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The Real Heir and His Family Falls Apart
NovelShort
Hoàn thành
My dog died. Victor Lane left it outside at minus 100 degrees Celsius, and it froze to death. When I found its tiny body, it was still scratching at the door, its form stiff as stone. "Victor, my dog,...
Chương (4)
第1章
My dog died. Victor Lane left it outside at minus 100 degrees Celsius, and it froze to death.
When I found its tiny body, it was still scratching at the door, its form stiff as stone.
"Victor, my dog, never leaves the bedroom! What does this have to do with you!" Victor replied smugly, "I'm allergic to dogs. Just knowing there's one inside makes me uncomfortable." His close friend Max Carter, unable to tolerate it anymore, slapped Victor, only for his coat to be torn off by his sister and thrown outside.
Soon after, Max also froze to death.
Holding Max’s rigid body, I cried uncontrollably. Max brushed away my icy tears and said, "Don’t cry, I’m simply heading back now."
Suddenly, a system prompt echoed in my mind: "Congratulations, host, for surviving the apocalypse for ten years. You may now choose death to leave the apocalypse and receive a system reward of one billion."
"If the host dies, the fortress and vast resource trove you created will vanish with you. Do you confirm your choice to die and leave?"
"Confirm."
——
Max and I were both transmigrators; we crossed over to the very start of the apocalyptic freeze.
Max became a servant in the richest family, while I had a far better fortune.
I became the fake young master raised by the richest family for twenty years, and even had a system with me.
The year we arrived, the family had just located their true young master, Victor, who had been switched at birth.
From then on, I, the fake young master Alan Grant, lived in constant caution within this household.
Even the fortress and immense trove of supplies I built for them through the system were believed to be Victor’s blessings.
I had a lovable puppy, but the day Victor returned, he ordered me to throw it away.
To appease him, I kept the dog hidden in my room, only letting it out after everyone was asleep.
Yesterday I accidentally bumped into Victor on the stairs, and today he tossed my dog outside.
When I confronted him with the dog’s frozen body, he immediately laughed and admitted it.
My sister defended him, saying, "It was just an animal. It’s dead, so what?"
Victor added, "Yes, that little beast should’ve died long ago! Keeping it just wasted food!"
My mother looked at me with scorn, "Alan, if not for your brother, you’d be frozen or starved. It’s one thing to be ungrateful, but yelling at him over a mere beast?"
My father scoffed, "He must’ve been fed too well growing up. No dinner for him tonight!"
Furious, I cried, "All the supplies and this fortress came from the system. Victor had nothing to do with it!" "What does that matter!"
"You’ve survived comfortably for ten years all thanks to me!" my older sister said sharply, "Alan, you really need help. What nonsense system? Everything we have is because Alan is our lucky star!"
"Lucky star? He’s a vicious villain!" Victor slapped me hard: "You bastard, always trying to steal my fortune!" Max instantly slapped him back: "You’re the bastard!" Victor clutched his face, nearly hysterical: "A servant dares strike the master! Outrageous!" My sister, seeing Victor’s swollen cheek, erupted in fury.
"Our Grant family sheltered you for ten years, and you dare strike my brother!"
"I hit him because he bullied Alan!"
"Guards, strip him and throw him out!"
第2章
At my older sister’s order, two bodyguards came over and violently tore Max’s clothes off.
I immediately grabbed Max. “No! What you’re doing is no different from killing him!” Victor lifted his chin. “A servant who dares to hit his master deserves death! Just like your dead dog—he should’ve died long ago!”
“Drag the second young master away,” Victor smirked, looping his arm around my sister. “Why not throw Alan out, too? He’s not really part of the Grant family anyway.” My sister tapped Victor’s forehead fondly. “Stop talking nonsense!” The bodyguard yanked me aside and hurled Max outside.
I tried to run to him, but the bodyguard pinned me down, holding me in place.
“Sister, please, let Max in. He’ll freeze to death!” My sister didn’t move.
I looked at my parents; they turned away and walked upstairs.
Watching Max’s lips grow purple from the cold, I immediately knelt before Victor.
“Brother, I was wrong. Please, let Max in!” Victor smiled faintly. “How about this—you bow three times, then slap yourself a hundred times, and I’ll let that little wretch in.”
I instantly knelt and bowed. After three bows, I slapped myself hard.
My sister grabbed my wrist. “Is a servant worth all this?!”
“Please, Sister, just let Max in.”
My sister sighed in disappointment and released my wrist.
I had no choice but to keep slapping myself.
“Ninety-nine… one hundred.” After the hundredth slap, blood filled my mouth.
“Brother, I slapped myself a hundred times. Will you let Max in now?”
“You didn’t hit hard enough. I’m not satisfied. Hit harder—until I’m pleased!”
I glanced back. Max had already collapsed in the snow, nearly swallowed by the blizzard.
I stood up in fury. “You were toying with me! You never intended to save him!”
“I gave you a chance. You’re the reason he died.”
“I’ll kill you!” But before I could reach Victor, the bodyguards seized me from behind.
My sister glared at me. “You’ve caused enough trouble. Stop it. Even if we let Max in now, he wouldn’t survive.”
Despair washed over me.
“Sister… can I go outside to say goodbye?” She waved a hand, and the bodyguards stepped back.
I rushed out and wrapped my coat around Max’s frozen body.
With his final breath, he whispered, “Don’t cry… I’m just heading back now.” The moment Max died, a system prompt echoed in my mind.
“Congratulations, host, for surviving ten years in the apocalypse. You may now choose death to leave the apocalypse and receive a system reward of one billion.”
“If you die, the fortress and endless resources you created will vanish. Do you confirm your choice to die and leave?”
“Confirm.” I covered Max’s body with snow; he still wore my coat.
Thinking of him returning to our world—a place with spring, blossoms, and changing seasons—eased my grief a little.
Aunt Lila had already set out a hot dinner.
“Second Young Master, wash up and eat.” Victor said smugly, “Dad said he’s not allowed dinner tonight.” Mom came downstairs and gasped when she saw my face, swollen like a pig’s head. “Alan, what happened to your face?”
第3章
Victor cut in, “He tried to use self-harm to pressure us into letting Max in, so he kept slapping himself. My sister and I ignored him.” Mom shot me a glare, then sighed. “Forget it, come eat.” I had just sat at the table when Dad’s furious shout made me jump.
“Who said you could eat!”
“Dad, I need to eat well tonight because I’m leaving soon.” Ignoring his blazing stare, I picked up my bowl and shoveled rice into my mouth.
Victor sneered. “What, trying to threaten us by running away? This is the apocalypse; you’ll die as soon as you step outside.”
“You’re right. I’m going to die.”
“You’re going to die?” Victor burst out laughing. “If you, Alan, dare die, I, Victor, will tear off my own head and let you kick it like a ball!”
“I don’t care about your head.”
Victor pulled out his phone and started his daily live stream again.
“Family, look what we’re eating today! Hairy crabs!”
“The fireplace is blazing today; I’m sweating even in just one thin layer.”
I opened his stream. There was no envy, no praise—only curses and hatred toward his shameless flaunting.
“Victor, ever heard of ‘hiding your wealth’?”
“You show starving refugees your endless supplies and still won’t give them a crumb. Aren’t you scared they’ll one day breach the fortress, rush in, and tear you apart?”
Unfazed, Victor spoke directly to the camera. “They’d have to be capable of breaking in. Even an atomic bomb can’t destroy our home. Why would I fear them?”
“These lowly people are destined to freeze or starve in this apocalypse. Letting them see how the upper class lives before they die will give them closure.”
I let out a soft laugh. Victor, you’ll soon become one of those lowly people yourself.
I quietly finished eating and went back to my room.
I called out to the system, “System, is there a painless way to die?”
“Searching… The host may choose euthanasia medication. Do you wish to proceed?”
“Proceed.” A syringe of clear liquid appeared in my hand.
It was the euthanasia drug.
After preparing everything, I went out to take a final walk, one last look at the place I’d lived for a decade.
But as I reached the second floor, I heard indescribable noises.
Following the sound, I stumbled upon a sight that froze my blood.
My wife, dead for three months, was alive and well—entwined with my brother, Victor.
My breath caught.
“Zoe Yates?” Both of them froze.
Victor chuckled. “Well, you caught us.”
Zoe was calmly dressed. “So what if he knows? I’m done hiding. Might as well face him.”
Rage consumed me. I grabbed a vase and smashed it.
“Zoe, what kind of monster are you?! You’re alive—and you’re here cheating with Victor!”
Victor grinned. “Actually, she’s been with me the whole time these past three months. We go at it multiple times every night.” Three months ago, Zoe ignored my warnings and insisted on visiting her best friend outside.
She vanished without a trace, and I never reached her again.
My family told me she was dead and that I should move on.
第4章
I cried every day, unable to eat or sleep.
I still hadn’t recovered, and not only was Zoe alive—she was hiding at Victor’s place, enjoying herself with him every night!
My sister and parents heard the noise and hurried over.
My sister sighed at the scene. “Alan, actually, Zoe and Alan loved each other. She originally wanted to divorce you and marry Alan.”
“But now the weather is worsening, and even the Local Civil Registry Office is closed. So Zoe had no choice but to fake her death to be with Alan.”
“And Alan was afraid you’d be heartbroken, so he had no choice but to handle it this way.”
I was so furious with this family that I laughed.
So they all knew and simply thought I was a fool.
“So Zoe and Victor did everything for my sake, and I’m supposed to thank them?” Victor cried pitifully. “It’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have fallen for Zoe.” Zoe held him gently. “It’s not your fault at all. Love doesn’t depend on who appeared first.” I clapped mockingly. “Amazing. Now you’re saying it’s my fault? My existence is the problem?” My father scolded me harshly. “Alan, enough! You owe your brother. You lived his life, and now you’re only being asked to give up a woman? That’s already generous.” Tears streamed down, but I smiled.
“Fine. I’m leaving anyway, so it doesn’t matter.” Zoe asked, “Where are you going?”
“I’m going back to my world.” Victor, still sniffling, burst out laughing.
“His dog and friend died, right? Now he wants to die too. He’s threatening suicide over a dog and a servant. Isn’t he crazy?” Zoe laughed loudly. “If Alan dares commit suicide, I’ll eat shit! And I’ll eat it live!” Everyone roared with laughter.
I ignored them and quietly walked back to the third floor.
From the railing, I saw my family downstairs gathered around an old variety show.
A show from ten years ago still made them laugh uproariously.
I silently climbed onto the railing and sat at the edge.
Originally, I planned to die quietly in my room, but now I have changed my mind.
Before dying, I wanted to disgust them a little.
My mother looked up and froze in shock.
“Alan, why are you sitting up there? It’s dangerous! Come down!” Victor snorted. “Little brother, planning to jump? You won’t die from this height.”
Dad barked, “Alan, get down right now! Do you hear me?!”
I took out the euthanasia drug and injected it into my arm without hesitation.
It worked quickly; my consciousness faded, but there was no pain.
In my last moments, I heard my sister shouting, “Didn’t you hear me? Come down! If you dare, jump!”
The next second, I fell headfirst in front of them with a heavy crash.
Blood splashed across their faces.
At that moment, the maid screamed, “This is terrible! Master, Madam, Young Master, Miss! The Infinite Treasure Vault is gone!”