Andros_Karova

Ethan Cross was just a broke university student, juggling part-time delivery jobs and barely making ends meet. To make things worse, his girlfriend dumped him for a rich guy, calling him "a loser with no future."

But fate had other plans.

On a whim, he bought an old painting at an auction for $50, not knowing it would change his life forever. That painting was once the most treasured possession of Alexander Langford, the world's richest man who had just passed away. And in his will, Langford made a shocking decision:

Whoever bought the painting would inherit his entire fortune.

Now, Ethan is the heir to a trillion-dollar empire, with mansions, private jets, elite companies, and more money than he can ever spend. But wealth comes with its own dangers—rival corporations, underground syndicates, and even secret cults want him dead.

To make matters more complicated, Langford’s final wish was for Ethan to marry his only daughter, Myra Langford—a cold and mysterious beauty with a past of her own.

With power beyond imagination, enemies lurking in the shadows, and a woman he can’t understand, Ethan must navigate this new world while keeping his true strength hidden.

From rags to royalty… his reign has just begun.

Streets to Fortune

Ethan stared at his phone, the anonymous caller's last words replaying in his mind.

His apartment suddenly felt too quiet. The faint hum of city life outside did little to settle the growing unease creeping up his spine.

He moved to the window, carefully pulling back the curtain.

The black luxury car was still there. The engine idled softly, its tinted windows concealing whoever was inside.

He wasn't stupid. This wasn't a coincidence.

Taking a deep breath, he stepped away from the window and forced himself to think.

Ethan dropped onto his desk chair, fingers flying over his keyboard. He pulled up a reverse phone lookup site and entered the unknown number.

Figures. Whoever had called him wasn't some random scammer. They knew how to cover their tracks.

His gaze drifted to his backpack, where a single thick envelope lay tucked away. The inheritance.

No. No one knew about that—except for the lawyer and a few people at the bank.

The delivery job? His sudden shift in routine?

Or… was there something else he hadn't noticed yet?

Unknown Number: We need to talk. Same place as before.

He scrolled through his message history. Nothing.

What the hell were they talking about?

Whoever this was, they were acting like they'd spoken to him before.

His mind raced. Was this a trap? Or a lead?

Either way, he wouldn't find answers sitting around in his apartment.

He grabbed his jacket, slid his switchblade into his pocket—just in case—and headed for the door.

The air was crisp as Ethan made his way through the city, his hands stuffed into his hoodie pockets. The streets were alive with the usual chaos—cars honking, people rushing, neon signs flickering in and out.

If someone wanted to meet him somewhere vague and untraceable, the piers were a prime choice.

As he approached, the area became quieter. Fewer people. Darker corners.

A few fishing boats rocked gently in the water, their owners long gone for the night. The smell of salt and oil lingered in the air.

A figure stepped out from the shadows.

Ethan's pulse spiked. His fingers itched toward his pocket, ready to grab the blade.

"Relax. I'm not here to hurt you."

Ethan stayed silent, studying them.

A man in his mid-thirties. Slick black hair, sharp cheekbones, and an expensive-looking trench coat.

And most notably—a scar running from his left eyebrow down to his jaw.

The man smiled. "You have questions, don't you?"

Ethan's eyes narrowed. "Who are you?"

"My name is Marcus Kane. And whether you believe it or not, Ethan Cross… I'm one of the few people in this city who actually wants to help you."

The way he said his name—like he knew something.

Chapter 9 – Shadows in the Dark