Chapter 2

The more she spoke, the colder my face became.

I had seen that Hayley was sharp as a kid, so I sent her to the best elite private schools and never skimped on her clothes, allowance, or lifestyle. Who would have thought giving a stray cat a warm bowl of milk would make it believe it owned the mansion?

Julian lived the life of a billionaire heir in my son’s place for nearly two decades. Instead of feeling remorse, he stole what wasn’t his and threw my boy out like trash.

I clenched my fists. It seemed they had forgotten what kind of ruthless man I really was.

Nobody messes with Howard Miller's son and lives to tell the tale!

Just then, another text popped up on my phone—another charge from the black card. I glanced at it: admission tickets to an exclusive underground auction.

"Mr. Miller, should I freeze the black card right now?" my assistant asked.

A cold smirk tugged at my lips. "No rush. Cancel it right before seven tonight."

"Also, Caleb and I are attending the underground auction tonight."

"Understood, Mr. Miller. I'll arrange it immediately," she replied respectfully.

Loved money, didn't they? I was about to hand them a magnificent gift.

"And investigate every single mark on Caleb’s body. Find out where those injuries came from."

Thinking of the endless bruises on my boy, fury burned in my chest alongside agony.

The deadly aura rolling off me seemed to frighten Caleb. He nervously tugged at the hem of my coat.

"Dad... are you mad at me?"

"I'm sorry, Dad. I promise I won't talk bad about Hayley anymore. I’ll give them whatever they want."

"Please... just don't abandon me."

Seeing his terrified, people-pleasing eyes, my throat tightened.

What the hell had those monsters pumped into his head?! How could I ever abandon him?!

"I’m not mad at you, buddy. I’m mad at myself for not protecting my own son."

"Whatever belongs to you, nobody can steal. Why would I ever abandon you?"

Hearing those words, his eyes instantly lit up, shining brighter than stars.

Then his head drooped again, his voice dropping low.

"But Hayley said you’d definitely prefer someone capable like Julian... She said if I wasn't obedient, I'd get shipped off."

"She said she was hand-picked by you and Mom, and whoever she chooses gets to be the Miller heir."

I let out a bitter, mocking laugh. Where the hell did Hayley Wood get such delusional confidence?

She was a senior at Caleb's school, always projecting an image of an elite, top-tier student. Young boys easily fell for that innocent facade.

Back then, afraid Caleb would feel isolated after just coming home, I allowed Hayley to stay at the estate to help look after him.

Turns out, I had invited a viper into our home.

I lifted Caleb's chin, staring into his tear-streaked eyes, and said with absolute authority:

"Caleb Miller, you are the only true heir of both the Miller and Liang dynasties. Everything we own will belong to you."

"There is no damn brother, and you don't need some manipulative girl to manage your life. You are the future CEO of this empire."

"Got that?"

The tension in his face slowly melted away, and he nodded firmly.

That was more like it.

At seven o'clock that evening, I walked into the lavish, nine-story underground auction hall in the city center with Caleb.

Down here, anything in the world could be bought for the right price.

"Welcome, distinguished guests. Please, this way to the private VIP penthouse on the third floor," the hostess bowed with deep deference the moment I flashed my obsidian crest.

That crest wasn't something mere money could buy; it required obscene wealth and supreme power. No more than five people in the entire world held access to the third floor.

Down on the first floor, millionaires sat on simple wooden chairs, squeezed together like commoners.

"Eat up," I said, placing trays of rare delicacies and vintage drinks in front of Caleb.

Looking through the one-way panoramic glass, I spotted Julian and Hayley down on the main floor. Julian was lounging in the center of the crowd like a king, surrounded by their entire prep school class.

His skin was pampered and glowing, dressed in the latest custom runway suit. Then I looked back at my own emaciated, injured boy.

It felt like a serrated blade was twisting repeatedly in my heart.