Chapter 1 – The Choice He Made
The applause thundered through the auditorium like a tide that refused to ebb.
Jason Quince stood among hundreds of graduates in identical caps and gowns, his name still echoing faintly in his ears from moments ago when it had been called from the stage. He should have felt triumphant. Proud. Overwhelmed with the promise of a future finally beginning.
Instead, his chest felt strangely calm—almost heavy—with a decision he had already made long before today.
“Congratulations, young master.”
The voice came softly from behind him, respectful to the point of reverence. Jason stiffened instantly. He didn’t need to turn around to know who it was.
“Uncle Chen,” he said under his breath. “I told you not to call me that.”
The older man chuckled, lowering his voice. “Old habits die hard. Especially when one watches a boy grow up destined to inherit an empire.”
Jason finally turned. Uncle Chen looked exactly as he always had—neatly dressed, silver-haired, sharp-eyed. A man who had served the Quince family for decades, who had watched Jason’s childhood unfold inside guarded estates and behind tinted windows.
“I’m not inheriting anything,” Jason said calmly.
Uncle Chen studied him for a long moment, then sighed. “Your father will not be pleased.”
Jason glanced across the hall. His classmates were laughing, hugging their families, taking photos. Parents wiped away tears. Futures were being celebrated.
His own family stood at the far end of the auditorium, unmistakable even without extravagance. His older sisters were there, elegant and composed. And beside them stood Olivia—his eldest sister—her posture straight, her gaze sharp, already calculating ten steps ahead like the corporate titan she was known to be.
She caught his eye.
Jason looked away.
“Jason,” Uncle Chen said gently, “today was supposed to be the day you finally stepped into your place. The Watson Group—”
“I don’t want it,” Jason cut in.
Not now. Not ever.
He lifted his diploma, the paper warm from his grip, real and earned. This—this was something that belonged to him alone.
“All I want,” he said quietly, “is a normal life.”
Uncle Chen didn’t argue. He only nodded, as though he had expected this answer all along.
“At least come see your father,” he said. “He prepared a graduation gift for you.”
Jason almost smiled at that.
The underground parking garage gleamed with polished marble and soft white lighting. The air smelled faintly of leather and expensive cologne. Jason’s footsteps echoed as he followed Uncle Chen forward, already bracing himself.
He stopped short when he saw the cars.
Rows of luxury vehicles lined the garage—sleek, powerful, flawless. Limited editions. Custom builds. Machines worth more than entire neighborhoods.
His sisters waited beside them.
“Surprise!” Lily exclaimed brightly, clapping her hands together. “Now that you’ve graduated, you can finally start taking over the family business!”
Jason’s jaw tightened.
Olivia arched a brow. “We kept it low-key, like you asked. See? All regular cars.”
Jason looked at the nearest one. “That’s a twelve-million-dollar supercar.”
“Exactly,” Lily said, beaming. “None of them are over ten million.”
Jason exhaled slowly, pinching the bridge of his nose.
“We didn’t tell anyone about your graduation present,” another sister added. “Just a few villas. A couple of watches. Nothing too flashy.”
“Nothing flashy?” Jason repeated.
Olivia stepped forward, her heels clicking sharply against the floor. “You’re the heir of the Watson Group. This is nothing compared to what you’ll one day control.”
Jason straightened.
“I’m not taking it.”
The air shifted.
Olivia’s eyes narrowed. “You’re still on this?”
“Yes.”
“You don’t want to work at Watson Group?” Lily asked, stunned.
“No.”
“You don’t want to be the heir?”
“No.”
Silence fell like a dropped glass.
“All I want,” Jason said evenly, “is to work hard on my own. I want to build something with my own hands. And I want to give Vivian a happy life.”
At the mention of her name, Olivia’s expression cooled instantly.
“That girl again,” she muttered.
Jason’s gaze hardened. “Don’t.”
Olivia crossed her arms. “Dad doesn’t like her background. You know that.”
“I don’t care.”
“You’re naive,” Olivia said flatly. “You’re just a graduate. You don’t know how the world works yet. What if she’s just using you?”
“She’s not,” Jason replied without hesitation. “She’s not like that.”
“Love blinds people,” Olivia shot back. “Especially boys who’ve never struggled a day in their lives.”
Jason met her eyes. “That’s exactly why I’m choosing to struggle now.”
No one spoke.
Finally, Jason reached into his pocket and pulled out a simple employee badge.
“I already have a job,” he said. “I start today.”
His sisters stared.
“A job?” Lily echoed faintly.
“A car salesman,” Jason said.
Olivia laughed—once, sharply. “You’re joking.”
“I’m not.”
Uncle Chen cleared his throat awkwardly. “Young—Jason. At least let us arrange a manager position. An executive trainee role. Something fitting your—”
“No,” Jason said firmly. “I just need an employee position. No special treatment. No promotions out of nowhere. Don’t make me go from intern to boss in two months.”
Olivia studied him carefully. For the first time, something like uncertainty flickered across her face.
“You’re serious,” she said.
“Yes.”
Jason turned away from the cars—away from the life he’d been born into—and started walking toward the exit.
“I’m done talking,” he added over his shoulder. “Customers are waiting.”
The car dealership buzzed with activity.
Sunlight streamed through floor-to-ceiling glass windows, reflecting off polished hoods and chrome grilles. Salespeople moved briskly between customers, their smiles practiced, their voices smooth.
Jason stepped inside and exhaled.
This—this felt real.
“Jason!” A man hurried over, slightly out of breath. “Young—uh, Jason!”
He winced. “Mr. Michel. Stop calling me that.”
The manager laughed nervously. “Right. Right. Just Jason. A newbie. Got it.”
Jason nodded. “Any customers?”
“Plenty,” Mr. Michel said quickly. “Oh—your sister left a message. She said the Lamborghini in the showroom is for your commute. You might want to—”
“No,” Jason said immediately. “I’m an employee. I’m not driving a Lamborghini to work.”
Mr. Michel hesitated. “But—”
“I’m done talking,” Jason repeated. “Customers are here.”
As he turned toward the showroom floor, his gaze lifted—and froze.
Vivian Clark stood near the entrance.
She was smiling.
And beside her stood her family.
Jason felt his heart lift—and sink—all at once.
Unaware that this was the moment everything would begin to change.
End of Chapter 1
