Chapter 3

The next morning, Hayes Enterprises held a major press conference.

I sat in the back of my car, watching the live broadcast playing across a giant digital billboard outside the hotel.

Carter stood before a wall of flashes and microphones, basking in the spotlight as he officially announced himself as the new CEO and chairman of the Hayes empire.

Naturally, they didn't miss the chance to drag my name through the mud.

Chloe stepped up to the podium looking frail and devastated, her shoulders trembling, tears welling in her eyes.

"I always felt Julian was hiding things from me, but I never imagined... he was an imposter who deceived the Hayes family—and lied to me, his devoted wife, for eight long years."

"When the truth came out, he tried to steal all our family funds and abandon me and little Leo..."

"Thank God for Carter. He stepped in and protected us."

"On behalf of Julian, I want to deeply apologize to the public and the board."

With that, she collapsed weakly against Carter's chest like a delicate flower.

Carter held her upright, facing the cameras with a grave, chivalrous expression.

"Don't blame yourself, Chloe. You will always be family to us. I will personally take care of you and Leo."

He looked directly into the lens, sighing with theatrical regret.

"Julian acted out of desperation because he couldn't accept the reality of his lineage. It was a foolish mistake."

"Even though he committed grave wrongs, I am willing to personally offer him a position as the head of facility maintenance at our headquarters. A salary of three thousand a month, just so he doesn't starve on the streets."

The press pool erupted in praise, applauding Carter's grace and magnanimity.

A flawless performance. They painted me as a con artist, an embezzler, and a deadbeat dad.

Meanwhile, they crowned themselves as selfless saviors bound by family duty.

It even legalized their sickening affair in the eyes of high society.

Truly Oscar-worthy.

Maya handed me a glass of warm water.

"Mr. Vance, should I cut the feed?"

I shook my head.

"No. Let them perform."

My gaze locked onto Carter's smug face on the billboard screen.

"The higher they climb, the harder they crash."

Just as the conference wrapped up, my phone rang. It was an incoming call from my so-called aunt—Carter's mother, Beatrice Hayes.

Her voice over the speaker was ice-cold, devoid of any warmth from the twenty-plus years we had lived under the same roof.

"Julian, know your place. Don't ever dare contact our family again. Having your name linked to ours is an embarrassment!"

"Aunt Beatrice," I replied smoothly, "what if one day you come begging on your knees?"

"Ha! You've lost your mind! I'd rather rot in hell than beg a beggar like you!"

I calmly hit the end button and saved the call recording before blacklisting every number tied to the Hayes family.

That recording was going to come in handy very soon.

A minute later, another unknown number buzzed my phone.

It was Chloe.

Her voice dripped with thinly veiled arrogance and gloating.

"Did you see the broadcast, Julian?"

"Carter is the official chairman now. The entire city is behind him."

"And you? You're just a stray dog shivering in the dark, watching our glory."

I stayed silent, letting her spew her venom.

"By the way, Leo's fifth birthday party is next Saturday. Carter booked the grand ballroom at the Hayes Grand Hotel. Are you coming?"

She let out a sharp, shrill giggle.

"I just think you should come see how happy I am with your own eyes. See everything you threw away."

"Also, Leo said that if you bring a gift that actually impresses him, he might consider calling you dad one last time."

Listening to her fake invitation, I actually let out a quiet laugh.

She had built the stage with her own hands and gathered every spectator in high society.

A banquet meant to humiliate me would make the perfect graveyard for them both.

"I'll be there," I said simply.

Chloe went quiet for a second, caught off guard by my easy surrender, before shrieking with delight.

"Wonderful! Don't be late!"

She hung up with triumphant glee.

I glanced down at my phone, where trending headlines about Carter Hayes were flooding social media.

A gift?

Oh, I had a gift for them.

A gift they would remember for the rest of their miserable lives.