Part 1Exiled Heir Cuts Ties for Good

Jodie Stafford, the wealthiest heiress in Jensford, suffers a horrific car crash that leaves her paralyzed from the waist down, jeopardizing her claim to Stafford Corp.

When the news reaches home, my adopted brother, Liam Gordon, drops to his knees in the living room and begs me to take his place in the arranged marriage.

Holding my glass of water, I sneer as I take a step back.

"Back then, you looked down on me—the real heir you brought back from the countryside—saying I was too uncultured to be presentable, so you forced the marriage alliance with the Stafford family on Liam instead.

"Now that Ms. Stafford is paralyzed and a liability, you want me to take his place? Not a chance in hell!"

As soon as I say that, my girlfriend, Vivian Collins, enters the room.

She rushes to shield Liam and throws me a look of pure disgust. "Don't forget your place, Hank. That marriage alliance was yours to begin with. This is just setting things right.

"We're done. I'm getting engaged to Liam tomorrow. Once the press gets wind of it, you'll be the only Gordon left to marry Ms. Stafford."

I stare at the woman I grew up with, stunned by the sheer absurdity of it all.

"The Staffords asked for the publicly recognized heir. I haven't even been legally registered as part of the family. You think they're stupid enough to accept a nobody?"

Just then, my biological parents come down the stairs with cold expressions and toss a stack of legal documents in front of me.

"As of tomorrow, your status is official. Liam has a bright future ahead of him. He's not wasting it tied to a cripple. Do your duty as a Gordon, marry Ms. Stafford, and enjoy life as their son-in-law."

A harsh laugh escapes me as the last bit of warmth inside me dies. "Fine. I'll do it. Just don't come begging for me to come back later!"

* * *

Seeing my family and girlfriend light up and exhale in collective relief over my compromise, I let out a harsh scoff and slammed my glass onto the table. "I'll take Liam's place, but I have two conditions."

My girlfriend, Vivian Collins, frowned and yelled, "Hank Gordon, don't push your luck! Liam already gave up his position as the heir for you. What more could you possibly want?"

I didn't spare her a glance. I kept my eyes fixed on my furious parents, Carl Gordon and Olivia Barker.

"First, transfer the 15% stake in Gordon Corp that Grandpa left me in his will into my name immediately.

"Second, hold a press conference tomorrow morning to announce to all of Jensford that I am the sole biological heir of the Gordon family and that Liam is nothing more than an adopted son."

Silence instantly fell over the room.

Liam Gordon turned pale. His fists trembled at his sides, but he swallowed his rage and tried to play the bigger man.

"Hank… do you really have to drive me out to be satisfied? I know I took your identity for 20 years, but I've poured my heart and soul into this family.

"If you want the shares, you can have all of mine. But why do you have to ruin my future in front of the entire city…"

"Liam, don't say that. None of this is your fault!" Vivian held his hand with a pained expression, then spun around to glare at me.

"Hank, you're utterly vicious! Liam stayed up countless nights working on projects for Gordon Corp. Are you really that set on destroying him?"

Olivia rushed forward, pointing directly at my face as she spat, "You ingrate! Your grandpa was out of his mind when he left you those shares. You're just a clueless country bumpkin! What do you know about running a business? You'll ruin the company in a week!

"And forget about a press conference! Liam grew up by our side. He is my son! If you tell the world he's adopted, how is he ever supposed to hold his head up in high society again? You're trying to ruin his life!"

As I watched Olivia defend him so fiercely, my mind drifted for a second. A dull, familiar ache settled in my chest.

I was the child she carried for nine months. Yet ever since I was brought back to the Gordon family, she despised everything about me—my plain clothes, my lack of polished hobbies, and my inability to flatter her.

In her eyes, only Liam—the polished, well-connected businessman—was worthy of being her pride.

Pulling myself back to reality, I shrugged and took a step back to avoid her sharp fingernails.

"You don't agree? Fine by me," I said casually, my tone entirely unbothered. "Then you can ship this fake off to the Staffords tomorrow instead.

"Ms. Stafford might be paralyzed from her accident, but Mr. Stafford Senior is still very much alive. What do you think will happen when he discovers you sent an imposter who isn't even related to you by blood to fool him? Do you think he'll take that insult lightly?

"The Stafford family wields immense power in Jensford. Crushing you would be like stepping on an ant. When that happens, Liam's future will be the least of your worries. The entire Gordon Corp, along with Vivian's family business, will be dragged down with Ms. Stafford."

Carl's expression shifted instantly.

He knew all too well how ruthless the Staffords were. They were the undisputed royalty of Jensford, commanding respect in both legitimate business and the underworld.

Even if the heiress, Jodie Stafford, was an invalid now, the Staffords would never tolerate being mocked or deceived.

Carl stared at me intently, his mind racing with cold calculation.

"Honey, you can't agree to this! Liam is supposed to get engaged to Vivian. If he's labeled as adopted, what will the Collins family think of him?" Olivia pleaded.

"Shut up!" Carl roared, making her flinch.

He took a deep breath and glared at me with a dark gaze. "Fine. I agree! I'll have the lawyers transfer the shares first thing tomorrow, and the press conference will go as planned. But remember this, Hank."

Carl pointed toward the front door as he warned, "Once you take those shares and marry Ms. Stafford, you belong to the Staffords in life and in death!

"Even if they break you into pieces, don't you dare come crawling back here to beg for help. As far as we're concerned, you're dead to us!"

Looking at his desperate attempt to sever all ties with me, I smiled brightly. "Deal."