Garbage-Picking Twins Rescue an Abandoned Baby — Not Knowing He's a Billionaire's Son...

Five years later.

Oakhaven had grown taller, wealthier, and colder. In the heart of the financial district stood the Vance Tower, a massive monument of black glass and steel that seemed to pierce the very clouds.

On the top floor, in an office bathed in stark grey light, Julian Vance sat behind a wide obsidian desk. At forty-four, his hair was silvered at the temples, and deep lines of permanent sorrow were etched around his eyes. He looked like a man made of stone.

Ever since the night his newborn son vanished twelve years ago, Julian had changed. He had severed ties with his social circles, poured billions into private security and child search foundations, and turned Vance International into an unstoppable corporate fortress. Yet, his life was completely hollow.

A knock sounded at the door. Arthur Vance, Julian's younger half-brother, walked in smoothly, wearing an expensive tailored suit and carrying a leather portfolio.

"Julian," Arthur said, his voice dripping with practiced warmth. "The board is asking about the final sign-offs for the new technology scholarship initiative. We need your signature."

Julian didn't look up from his papers. "Leave it on the desk."

Arthur lingered, an oily smile touching his lips. "You work too hard, brother. You are still dwelling on ghosts. It has been twelve years. The police closed the file a decade ago. You must accept that poor little Leo is... gone."

Julian’s eyes snapped up, cold as glacier ice. "As long as I draw breath, Arthur, my son's file is open. And until a body is found, Vance International has an heir. Don't forget your place on the board."

Arthur’s smile twitched, a flash of pure hatred passing through his eyes before he masked it with a polite nod. "Of course, Julian. Just looking out for the family."

Meanwhile, back in the coastal city, seventeen-year-old Emily was sweeping the floor of a bustling dockside bakery, while seventeen-year-old Grace was busily tallying receipts at the counter.

Their lives were a relentless grind of double shifts and sleepless nights, but their sacrifice had a purpose: Leo.

Now twelve years old, Leo sat at a small wooden desk in the back room, surrounded by blueprints, open textbooks, and circuit boards. He had grown into a handsome boy with dark, expressive eyes and a razor-sharp intellect.

"Emily! Grace!" Leo called out, bouncing in his chair. "Look at this!"

The twins walked in, smiling despite their exhaustion. Leo pointed to a complex schematic rendered in neat ink.

"It's a low-cost water filtration unit designed for poor coastal communities," Leo explained passionately, his eyes shining. "I submitted the design to the National Youth Science Innovation Competition! The grand prize is a full university scholarship and fifty thousand dollars!"

Grace gasped, dropping her pen. "Leo! That's incredible!"