Chapter 416

---- Chapter 416 After hearing Donovan's question, Ethan let out a deep sigh. He struggled in silence for some time before finally nodding and answering hoarsely , "Yes. When did you figure it out?" Hearing that, Donovan closed his eyes, exasperated . "How much effort do you think it takes to guess something like that? As brothers and as the closest partners in the family business, Donovan had never been blind to Ethan's private life. From his very first meeting with Gideon, he noticed the striking resemblance between him and Ethan.

Given that Ethan gave him special treatment, it was clear to anyone that they were related. But Donovan had always chosen to stay silent. He watched but never pried and was unwilling to stir up trouble that would fracture the family. Just then, Ethan lit a cigarette. His figure was hazy in the smoke as he began to reveal Gideon's past. Thirty years ago, in the 1990s, a married Ethan had met a young woman in Usna. Her name was Helena Fairchild. She was a little-known actress from Orfland. Breathtakingly beautiful, Ethan fell for her at first sight.

He pursued her obsessively, lavished money on her, and soon they were living together. He even bought her two luxury ---- houses in Usna. And so, Ethan hid his affair from Grace. On the pretext of expanding into new markets in Usna, he shared a cozy life with Helena. But everything changed when she became pregnant. No longer content to be the mistress, Helena pressured him to divorce Grace. Yet while Ethan didn't love Grace that much, he could never bring himself to let her go. Grace was the daughter of a prominent family whose status matched the Kanes.

More importantly, she was a model daughter-in-law. She was dutiful to his parents, a capable mother, and a steady partner in his career. Robert and Dorothea simply adored her. With such a flawless wife, getting a divorce would be a disaster. It meant destroying a stable family, creating financial disputes, and tarnishing his reputation. Last but not least, it would damage his children's future. Ethan didn't love Grace, but he didn't want to destroy the home they had built. But at the same time, he couldn't let go of Helena.

In the end, Helena went ahead and gave birth to his child amidst the constant fights. Heartbroken, she decided to name him Marlon Kane. When it became clear that she would never marry into the Kanes, she grew cold and distant. Before Marlon even turned ---- one, she abandoned him and returned to Orfland to revive her acting career. Hoping to reconcile, Ethan brought Marlon to her. He implored her to return for the child's sake, so they could start over and build a stable home together in Usna. Instead, Helena had none of it and spiraled further down the rabbit hole.

She went on to star in several soft-core films and entangled herself with wealthy businessmen. Then, she lived a life of indulgence and scandal. Disillusioned , Ethan severed ties with her and took his infant son back to Valanthea . He made the painful decision to give him up to protect his family. After long consideration , he arranged an adoption through friends and placed Marlon with a well-educated couple. They were unable to have a child of their own and were desperate to adopt one.