Chapter 1Punk Prince of the Sterling Empire

After my family went bankrupt, I was sent back to my biological parents.

My CEO sister dropped her prayer beads when she saw my bleached blonde hair.

"Are you here to collect protection money?"

I whistled loudly, rolled up my sleeves to reveal the dragon on my left arm and the tiger on my right.

"Hey sis! My family's broke, lend me some cash to spend~"

My adoptive parents, who cut their vacation short to rush back, nearly fainted when they saw my nose ring. Their expressions cracked: "Oh my god! How did our son turn into a delinquent?"

My family went bankrupt because a rival set a trap and tampered with a contract.

On the day the court sealed our property, my parents looked solemn and told me I was picked up from a dumpster, and now they had found my biological parents.

They had told me this a thousand times before, and I always thought it was a joke.

Because they also said my sister was a prize from a claw machine.

And my little brother was a free gift with a recycling drop-off.

It wasn't until they dropped me off in front of my biological parents' mansion that I realized they were serious!

My sister, Cherry, held my hand reluctantly.

"No wonder I'm Cherry, Little Brother is Chase, and you're Charlie. Turns out we're not the same breed."

My little brother, Chase, looked grave.

"Second Brother, don't forget us when you're rich."

They didn't hesitate for a second before dumping me and running.

I stood in front of a mansion ten times bigger than our old apartment, completely confused.

If I'm not mistaken, this is a property of the Sterling family.

That multinational corporation worth billions.

I can't believe a wealthy family would throw me in a dumpster just because I'm a boy.

Tsk!

I pulled a piece of gum from my pocket, threw it in my mouth, and looked down at myself.

Ripped jeans, skull T-shirt, hair bleached like corn silk, and a nose ring sparkling in the sun.

I rang the doorbell.

No answer.

Rang again, still no answer.

I squatted down to act like a mushroom, pulling out my phone to call my adoptive mom to see if she could take me back for a while.

Just then, the door suddenly opened.

An impossibly tall woman, wearing a high-end black dress, appeared in front of me.

She was holding a string of expensive prayer beads, her features deep as a sculpture.

The moment she saw me, the beads fell to the ground with a clatter.

Ooh~

Isn't this the "Buddhist CEO" from novels?

I've finally seen one in the flesh!

I heard these people love counting beads—eating, sleeping, pooping, always counting!

More schemes in their heads than seeds in a lotus pod!

"Are you... here to collect protection money?"

Sarah's voice was low, carrying a hint of confusion and shock.

I whistled loudly, blowing a bubble with my gum until it popped.

Then I rolled up my sleeves, revealing the temporary tattoos I applied yesterday.

Left Green Dragon, Right White Tiger.

"Hey sis! My family's broke, lend me some cash to spend~"

I deliberately used my most punk tone and winked at her.

Her expression looked like she'd been struck by lightning, lips moving as if reciting sutras.

"Sis, who is it?"

A childish voice came from inside, interrupting my stare-down with Sarah.

Sis?

My eyes lit up again. Novels always have a standard setup.

Where there's a real son, there's a fake son.

The fake son is always beloved by all, while the real son is vicious and brainless, ending up dead or crippled!

I narrowed my eyes, ready for battle.

However, when the owner of the voice bounced to the door, my eyes nearly popped out.

This is the fake son?

I stared at the little boy with short hair in a black suit, my brain crashing on the spot.

He's five at most, right?

Zack was looking at me curiously with big round eyes.

This age doesn't qualify for a fake son plot!

Is there another one hiding inside?

"Second Brother? Sis, is this Second Brother?"

He looked at me in surprise.

The atmosphere was a bit weird.