Chapter 2

After a long while, I finally raised my head and stared at the three women, forcing out the question that had haunted me all this time.

"Why…" My voice was hoarse and strangled.

The crowd around me all looked disgusted, eyeing me as though I were a monkey at the zoo as they surrounded me.

"So this is the fake heir who stole Mr. Luther's identity all those years? I heard about him a long time ago. I can't believe he could be cruel enough to kill the late Mr. Luther, the very man who kept him fed and clothed all his life!"

"This won't do. I'm calling the prison right now to ask how they could release a murderer!"

"That's right. What if we're in danger because of him?"

At someone's instigation, they pulled out a rope and tried to tie me up.

"Once he's apologized to Mr. Luther, send him straight back to prison. Just say he's a threat to public safety!"

Listening to the mocking jeers coming from all sides, I looked around at everyone. I had long since stopped expecting any sense of decency from these people.

"Jamie Hart. We grew up together. Do you seriously believe I'm not the real son of the Luther family?" I questioned as my gaze fell on the man who was leading the crowd in taunting me.

Then I looked at the woman behind him. "And you, Eunice Wallace. Why didn't you seem to care whether or not I was the real heir when you begged me to provide the Wallaces with funding?

"Which one of you here hasn't benefited from me before? Is this how you repay the person who helped you?"

I had once been an earnest, spirited man who believed in the good in others. Dad had handed the company over to me early on so I could gain enough experience, and I didn't let him down.

I often wondered with Dad about the kind of men Haley, Kayla, and Phoebe would marry. Since I considered them my sisters, I'd set aside some of the family's assets for them, too.

I figured that once they found their true loves, I would be free to take Dad on a trip around the world and show him the sights.

But all of my hopes and dreams had been destroyed.

The crowd exchanged glances, looking at one another as though they wanted to say something. Suddenly, the doors opened.

"Why's everyone gathered here? What are you all looking at?"

When Simon's lazy drawl rang out, I saw the way the three women's eyes lit up with a fiery desire that bordered on obsession. The three of them immediately surrounded Simon, fussing over him.

"Simon, didn't we tell you to wait for us to come pick you up? Why did you come here by yourself? I'll give you a ride home later, okay?"

"Get lost, Kayla! It's my turn to take Simon home today."

This scene felt rather familiar to me. Once upon a time, the three of them had surrounded me in the same way, insisting that I choose one of them to marry.

Later on, they were the ones to heartlessly send me to prison, promising that one of them would marry me someday and make sure I want for nothing for the rest of my life.

But now, they had transferred that same affection and adoration to Simon, the thief.

I laughed to myself. Somehow, I was able to taste the metallic tang of blood in my throat.

Simon impatiently shoved the three of them aside and stared keenly at me as I remained on the floor.

"This guy… Why does he look so familiar? Oh, I know. He's that dog my family used to raise."

Phoebe hurriedly nodded before driving her sharp heel into my chest. "Simon's here now, Ian. What are you waiting for? Kneel properly and apologize!

"You stole his identity for all those years and even murdered his father. All he's expecting is for you to kneel and apologize. He's already being very merciful."

My heart seized with pain, and I spat out a mouthful of blood. I wiped the blood from the corner of my mouth and raised my head, silently mouthing a single word.

"Never."

Simon immediately began to kick me, swinging his fists from time to time as well. It was as though he wanted to vent all the resentment he had accumulated over the years, taking out every ounce of his anger and dissatisfaction on me.