, he would tear up.

But his kindness had been trampled on like it was worthless.

When Oliver saw Ethan like that, he rushed out from behind Maya and threw his arms around him, his eyes turning red.

“Daddy Ethan, does it hurt?”

Ethan shook his head.

“I’m fine. As long as your uncle feels better, I’m not hurt.”

Oliver glared at me like he wanted to tear me apart.

“I don’t want that useless man as my dad. And this bad man isn’t my uncle either.”

He pointed at the watch in my hand.

“I gave that watch to Daddy Ethan. That man was lazy and useless. He only deserved to be Mom’s and my servant. He didn’t deserve such a nice watch.

“Daddy Ethan is different. He’s young and hardworking. He deserves the best things.”

What a touching little father-son act.

It made me sick.

After saying that, Oliver actually lunged at me and tried to snatch the watch from my hand.