Chapter 1

Ethan Cole watched the New England coastline grow closer from the private jet's window.

Twenty-five years.

He had planned for this moment for a quarter of a century.

His usually composed face held a trace of something sharp. Readiness.

Eleanor. Her image was clear in his mind. Her bright smile, her keen intellect, her generous spirit.

She lay in a quiet hospital room, unchanged for all these years. Her life paused by a suspicious "accident."

He remembered the fertility clinic vividly. The hushed discussion with a lab technician. The discreet transfer of a substantial sum of money.

Vicky, his wife, believed she had been cunning. She arranged for Blake Hamilton' s sperm for the IVF.

She never suspected Ethan knew. He had ensured his own sperm was used.

More than that, he had arranged for Vicky' s eggs to be swapped with Eleanor' s, cryopreserved years ago. Eleanor, his true love.

Liam, his son, was resting in the seat across from him. Liam was not Vicky' s biological child.

He was Ethan and Eleanor' s son.

The rightful heir to the Sterling legacy.

The jet landed smoothly. A black car waited on the tarmac.

Liam woke as they descended the steps. He was tall, with Ethan' s observant eyes and Eleanor' s quiet strength.

"Ready for the welcome party, Dad?" Liam asked, a slight edge to his voice. He knew these family gatherings.

Ethan put a hand on his son' s shoulder. "We' re always ready, Liam."

The Sterling estate was as grand and imposing as ever. Cars lined the long driveway.

They walked into the main hall. The air was thick with tension.

Extended family members, the vultures of the Sterling clan, were gathered. Whispers stopped as Ethan and Liam entered.

Victoria "Vicky" Sterling, Ethan' s wife, stood near the large fireplace. She was beautiful, cold, and dripping with jewels.

She was not looking at Ethan or Liam. Her attention was on Blake Hamilton, her lover, who stood beside her, looking agitated.

Blake stepped forward as Liam entered. His face was a mask of false emotion.

"Liam," Blake said, his voice loud enough for everyone to hear. "There' s something you need to know."

He paused for dramatic effect, glancing at Vicky.

"I' m your real father!"

Silence.

Then, Ethan moved.

It was not a rush. It was a deliberate, calculated step.

He punched Blake Hamilton squarely in the jaw.

Blake stumbled back, shock on his face, then pain. He clutched his jaw.

Gasps filled the room.

Liam stepped in front of Ethan, facing Blake. His voice was cold, filled with anger.

"Ethan Cole is my father. He' s always been my father. The only father I need."

Vicky shrieked, rushing to Blake' s side. "How dare you, Ethan! How dare you!"

The greedy relatives watched, their eyes wide with anticipation. The show had begun.