Chapter 1

Alexander Kane, New York City's youngest billionaire and one of its most coveted bachelors, sat in the back of his bespoke Rolls-Royce Phantom, his hand impatiently tapping against the plush armrest. His eyes flicked at the watch on his wrist, the gleaming face reflecting the orange glow of the evening sky as the vehicle inched forward in the gridlocked traffic.

It was already 7 p.m., and he had just left the office—his mind on a far more pressing matter than the workday’s end. Today was his birthday, but the thought of celebrating felt as foreign to him as a life of mediocrity. What truly weighed on him was his destination: the old family estate, where his late grandfather, Lord Benjamin Kane, WILL, would be about to be read.

Alexander’s relationship with the man was complicated—part mentor, part tyrant—but respect was non-negotiable. Though his grandfather’s empire had never been the driving force behind Alexander's success, the old man’s teachings had shaped him into the cold, calculating business titan he had become. He owed his rise to his abilities, but even now, at 30, Alexander could feel the weight of his grandfather's expectations pressing on him from beyond the grave.

As the Rolls-Royce finally navigated the congested streets and made its way up to the mansion, Alexander’s mind wandered back to memories of his grandfather—the stern lessons, the ruthless power plays, and the unyielding grip the old man had over the family and business. The Kane name, once synonymous with absolute power, still loomed large, despite his passing five months ago.

When the car came to a halt, his assistant, James Parker, hurried to open the door.

"Quite the turnout," Alexander remarked, his voice laced with curiosity as he took in the sight of several expensive vehicles lining the driveway. His gaze narrowed.

"Is there a party I wasn’t informed about?"

James hesitated, his expression uneasy. "Young master... it’s a birthday celebration. Your grandmother organized it for you."

Alexander’s brow furrowed. “A birthday party?” The words were spoken with an air of disbelief, his gaze turning colder.

James swallowed hard. "Yes, sir. She insisted."

"And you knew about this... and didn’t tell me?"

James shifted uncomfortably, caught between loyalty to his boss and the pressure of his grandmother’s wishes. "Forgive me, sir. I was instructed not to say anything."

A moment of silence passed before Alexander’s voice, calm yet edged with menace, cut through the tension. "No bonuses for the next six months."

James winced, his thoughts racing. The wrath of Alexander Kane was not something easily escaped.

Inside the mansion, the sounds of cheerful greetings hit him like a tidal wave. “Happy Birthday!” rang out from all directions. Alexander’s expression soured further as he spotted his grandmother, who embraced him with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

"I didn’t ask for this, Grandma."

She laughed softly, though there was a touch of sadness in it. "I know, darling. But it’s your 30th. You've never celebrated before."

His gaze swept over the room, and he couldn’t miss the obvious—his grandmother had invited every eligible woman in New York’s high society, hoping to find him a match. His lips twisted into a wry smile. He wasn’t naive; this was part of her endless campaign to secure his future—according to her, anyway.

"Where’s the lawyer?" he demanded, not even bothering to acknowledge the women fluttering around him like moths to a flame.

Grandma Helen raised an eyebrow but gestured toward the stairs. “Let’s have a drink first. The lawyer will meet us upstairs.”

"I’ll head up now," Alexander said, his tone dismissive.

As he turned to climb the stairs, a woman barreled toward him, her outfit garish, her perfume overbearing. She tried to get close, but the security guards swiftly blocked her path.

"Mr. Kane, just a moment—let me introduce myself. I’m sure you’ll—"

“Escort her out,” Alexander ordered, his voice cold. “And make sure she doesn’t return.”

The woman’s protests were drowned out by the sounds of the guards’ firm response. Alexander didn’t even glance back as he ascended to the second floor.

Two hours later, the party had dwindled to nothing more than a distant memory. The last of the guests had gone, leaving only Grandma Helen, who marched upstairs, fury barely contained beneath her graceful exterior.

"Alexander," she began, her voice sharp, "you’ve made your point. Can we at least get this over with?"

Alexander sat at a long table, the family lawyer, Mr. Edwards, beside him. His grandmother, her lips tight with frustration, took her seat. The rest of the household staff lingered quietly in the room, their presence a silent reminder of their loyalty to the family name.

The lawyer adjusted his glasses and cleared his throat. "According to the will," he began, his eyes scanning the paper in front of him, "Alexander receives 50% of the estate, 20% from his absent sister, 20% from Grandma Helen, and the remaining 10% from the staff. This includes Kane Enterprises and various other properties."

A pause. Everyone in the room waited for the next part, sensing there was more.

"But," Mr. Edwards hesitated, glancing at Alexander, who had not flinched since he entered the room. “There is a condition.”

Alexander leaned forward, his gaze icy. "A condition?"

“Yes," the lawyer replied, his voice dropping. "To inherit the full estate, including Kane Enterprises, Alexander must marry... and have a child within one year and six months. If he fails to do so, the entire inheritance will be donated to orphanages in New York City.”

The room fell silent. Grandma Helen’s face drained of color. She had known her grandson's stance on marriage and had tried countless times to get him to relent, but this... this was beyond anything she had expected.

Alexander's expression remained unreadable, his voice even as he addressed the lawyer. "So, you’re telling me... if I don’t marry and have a child within 18 months, everything goes to the orphans?"

The lawyer nodded, his eyes glinting with uncertainty.

Alexander’s gaze shifted to his grandmother, who was now fighting to hold back tears. He wasn’t surprised; the old man had always pushed for this, but now, it seemed his death would be the final nail in Alexander’s coffin.

His voice broke the silence, sharp and commanding.

"Get out," he ordered the others. The butler and staff exited immediately, leaving only the lawyer and Grandma Helen in the room.

Once the door was shut behind them, Alexander turned to the lawyer with a cold smile. "And if I don’t comply, what happens to the Kane legacy?"

Mr. Edwards shifted uncomfortably, unsure how to respond.

“I guess we’ll see,” Alexander murmured, his eyes narrowing with a dangerous gleam. “But I wonder... will I be the one to choose my fate, or will my grandfather have the final word?”

The lawyer could only stare at him, his face paling as the weight of Alexander’s words hung heavy in the air.