17
Joseph’s face turned dark with anger as he pointed at Sebastian. “Mr. Ross, this is a family matter. Do you really
need to meddle in this?”
I stared at Sebastian in confusion. “Mr. Ross?”
With a cold expression, Sebastian responded, “When you see injustice, you act. Besides, haven’t you already
severed ties with her?”
Joseph scowled. “So, are you declaring yourself an enemy of the Sanders family?”
Sebastian chuckled mockingly. “The Ross family doesn’t fear the Sanders family. Besides, the commotion you’ve caused is bound to draw the police’s attention. I suggest you leave before they arrive.”
In the distance, the sound of sirens echoed. Joseph glared daggers at me before retreating with his entourage.
Once they left, I helped Aunt Zamara to her feet, and together we thanked our old neighbors and friends, who had come to our aid despite their own risk.
After everyone had gone, I turned to Sebastian, my mind spinning with questions. “Aren’t you a rideshare driver? Are you… wealthy?”
A flicker of unease passed through his eyes. “Yanna, don’t misunderstand. I’m not like the Sanders family. I didn’t mean to deceive you.”
Then, with a slightly aggrieved expression, he added, “You’ve never asked what I do. From the start, you just assumed I was a rideshare driver.”
I froze, suddenly realizing that he was right.
After persistent questioning, I finally learned the truth. Sebastian was the heir to the Ross Corporation–a corporate empire rivaling the Sanders family.
From that point on, Sebastian stayed in the small town, seemingly content to live a simpler life.
Every day, he appeared relaxed, as if he were on vacation. But I knew things weren’t as easy as they seemed. One night, I woke up to use the restroom. As I passed by Sebastian’s room, I overheard him on the phone. It turned out the Sanders family was launching relentless attacks on Ross Corporation’s businesses.
Even though he was here with us, he was managing a counteroffensive remotely, giving orders to his team over the phone.
A Fake Poverty that My Parent Build for Me
Suddenly, I smelled smoke.
Jumping out of bed, I flung open my door to see flames spreading rapidly.
“Fire! Fire!” I screamed, trying to alert everyone.
Sebastian burst out of his room, grabbed my arm, and immediately kicked open Aunt Zamara’s door. He hoisted
her onto his back without hesitation.
Holding tightly to my wrist, he led me out through the suffocating smoke, his grip firm and protective, as if he feared losing me.
My eyes stung, and I struggled to breathe as he guided us down from the sixth floor to safety.
The fire was extinguished, but everything Aunt Zamara had worked for her entire life had been reduced to ashes.
She sat on the curb, silently weeping.
Sebastian clenched his jaw, his voice filled with rage. “Someone set the fire on purpose. They wanted to kill us.”
He pulled out his phone and showed us the surveillance footage.
Unbeknownst to us, he had secretly installed cameras around the house to ensure our safety.
The footage revealed two men setting the fire under the cover of darkness.
One of the cameras had captured their faces clearly–they were Sanders family bodyguards.
Sebastian looked at me and Aunt Zamara. “Come back to San Francisco with me. Be witnesses and help me take down the Sanders family legally.”
We both nodded firmly.
The next day, we returned to San Francisco.
Sebastian wasted no time. He organized a press conference, inviting all the most influential figures in the city’s business world.
