Unapologetic replacement

"Remind me to never get on your bad side, Raymond," Brook said, chuckling.

"Come on, I’m not that bad," I replied, unfazed.

"Not that bad?" Vivian raised an eyebrow, amused. "You took over his company under his nose, bought out the majority shares, and forced him to resign with a single threat. The empire he spent decades building—you dismantled it in weeks."

I shrugged. "I just couldn't let him keep playing the elitist role after destroying so many lives."

But deep down, I knew it wasn’t just about justice. I wanted him to pay. For how he discarded my mother like she was nothing after she gave birth to me. For how he refused to acknowledge my siblings. For how my ex-wife suffered under his expectations. This wasn’t just revenge. This was retribution.

"Did you manage to track down your mother?" Vivian asked.

I shook my head. Maybe she disappeared, afraid of what my father would do to her. Maybe she never wanted to be found.

"You should take a DNA test," Brook suggested. "It might connect you to relatives who know where she is."

The next day, I registered myself and sent in a DNA swab. While I waited for the results, I made sure my father could never step foot near me—or anyone I cared about—again. As the new acting chairman and majority shareholder, I buried his influence. My secretary, Benny, unearthed all the illegal activities my father had buried under layers of power and wealth. From there, the transition was smooth.

But I wasn’t done.

As the heir to the Stan family, I ensured I had power of attorney over my so-called parents. It wasn’t hard to obtain—with a few favors and the right pressure, even the most powerful men crumble. What’s the point of being an elite if you can’t use privilege to your advantage?

I liquidated their assets. Every last cent. And I made sure they spent their remaining years in a home with the worst conditions money couldn’t buy.

I am my father’s son, after all.

How could I just walk away from the man who made me miserable my entire life?

With everything settled, I took a step back. I had no interest in running the company I seized. But when I handed it over to Benny, he hesitated.

"I don’t know, Ray," he said, rubbing his temples. "This isn’t exactly my world."

"You ran everything while my father was busy pretending to be a king," I reminded him. "You already know the ins and outs better than anyone."

Still, he hesitated. Benny was always the one who kept me grounded and stood by me when I was at my lowest. He was level headed and cautious. So I knew he would fit right into the job.

But it wasn’t my words that convinced him.

It was hers.

"Come on Benny, why are you even thinking twice about this?" Druid, stood with her arms crossed. "You always tell me to go for things that scare me because they matter. Maybe you should take your own advice."

I smirked, watching Benny exhale sharply.

"You're supposed to be on my side, Druid," he muttered.

"I am on your side," she said simply. "And you know I'm right."

Benny sighed, then looked at me. "Fine. But if this goes south, I’m dragging you down with me."

I chuckled. "Fair enough."

With that, I stepped away, leaving the company in hands I trusted.

"You really are something else, Raymond," Brook muttered, shaking his head.

I simply smirked, watching the world my father built crumble beneath my hands.

For the first time in my life, I was free.