Chapter 1The Birthday They Kneeled

Three years post-college, my ex Lena messaged: "Pathetic loser, come kiss ass at my father-in-law's gala." Married into Crestview's wealthiest family, she never missed a chance to rub it in.

I deleted it, indifferent.

That evening, my wife Raina tossed a gold-trimmed box aside. "The Fairfaxes sent another 'priceless' heirloom," she sighed. "Too trivial for us, but they’ll only accept your return."

Her lips grazed my ear: "I’ll reward you tonight..."

As she left, Lena texted again: "Ethan Place, answer me! Coming or not?!"

I eyed the discarded box. "I’ll be there."

* * *

We’d gone to bed late, and by the time I woke up, the Fairfax gala was nearly underway. I grabbed the first jacket I could find and headed out the door.

The Fairfax estate’s grand ballroom was already buzzing with the low hum of money and power. I skimmed the guest list by the entrance; I’d seen most of these names on the list of people begging for a meeting with my wife, Raina. Old man Fairfax still had some pull, it seemed. Nearly all of Crestview’s movers and shakers were here.

But I didn’t recognize a single face.

I’ve never been one for the spotlight. Not only did Raina and I keep our marriage quiet, but I rarely ever appeared with her in public. It drove her crazy. Most of the Sterling family fortune was built on my patents, and she was desperate to push me into the limelight, but I had no interest. All I’ve ever needed is a laboratory.

Shaking myself from my thoughts, I stepped into the ballroom and immediately spotted my ex, Lena, holding court in the center of a fawning circle. To maximize her audience, she’d invited nearly everyone from our old university department.

The class president was clinging to Lena’s hand, her smile dripping with sycophantic praise.

‘Lena, darling, it’s really true what they say: it’s better to marry well than to be born well. I mean, my family has a little money, and I used to flaunt it back in college. I feel so ashamed thinking about it now. You were the one destined for greatness! The scraps your husband lets fall from his table could feed my family for a decade!’

‘She’s right, Lena! The smartest thing you ever did was dumping that nerd Ethan! He had that pathetic, broke-ass look about him. If you’d stayed with him, you’d probably be starving by now!’

‘No joke, I swear I saw him the other day in the parking garage at the Crestview Commerce Tower. He was polishing a Bentley! Probably works as a chauffeur for some rich guy now. Pathetic!’

The comment was met with a wave of cruel laughter.

This was exactly the kind of atmosphere I wanted to avoid. My plan was simple: find a member of the Fairfax family, drop off the gift, and get the hell out.

But a sharp voice cut through the noise from behind me.

‘Well, speak of the devil! Isn’t that Ethan Place right there?!’

In an instant, hundreds of pairs of eyes swiveled in my direction.

Lena’s brow furrowed as she strode toward me. She looked me up and down, then pinched the fabric of my coat between two fingers as if it were something foul. She let go with a look of pure disgust.

‘Ethan, you really are a lost cause! What did I tell you yesterday? I said dress like a human being! Look at this garbage you’re wearing! The valet at the door is dressed better than you!’

She threw her hands up in exasperation. ‘How am I supposed to introduce you to anyone when you look like this? Don’t you want to make connections? Don’t you want to climb out of the hole you’re in?!’

My face remained impassive. ‘No. I’m quite content with my life.’

Her words were followed by another eruption of laughter. My former classmates pointed and jeered.

‘Content? You’re content with your chauffeur job? What do they pay you, a couple thousand a month? You seemed pretty focused on that Bentley. Maybe I should talk to your boss, get you a raise?’

‘Don’t be an idiot, Ethan. Lena’s doing you a favor! This is a huge opportunity, and you’re spitting on it. In the real world, your high grades are worthless. It’s all about who you know! Wake up!’

Lena held up a hand, silencing the crowd. She stepped closer, her expression a mask of contempt.

‘Cut the crap, Ethan. Don’t act all high and mighty. If you didn’t want to network, why did you even come? Don’t tell me you’re here to apply for a job as the new driver.’

A fresh wave of ridicule washed over me.

Through the haze of mocking laughter, the patriarch of the Fairfax family, the old man himself, slowly made his way toward our group.

‘Lena, my dear, what’s all the commotion? Have we a guest of honor?’

Lena instantly smoothed her dress and fixed her makeup, then scurried over to take Mr. Fairfax’s arm.

‘Just some stray dog begging for scraps at our door, Dad. Nothing important. It’s drafty out here, let me walk you back inside.’

I ignored her, walked straight up to Mr. Fairfax, and held out the box.

‘Hello. Your family sent this to the Sterlings a while back. We don’t accept unsolicited gifts. Please take it back.’