Chapter 1

The Hart mansion stood tall and proud, a symbol of wealth and power. Inside, the air was heavy with tension as Adrian Hart sat on a velvet chair, facing his father, William Hart. The older man’s face was cold and stern, his sharp eyes fixed on his son.

"Adrian, you have embarrassed this family repeatedly, and this is the last time I am letting you do so," said Adrian's father, Mr. William.

Adrian shifted uncomfortably, running a hand through his messy dark hair. He tried to look confident, but the weight of his father’s glare made him feel small.

"Dad, I didn't do all that. Someone might have framed me on purpose," said Adrian softly.

"Listen, Adrian," Mr. William began, "you are my son, and I know you very well. I know what you can and cannot do. Considering the recent series of events, there is no way you can convince me you are innocent unless with solid evidence."

"Dad, do you want to mean that you don't trust me, your son?" asked Adrian.

"In fact, I don't have a disgraceful son like you, from now on you are no longer a member of the Williams family. You’ll have no access to the company, no trust fund, no inheritance. You’re on your own.”

“You’re cutting me off?” Adrian asked, his voice breaking.

“Completely,” William said, “Do you have any idea what you’ve done?”

Adrian flinched but quickly regained his composure. “I told you, Dad. I don’t remember anything.

“You were caught in a hotel room with Lydia Jakes!” William interrupted, his voice sharp enough to cut steel. “The wife of Mr. Jakes, my biggest associate. Adrian, do you have no shame at all? Do you think he’ll just forgive that? He’s already threatened to pull his investments and destroy our partnerships. Do you even understand what that means for this family?"

Adrian’s heart pounded in his chest, but he forced himself to meet his father’s piercing gaze. “I didn’t do anything with her,” he said, his voice steady but desperate. “I don’t know how I ended up there.

Maybe I was set up and someone drugged me. Dad believe me this once I know I am not righteous but I am not that shameless.

"Do you realize how pathetic you sound? Always blaming someone else for your mistakes. The drinking, the gambling, the fights and now this? How long do you expect me to clean up your messes?”

Adrian clenched his fists. He knew his reputation wasn’t spotless, but this time, he was innocent. He remembered going to the bar at the party and having a few drinks. The next thing he knew, he’d woken up in a strange hotel room with Lydia Jakes asleep beside him.

And then the door had burst open.

Mr. Jakes, furious and flanked by reporters and hotel staff, had caught them in a compromising position. Lydia had been groggy and confused, and Adrian couldn’t piece together how he ended up there. But it didn’t matter. The damage was done.

“I didn’t do this,” Adrian said through gritted teeth. “You have to believe me.”

William rose from his chair, his towering frame casting a shadow over Adrian. “Believe you?” he spat. “I’ve spent years covering for you, Adrian. Years protecting you from the consequences of your reckless behavior. But this? This is unforgivable. You’ve disgraced this family. You’ve jeopardized everything I’ve built. And now, Jake is threatening to bankrupt us because of you.”

“There’s nothing to explain!” William roared. “You’ve humiliated him, me, and this family. You’ve made us a laughingstock in the business world.”

Adrian opened his mouth to respond, but a knock at the door interrupted him. The heavy oak door creaked open, and Benson, Adrian’s older half-brother, stepped inside. His face was the picture of calm, but Adrian could see the glint of satisfaction in his eyes.

“Is this a bad time?” Benson asked, his voice smooth and composed.

William gestured for him to enter. “What is it, Benson?”

“I’ve just received word from the board,” Benson said, stepping forward. “They’re demanding action. They’re afraid this scandal will destroy shareholder confidence. If we don’t respond decisively, the fallout could be catastrophic.”

Adrian glared at his brother. There was something about Benson’s demeanor that always unsettled him. The man was calculated, always knowing the right thing to say and do to stay in their father’s good graces.

“What are you suggesting?” William asked, his tone heavy with suspicion.

Benson gave a small shrug, pretending to be hesitant. “It pains me to say this, but the board wants Adrian removed from all positions within the company. Effective immediately.”

Adrian shot up from his chair. “Are you kidding me? You’re going to listen to them?”

William didn’t answer right away. He stared at Benson, then at Adrian, his expression unreadable. “This is what you wanted, isn’t it?” Adrian accused, turning to Benson. “You’ve always wanted me out of the way. You think you’re so perfect, don’t you? Always acting like the golden child.”

Benson raised an eyebrow, his voice calm and condescending. “Don’t blame me for your mistakes, Adrian. I’ve worked hard to earn Father’s trust, while you’ve been busy tearing it apart.”

Adrian wanted to punch him, but he forced himself to stay in control. “This wasn’t my fault,” he said, looking back at his father. “I was set up. Someone wanted this to happen. Don’t you see that?”

William let out a bitter laugh. “A setup? Is that the best you can come up with?” He shook his head, his face hardening. “I’m done, Adrian. I’ve given you chance after chance, and you’ve let me down every time. From this moment on, you’re no longer a part of this family. You’re cut off, no money, no shares, no inheritance. You’ll have nothing.”

Adrian felt the words hit him like a punch to the gut. “You can’t be serious,” he whispered.

“I’m completely serious,” William said, his voice cold. “Get out of my house. Don’t come back until you’ve proven you’re not a disgrace to the Hart name.”

Adrian’s mind raced. He wanted to fight back, to plead his case, but he knew it would be useless. His father had made up his mind, and Benson was standing there like a smug vulture, waiting to take over.

Without another word, Adrian turned and walked out. His footsteps echoed through the grand halls of the mansion as he made his way to the front door.

Adrian’s chest tightened with anger and frustration. He knew someone had set him up, and deep down, he suspected Benson. His brother had always been calculating, always looking for ways to position himself as the rightful heir to the Hart empire.

Adrian walked aimlessly through the dimly lit streets, the cold biting through his thin coat. His mind raced as he tried to process the whirlwind of events that had led to this moment. Hours ago, he had been Adrian Hart, heir to a billion-dollar empire, untouchable in every sense of the word. But now, he was just Adrian.

His wallet had some little change cash, barely enough for a meal, let alone a place to stay. His father had moved quickly that his bank cards were already frozen before he’d even stepped foot off the Hart Mansion.

Adrian reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone, scrolling through his contacts. Surely, someone would help him. He had a number of rich friends from his circle of rich boys.

He dialed the first number that came to mind.

“Hey, Rob, it’s Adrian,” he said when the call connected.

There was a pause on the other end before Rob’s voice came through, hesitant. “hey, man. I heard about what happened. Are you okay?”

“Not really,” Adrian admitted. “Listen, I need a place to crash for a few days. Just until I figure things out. Can I come over?”

Rob hesitated again. “I don’t think that’s a good idea, man. My parents have been watching the news. They told me to stay out of this. I’m sorry.”

Adrian felt his stomach drop. “Rob, come on. We’ve been friends since college.”

“I know,” Rob said quickly, almost pleading. “But you’re toxic right now. My dad’s company has contracts with your family’s firm. If they find out I’m helping you, it could hurt us. I’m sorry, Adrian I really can't help you with that." Rob said and ended the call.

Adrian stared at the phone in disbelief. Rob had been one of his closest friends. If even he wouldn’t help, what hope was there?

But he refused to give up. He called another friend. Then another. And another.

Each call ended the same way. Excuses. Hesitations. Apologies.

“We’re really busy right now.” “I don’t think my place is big enough.” “My parents said it’s not a good idea.”

It wasn’t just rejection, it was isolation. Every door was slammed shut in his face, not physically, but also emotionally. People he had once partied with, shared secrets with, and even helped financially were now treating him like a public reject and a disgrace.

By the time he reached the last name on his list, Adrian was standing on the corner of a quiet street, the night darker and colder than ever. He didn’t even bother calling. He already knew what the answer would be.

He shoved the phone back into his pocket, his fingers trembling from the cold and the weight of his new reality. He wasn’t just broke he was also lonely at the most desperate time.

Adrian sat down on a bench under a flickering streetlamp, burying his face in his hands. He had never felt this helpless before. For all his faults, he had always believed that his charm and connections could get him through anything. But now, charm meant nothing, and connections evaporated the moment his wealth disappeared.

“Guess I really was just a wallet to them,” he muttered bitterly.

A few passersby glanced at him curiously but quickly averted their eyes. He looked out of place here, his designer coat and polished shoes a stark contrast to the rough streets of the neighborhood he’d wandered into, he was surely from a different world.

His stomach growled loudly, reminding him that he hadn’t eaten since breakfast. The thought of food made his heart sink further he couldn’t afford even the cheapest meal.

Adrian leaned back against the bench, staring up at the cloudy sky. His mind drifted to Benson, his half-brother. Had he orchestrated this? The thought gnawed at him. Benson had always been calculated, always looking for ways to outshine Adrian in their father’s eyes. And what better way to eliminate the competition than to set him up for a scandal he couldn’t escape?

Adrian’s fists clenched. If Benson thought he had won, he was wrong. Adrian would find a way to clear his name and take back what was his. But first, he needed to survive the night.

He stood up, his legs stiff from the cold. He had no idea where he was going, but he couldn’t stay here. The streets felt unsafe, and the thought of sleeping on a bench made his skin crawl.

As he walked, he passed by a brightly lit diner. The smell of greasy food wafted through the air, making his stomach twist with hunger. He hesitated outside, staring through the window at the warm, bustling scene inside.

Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out the crumpled money he had left. Barely enough for a coffee.

With a resigned sigh, Adrian pushed open the door and stepped inside. The warmth hit him immediately, a small comfort in the midst of his despair. He slid into a booth near the back, hoping to go unnoticed.

A waitress approached, her expression tired but kind. “What can I get you?”

“Just a coffee,” Adrian said, handing over the last of his cash.

The waitress nodded and walked away, leaving Adrian alone with his thoughts. As he sipped the bitter liquid, he wondered how he had fallen so far so fast.

Adrian's eyes shone with joy when he finally remembered on person he knew he would rely on at any time, he decided to call his girlfriend Anita.