The prestigious Lyn family of Jinghai City had just concluded Lin Cohen's Bar Mitzvah in an uncharacteristically rushed manner. The absence of key family members had soured the celebration, casting a shadow over what should have been an important milestone.
Lin Cohen clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms as he burned with hatred for Yang Mo. Despite the elegant suit draped over him and the wealth surrounding him, his thoughts were far from noble. He had worked too hard to cement his place in the Lyn family to let an unwanted son return and ruin everything.
Little did his family know, Lin Cohen had made secret connections with underground forces—ruthless individuals who operated outside the boundaries of the law. If Yang Mo refused to disappear on his own, then extraordinary means would have to be taken. Spending a little money to ensure that Yang Mo would never return seemed like a simple and effective solution.
Just then, Joy Fang's voice interrupted his dark thoughts.
"Little Cohen, come with me to find your brother, okay? We'll bring him back home where he belongs."
Lin Cohen immediately adjusted his expression, replacing his scowl with an obedient, eager face. "Of course, Mother! I'd love to have my brother back."
Despite the warmth in his voice, his knuckles remained tight. He would never let Yang Mo return—not if he had anything to do with it.
Two luxury cars soon pulled away from the Lyn family estate, speeding towards Yang Mo's residence. The first car carried Joy Fang and Lin Andong, their anxious expressions reflecting in the tinted windows. The second car, a sleek, limited-edition sports car worth tens of millions, was driven by Lin Cohen himself.
Meanwhile, at the Yang household, the atmosphere was filled with warmth and laughter. The modest home was a stark contrast to the lavish Lyn mansion, but it exuded a sense of belonging that no amount of wealth could buy.
After dinner, Feng Dongmei carefully placed a birthday cake on the table, its eighteen candles glowing brightly in the dimly lit room.
"Xiao Mo, today is your eighteenth birthday. From now on, you are officially an adult," she said, her voice filled with emotion. "Seeing you grow up has been the greatest joy of my life. I hope your future is filled with happiness."
Yang Mo's adoptive father, Yang Chang, nodded and added, "Son, no matter what path you choose in life, just remember that we will always stand by you."
Yang Mo's heart swelled with gratitude. Though his adoptive parents hadn't given him material riches, they had given him something far more valuable—love, care, and a true home.
"Mom, Dad… I am proud to be your son," he said, his voice sincere. "Being taken in by you was the greatest blessing of my life."
Beside him, his younger sister, Yang Xin Yu, grinned mischievously. "Brother, I wish you a happy birthday! And I also hope you find a beautiful girlfriend soon!"
"You little rascal! What nonsense are you saying?" Feng Dongmei scolded playfully. "Your brother needs to focus on his studies first."
Yang Mo laughed and ruffled Xin Yu's hair.
"Really? So when you go to college and meet lots of pretty girls, won't you be tempted?" she asked, blinking her wide eyes.
Yang Mo chuckled. "Who would even look at me? I'm just a penniless man with nothing to offer."
Just as he leaned forward to blow out the candles and make a wish, a sudden knock on the front door shattered the moment.
Yang Mo frowned. He had a bad feeling about this.
As he opened the door, his worst suspicions were confirmed—it was Joy Fang and Lin Cohen.
Yang Mo's expression darkened. These people again? Couldn't they even let him have a peaceful birthday?
"M-Mo, it's me," Joy Fang's voice trembled with emotion. "I'm your mother."
She tried to step inside, but Yang Mo instinctively moved to close the door. He didn't want to hear any more of their empty words.
"Mo, please," she pleaded, stopping the door with her foot. "Let me talk to you."
From across the room, Feng Dongmei's expression turned ice cold. How dare these people show up here after how they had treated her son?
Years ago, when she had given Yang Mo to the Lyn family, she had done so believing he would have a better life. They had promised him love, care, and the best opportunities. Yet, the reality had been far from what was promised. Not only had they failed to care for him, but they had also subjected him to cruelty, starvation, and humiliation.
Seeing Joy Fang standing in front of her now, Feng Dongmei was filled with fury.
Just as she was about to speak, Yang Chang gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "Xiao Mo has grown up. Let him handle the Lyn family himself. We must trust him."
Meanwhile, Lin Cohen put on an award-winning performance. With tears streaming down his face, he rushed toward Yang Mo and grabbed his hand.
"Brother Yang Mo, I'm sorry! It was all my fault for making you angry in the past. Please come back home. I'll even leave the Lyn family if that's what it takes!" he sobbed.
But Yang Mo wasn't fooled. He had seen through this act long ago.
This was the same man who had locked him in a room and left him to starve in his past life. The same man who had whispered false accusations in their parents' ears, painted him as a liar and a thief, and manipulated their sisters into hating him.
Now, he had the audacity to stand here and pretend to care?
Yang Mo yanked his hand away in disgust. "Don't touch me," he spat. "You're evil, and it makes me sick just looking at you."
The moment the words left his mouth, a sense of satisfaction filled him. In the past, he had tried so hard to be accepted, to earn their love. But not anymore. He had wasted enough of his life on these people.
Lin Cohen stiffened, his eyes dark with rage. It took every ounce of self-control to keep himself from lashing out.
Since childhood, he had never suffered this kind of humiliation. How dare Yang Mo speak to him like this in front of their mother?
But he swallowed his anger. There would be another time, another place.
And when that moment came, he would make sure Yang Mo regretted ever being born.