Chapter 3

Philip's eyes were bloodshot, wild like a rabid dog.

He kept cursing. I frowned.

I'd heard about him. The son Chairman Nicolo Lombardo and his wife, Martina Jacini, had just brought back—their long-lost heir. He used to run the streets. Then he went online, calling himself a scam-buster, a fraud hunter. No limits. That's how he blew up.

Anyone he targeted got wrecked. Even if they made it out, they were never clean again.

But this time, he picked the wrong target.

I wasn't some fake heir.

I was the youngest heir of the Lombardo dynasty—the richest man in the world.

The Montavian Lombardos? Just a junior branch under my family. Even Lombardo Corp Montavia answered to me.

I rotated through our overseas branches, two years at a time, running them as CEO to see how they really operated.

These past two years, it'd been Montavia.

I was a Lombardo, so they all assumed I belonged to the Montavian branch.

I let them.

"I'll say this one last time. My identity isn't something you get to question."

Philip's face went cold. "You still playing pretend? Fine. I'll make sure you stop for good."

He pulled out a document and shoved it at the phone. "See this? My parents transferred everything to me. That includes this company."

He flashed a smug grin at the camera. "Watch closely. I'm ending this guy."

He flung the document at my face. "You're fired. And..." His grin turned nasty. "You're not getting paid. Call the last two years free labor for our family."

The chat instantly erupted in praise.

The employees switched up fast. They crowded around Philip, greeting him.

A few got bold, pointing right at me, yelling—

"Where's that attitude now? The Lombardo family dropped you. If you know what's good for you, beg our new CEO to spare you!"

My expression darkened. Something felt off.

Under Lombardo rules, a junior branch couldn't move major assets without approval from the main family. It had to be reported—and signed off by me.

So Nicolo and Martina made moves behind my back. Planning to betray us?

Before I could sort it out, Philip—patched up—swaggered over.

He reached out and tapped my face. "What's wrong? Scared now? Get on the floor and beg—make it good—and maybe I'll spare you."

A sick grin spread across his face.

I slapped his hand away. "Keep your filthy hands off me."

He staggered back, almost falling.

Clara caught him fast and snapped at me, "You ungrateful jerk! How dare you touch Philip!"

She spun on the others. "What are you waiting for? You still think he's the CEO? Beat him!"

They rushed in and pinned me down.

"You fake. I've hated you for a while. Always acting cold, making me work overtime. Today you're getting what you deserve!"

"You think just anyone can be CEO? You're a delusional idiot!"

"Lombardo Corp belongs to Philip now. Who do you think you are?"

Fists and kicks came nonstop. Blood filled my mouth.

But looking at their smug faces, I started to laugh.

Enjoy it while you can. You won't be laughing in a minute.