Ryder and Jasmine were taken into custody, faces pale, their families already on the phone with legal teams before the patrol car pulled away.
But this wasn't the end
Because these weren't ordinary kids.
They were the heirs of power — children of families whose names could stir tension across boardrooms, golf clubs, and government dinners.
And Milicent? She was the girl from nowhere — the "nobody" who now stood in the middle of a case between legacies.
To avoid public scandal, the City Legal Board suggested arbitration — a private administrative process used when "rich problems" needed hush resolutions.
So the case was handed off to the Seoul Inter-High Family Arbitration Bureau, a discreet but powerful body that dealt in secrets.
Milicent sat stiffly in the quiet conference hall. Clean walls. No cameras. Just old men in suits — neutral faces behind horn-rimmed glasses.
Ray sat beside her, his jaw clenched. His father at his back, unreadable.
On the opposite end: Jasmine's mother, draped in white silk, eyes icy behind designer shades.
No one looked at Milicent.
Except one man — the arbitrator. He adjusted his spectacles and cleared his throat.
"This case involves criminal allegations — kidnapping, physical assault, and intentional infliction of trauma. However, given the parties involved and recent negotiations… a private resolution is being proposed."
Milicent's stomach turned. Private resolution?
"Mr. Ray—" the arbitrator began.
Jasmine's family would fund a scholarship program — in Milicent's name.
Ryder's family would issue a private apology letter, signed and documented.
Both families would pay a multi-million won compensation to avoid criminal charges.
All footage, recordings, and social chatter would be buried under confidentiality clauses.
well they'll be no need for that he cut in"
"This," he said, lifting a paper slightly, "is a DNA result. One I had conducted a month ago. Quietly. Discreetly. Because I needed to know."
Ray sat up straighter.
Ryder didn't blink.
"It confirms something I'd suspected for a long time… something Marcus — yes, the same Marcus
who we did thought to be hallucinating spoke about....
with a pause.
He let the words hang.
"Ryder is not my biological son."
Silence fell like thunder.
Matilda— gasped and covered her mouth. The Arbitrator shifted uncomfortably. Even Ryder's face cracked with something like disbelief… or shame.
Ray whispered, "What…?"
Their father nodded slowly. "Your mother had been lying to me al this while
but I don't blame the child.
yet I will no longer live in the shadow of a lie."
Ryder shot to his feet. "So that's it? You just erase me? I'm not your son because of a piece of paper?"
"You erased yourself," his father replied coldly. "When you chose hatred. When you betrayed the family. When you helped kidnap the only girl who ever saw through the Backwood name."
starting from the drugs. The consistent night parties,bad grades and carelessness
I cannot hand over my company to you
I have surveyed you.
and for now you don't seem fit to handle my company .
"I've spoken to Lotus Creek Rehabilitation Centre. It's discreet. It's designed for young people like you — people who need clarity. Peace. Healing."
and redefining purpose in life
Ryder swallowed hard.
"I didn't want this," he murmured.
"No one does," his father said. "But that's what a disobedient child tend to get
and I had to do what I must —
because I still believe you have a future
mam Emily— the quiet one in the room — cleared her throat.
She stood now, straightening her posture.
"There's one more thing," she said.
They turned to her.
"I knew," she confessed. "I knew Ryder wasn't your child. But I kept silent…
"I loved you anyway. I treated you like blood. But blood means nothing without truth. And truth always finds its way through — even if it takes years."
She turned to Ray. "You were never the golden child, Ray. But you were always true. That's what makes you your father's son.
Matilda stood by the window, her fingers trembling as they gripped the curtain.
The room was quiet now — just her, Ryder and the ghost of everything unspoken.
"I owe someone... an apology," she said, her voice low.
Ray looked up.
"Emily."
She turned around, eyes glassy, a rare crack in her polished exterior.
"I was her friend once. Her closest friend. But when things got hard ,I let jealousy destroy me
Her voice caught.
"I betrayed her.
you've failed me mother Ryder shouted
I was only protecting you I was protecting the family… but really, you were protecting your fear."
he exhaled.
"I don't know if you'll ever forgive me. But I needed to say it — even if it's too late."
She bowed her head.
"I'm sorry, Emily. For everything."
Absolutely you are And I forgive you!!!
dad cleared his Throat
attention everyone he commanded !!
"I once believed that silence protected peace
That if you covered up pain, hid behind image, and let things go — you could preserve dignity.
I was wrong a lot has literally gone wrong in our lives
I feel Ryder did drugs to fix pains
But drugs do not fix pain. They numb the voice that is trying to speak.
the pain of wanting to be favored by everyone yet seem not to get it .
Ryder— your strength is not in pretending. It is in speaking up. Asking for help. And staying present."
listening and bringing out the Best in yourself and not engaging in mischievous acts .
"Today, I pass the torch of our family company — Backwood's Legacy Foods , Textile , electronics and corporations— to my son, Ray Backwood's .
Not because he is perfect. But because he has known weakness… and chose healing.
Because he has known betrayal… and chose forgiveness.
And because he saw potential — not just in himself, but in people like Milicent, whom the world might have ignored."
Ray bowed deeply. The room clapped, and Milicent blinked back tears from her seat.
" Ryder… you're no longer my son by blood, but will always be part of this story…
You've made mistakes. Grave ones. But punishment is only the start.
Redemption lies in what you do next. The years ahead will teach you humility. Service. Reflection.
You are not erased. But you must choose who you want to become — not as a backwood… but as yourself."
Jasmine I'm not excluding you out of my talk … you're gifted, intelligent, but driven by pride.
you've also contributed in been a bad girl friend to my son , but
I pray your punishment becomes your pathway. And one day, you learn that winning is not the crown — but the content of the heart wearing it."
Chef Milicent — you're the girl who cooked with her soul.
Emily saw great potentials in you and hired you to be our family chef .
you stood by Ray through fire and flood. you made us realize that class, accent, and birth mean nothing without character.
Your future is limitless. And as our family's first Cultural Culinary Ambassador, may your talent inspire thousands of other girls who have been overlooked."
and that resulted to an applause.....
Matilda I'm most disappointed on how you've let us live in lies and trained your Ryder in a misleading way
the burden is now on You.
"Matilda, you've gone and messed up Ryder's upbringing, and now he's facing the consequences. You should've set better boundaries and given him more guidance, but now he's paying the price for your leniency.
"Our family fell apart — and somehow, it fell together again.
Because what binds us is not blood or business.
But truth.
And truth, when it is finally spoken… sets every soul free."
---
He bowed.
The entire room rose in silent applause.
Outside, the rain had stopped.
and there, was the agency from Seoul Rehab center waiting!!!!!