CHAPTER 18: TRUE NATURE NEVER CHANGES

The Trump Estate.

Inside the European-style villa, on a dark brown leather sofa, an elderly man with a neatly trimmed goatee sat ramrod straight.

Thomas leaned on the cane resting before him. Across from him, Ethan knelt on the floor.

"Don’t be so harsh on Ethan, Father. He’s still young... he doesn’t know better," came a soft, trembling voice.

Thomas’s gaze flicked toward her, sharp as a blade. Lisa Garcia, Ethan’s mother, flinched instantly and fell silent. She had always feared him.

"He’s your son, Lisa. You’ve been in this family for over twenty years. Do I really need to remind you what kind of man I am?"

"Father... matters of the heart can’t be forced." Lisa’s head dropped again, unable to meet his eyes.

Thomas was well into his seventies, yet his eyes were keen, his spirit unyielding.

"Father, Lisa’s right. We can’t force Ethan to marry someone he doesn’t love. We only entertained the Morgans to use them, but now they’re worthless. There’s no need to keep playing nice," Brandon Trump, standing beside Lisa, said evenly.

"You trying to kill me with rage, Brandon?"

Brandon, already in his forties, still carried traces of the handsome man he’d once been—clean-shaven, proper, ordinary in appearance but respectable.

"I didn’t mean it like that," he hurried to add. "The Morgan family has cracks all over. Ethan even said their sudden push for marriage was just to patch those cracks."

"You still don’t get it!" Thomas snapped. "Check your phones. I’m an old man, and even I stay more informed than you!"

Thomas had never liked Olivia. Even at her young age, her eyes were filled with nothing but calculation. A woman that scheming could only bring disaster if she set foot inside the Trump family’s gates.

Ethan glanced at the news alert, stunned into silence.

"Now do you see? I told you before—Sophia was the one you should’ve chosen. But no, you let Olivia trick you into wasting years. Foolish boy!"

"Grandfather, I—"

"Sophia is Luna. She’s worth hundreds of millions. The Trump family is built on fashion and luxury. She’s the granddaughter-in-law I approve of—the one who can help us."

Brandon frowned. "But Father... Sophia was born out of wedlock. She’s Andrew’s illegitimate child."

"That was Andrew’s shame, not hers. Compare them yourself—Sophia versus Olivia. Andrew’s younger daughter is a spoiled princess through and through. Do you want a wife who will support you—or one who’ll drag you down and make you bend to her every whim?"

Thomas’s words cut hard. He was nothing if not practical. If he disliked someone, they’d never enter the Trump family.

"I’ve been with Olivia for eight years, Grandfather... It’s not just about feelings. The Morgans won’t let this go so easily."

"They’re sinking, Ethan. Desperate, clinging to us as their last lifeline. But you—you’re my grandson. You know I love you. When it comes to your marriage, I won’t force you. But remember this—everything in the Trump family will one day be yours. The choice is yours: a wife who strengthens you, or a spoiled brat who’ll bleed you dry until nothing’s left. Which do you choose?"

Ethan had been raised by Thomas himself. When it came to serious matters, he knew the difference. If not for Olivia’s tricks, he never would’ve ended up with her in the first place.

"Grandfather, I’ve tolerated her long enough. I’m done. If she wants to throw tantrums, I won’t indulge her anymore. Grandfather, Father, Mother—call off the engagement."

Ethan straightened his back, his voice firm.

Thomas burst out laughing, full of vigor, looking far younger than his years.

"That’s my boy! In matters this big, you need vision. Long-term vision."

Just as the words left Thomas’s mouth, a servant stepped in.

"Master, the Morgans are here. They’re waiting at the gate."

Thomas gave a knowing smirk. "See? Lucas’s announcement rattled them. Olivia is their only card left to cling to you, Ethan. From here on, the choice is yours. Whatever you decide, Grandfather will back you."

Age hadn’t dulled his mind—Thomas was sharper than anyone.

Moments later, Andrew walked in carrying expensive gifts.

"Uncle Trump, just a small token of respect. Please accept it."

"Andrew, no need for gifts. You shouldn’t have."

Andrew smiled, his tone ingratiating. "It’s been too long since I visited. Of course I brought something. And truthfully, I also heard Olivia upset Ethan. I couldn’t sit by, so I brought her to apologize. She may be my daughter, but I can’t let Ethan suffer."

Olivia had dressed herself up as the picture of a gentle, obedient lady. She hurried over to Ethan, clinging to his arm.

"Ethan~" she whispered, her voice sweet and apologetic, eyes glistening like water.

"What are you doing here?" Ethan asked flatly, pulling her hand off.

"Ethan, I’m sorry. I was wrong—I was spoiled and selfish. Please don’t be angry. I’m here to make it right."

"No need. You’re a Morgan heiress, aren’t you? Apologies don’t suit your status." His voice was cold. He had no patience left for her.

Truth was, the only woman on his mind now was Sophia.

Years had passed, but she was more breathtaking than ever. Back then, when Ethan chased her, it hadn’t been a game—he’d truly cared for her. But Sophia, haunted by her mother’s fate as a mistress, had refused intimacy before marriage. Ethan, at the height of his youth and hormones, had struggled.

Olivia, on the other hand, had been daring, shameless even—bold enough to tempt him when she was barely grown. And with her status as the legitimate Morgan daughter, he’d been seduced, blinded, and eventually swayed.

Eight years later, he was long tired of her. But Sophia... Sophia was different. More beautiful, yes, but also radiant with a magnetic charm that made it impossible to look away.

"Ethan," Olivia murmured, lowering her lashes in a show of meekness. "I know you didn’t mean it. My father asked me to apologize. I promise I’ll listen to you from now on. Once we’re married, I’ll stay home and be the perfect wife. Isn’t that what you want?"

At the word married, his expression turned even colder. "What did you just say?"

Olivia ducked her head with a shy little laugh. "Father came today to talk about our wedding. Once we’re married, we’ll be together forever. And I’ll never let Sophia come between us again."

Ethan’s eyes hardened. He started to move away, but Olivia clung tighter to his arm.

"Where are you going? I’ve already apologized. Ethan, please don’t be mad anymore."

"I will not marry you."

Olivia froze. In that heartbeat, he shook her off and crossed to sit beside Thomas.

"Uncle Morgan, Mrs. Miller—since you’re here, let me make things clear. Olivia and I have already broken up. It was her decision, not mine. Whatever we had is over."

Andrew forced a stiff smile. "Ethan, she may have a temper, but we’ve spoiled her since she was little. We see these things—we know how well you’ve treated her. Don’t let a small quarrel ruin what you’ve built. Olivia loves you, she can’t live without you. Don’t say things you’ll regret."

He thought Ethan’s silence meant there was still hope—that this was nothing more than lovers’ squabbling.

But before he could speak again, Ethan’s voice cut through the room.

"I want to call off the engagement."