Her Stepbrother Called Me Nobody, But I Own This City

I'm Jax Ryder, heir to the most powerful investment group in Veridian City.

I had just returned from studying abroad.

My father, worried I might impulsively marry the wrong woman, arranged a marriage for me with Everly, the heiress to the up-and-coming Sinclair Group.

It was strictly a business arrangement. But that didn't mean I intended to just go through the motions.

At the very least, I had to personally bid on the mansion that would serve as our marital home.

And so, I found myself at the annual Starlight Charity Gala. When the legendary prime real estate, the "Siren's Cove Estate," was presented as the final auction item, I raised my paddle.

Just as the gavel was about to fall, an arrogant voice cut through the room.

"What right does a nobody like you have to bid? Step aside."

The grand hall fell silent, the only sound the frantic clicking of camera shutters from all corners.

I turned my head. A man in a flashy, sequined suit stood there.

He swirled the champagne in his glass, his posture reeking of arrogance.

Before I could even speak, the auctioneer brought the gavel down.

"Sold! Congratulations to Mr. Brian Vance on winning the 'Siren's Cove Estate'!"

I frowned, a flicker of anger rising within me. "The bidding wasn't over."

"That's against the rules."

Brian sneered. He looked me up and down, his eyes filled with contempt.

"The rules?" He curled his lip. "Listen up. I'm Everly Sinclair's favorite stepbrother. In Veridian City, what I say goes."

I had to stop myself from laughing out loud.

This was interesting. My fiancée's stepbrother.

I pulled out my phone and dialed her number. "Everly, your dear brother just snatched the marital home I'd picked out. What are you going to do about it?"

I'm Jax Ryder, heir to the most powerful investment group in Veridian City.

I had just returned from studying abroad.

My father, worried I might impulsively marry the wrong woman, arranged a marriage for me with Everly, the heiress to the up-and-coming Sinclair Group.

It was strictly a business arrangement. But that didn't mean I intended to just go through the motions.

At the very least, I had to personally bid on the mansion that would serve as our marital home.

And so, I found myself at the annual Starlight Charity Gala. When the legendary prime real estate, the "Siren's Cove Estate," was presented as the final auction item, I raised my paddle.

Just as the gavel was about to fall, an arrogant voice cut through the room.

"What right does a nobody like you have to bid? Step aside."

The grand hall fell silent, the only sound the frantic clicking of camera shutters from all corners.

I turned my head. A man in a flashy, sequined suit stood there.

He swirled the champagne in his glass, his posture reeking of arrogance.

Before I could even speak, the auctioneer brought the gavel down.

"Sold! Congratulations to Mr. Brian Vance on winning