Chapter 2

One of William Armond’s guards grabbed Ethan roughly by the collar and dragged him through a dimly lit hallway. The place reeked of neglect, a stark contrast to the grandeur of the main estate. The guard shoved him into a tiny, windowless room with damp, mold-covered walls. “Bastard, this is where you’ll be sleeping for the next two days!” the guard spat, slamming the door shut behind him. Ethan stumbled back with his body hitting the hard, cold floor. His fingers curled against the icy stone beneath him. There was no bed. No chair. Nothing but darkness and the eerie sound of dripping water from somewhere unseen. He had anticipated mistreatment, but this? The Armonds were making it clear—he was an outcast. A nobody daring to marry a woman they had long condemned as a curse! The hours crawled by in suffocating silence. Hunger gnawed at Ethan's stomach, yet no food arrived. Not until the evening, when the heavy door creaked open and a servant tossed a bowl of cornmeal onto the ground. Ethan took one bite—only to immediately spit it out. His teeth had crunched down on tiny stones hidden within the mush. A deliberate insult. He smirked, brushing the taste from his mouth. They thought this would shake him? They had no idea who they were dealing with. Just as he was about to lean back against the wall, the door flew open again. A hand yanked him to his feet and dragged him out. He was pushed down at the entrance hall, where a shadow loomed over him. SLAP! A sharp sting spread across Ethan’s cheek. He looked up slowly, his gaze meeting the cold, amused eyes of William Armond. “You useless thing!” William sneered. “I hope you’re learning how to be a good husband to Lily.” Ethan wiped his mouth, the taste of blood tingling on his tongue. His expression remained impassive. Was this man truly insinuating that suffering was a lesson in marriage? How despicable! William’s voice dropped into a dangerous tone. “Now, get off your feet and go about your duties. Make the entire mansion sparkling clean!” A muscle in Ethan’s jaw twitched. They wanted him to clean? The entire estate? Ridiculous! But he only gave a slow nod. Without protest, he allowed the guards to drag him away. He spent the next three hours scrubbing floors, polishing furniture, and tending to menial tasks like a lowly servant. Every muscle in his body ached, but he refused to falter. This was nothing but an act. He would endure it. Because his real game had already begun. --- As Ethan mopped the hallway near the east wing, he caught the unmistakable sound of William’s voice. The man was inside a nearby room, speaking on speakerphone. “I’ll be participating in the grand inheritance selection tomorrow morning,” William said with a smug tone. “That fool doesn’t stand a chance against me. By tomorrow, he’ll be humiliated, and he won’t be able to lay claim to any part of the Astra Fortune.” A deep chuckle echoed from the other end of the call. “No worries, William. I have everything under control. I’ll leak the questions prepared for the event as soon as we’re done talking.” Ethan’s grip tightened on the mop handle. William Armond was competing for the sole heirship of the Astra Legacy—a vast empire built over generations in Astra District. There were two candidates—William and an opposing figure, Lucas Hale. The board of trustees had decided that only one of them would be granted control over the empire. To determine who, a public questioning session had been arranged. William was revered among the high society elite, admired for his ‘flawless’ reputation. He wasn’t about to let some lesser-known competitor take what he considered rightfully his. Ethan had already done his research. And now, he had confirmation. William wasn’t just arrogant. He was a fraud! With an amused smirk, Ethan turned and walked away silently. --- The next morning, the grand hall buzzed with anticipation. It was the first of a two-day session, where the candidates would be put through a rigorous questioning process. The audience—comprised of investors, family elders, and high-profile figures—filled the massive space, eager to witness the contest. William strutted into the hall with an air of absolute confidence. Lucas Hale was already seated at the podium. The moment William saw him, he sneered. “Let’s see how long a weakling like you lasts,” he taunted. “By the end of today, you’ll be nothing but a joke!” Lucas smiled calmly. “We’ll see who the joke truly is.” William scoffed and turned away. Soon, the program commenced. The questions were fired rapidly, and William responded with ease, his answers flowing flawlessly. Meanwhile, Lucas hesitated on several occasions, appearing less sure of himself. The audience murmured in approval. “No doubt, William Armond is the rightful heir to the Astra Legacy!” “He’s sharp, intelligent—exactly the man to lead!” “This competition is already over! Just announce William as the winner!” Lucas, on the other hand, received nothing but mockery. “He’s struggling. What an embarrassment.” “Compared to William, he’s nothing.” However, as the event reached its climax, the head judge, Thomas Wright, received a message. His face turned pale as he read the words on his phone screen. "Thomas, you’re playing with fire! We know you leaked the questions to William Armond. If he wins, this corruption will be exposed to the entire Astra District. You will lose everything—including your freedom! For tomorrow’s session, ensure that both candidates bring in their first sons to participate with them. That will be the deciding factor." The sender was Gregory Mitchell, Thomas's superior. Cold sweat formed on Thomas’s brow. His hands trembled slightly. He had been certain no one knew about his arrangement with William. How had this information leaked? He dared not ask. He knew Greg well enough—if this matter got out, it wouldn’t just cost him his job. It would land him behind bars. Gritting his teeth, Thomas made a swift decision. He cleared his throat and turned to the microphone. “Ladies and gentlemen,” he announced, his voice steady despite his inner turmoil. “The results of today’s session will not be revealed until tomorrow. Furthermore, for the final round, both candidates are required to bring their firstborn sons.” A wave of confusion swept through the hall. “What do their sons have to do with this competition?” someone whispered. “I don’t understand. What kind of rule is this?” William, who had been moments away from celebrating, froze in place. His expression darkened. His fingers clenched into fists. What nonsense was this?! He had paid handsomely to ensure today’s victory. And now, the judge was changing the rules? His sharp eyes met Thomas’s, silently demanding an explanation. But Thomas avoided his gaze. William’s heart pounded in his chest. What was happening? Why was the competition suddenly involving their sons?