Chapter 1

The guy standing in front of me looked just like my mom, Claire Harrison.During the two years I was abroad, he'd effortlessly won over everyone around me.Right now, my fiancée and my best friend were both standing by his side, watching me warily—afraid that once I learned the truth, I'd throw a fit and lay a hand on Arthur Harrison."Cillian," Arthur said softly. "I didn't want to take anything from you, honestly. But in the two years since I came back to the Harrison family, I've heard a lot of things."I heard that you've been holding onto the shares Grandpa gave you, collecting massive dividends every year, but you never give Mom any money—and that's gotten her mocked by the other ladies in their social circle."I also heard that you refused to let Olivia manage the company, that you wouldn't just settle down and enjoy an easy life, so you and Olivia were always fighting."And even your best friend, Nathan—when he asked you to co-invest in a project, you wouldn't even agree

Chapter 2

"Nathan," I said, my voice steady. "I had that project looked into. The company on the other end was flagged for abnormal operations last month, and their CEO is tangled up in debt disputes across multiple projects. I find it hard to believe you didn't know how risky this was."A flicker of guilt crossed Nathan's face, but he quickly pulled himself together."Cut the crap. You just don't want to help me. All these years of friendship, and I've wasted them on you."Seeing Nathan upset, Arthur quickly stepped in and put a hand on his arm."Don't be mad, Nathan. Once I get the shares, I'll make it happen for you right away."Watching their little display of loyalty, I smiled."You don't have to wait for the shares. You can sign the contract right now, go in as a partner, and share the risk on this project. Then, once you get the shares from me later, you'll have saved a ton of time. How about it?"Arthur hesitated for a moment, but quickly made up his mind."Fine. I'll sign. I tru

Chapter 3

The tension in the living room noticeably lifted.But there was also a faint undercurrent of disappointment—none of them got the breakdown they'd been expecting. No crying, no begging, no hysterics.I looked at them."As for the shares—Grandpa gave them to me. If they're going to be transferred, he'll have to agree to it first. If you have something to say, you can ask him yourself at the board meeting in three days."Claire let out a scoff."He's my father. You don't seriously think he'd choose an outsider over his own flesh and blood, do you? Fine. I'll see you at the board meeting."I stretched, rubbed my brow, and headed to my room.When I opened the door, I found my room had been completely cleared out.All my things had been bagged up and tossed into the basement. The bedroom with its floor-to-ceiling windows and private bathroom had been turned into a storage room.They'd arranged for me to stay in the maid's room at the far end of the third floor. It was barely ten squ

Chapter 4

Claire's smile froze on her face. She shot up from her seat, disbelief written all over her."Dad, have you lost your mind? Arthur is your real grandson. Why would you give the family fortune to some bastard with no background?"Arthur's obedient smile hadn't quite faded yet. It hung there for half a second before he forced an even more strained one."Grandpa, I know you love Cillian. But blood is blood—fakes are fakes in the end."My grandfather waved his hand.His assistant stepped forward, opened a file folder, and laid a DNA test report across the conference table.Cillian Harrison and Gerald Harrison—confirmed biological relationship.The room went silent for a beat.Claire stared at the words, her brow furrowing."That's impossible. Arthur and I did a DNA test. He's my real son. Dad, you can't just whip up some fake document to fool everyone just because you're playing favorites. Arthur looks just like me—everyone here can see he's your real grandson."Arthur's eyes red

Chapter 5

Arthur snapped out of his shock. The mask of sweetness and obedience he'd worked so hard to maintain cracked wide open.He grabbed Claire's arm, shaking her."Mom, this isn't real. They're lying to you—say something! Fight back! Cillian must have bribed the lab. He was afraid I'd take his place, so he faked all of this."His voice started to tremble as he spoke."Why? I should be the Harrison heir. I should be the one..."I spent twenty-three years in the countryside! I finally got brought back, and now you're telling me I'm not a Harrison?"He turned to me. His eyes burned with manic jealousy."Cillian. You knew all along, didn't you? You watched me come back from that nowhere town, tiptoeing around, trying to please everyone."I thought I'd finally taken everything you had. I thought I'd won. And then you just kicked me right back down? Are you enjoying this?"I didn't say a word. I just looked at him, expressionless."That's enough." My grandfather stood up, his voice calm

Chapter 6

I had no idea about any of that.The company kept me too busy.My grandfather had handed the chairman position over to me. Every day was a blur of meetings, signing documents, meeting clients, poring over reports.When I was busy, I didn't think about anything else at all.Sometimes, late at night, I'd be the only one left in the office. I'd stand by the floor-to-ceiling window, looking out at the sea of city lights below.Not a single one was lit for me. And not a single one was lit by me for anyone else.I worked late into the night.When I walked out of the company's main entrance, I saw someone standing at the bottom of the steps.It was Claire.She looked gaunt—her cheeks had sunken in.She was holding a thermos."Cillian."The moment she saw me, she hurriedly thrust the thermos toward me."I made your favorite—slow-cooked beef stew with carrots. Try some."I didn't take it."I don't eat carrots."She blinked, confused."What do you mean? You used to ask the nanny