Chapter 1

I opened the door to find my ex-wife, Libby Grant, and her first love, Zac Robertson, standing on the porch.

Libby eyed me up and down with a sneer. "Long time no see, Kyle. Word is you've been having a tough time. Still a single dad and can't even afford a decent place to live, huh?"

I scoffed on the inside, keeping my face completely blank.

"I get by," I said smoothly. "What brings you two back?"

Zac brushed a speck of dust off his shirt and replied, "We're back as success stories. I'm pulling in 30 grand a year at Harvelle now, and Libby's managed to save up 300 thousand dollars."

I heard that they'd spent years in Harvelle doing dishes and janitorial work. Saving 300 thousand dollars like that took some serious desperation.

"That's not all," Libby chimed in. "Zac came back with his boss, Jack Willis. Once we secure the licensing rights for Mr. Duncan's auto patents, we're going to make a fortune. Play your cards right and stay on my good side, Kyle. Maybe we'll throw a few crumbs your way."

What a pair of absolute snobs.

Still, I played it cool. "Is that so? Good for you."

Right on cue, my phone rang. It was the event coordinator for the licensing summit.

"Mr. Duncan, please tell me you'll be on time for the conference tomorrow. It will determine who gets the rights to your new tech. I hear even Harvelle is sending a team."

I glanced at Libby and Zac. Were they really after my patent?

A smirk tugged at my mouth as I spoke into the receiver. "Don't worry. I'll be there early."

I hung up, chuckling to myself. They were in for a huge shock.

"Wow, business must be booming. What is it, a deal worth a few hundred million?" Libby and Zac exchanged a look and burst into loud laughter.

I simply smiled and said nothing. They'd better enjoy their laughter while it lasted. Tomorrow, they'd be begging.

Over the years, the patents I'd locked down had made me filthy rich. I was a millionaire now. I simply chose not to reveal my true identity yet.

I couldn't wait to see the look on their faces tomorrow when they realized the guy they were begging for a patent was the same man standing before them now.

Looking at the two of them, I felt nothing at all. I just said calmly, "If you're done, get out. You're not welcome here."

"What did you say?" Libby barked. "Not welcome? Kyle Duncan, are you out of your mind? You're a complete loser! How dare you talk down to me? I should slap that look right off your face!"

She raised her hand, ready to strike.

"What are you doing?"

Libby spun around as a middle school girl in a school uniform stepped inside. It was Tiana Duncan, our daughter, who had just started ninth grade.

"Who are you guys? What do you think you're doing to my dad?" Tiana demanded, glaring at Libby and Zac.

"It's Mom, Tiana! I'm home!" Libby reached out to grab Tiana's hand, but the little girl jerked away from her.