I Survived Prison to Expose the Fake Heir

To get me out of the way for Simon Luther, the man who steals my position as heir of the Luther family, the three young women my dad took in as children and raised alongside me work together to send me to prison. "Once you get out of jail, one of us will marry you—but on one condition. You'd better take this secret to the grave." To stop me from revealing the truth, the three women even fed me a drug that rendered me mute. As the years go by, the endless and inhumane torment I endure in prison slowly destroys what feelings and affection I have for the three women I once considered my sisters. When we meet again, I watch impassively as the three of them fight to win the auction that gives them the chance to marry Simon. Chuckling, I arrange for the key evidence of Simon's crimes to be put up for auction. The three of them seem to have a thing for making bids. Let's see them scramble to win this one. Chapter 1 When Phoebe Graham and the others saw me, the shock in their eyes was unmistakable. "Am I seeing things? Why else would I be seeing Ian Luther out here?" Kayla Moore, who was beside her, snorted. She checked the date on her phone. "Oh. Five years have already gone by? What a shame." Haley Carter, the woman sitting in the very center, looked even more displeased. "We agreed back then that one of the three of us has to marry him. Whichever one of you it is, the other had better not try to fight me for Simon." Simon Luther was the fake heir who'd stolen my identity and had me shipped to prison. When Dad had been seriously ill, the three women had joined forces to switch my DNA with Simon's. They also fabricated evidence that made me the murderer of my own father. After working together to send me to prison, they immediately had Dad cremated, making sure there would be no possibility of me overturning the case. I never even got to see Dad one last time before I was betrayed by three women I had once regarded like sisters and sent to prison. For the last five years, I appealed countless times inside, trying again and again to overturn my conviction, only to have every appeal rejected for one reason or another. Then, when I was finally released after serving my sentence, the three people who had promised to come pick me up from prison had instead rented out giant screens across the city to publicly confess their love to Simon. They announced in grand fashion that they would compete at the auction for the chance to be with Simon. I had used my connections to sneak into the auction. I didn't expect the three of them to discover my presence so quickly. I tried to speak, but when I opened my mouth, I found that all I could produce was a hoarse rasp. Phoebe, who had once got on her knees and asked me to marry her, clapped her hands and burst out laughing. "I almost forgot. The great Ian Luther, heir to the Luther family, can't even speak anymore." The other two covered their mouths and laughed as well, quickly drawing the attention of those around us. They gathered around, curious, and asked, "Ladies, what is he to you? How did he manage to amuse the three of you so much?" Kayla, who had once sworn she would never marry anyone but me, pinched her nose and waved a hand in front of her face. "Him? He's the murderer who killed Simon's father. Who knows why the prison let this monster out? He's contaminating the air with his presence!" Haley, the most spoiled and willful of the three, went so far as to kick the back of my knees. "How dare a murderer like you show your face at an event like this? Just wait until Simon gets here. You'd better get on your knees and apologize to him!" Years of torment in prison had already left my body frail and battered. That light kick was enough to send me crashing to my knees. Looking at the three women I had once considered family, I still couldn't understand why things between us had ended up like this. Back then, Dad and I had been passing through an alley when we saw the three of them, who had been kidnapped and trafficked, being beaten. At my insistence, he rescued all three. People were always joking that Dad had found me three potential brides. I had always laughed it off. There was a time when I'd felt a flicker of something for them. But eventually, I realized that the best thing for all four of us was for me to treat them like they were my sisters. I never thought that my decision back then would end up dooming Dad and me. As I recalled the evidence I'd uncovered, I clenched my fists. Even though my nails had drawn blood from my palms, I felt no pain. Chapter 2 After a long while, I finally raised my head and stared at the three women, forcing out the question that had haunted me all this time. "Why…" My voice was hoarse and strangled. The crowd around me all looked disgusted, eyeing me as though I were a monkey at the zoo as they surrounded me. "So this is the fake heir who stole Mr. Luther's identity all those years? I heard about him a long time ago. I can't believe he could be cruel enough to kill the late Mr. Luther, the very man who kept him fed and clothed all his life!" "This won't do. I'm calling the prison right now to ask how they could release a murderer!" "That's right. What if we're in danger because of him?" At someone's instigation, they pulled out a rope and tried to tie me up. "Once he's apologized to Mr. Luther, send him straight back to prison. Just say he's a threat to public safety!" Listening to the mocking jeers coming from all sides, I looked around at everyone. I had long since stopped expecting any sense of decency from these people. "Jamie Hart. We grew up together. Do you seriously believe I'm not the real son of the Luther family?" I questioned as my gaze fell on the man who was leading the crowd in taunting me. Then I looked at the woman behind him. "And you, Eunice Wallace. Why didn't you seem to care whether or not I was the real heir when you begged me to provide the Wallaces with funding? "Which one of you here hasn't benefited from me before? Is this how you repay the person who helped you?" I had once been an earnest, spirited man who believed in the good in others. Dad had handed the company over to me early on so I could gain enough experience, and I didn't let him down. I often wondered with Dad about the kind of men Haley, Kayla, and Phoebe would marry. Since I considered them my sisters, I'd set aside some of the family's assets for them, too. I figured that once they found their true loves, I would be free to take Dad on a trip around the world and show him the sights. But all of my hopes and dreams had been destroyed. The crowd exchanged glances, looking at one another as though they wanted to say something. Suddenly, the doors opened. "Why's everyone gathered here? What are you all looking at?" When Simon's lazy drawl rang out, I saw the way the three women's eyes lit up with a fiery desire that bordered on obsession. The three of them immediately surrounded Simon, fussing over him. "Simon, didn't we tell you to wait for us to come pick you up? Why did you come here by yourself? I'll give you a ride home later, okay?" "Get lost, Kayla! It's my turn to take Simon home today." This scene felt rather familiar to me. Once upon a time, the three of them had surrounded me in the same way, insisting that I choose one of them to marry. Later on, they were the ones to heartlessly send me to prison, promising that one of them would marry me someday and make sure I want for nothing for the rest of my life. But now, they had transferred that same affection and adoration to Simon, the thief. I laughed to myself. Somehow, I was able to taste the metallic tang of blood in my throat. Simon impatiently shoved the three of them aside and stared keenly at me as I remained on the floor. "This guy… Why does he look so familiar? Oh, I know. He's that dog my family used to raise." Phoebe hurriedly nodded before driving her sharp heel into my chest. "Simon's here now, Ian. What are you waiting for? Kneel properly and apologize! "You stole his identity for all those years and even murdered his father. All he's expecting is for you to kneel and apologize. He's already being very merciful." My heart seized with pain, and I spat out a mouthful of blood. I wiped the blood from the corner of my mouth and raised my head, silently mouthing a single word. "Never." Simon immediately began to kick me, swinging his fists from time to time as well. It was as though he wanted to vent all the resentment he had accumulated over the years, taking out every ounce of his anger and dissatisfaction on me. Chapter 3 The years of torture in the hellhole that was prison had left me powerless to fight back. All I could do was cover my head and try to dodge the blows. It wasn't going to be long now. I just needed to wait a little longer. I kept repeating those words to myself. As long as I could hold out until the auction began, everything would be turned on its head. Simon didn't stop until sweat beaded on his forehead. As soon as he pulled his foot back, Phoebe and the other two hurried over, offering him water and massaging his shoulders. "Are you tired, Simon?" "You should've just let your men handle this, Simon. Don't dirty your hands for the likes of him." Simon snorted and casually brushed their hands away. "Didn't you say everything had already been taken care of? Why is this impostor showing up now and getting on my nerves? Are you telling me that one of you still wants to marry him?" The three women who'd haughtily taunted me earlier were now hanging their heads, meekly allowing Simon to admonish them. Bruised and battered, I stared at them, unable to understand how things had ended up like this. After Dad took the three of them in, he treated them as if they were his daughters. Even when other wealthy families tried to establish a connection with us by offering to marry one of them, he refused to use them as a bargaining chip. He said that in our family, everyone had the right to choose their own happiness. Dad would never sacrifice our future and our happiness for material gain. That applied to me and the three of them as well. As though she had heard the question in my heart, Kayla, who had always been the calmest of the three, crossed her arms and magnanimously offered an explanation. "Ian, if Simon hadn't told us the real reason the Luther family took in the three of us, we'd probably still be kept in the dark. You guys were the ones who kidnapped and trafficked us in the first place. How could you have the nerve to put on an act and take us in after that?" I was stunned by the righteous certainty on Kayla's face. We kidnapped them? What kind of nonsense was that? Why would I have begged Dad to take in three complete strangers if I hadn't heard the traffickers saying they were going to beat them up and leave them crippled? But now, it was suddenly my fault instead. Not to mention that Simon showing up at my family's doorstep, claiming to be related to us, had been utter nonsense from the start. Dad had a vasectomy right after I was born. There was no way he would've had any other children after me. Unfortunately, I had explained all of this to Phoebe, Kayla, and Haley countless times, yet they simply refused to believe me. Perhaps this was the price I paid for being too blind to see the true colors of the people around me. Gripped with sadness, I ended up shedding a few tears. "The three of you…" I croaked. Even though I could taste blood in my mouth, I pushed myself to finish my sentence. "The three of you are so dumb." All because of a lie from Simon, they had sent Dad to his death and robbed me of five years of my youth. Even more absurdly, these three women, hailed by everyone as the three queens of the business world, had been completely played by a thug like Simon. What a joke. When Simon heard my words, his eyes flashed with a trace of panic. He glanced at Phoebe and dragged her aside so forcefully that she stumbled. A trace of displeasure crossed Phoebe's face, but she still smiled at Simon. "What is it, Simon?" Simon growled under his breath, "Didn't you say you'd already made him mute? How is he talking again? I don't care. Even if you have to cut out his tongue today, don't let him say another word." The viciousness in Simon's voice made Phoebe shudder. Was this really the same Simon who had seemed like an angel to her? Before she could make sense of it, Simon put on a vulnerable expression again. "Phoebe, you know how much effort it took for me to uncover the truth and reveal it to you guys back then. What if Ian starts spouting nonsense? I even thought that if you weren't the one who ended up winning this auction, I'd still be willing to marry you…" Chapter 4 Phoebe was so overwhelmed by the enormous surprise that she hurriedly agreed. "Simon, as long as I'm here, no one will ever spill the beans about what happened five years ago." As I struggled, I felt Phoebe's dark gaze fall on me, and I shuddered. Just as she approached with a pair of scissors, a pretty figure stepped in front of me. I looked up, only to find that it was Haley, the one who had always protected me the most. She spread her arms to block Phoebe and said something that sent me plunging into an abyss of despair. "Phoebe, you want to take credit in front of Simon, don't you? I won't allow it!" Kayla also stepped forward and stood next to Phoebe. "Didn't the three of us agree to compete fairly? How could you do this without discussing it with us, Phoebe?" I watched as the three women fought over who got the "honor" of cutting off my tongue. A bitter smile spread across my face. Weren't the years I spent in prison enough time for me to see them for their true colors? Why did my heart still hurt now? The three were still arguing relentlessly when a staff member of the auction house appeared. "The auction is about to begin!" Three strikes of the auctioneer's gavel rang out, signaling the start of this evening's main event. Perhaps their desire to marry Simon outweighed their current urge to silence me for good. The three exchanged glances, then walked toward the stage side by side. As Simon passed me, he kicked me hard and grinned smugly at the sight of me spitting blood. "I'll let you enjoy yourself for a few more days. You'll get to watch as I replace you completely and have my fun with them. Once I've had my fill, you can have them back." The crowd around us followed behind the three women, stepping over me as they passed. They made sure to leave their footprints all over me, as if offering proof of their allegiance to Simon. I lay on the floor like an abandoned dog, yet the corners of my mouth slowly curled into a smile. The real show was about to begin. The first few lots were nothing special, and in less than half an hour, the final lot had arrived—the chance to marry Simon. He stood in the center, surrounded by the three women, and met my gaze through the crowd. "Loser." He silently mouthed the word at me, raising an eyebrow with a wicked grin. Phoebe, Kayla, and Haley fought to raise their paddles. In the end, they were even willing to stake their entire fortunes to make the winning bid and claim the prize. Watching the three women who had once stood high above everyone else exhaust themselves trying to win the chance to marry him filled Simon with immense satisfaction. Money, status, and women. There were the things he once hated that I had. But now, he was confident he was going to have far more than I ever did. Just as the bidding between the three women reached its fiercest point, Simon clapped his hands and stood up. "I know the three of you love me. If there's a way to keep the four of us from breaking each other's hearts, would you be willing to do it?" Simon took the three women's debit cards and held them in his hand. "Who says we can't have three weddings? Who says true love has to belong to only one person? At tonight's auction, I've already seen how sincere you all are. I am willing to—" "Hold it!" Simon's words were interrupted by a woman who opened the door and walked in, wearing a fitted dress and four-inch heels. He was instantly drawn by the sway of her hips as she walked. "May I know your name, miss?" he asked. Without even looking at Simon, the woman walked past him. She got up on stage and placed a USB drive on the display. "This is the final lot on auction today, brought to you by Mr. Ian Luther. Enjoy."