I Took Her Brother’s Blame, Now I’m a Billionair

In the fifth year of my imprisonment for taking the fall for my fiancée's brother, she finally sent me a letter. There was only one sentence: Your parents' old house has been demolished. I'm holding on to the compensation for you for now. I simply laughed. Back then, my parents were in the ICU. She had begged me to take the blame for her brother, who had caused an accident while driving drunk. But as soon as I went to prison, she took my parents' demolition compensation and used it to buy her brother a fully paid house to get married. On the day I was released, her brother was getting engaged. I said nothing. I took my parents to another city and worked hard to repay our debts. Five years later, I became the regional manager of a logistics chain and returned for a warehouse lease. At the business dinner, my ex-fiancée entered arm in arm with her brother. When she saw me in my work uniform, she laughed and mocked me, "A convict like you thinks he deserves to attend a high-end dinner like this?" "Your dying parents didn't buy you any decent clothes? Did they send you here dressed like that to clean toilets?" ***** I sat at the head of the table. The tea in my cup had long gone cold. Five years in prison had seemingly left this woman without a shred of guilt. "Sophie Sullivan, you used the money that was supposed to save my parents' lives to fund your luxurious lifestyle. How could you even sleep at night?" My voice was cold. "Cut the sarcasm! That was compensation for ruining the best years of my life!" Sophie's face darkened. In her high heels, she stepped two paces closer. "I wasted my youth on a loser like you. You owe me!" She shouted, her head held high. As if taking the money meant to save my parents' lives was something to be proud of. Ryan Sullivan adjusted his tie, revealing the expensive watch on his wrist. "Sophie, don't waste your time on some trash." He pointed at my nose, his manner arrogant. "Ethan Lawson, look at those worn-out clothes you're wearing, then look at me. Do you know why I'm here today?" He paused, his face full of smug satisfaction. "I'm getting married soon. My fiancée is the heiress to Sinclair Properties. It's a giant in Ashford. Once I marry her, I'll be one of them. A loser like you isn't even qualified to polish my shoes!" A mocking smile tugged at the corner of my mouth. If I remembered correctly, Stella Lawson, the sole heiress to Sinclair Properties, put her name next to mine on the marriage license. We registered our marriage just last month. Looking at Ryan's arrogant expression, I couldn't help asking, "What is the name of your wealthy fiancée?" Ryan thought I was afraid. "Listen carefully. My fiancée is Maya Carter, the future successor to the Sinclair family. Scared now?" I nearly laughed out loud. Maya. I had heard Stella mention that name before. She seemed to be the daughter of a maid the Sinclair family had fired for stealing. And yet, she had become a rich heiress in Ryan's eyes. I set down my cup, and it struck the table with a crisp sound. "I shall congratulate you." Sophie pulled over a chair and sat down, crossing her legs. "I never expected to see you here, Ethan. Are you short of money? It must be difficult for someone with a criminal record to find a job, right?" She pulled a thick stack of cash from her bag, her expression arrogant. "Kneel down and lick Ryan's shoes clean. Then this money is yours. It should be enough to buy your parents some pills." I looked at the cash on the table, and my gaze turned cold. Back then, my parents were in the ICU. Ryan had hit someone while driving drunk and was facing more than 10 years in prison. Sophie had knelt in the hospital corridor, clutching my pant leg and crying her heart out. But the moment I was put in handcuffs, she turned around and pulled out my parents' oxygen tubes. She used that bloodstained money to buy Ryan a fully paid house in the city center. If a kindhearted person had not saved my parents back then, they would have died long ago. I slowly rose to my feet. Ryan took half a step back. "What are you trying to do? This is a high-end restaurant. I dare you to lay a finger on me." I ignored his insults and swept the stack of cash into the trash can. "Sophie, do you think I will still let you bully me?" Sophie's face turned livid, and she stood up. "I gave you a chance, but you refused it. You still pretend you're so noble. Believe it or not, I can call the manager in right now, have him strip you naked, and throw you out onto the street." Just then, the door was pushed open from outside.