The Real Son Returned—The Fake Heir Panicke

I Saved All of Humanity, Yet My Rich Family Looked Down on Me and Treated Me as an Outsider.

On the very first day I was brought back into the wealthy Zamora family, they threw a welcome-home banquet for me. My younger brother picked up a shrimpwith the shell still onand placed it in my bowl.

Then he turned to me and said, "This shrimp shell has nutrients. It can help strengthen your bones."

Wait... The Zamora family could be considered well-off.

So why were they so poor that they needed to eat shrimp shells for calcium?

As I sat at the table, trying to enjoy this rare family reunion, I suddenly froze.

It seemed they had all heard my inner thoughts.

I continued thinking in my head. 'Human stomach acid can't digest shrimp shells. If you really want to save money, just drink more milk. Besides, shrimp shells are basically kitchen waste.'

My brother, Cedrick, frowned.

'Forget it. This Cedrick... he might have decent looks, but his intelligence probably isn't very high. Better not argue with him.'

Cedrick unconsciously put down his cutlery.

'The institute's research project has already wrapped up. Clinical trials will begin soon. If it passes, I need to make him something to eat as soon as possibleto fix his genetic defect once and for all.'

Cedrick's eyes instantly reddened, his lips pressed tightly together. "It's all my fault for taking away my brother's life..."

"My brother must have suffered so much up in the mountains. Maybe I should be sent there toothen he wouldn't look down on me."

My mother, full of concern, pulled him into a comforting hug, while my father frowned deeply.

Only my sister, Adeline, slammed her silverware on the table and glared at me with pure disdain.

"What's the matter? I just gave you a shrimp, and you act like it's the greatest insult?"

"I said it back thenI didn't agree with you coming back at all. It's been so many years. Why did you insist on returning just to disturb our family?"

"Are you coveting the Zamora family's property? Let me tell you right nowaside from Cedrick, you won't get a single cent!"

My mother hugged Cedrick even tighter and turned to scold me.

"Why did you clash with your younger brother the moment you came home? Hurry up and apologize to him!"

I calmly set down my bowl and cutlery, then swept my eyes across these blood relatives.

I really don't want to eat garbage...

'Can't you see this pretentious act? He cried for so long without shedding a single tear. Do I really have to eat shrimp shells just to keep him from throwing a tantrum?'

'Why does my family seem to have such low intelligence? Will prolonged exposure to low-IQ individuals reduce intelligence by association? Once the medicine passes clinical trials, I should probably let them try it too.'

The dining table instantly fell silent.

They exchanged quick glances with one another. The atmosphere turned strange and tense.

'If I'd known this would happen, I wouldn't have listened to the professor. Why did I even come back? This feels like a low-budget short dramaboring and ridiculous.'

Adeline glared at me fiercely and said through clenched teeth,

"I'm warning youdon't even think about sowing discord here!"

"Don't think that just because you share Zamora blood, you can take advantage of anything!"

"These shrimp shells were originally for me to eat. If you don't know your place, don't even dream of integrating into this family!"

As she spoke, Adeline suddenly reached outright before my eyesand swept all the shrimp shells into her own bowl, crunching down on them loudly.

My father seemed completely used to this scene. He set down his chopsticks and looked at me calmly.

"Julian, right?" he said.

"You've been living in the mountains for years. It's normal if you're not used to city life yet."

"We'll arrange for you to start working in the company's cleaning department first. That way, you can gradually familiarize yourself with the business."

Then he turned to Cedrick, whose eyes were still red from crying, and gently rubbed his head.

"Cedrick, you were raised by us since childhood. Even without blood ties, you've long been our family."

"Your brother has never eaten shrimp before. He doesn't know that shrimp shells can supplement calcium."

"Don't be sad."

"You just graduated and want to do an internship, right?" my father said casually.

"Go straight to the CEO's office and work as a deputy director first. After you get familiar with things, you'll be put in charge of one of the subsidiaries."

"Thank you, Dad! You're the best!"

Cedrick instantly beamed. He practically flew over and planted an exaggerated kiss on my father's aging face, making my stomach churn.

Then he turned to me with a hypocritical smile.

"Brother, you smell a little... bad. You probably didn't get many chances to bathe in the mountains, right?"

"But don't worry! Our company has great benefits. You can use the company bathroom to shower in the future!"

"Aren't you happy?"

Listening to such idiotic remarks, I genuinely felt the urge to contact the institute's internal security department.

'This family hasn't been infiltrated by foreign hostile forces, right?'

'Letting an adopted son intern as deputy director of the CEO's office, while sending the biological son to work as a cleaner? What kind of absurd plot is this?'

My father's hand, which had been resting on Cedrick's head, stiffened slightly.

Adeline let out a cold laugh.

"Do you think Evermont Corporation is a place anyone can casually enter?"

"Even our cleaning staff enjoys Five Social Insurances and One Housing Fund!"

"You probably don't even know what that is, do you?"

I sighed inwardly.

'I don't really pay attention to benefits at the research institute... but last time my senior sister mentioned something about ten insurances and three funds.'

'Is Five Social Insurances and One Housing Fund really that impressive?'

The sneer on Adeline's face froze.

'Besides, I still hold five patents. I'm not exactly short on money.'

'Do they really think I'm some poor guy who eats garbage? This is exhausting.'

The atmosphere at the table grew even stranger.

Cedrick happily ate the shrimp meat everyone had peeled for him, cheeks puffed out, occasionally casting provocative glances in my direction.

Looking at his childish provocation, my heart remained completely calm. I didn't even feel angry.

"Alright," my father said irritably.

"Since he doesn't want to eat, don't force him. Have him sent back to his room."

I stood up and followed the nanny upstairs, my mind unconsciously reviewing the final data from my completed experiment.

"This is your room."

The nanny stopped at the very end of the corridor and pointed at a cramped room.

"The young master sleeps lightly at night. If there's nothing important, don't come out."

"Use the bathroom inside the room. I've prepared a bucket for you. Take it to the yard and clean it yourself in the morning."

I halted and frowned.

This so-called wealthy family was really a small temple with fierce winds.

If I didn't draw a line now, even a nanny would feel free to climb over my head.

I calmly looked at her, suddenly stepping closer and lowering my voice.

"It's one thing for this family to be stupidafter all, we're related by blood."

"But who gave you, a nanny, the courage to target me like this?"

The nanny's face changed abruptly. "II didn't"

"Heh. No?" I sneered, just about to expose her little trickswhen she suddenly shoved me hard.

I fell to the ground.

The noise immediately drew attention from downstairs, and my family rushed over.

"What are you doing?" Cedrick shouted as soon as he reached the top of the stairs.

"Why are you hitting Auntie Millie?!"

He didn't even bother to understand the situation before assigning blame.

Encouraged by Cedrick backing her up, the nanny straightened her back and spoke with a wronged expression.

"He was dissatisfied with the room and deliberately threw himself down to frame me."

"Heh," Adeline sneered from the side. "I told you it was a bad idea to bring him back. Lookhe's already stirring up trouble the moment he gets home."

My mother frowned slightly. "If you're not satisfied with the room, you could have told us directly."

"There's no need to do something like this."

"Aunt Millie has worked in our house for over ten years. We understand her character."

'What a bunch of fools.'

'They'd rather trust an adopted son of unknown originand even a nannythan me.'

'I'm a son who just returned to acknowledge my family. Even an outsider wouldn't be beaten by a nanny in someone else's house, right?'

Calling this a room arrangement was a joke.

This was no different from a prison cell.

A urinal in the room, and I had to carry it to the yard to clean it every morning?

Even rural homes weren't like this anymore.

My mother looked embarrassed and helpless, instinctively turning to my father for guidance.

A flicker of doubt crossed my father's face. He frowned and fell silent, clearly thinking.

Before he could speak, Cedrick cut in.

"Brother, I heard you're from the Loess Plateau," he said casually.

"Don't people there live in cave dwellings? Isn't it normal to empty a urinal every morning?"

"Aunt Millie is honest and hardworking. Why did you bully her?"

"Mom and Dad work so hard every day. Can you stop causing trouble?"

"If you're angry, come at me instead. Why don't you just hit me?"

He looked at me with disdain, as if he had already seen through my so-called schemes.'

My mother immediately pulled him into her arms, heart aching.

"Cedrick, you don't need to endure this. You're the treasure we cherish the most. How could we ever let someone hit you?"

"Try touching him again and I'll make you pay!" Adeline pointed at me and shouted, her voice sharp and vicious like a street thug's.

I sighed.

"Our research institute chose the Loess Plateau to ensure environmental stability for experiments," I said calmly.

"This isn't the 1980s. Who still lives in cave dwellings now?"

"If you didn't want me to come back, you didn't have to go this far."

"Putting a urinal in a villahas the Zamora family really fallen into such bizarre habits?"

The moment Cedrick realized he had been publicly exposed and was clearly in the wrong, he threw himself into my mother's arms and started crying loudly, like a spoiled child.

And my mother... actually cried along with him.

I pushed the door open.

A cloud of dust surged out, making me cough repeatedly.

The room looked like an unfinished construction site.

The walls were scarred with shovel marks, chunks of plaster peeling off. One of the windows was broken, cold air whistling in.

"Ahem... you're really impressive," I said helplessly, covering my mouth as I coughed.

My father finally saw the room clearly. His face darkened.

"Why hasn't this room been renovated yet?"

"I ordered it a long time ago."

"Dad, it's winter," Cedrick replied awkwardly under my father's gaze.

"No workers are willing to come."

I nearly laughed.

[Is he actually brainless, or just pretending?]

[Do renovation workers choose seasons now? Did he do it himself?]

[No. I have to contact the research institute today.]

[Staying in this dump any longer might actually lower my intelligence. That would be a loss to the country.]

My father was so furious that he immediately arranged for me to stay temporarily in the guest room.

News of the Zamora Group's biological son returning home quickly spread.

Some competitors, well aware of the Zamora family's blatant favoritism toward Cedrick, deliberately fanned the flames online, waiting to see the real and fake young masters fight for power and profit.

True to expectations, the Zamora family soon announced a formal recognition banquet.

But I knew very wellthis so-called banquet was nothing more than a superficial move to placate the shareholders.

The banquet was scheduled for the evening, yet as the supposed protagonist, I received almost no attention.

Instead, Cedrick bounced around like an overexcited dogshopping for clothes, contacting clients, acting as though he were the star of the night.

Time slipped by quickly, and evening arrived in the blink of an eye.

Guests began to arrive one after another.

The first floor had been transformed into a banquet hall. Long tables were laid out with exquisite dishes and an assortment of branded wines and spirits.

Cedrick stood at the entrance holding a tall glass, smiling brightly as he greeted guests, his mouth full of cloying pleasantries that made my stomach churn.

Although I had been called downstairs early as well, the Zamora family deliberatelyor perhaps subconsciouslykept their distance from me. Almost no one paid me any attention.

I was more than happy with that.

I tucked myself into a corner, phone in hand, reviewing research materials.

I was completely absorbed when my grip suddenly loosened.

By the time I reacted, my phone was already gone.

On the screen, the biological reaction process under the microscope was still playing.

My heart nearly stopped.

"What are you doing? Give it back to menow!"

Cedrick held my phone casually, clearly unconcerned.

"Brother, today is a big day for our Zamora family."

"The whole family is busy because of you. If you won't help receive guests, finebut how can you sit here playing with your phone so shamelessly?"

"Phone... that phone is classified!" I panicked and stood up abruptly. "Give it back to me immediately!"

I didn't even have time to argue properly before rushing toward him.

But Cedrick was clearly prepared.

He took several steps back, retreating straight into the center of the banquet hall. Raising the phone high, he deliberately raised his voice.

"Brother, even if you don't like us, there's no need to act like this."

"Your parents are hosting a recognition banquet just to help you integrate into the family. Can't you consider the bigger picture for once?"

"Nogive me my phone!"

I was already on the verge of collapse.

What was displayed on that screen was a top-level national secret.

If it leakedeven a fractionthe consequences would be unimaginable.

Cedrick's eyes gleamed, his tone growing sharper.

"Your phone is basically your life, huh? Can't you stand being separated from it for even a moment?"

"You don't even understand basic etiquette. How have you managed to survive all these years?"

"Something so disgraceful!"

Adeline suddenly appeared from somewhere, joining in without hesitation.

"You've embarrassed the entire Zamora family!"

"Do you... do you realize this is a crime?" I lunged forward again, my voice shaking.

Adeline smoothly took the phone from Cedrick's hand and smiled coldly at me.

"You want it? Then come and get it."

I wiped the cold sweat from my forehead and stepped forward.

Just as my fingertips were about to touch the phoneAdeline suddenly tossed it high over my head.

Cedrick, standing opposite me, caught it steadily.

"Brother, the phone's over here."

He shook it lightly, grinning, like someone teasing a dog.

Laughter and whispers spread through the surrounding guests, all eyes drawn to the spectacle.

At the noise, my parents finally noticed and hurried over, frowning.

By then, my legs had gone weak. I sank to the floor, unable to muster the strength to stand.

My father looked down at me, then at the siblings, his brows tightly knit.

"Enough. Stop fooling around. What kind of behavior is this? Give him back his phone."

Cedrick glanced at the screen, quickly losing interest.

"You even set an alarm?" he scoffed. "You really know how to pretend. Are you fantasizing about being some kind of national secret agent?"

"Ridiculous!" Adeline added sharply.

My gaze locked onto the red Alarm Activated' screen.

Instead of panic, relief finally washed over me.

Phones used by researchers at our institute were custom-made.

Not only did they surpass commercial devices in functionality, they also carried the highest level of confidentiality protection.

The moment the phone was taken, fingerprint and iris verification had been automatically triggered.

After Cedrick and Adeline tossed it back and forth, verification had failed repeatedly.

Which meantthrough the internal warning channel, an alert had already been sent to the nearest special operations unit.

"Everyone, please forgive us."

My father raised his wineglass, not sparing me a glance as I sat on the floor. His smile was practiced, impeccable.

"My son grew up in the mountains and doesn't understand proper etiquette. Please don't take offense."

Seeing my father's attitude, Cedrick immediately followed up with a cooperative smile.

"My brother has already been arranged to work in the company's cleaning department. He'll get used to things soon. Please don't worry."

"Heh."

Adeline stood nearby, arms crossed, her tone light but pointed.

"Our Zamora family wouldn't let just anyone come back and disrupt Evermont Corporation."

With the three of them working in seamless coordination, the shareholders who had been watching closely began to relax. One by one, smiles returned to their faces.

I stood up slowly, gripping the phone in my handthe device now no different from a brickand spoke coldly.

"You'd better think carefully about how you're going to explain this later."

My mother shot me an annoyed look.

"Why are you being so stubborn? We were just joking with you. Aren't you overreacting?"

"I've said everything I needed to say," I replied flatly. "If you won't listen, there's nothing more I can do."

At that moment, an elderly man with graying hair but a straight, imposing posture stepped forward.

"I heard your young master works in scientific research," he said calmly.

"His qualifications shouldn't be low. And judging from what just happened, it was actually Mr. Cedrick and Miss Adeline who went a bit too far."

"Mr. Chandler, it's not what you think."

My mother immediately moved to his side, smiling warmly.

"This child is too unruly. Cedrick and Adeline were just trying to help him integrate into the family. Who would've thought he couldn't take a joke? He's far too sensitive."

Mr. Chandler chuckled lightly.

"Well, it's your family's matter. As long as it doesn't affect our cooperation, I won't interfere."

"Of course, of course." My father hurried to explain. "Children will have their disagreements. Don't worryit won't affect the group in any way."

With that, the farce was quickly brushed aside.

No one cared anymoreexcept me, the one who had been toyed with like a dog.

I returned to the corner, phone in hand, watching coldly as the Zamora family wove effortlessly among the guests.

The segment that had originally been meant to introduce me was quietly canceled.

Instead, the announcement that Cedrick would soon be appointed Deputy Director of the CEO's Office made him the undisputed protagonist of the banquet.

People crowded around him, flattering smiles plastered on their faces. Cedrick's cheeks were flushed with excitement, his laughter sharp and grating as it rang through the hall.

After finishing a round of socializing, Mr. Chandler walked over to me.

He hesitated, then lowered his voice.

"Young man... are you from the Life Research Institute?"

My heart tightened.

I instinctively straightened, then shrank back slightly, studying his face more carefully.

It looked... familiar.

Before I could respond, a sudden wave of cheers erupted from the center of the hall.

"Thank you all for your trust!" Cedrick raised his glass high.

"I promise we'll live up to expectations! Comethis toast is to everyone!"

Applause and praise followed immediately.

"Chairman Zamora really raised a fine son."

"At such a young age, he's already sharing the burden."

"We'll be relying on Director Zamora's care from now on."

My parents and Adeline stood to the side, watching Cedrick with undisguised pride and satisfaction.

Just as everyone lifted their glasses

Clatter.

The sharp sound of glass shattering rang out, followed by heavy, synchronized footsteps from upstairs.

Bang!

Before anyone could react, the villa's main gate was violently forced open.

A group of special agents in black combat uniforms stormed in, weapons raised, their presence cold and overwhelming.

The banquet hall fell into dead silence.

"The signal jammer is functioning normally!"

"Target located and confirmedSenior Researcher Julian. Target is safe. Requesting protection authorization!"