Chapter 2

The driveway of the Vance estate in Long Island was packed with luxury sports cars.

Tonight was the twentieth birthday party for the Vance family's adopted son, Christian. Every high-society figure in the city had shown up.

Meanwhile, I, Ethan Reed—the biological son who had been lost for twenty years—stood awkwardly in the golden-lit foyer wearing a pair of faded jeans and a pilling T-shirt.

The crystal chandeliers were blindingly bright, and the air was thick with the scent of expensive perfume and sweet champagne.

My biological mother, Victoria Vance, was staring at me as if I were a pile of steaming garbage.

"What on earth are you wearing?" she whispered harshly, her voice dripping with disgust. "Tonight is Christian's big night. Are you trying to make our family the laughingstock of the elite?"

My biological father, Arthur Vance, frowned and impatiently tugged at his tie.

"Alright, stop wasting your breath on him. Have someone take him to the servants' quarters in the back house. He is not to come out until the party is over."

Standing there, the last shred of hope I had for this "family" shattered into dust.

These were the biological parents I had traveled ten hours to meet.

Just then, a young man and a young woman came down the grand spiral staircase.

The boy wore a custom tuxedo studded with micro-diamonds, looking like a handsome prince. The girl was in a high-fashion evening gown, looking cold and regal.

They were Christian and my so-called older sister, Olivia.

Christian saw me, his lips curving into a polite but distant smile.

"Is this... the brother we finally found?"

He stood on the stairs, looking down at me, a flash of contempt crossing his eyes.

Victoria immediately pulled him to her side, her voice softening. "Christian, sweetie, you do not need to come down. He is just here to stay for a few days."

Olivia, on the other hand, glared at me coldly.

"Ethan, right? Let me make this clear. Now that you are back at the Vance estate, you better stay in your lane. Christian is sweet and innocent. If you try any dirty tricks or attempt to steal what belongs to him, I will make your life a living hell."

The four of them stood together, a united front, treating me like some evil intruder.

I looked at Christian's innocent face. Just as I was about to speak, a sharp, sudden pain shot through my brain.

Then, a screeching, nasty voice exploded in my mind.

This trailer trash looks so disgusting. He actually thinks he can come back and play the rich young master? In his dreams. Once tonight is over, I will find a random excuse to kick him out of this house forever.

My eyes widened as I stared at Christian.

His lips had not moved. He was still wearing that polite, saintly smile.

Was I hallucinating?

No. I focused my mind, lock-targeting his face.

What are you staring at, hillbilly? Everything in the Vance family belongs to me. Mom, Dad, Olivia—they are mine. You are just a pathetic stray nobody wants.

I took a deep breath.

I could hear his thoughts. And I could feel that, as long as I willed it, I could transmit this voice to anyone in the room.

This was an ability that had awakened after I hit my head in a minor car accident on my way here. I thought it was just tinnitus, but it turned out to be a gift from fate.

I looked at my "dear sister" who was glaring at me, and a cold smile crept onto my face.

Since you love your precious little brother so much, let me show you how "sweet" his mind really is.

I focused my mind on Olivia and tapped the virtual "Broadcast" button in my head.