The Fake Heir's Silent Exit

In the early hours of the morning, when Jane Fraser brought the real heir back home, I didn't make a scene. I simply forced myself up despite the exhaustion and quietly went to the guest room.As I passed Gale Boudreaux, he suddenly reached out and grabbed my hand."Alex, you've misunderstood me. I just came back to pick up a cufflink I left here last time. I'm not trying to steal Jane from you…"Jane frowned, as if she was about to scold me for being jealous and overbearing the way she used to.But I cut her off first, my tone calm."I know. I only married her because I took your place. She… was always supposed to be yours."Truth be told, I had long since come to terms with it.Marriages between wealthy families were never about individuals. They were about lineage, about alliances, about family standing.When my fake heir identity was exposed, Jane had immediately asked for a divorce.I had cried, made a scene, refused to eat, even threatened my own life with a blade—doing

I didn't know why Jane spoke up for me.Was it because humiliating me in public would be the same as humiliating her family?At that moment, something strange and itchy seemed to sprout in my chest, like a bud breaking through frozen soil.I slowed my steps and strained to listen as my father-in-law said, "Take it away."Then came a crisp sound. The pen seemed to fall to the ground—but it felt as though something inside me had fallen with it.That night, I rode my electric scooter at full speed through the streets. The cold wind cut across my face like a blade, scattering my tears into the air.Only then did I realize a person really could die in silence.When I finally emptied myself of all emotion and returned home, Jane was already there.I slipped inside quietly. Gale poked his head out."Alex, you're back? I figured you ran out so suddenly earlier that you probably didn't eat, so I took the liberty of packing you some leftovers."He suddenly covered his mouth."Sorry—I

I boarded the plane with just one minute left before the gate closed.The flight attendant reminded me to switch off my phone.I took it out and suddenly saw a message from Jane.Jane: [There's a business dinner tonight.]I stared at the screen for a long time, momentarily dazed.In the past, I used to send her countless messages. Her replies, however, were always few and far between.Once, when I returned home and questioned her about why she would reply to others but ignore me, she said impatiently, "Can you stop competing over everything all the time? Is your time really that cheap? Is your entire world just me?"And yet now, she had lowered herself to send me a message.The phone vibrated again. She sent another text.Jane: [I'll bring you a gift when I get back from the dinner.]I looked at it for a moment, said nothing, and simply turned off my phone.The plane ascended into the night sky, climbing to ten thousand meters above the ground.The past twenty-five years of

After earning my master's degree in Mustralia, I stayed on to work locally.My boss was from my homeland, and he was a complete workaholic.Under him, I grew quickly, step by step, from a junior assistant to department manager, and eventually to his executive assistant.One day, he told me to return to our homeland with him to discuss a deal.I agreed without hesitation.But when I took the documents and looked through them, I froze.The target of this acquisition was none other than the once-prosperous Boudreaux Group.For a moment, countless thoughts surfaced in my mind.How had the mighty Boudreaux Group fallen so far?I carefully went through the materials and only then realized the truth.After Gale took over as chairman, he had aggressively invested in numerous industries far removed from the company's core business.Lacking experience in these new sectors, the management was poor, and several major investments went down in flames.Then came an economic downturn at th

I let out a soft sigh in my heart.Logically, I should have refused. But my feet moved on their own, and I followed her to the hospital.From a distance, I could already hear Gale's voice."Dad, Mom, Alex—the thief—is back. He's actually the buyer in charge of acquiring our company this time."Then I heard my father's voice drifting out from the ward."He has always had a talent for business. I knew I wasn't wrong about him.""Life really is cruel. I never thought the Boudreaux Group I built would end up in Alex's hands. If I'd known… if I'd known, I wouldn't have kicked him out back then and kept him instead… maybe the company wouldn't have fallen to this state…"My mother's tone was full of complaints."I told you so many times before—you just never listened. Your father warned you not to make reckless investments, but you insisted on doing things your way!"And now look at us—the entire family is ruined by you! Your father's surgery and nursing fees alone are a hundred thou