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 Cross sat across from Myra Langford, sipping his tea with the same composed expression he always wore. They were seated at one of the most luxurious restaurants in the city, one Myra had casually suggested, though it was clear she had expected him to refuse.

But Ethan never refused a challenge.

They had just ordered when a voice from the other end of the dining hall carried over, dripping with disdain and mockery.

"I swear, this city has no standards anymore. Even trash pickers from university can somehow find their way into high-end restaurants. Pathetic."

The words were loud enough for half the room to hear, clearly meant for Ethan. A young man, dressed in an expensive tailored suit, lounged lazily in his chair, his friends around him laughing as he gestured towards Ethan.

Yet, Ethan didn't even look up. His expression remained unchanged, his focus solely on Myra as they continued their conversation.

"I hope the menu is to your liking," Ethan said smoothly, as if no one else in the restaurant existed.

Myra, however, narrowed her eyes at the insolent young man.

"Excuse me?" she said icily, her voice sharp enough to cut through the laughter at the other table. "Do you have a problem?"

The young man smirked, leaning back in his chair. "Not at all, Miss Langford. Just surprised you'd lower yourself to dine with someone like him. I mean, everyone at university knows who Ethan Cross is. A nobody. A low-class—"

A waiter suddenly approached their table, bowing respectfully towards Ethan.

"Mr. Cross," he said in a deferential tone, "your private room is ready. The $25,000 suite has been fully prepared according to your specifications."

The restaurant fell into absolute silence.

The smug young man, mid-sentence, suddenly froze, his face turning ghostly pale.

Ethan set his cup down with deliberate ease and finally, finally turned his gaze towards the fool who had spoken.

Instead, he simply stood up and extended a hand towards Myra, his expression unreadable. "Shall we?"

Myra smirked, placing her hand in his as she gracefully rose from her seat. "We shall."

As they walked past the stunned group of students, Ethan didn't spare them a second glance. Myra, on the other hand, paused ever so briefly, her eyes locking onto the one who had dared to insult him.

"Next time, learn your place," she said coolly before walking away.

The young man sat there, speechless, as Ethan and Myra disappeared into their exclusive dining suite, leaving behind nothing but stunned silence and shattered pride.

Chapter 52: The Price of Silence