The Heir They Chose, the Empire I Took

I was the fake heir. When the family’s biological son was finally found, he was skinny and deeply tanned. My parents felt sorry for him and offered to make it up to him. But he said, “I’m your real son. If you want to compensate me, give me the company!” The whole family tried to convince me. “You’re not their biological son, after all. It’s time you gave him back his place.” I smiled, nodded, and handed everything over. The next day, the company’s biggest client, its core technical team, and every one of its distributors announced that they would work only with me. My parents panicked and came begging. I folded my arms. “Tell your real son to come ask this employee to return.” When Ryan Bennett was brought home, he stood timidly in the foyer. I had just closed a deal with MC. On the way home, my assistant told me the Bennetts had found their biological son. My heart pounded for a moment, then settled. Now that they had found him, they could take good care of him. The Bennetts weren’t short on money. What I hadn’t expected was for the fear in the real heir’s eyes to turn to jealousy the moment he saw me. “I’ll come back and be part of this family, but he’s been in my place long enough. Isn’t it time he gave it back?” “I don’t want anything else. Just the company!” I smiled. “I’ve managed the family company for ten years. Are you sure you can handle it?” My contempt was too obvious. Humiliated, Ryan lashed out. “If I don’t know something, I can learn! If I’d grown up here, I’d be just as good as you!” The relatives chimed in. “Just give it to him, Evan. He’s their biological son, after all!” I looked at my parents. Dad struggled to speak. “Evan, we owe him. Ryan’s had a very hard life.” Mom held Ryan and sobbed. “Those damned traffickers sold him to a family in the middle of nowhere. If we hadn’t found him, he might have spent his whole life…” “Please agree, Evan. I won’t let you lose out, either!” Looking at them, I smiled. “Sure.” I agreed and started the handover right there. I had thought that even if their biological son came back, I would simply keep doing my best. I’d never intended to compete with him. I’d even felt sorry for him and ordered a gift. I hadn’t expected this to be what awaited me at home. They wanted to make it up to him? Fine. I wanted none of it. I had my assistant draft the transfer documents on the spot, then signed everything over to him. Once he had the company, Ryan was so excited that he threw himself into Mom’s arms. I took a deep breath. “Everything’s done. If that’s all, I’m going upstairs to rest.” Only then did Mom look up. “Ryan just got home. Let’s have dinner as a family!” “I’m tired. I don’t feel like eating.” “Do you not want to see me, Evan? I just got here, and you already hate me!” Ryan stared straight at me, his eyes red. Mom looked displeased. “Evan Bennett! Why are you being so selfish?” “I just spent over twenty hours on planes,” I said evenly. “I’m exhausted, too. I haven’t even gotten over the jet lag.” Only then did she seem to remember that I’d just returned from a business trip. When she noticed my bloodshot eyes, she looked embarrassed. I went straight upstairs and ignored the voices below. But the messages in the family Snapchat group kept pouring in. After showering, I took a look and sneered to myself. “Richard, when are you throwing Ryan’s welcome-home party? This is a huge occasion for our family!” “Absolutely. Make it a big one, and announce the company transfer at the same time. Speaking of which, Evan shouldn’t be living in the house anymore, should he? And shouldn’t we reconsider the engagement?” I ignored the other people kicking me while I was down, but I couldn’t ignore that message. The Bennetts and the Morgans had arranged an engagement. Now that I was no longer the Bennett heir, where did Claire Morgan stand? The messages kept coming. I grew bored and left the group. By their own logic, I was no longer a Bennett, so I had no business being there. Better to leave on my own than give them something else to criticize. But I still needed to clear things up with Claire. Early the next morning, Ryan went out with my parents. I packed a few clothes and prepared to head to my own place.Claire contacted me, asking to meet. “Evan, there’s a problem with our engagement.” I’d known Claire for over a decade. The moment she said it, I understood. My voice dropped over the phone. “You heard I’m not the Bennett heir, so you want to call off the engagement?” She said nothing. Those ten-odd seconds of silence told me everything. “Fine. But this isn’t something the two of us can cancel on a whim. The Morgans and the Bennetts will need to discuss it. Don’t you agree?” After a long pause, she said, “All right.” I hung up and let out a long breath. It felt like a weight had been lifted. For ten years, I had worked myself to the bone for the Bennetts and taken their company to new heights. My engagement to Claire had also been a mutually beneficial arrangement. I thought I’d done a decent job as her fiancé. We got along well enough. We had an unspoken understanding about our relationship, and we always backed each other up in public. I’d thought we shared something real. I hadn’t expected a change in my status to turn us into this so quickly. I took a deep breath and shook my head. Once everything was packed, I was about to leave when Ryan and my parents came home. I had to admit, money worked wonders. Yesterday, Ryan had looked frightened and uncertain. Today, in well-fitted clothes, he looked like a different person. His skin was still weathered and dark, but a little time out of the sun would take care of that. Seeing the bag in my hand, he froze. “Are you leaving, Evan?” I nodded. “It’s not very convenient for me to stay here.” “You’re leaving as soon as I get here? Do you have a problem with me?” Mom’s expression darkened, too. “Evan, what has gotten into you? Ever since Ryan came home, you’ve done nothing but sulk!” “Mrs. Bennett, let’s not pretend. Weren’t you all discussing kicking me out in the group chat yesterday? I’m doing exactly what you wanted. Is that a problem?” Her expression stiffened. “I… They were talking nonsense. That wasn’t what they meant. We can afford to support you. Are you trying to drag our reputation through the mud?” I smiled. “If that wasn’t what you meant, why did you contact the Morgans?” “Claire asked to end our engagement today. I’ve given everything back to you. Isn’t moving out exactly what you wanted? Or do you want people saying the Bennetts have two sons? You didn’t give birth to twins.” She swayed at my words. Ryan spoke up beside her. “Why would you say that, Evan? Mom only means well!” “Besides, wasn’t the place you’re moving into bought with Bennett money? If you really want to cut ties, you can’t exactly…” I stopped and looked straight at him. My expression turned cold enough that he immediately shut his mouth. “I decide what to do with the money I earn. Whether I depend on the Bennetts or the Bennetts depend on me is something you clearly don’t understand. Have someone explain it to you.” With that, I walked out. Mom called after me. “Evan! Evan!” I didn’t look back. They were the ones pushing me out today. There would be plenty of time for them to beg me later. I hadn’t expected Dad to call almost as soon as I left. “Evan, they don’t know any better, but you do. Can’t you leave everyone a little dignity and stop making a scene?” “Ryan’s welcome-home party is tomorrow. You need to be there.” I smiled without answering. When my assistant heard I had left the Bennetts, he immediately followed me. “Wherever you go, Mr. Bennett, we’re going with you.”My team all said they supported me, too. What Ryan didn’t understand was that the Bennetts’ standing in this city had nothing to do with their proud old family name. It was all because of me, Evan Bennett. Still, I intended to attend his welcome-home party. The Bennetts spared no expense. They held it at Stonebrook Manor. Everyone who mattered was there. So was I. When I arrived, several wealthy young men who used to be friendly with me greeted me with sneers. “Evan? You actually had the nerve to show up? They kicked you out, and you’re still putting on airs. Aren’t you embarrassed?” “Seriously. Just look at this party. That’s how they treat their real son. You spent all those years building something for someone else, and now you have nothing!” “Why don’t you beg me for a job? We happen to need a security guard. You’re decent-looking. You could stand by the door. How does eight grand a month sound?” I looked them over with disdain. “No wonder your families would rather support their illegitimate children than let you take over their companies.” Their faces twisted with anger. They were about to come after me when Ryan appeared. They had no choice but to back down. “Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for taking time out of your busy schedules to attend our son’s welcome-home celebration. We have finally found Ryan, the son we lost so many years ago. From now on, we will do everything in our power to make up for what he has suffered!” Ryan walked slowly onto the stage in a suit. In just a few days, he had visibly acquired the trappings of wealth. But he was trying so hard to look distinguished that the whole effect felt awkward. When his gaze met mine, he lifted his chin and puffed out his chest. “Although Evan isn’t my parents’ biological son, he’s worked at the company for many years. I’m willing to let him continue working there.” “Evan, please stop being angry with Mom and Dad!” At his words, everyone turned to me, their eyes full of mockery and contempt. I curved my lips. “No need. I don’t need the money.” “Of course you don’t. Unlike me, you never had to struggle out there. But even when my life was miserable, I never stopped trying to learn.” “If possible, Evan, I’d like you to stay. You can work for me!” My parents came over to me as well. “Evan, I won’t hold it against you that you moved out, but Ryan’s right. We raised you all these years. It’s time you gave something back.” I raised an eyebrow. “In ten years, I took the Bennetts from a third-rate family to the top. You don’t think I’ve given enough back?” “Work for him? I work for myself. If a boss can’t command my respect, he shouldn’t expect me to give him my all. You taught me that yourself, Mr. Bennett.” Dad’s face turned livid. The relatives immediately piled on. “Look at that arrogance. He still thinks he’s the Bennett heir!” “Without this family, what would he be? And he has the nerve to talk like that!” “Richard, you’re too softhearted. Throw him out already! He took Ryan’s place for all those years, and he’s still not grateful!” Ryan looked down at me, his eyes brimming with triumph. I smiled. Did this idiot actually think these people cared about him? I gave a derisive laugh. “You don’t have to throw me out. I’ll leave. But remember this: once I walk out that door tonight, I will have nothing more to do with the Bennetts.” “Evan!” Dad snapped, then sighed. “Don’t blame us for being harsh. That temper of yours needs reining in.” “Fine. Then make the announcement. Tell everyone Ryan is in charge of the Bennett company now!” “I quit!” I turned and left, sending out a prepared announcement with a single tap. It stated that I was no longer affiliated with Bennett Group. Seeing me walk away, Ryan grew angry. “Dad, isn’t Evan being a little petty? He—” Before he could finish, Richard Bennett’s phone rang. He wasn’t the only one. Phones were ringing all around the Bennett family. “What? MC will only work with Evan? The contract’s canceled?”