Chapter 3

So, even my parents betrayed me?

A sharp pain lanced through my chest. I said nothing, just hung up the phone.

If everyone was going to betray me, then I'd just pretend these people didn't exist.

Beyond emotions, there was also my career.

I got up, cleaned myself up, put on a suit, and went to the company.

Vance Enterprises. I built that empire from scratch.

I started it in college, accumulating wealth through small mobile games. Then our mobile MOBA games blew up overseas, and I practically owned half the global market for games developed in our country.

Before I went to prison, a major AAA title was just about to drop on Steam. My incarceration delayed it.

Now, I was out of prison. Love and family were gone. This game was my only chance to return to my peak.

But when I arrived at the group's entrance, the security guard stopped me.

"I'm Asher. Vance Enterprises is mine." I explained.

The security guard, a guy named Mark, sneered. "So what if your name's Vance? I'm Mark. Can I say I'm your dad then?"

Just then, footsteps approached from behind. I turned to see Seraphina and Blake, surrounded by a small entourage.

Upon seeing them, Mark immediately stepped forward with a fawning smile. "Mr. Sterling, Mrs. Sterling, there's some idiot here claiming Vance Enterprises is his!"

Mr. Sterling? Mrs. Sterling?

It seemed Seraphina and Blake weren't hiding their relationship from the outside world at all.

Blake just smiled, telling his distant cousin, "He's not wrong. Vance Enterprises used to be his, but it isn't anymore."

"How is it not mine?" I frowned.

Blake chuckled. "When you went to prison, for the company's development, all your shares were transferred to Seraphina. How could it still be yours?"

Seraphina merely gave me a dismissive glance. "Alright, Asher, you shouldn't come to the company anymore."

I remembered transferring my shares to Seraphina. At the time, the company was at a critical juncture and desperately needed funding. To attract investment, it was indeed unsuitable for me, being in prison, to hold shares, as competitors could use it against us.

"Then why can't I even come to the company?" I asked, suppressing my anger.

"You're a convicted felon. This company can't have a felon as an employee, let alone in leadership." Seraphina's tone was ice-cold. "And you need to understand, I'm the CEO now. Don't you dare question my decisions ever again!"

Everything was gone? Even my career?

I turned and left, saying nothing. I didn't even know what to say.

Seraphina's voice echoed behind me. "As long as you behave, I'll still ensure you maintain your dignity. At least you won't be short on money."

They were taking the wealth I'd built, and now they wanted to dole it out to me, to insult me?

I walked for who knows how long until I found myself in front of my old high school. I caught a whiff of familiar fried chicken, that greasy, salty, spicy smell-an indelible scent of youth.

So many memories were made here with Seraphina and Blake.

"Hey, can I get a fried chicken?" I said numbly to the vendor.

"Don't make him one."

Blake's voice sounded behind me. He sneered. "Seraphina and I bought this fried chicken stand. With your money."

I stared at him deeply, then sighed, "Blake, nearly thirty years of friendship, and this is how you treat me?"

"Asher, you know what?"

"You went to prison, and every day, I slept in your bed, kissed your wife, and spent your money."

"Your son calls me Daddy Blake every day. Your parents treat me like their own son."

"Now you're out. You think you can just waltz back and take everything from me?"

Blake's smile was cold. "Asher, you have nothing left. In four years, I've made everything of yours my own, and all you can do is watch me take it all!"

I gasped, clenching my fists, just like I used to when I was ready to fight for my life.

"What, you're upset?"

"You want to hit me? Come on then." Blake pushed his face closer. "Go on, Asher. If you're still a man, hit me!"

I raised my hand.