I realized then—they had been plotting this from the start, setting the stage for today’s victory.

Selena hadn’t just ended our marriage—she’d helped Lucas strip me of every asset.

To crush any thought of me pursuing her, she threw the divorce papers in my face. “Look closely. You signed it yourself. No forgery.”

I almost laughed. If she’d truly wanted a divorce, she could’ve said so outright.

I’m no dog—why such shameless theatrics?

I tossed the papers into the trash.

“Selena, you chose this road. Don’t cry and say you regret it later.”

She sneered. “Regret? The one crying will be you.”

Lucas stood, sweeping his gaze over the room, forcing each person to pick a side.

“Since you refuse to leave, I’ll make you face reality. Let’s see who they support—you or me.”

His voice dropped to an icy, inhuman tone.

“Everyone, now’s the time to declare your stance. Those supporting Theo—raise your hands.”

Silence. Eyes darted around the table.

“I advise you to think carefully,” he continued. “Whatever Theo was before, the power is now mine.”

The warning was clear. A shareholder who almost raised his hand froze midway.

I saw why—Selena held a stack of photographs, each showing a family member of the people in this room.

Choosing me meant endangering their loved ones.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Langston,” one said quietly. “We have no choice. Please understand.”

I did. And because I understood, I felt no anger.

“You’re wise,” Lucas said. “From now on, Theo, you have no place in the Langston family. So—will you walk out, or shall I have you carried out?”

I scoffed. This place was my kingdom, built piece by piece with my life.

Why would I walk away and hand it over?

I pulled out a chair, lit a cigarette.

“What if I don’t leave? What then?”

A lackey slammed the table and stood.

“Who do you think you are? That thunderbolt who once commanded storms? Your time’s over. What will I do? I’ll have your own men break your legs and toss you out.”

His words carried Lucas’s full approval—the smirk on his face said so.

Several men rushed into the room—faces I knew well. My own handpicked confidants.

He’d bribed them to turn on me, to finish me without spilling blood.

“So, you’ve learned betrayal too?”

“Yes. Men die for wealth, birds for grain. You taught me that, sir.”

I laughed, bitter. “Never thought the soldiers I trained, the women I cherished, would become the blades to stab me.”

Lucas drummed his fingers on the table, smiling.

With my trusted men turned, the room’s fear dissolved.

“Theo, we’ve had enough of you,” someone jeered. “You always acted like an emperor, lording over us.”

“Your ordeal is over. God has shown you mercy!”

“It’s useless just sitting there. What? Still trying to act all high and mighty?”

It became clear—they were fence-sitters, always siding with whoever seemed stronger.

But without me, would they even have the status they boast about today?

“One of you lost your fortune gambling. Another was kidnapped overseas. And one’s mother was on her deathbed until I called in a top surgeon to save her…”

“Who helped you through all that?” I asked coldly.

“So what? You were just being sentimental. We never asked for it,” one replied smugly.

“Fine,” I said, a bitter laugh escaping. “So this is how you repay kindness—with betrayal.”

The truth cuts deep. Their treachery chilled me to the bone.

Then, at Lucas’s command, my own confidant began to step forward, preparing to strike me.

“Brother,” Lucas said with mock pity, “since I’ve reclaimed my rightful place, your mother can no longer remain in the Langston family’s ancestral hall. I’ve already ordered her coffin exhumed to make space for my mother’s burial. As for her memorial tablet—” he smirked, “—I threw it in the trash.”

His cruelty ignited a fury I could no longer contain.

“You can touch me, but you cannot touch my mother.”

I grabbed a stool and hurled it at him. The blow landed hard, knocking him to the floor.

“Damn you! You dare hit me? Get him!”

Before my so-called confidant could move, Selena snatched up an ashtray and smashed it against my head.

“Theo, hurt my man and I’ll never forgive you!” she shrieked.

I raised my hand to strike her back, but Lucas shouted, “She’s pregnant! How dare you?”

I froze for a second—just enough for Selena to flash a sly smile and retreat into his arms.

“Haha! Fool. You think you’re clever, but you’re nothing. Even if I were pregnant, it wouldn’t be yours!” she spat.

Lucas roared with laughter. “I just made that up to stop you from hitting her, and you fell for it!”

The room erupted in mocking laughter. I shrugged, masking my rage.

“Lucas, I have only one regret—not destroying you sooner. I should never have allowed you to run wild in the Langston family.”

Grandfather had refused to acknowledge him years ago—not for his illegitimate status, but for his vile character. A boy who could push his benefactor off a cliff at twelve was already rotten to the core. Some people are born cruel.

That was my first mistake—bringing him back into the Langston family.

Now, thinking of me defeated, the others scrambled to curry favor with him.

“What are you waiting for? Break Theo’s limbs so he can’t trouble Mr. Langston again!” one urged.

“If he’s too stubborn to die, bury him with his mother so they can keep each other company!”

“Hahaha! Yes! Kill him!” Lucas bellowed.

But minutes passed. My henchmen didn’t move.

Selena’s voice rose sharply. “Are you deaf? I said Hit Theo!”

I smiled coldly. “You heard me. Do it.”

In the next instant, the henchmen surged forward—not at me, but at Lucas, kicking him across the floor.

Selena’s eyes widened in shock. “What are you doing? I said Hit Theo! Not Lucas!”