Chapter 1

After my son Noah and I returned home from an overseas inspection of a medical cooperation project, we froze.

A huge crowd had gathered. Even the distant relatives we normally never saw had all shown up.

Anyone who didn’t know better would have thought the Carter family was holding a full-blown family reunion.

The person who stood out the most was Ryan Brooks, sitting in the middle of the couch with red-rimmed eyes.

Evelyn Carter, my “wonderful wife” who was hardly ever home, was holding him in her arms with a tender, heartbroken expression and soothing him softly.

I raised an eyebrow, set my suitcase to the side, and looked at Evelyn.

“What’s the occasion? Why is everyone here?”

Noah followed behind me with his arms folded coolly across his chest, staring at Ryan with open disdain.

He had already vaguely guessed who this man was.

My mother-in-law sat in the seat of honor, her expression uneasy, as if she wanted to say something but couldn’t bring herself to.

Before Evelyn could say a word, Ryan suddenly cried and threw himself at Noah.

“My son, I’m your real father!”

Noah nimbly stepped aside and frowned in disgust, as if Ryan were some filthy object.

He took a step back and said coldly, “My dad is Ethan Carter.”

That boy really was my perfect little ally.

I took Noah’s hand and gave him a reassuring look. Then I raised my arm and punched Ryan square in the face.

The dull thud of my fist echoed through the living room.

“Don’t go claiming random relatives,” I said coldly, my eyes sharp as knives.

Evelyn sprang to her feet and helped Ryan up, pointing at me as she shouted furiously.

“Ethan Carter, have you lost your mind? How dare you hit Ryan!”

She raised her hand as if she intended to hit me.

Noah reacted instantly, stepped forward, and slapped Evelyn across the face.

“You dare hit my dad?” Noah’s voice wasn’t loud, but it carried an unquestionable authority.

Evelyn froze, furious and enraged, then raised her hand to hit Noah.

But Ryan grabbed her arm and put on a fake crying act.

“Evelyn, don’t hit him. He’s our son!”

The way he played the devoted father made me want to throw up.

Evelyn lowered her hand and glared viciously at Noah.

“If he weren’t your biological father, I would teach you a lesson today!”

Noah let out a cold laugh. “Heh. I’d love to see what you think you can do to me.”

The sharpness in his eyes reminded me of myself when I was young.

I secretly reveled in the satisfaction. He really was the son I had carefully raised.