Chapter 3They Said I Didn’t Belong

Suddenly, he dropped to his knees before me, weeping uncontrollably.

"I beg you! I don't want to ruin your family. I just… can you please be merciful and let Eleanor keep my baby?"

When my parents and Eleanor entered the room, they found Jerry on his knees, acting subservient and pleading with me. As I merely lifted my hand, Jerry dramatically tumbled down the stairs. Eleanor, without a moment's thought, rushed to him, tripped over something, and also fell down the staircase, blood staining the plush carpet.

My parents' faces immediately contorted in horror.

Jerry, limping, scooped up my wife and rushed her to the hospital. My two children stood at the doorway, arms outstretched, glaring at me like protective sentinels.

My father raised his hand and slapped me hard across the face. "I don't have a son as malicious as you."

"You've monopolized your brother's wealth and glory for over twenty years, and now you're trying to kill him? That was a life you threatened!"

I clutched my stinging, swollen cheek, saying nothing. I simply packed my bags and left my family, with whom I had spent decades.

That cold winter night, as snow fell heavily, I, dragging a small suitcase, unknowingly found myself at the gates of an orphanage.

And so, I found a new home.

I invested every penny from my divorce settlement into the orphanage.

Later, while foraging for herbs in the mountains, I found and rescued an unconscious Seraphina Stone. It was only months later, when the CEO of Stone Corporation arrived at the orphanage, that I realized she was the kidnapped heiress who had gone missing. During her time with us, Seraphina developed a deep affection for me, calling me "Dad" like all the other children. Her mother, whose husband had passed away young, had always felt she hadn't been there enough for her daughter. Seeing her daughter finally connecting with someone, she let Seraphina continue calling me Dad.

Later, in the deepest part of an alley, I rescued a dying Ethan Reed from a dumpster. I gave him a new name, supported his education, and to my surprise, he turned out to be a genius. He skipped grades, becoming the youngest Traditional Medicine Professor.

And there were countless other orphans I pulled from the mire.

Thinking of them, a soft smile unconsciously spread across my lips.

My mother clasped my hand, repeating several times, "It's good you're back. It's good you're back."

"Your father, before he passed, he actually spoke of you too, but..."

Just then, my son, Arthur Vance, and Eleanor walked in, laughing and chatting. Their expressions immediately soured when they saw me. "What are you doing here?"

I looked at the tall, handsome Arthur, a dark, melancholic shade clouding my eyes. It seemed the kidney I had donated to him was serving him well.

When Arthur was just six years old, he was suddenly diagnosed with kidney failure. The family business was at a low point then, and everyone wanted to give up on his treatment. It was I who stubbornly insisted, borrowing money from everywhere. And after a successful match, I donated my kidney to Arthur.

Lying in that hospital bed back then, I never could have imagined that the son I cherished so deeply would one day disdain me as a "sickly wretch." He had hidden behind Jerry, his eyes filled with revulsion. "I don't want you. I want Uncle Jerry."

The disapproving face of young Arthur slowly overlapped with the hatred in his eyes now.

"Who allowed you to come? How dare a wicked man who abandoned his wife and children return to claim credit?"

"I bet you heard I'm marrying the CEO of Stone Corporation's daughter and you want to leech off us. Let me tell you, don't even think about it!"

Arthur's barrage of words gave the guests plenty of gossip to chew on.

"Is that the fake heir who usurped his place back then?"

"If I were him, I wouldn't even have the face to come back."

Arthur ignored the whispers, intimately embracing Jerry.

"Dad, today, I promise no one will steal your thunder." He looked at me with a malevolent glint in his eye.

And my mother, at this moment, remained utterly silent.

A cold chuckle escaped my lips. She was always like this: between Jerry and me, she would always choose Jerry without hesitation.

Seeing the atmosphere turn awkward, my ex-wife stepped in, attempting to smooth things over.

"Alright, alright, it's a joyous day. Since you're here, why don't you have a seat?"

Eleanor pointed to a very secluded table, one occupied entirely by photographers and other staff.

"Such a fancy banquet, you probably want to pack up leftovers. How embarrassing," Arthur sneered.

Just as I was about to walk over, the main doors swung open.

"The Stone Corporation heiress has arrived!"

The familiar roar of a Lamborghini engine echoed through the hall.