They Chose the Adopted Heir,So I Bankrupted the Family Empire

The year I graduated college, my parents cut off both my living expenses and my adopted brother's, announcing that whoever built a successful business would inherit the family company.

I headed south. Lionel Dickerson went north. We'd each have to make it on our own.

For three years I worked myself to the bone, finally growing my startup into a company worth over a hundred million dollars. But to avoid any conflict with Lionel over the family business, I lied—told everyone I'd failed—and came back home.

During those same three years, Lionel had risen fast. The business world was calling him a rising star.

Then, at the succession ceremony, one of my father's rivals decided to stir the pot.

"Cecil Dickerson," Stewart Lambert said with a grin, "if you really wanted to toughen up your boys, you shouldn't have opened up resources for them. Should've made them figure it out themselves."

I smiled politely. "Mr. Lambert, my father cut off our living expenses entirely. I just couldn't measure up to my brother."

"Bullshit!"

Stewart's face was flushed with drink. "Just last year, your old man traded shares to get me to open up my Northern resources for you boys. You gonna tell me that didn't help?"

I turned sharply to my father. My expression must have been ugly.

He let out an awkward laugh. "Luke Dickerson, you're our biological son. No matter what happens, you'll always be taken care of."

"But—"

My mother cut me off, her face going cold. "But what? Lionel has always struggled with insecurity. We were just giving him enough support to feel safe."

"You've been spoiled your whole life because you're our real son. If you had any self-awareness, you'd start from the bottom like everyone else!"

"And if you even think about going after your brother's position as heir, don't expect us to go easy on you!"

A bitter ache spread through my chest. My hand tightened around my phone.

On it was evidence of their tax evasion. If this was how things were going to be, I didn't see any reason to keep protecting them.

1.

I looked at my father.

"Dad, I'm only going to ask you once. What Stewart just said about opening up the Northern resources—is it true?"

He gave another hollow laugh, then sighed. "Luke, you've been difficult since you were a kid. We just wanted to temper you a little. Build some character."

"Don't worry. Once you've matured a bit, we'll definitely have Lionel share some resources with you."

I laughed.

"Later?"

"You won't give me anything now, but somehow you will later?"

"And you told us it was a fair competition. But the whole time, you were secretly funneling resources to Lionel. That's your idea of fair?"

My eyes were burning.

"What am I to you people?"

"Is this all just a joke to you?!"

My father started to say something.

But my mother slammed her hand on the table.

"What is your problem! I already told you—we were just giving Lionel a sense of security!"

"That doesn't give you the right to lie to me!"

She was furious now.

"This company is ours. We can give it to whoever we want!"

"And forget about us helping Lionel—even if we hadn't, do you really think three years of complete failure puts you anywhere near his level?!"

Lionel stepped forward, looking anxious. "Luke, please don't fight with Mom."

"This is my fault. I'm the one who said I felt insecure during the startup phase. That's why Mom and Dad gave me a leg up."

"Lionel, this is not your fault. Don't you dare apologize to him!"

My mother pulled him behind her and fixed me with a cold stare.

"You can't even run a startup without driving it into the ground. Do you honestly think you have what it takes to lead a company?"

"We've watched Lionel work hard. We've seen his management skills. He deserves to be the heir."

My father sighed. "Luke, you've been coddled your whole life. All you've ever known is having a good time. We simply can't trust you with the company."

"Lionel was already capable. Giving him resources just made sense—it was good for the company. And when the company does well, you do well. You need to see the bigger picture."

"Don't be so narrow-minded."