Connor stared at the black card in his trembling hands, the weight of one hundred billion dollars almost incomprehensible."Young Master," Jimmy said softly, "there are instructions for the Jarrah Properties handover. The company is now legally yours.""I can't... I can't accept this," Connor whispered, though his voice lacked conviction.Jimmy pulled out a business card. "When you're ready, call this number. The lawyers are waiting." He paused at the door. "Your mother truly regrets what happened, Young Master. The family knows they failed you.""Failed me?" Connor's voice cracked. "They destroyed me when all I wanted was to save this place!""And now you can save it properly," Jimmy replied before disappearing into the night.Connor looked around the care home, watching elderly residents finally sleeping peacefully with full bellies, children clutching new toys. His heart warred between pride and pragmatism."Nana Eucalyptus," he called softly to the supervisor. "Are you certain the

The sales lobby had transformed into a circus, with Daintree as the ringleader and Connor as the unwilling main attraction. A growing crowd of customers, staff, and onlookers formed a circle around them."Look at this pathetic slug!" Daintree's voice echoed through the marble halls. "Standing there like he belongs among civilized people!"A few of her coworkers gathered behind her, smirking at the spectacle."Is that really Connor Waratah?" whispered Sandra, another saleswoman. "The guy who married into the Kuranda family?""The very same!" Daintree cackled. "Melbourne's most famous charity case! Tell them, Connor—tell everyone how you're just an orphanage janitor who struck gold by tricking some desperate woman into marriage!"Connor remained silent, his jaw clenched."What's wrong, termite? Cat got your tongue?" Daintree stepped closer, her voice dripping with malice. "Or are you finally realizing you don't belong in the same building as your betters?""Ma'am, maybe we should tone t

The Kuranda mansion's grand meeting room felt suffocating as family members filed in, their faces masks of barely concealed anticipation. Elder Dundarra sat at the head of the massive mahogany table like a king holding court, while the family hierarchy displayed itself in seating arrangements.Kirra and Connor stood near the back with the other lesser family members, their lack of chairs a clear reminder of their status. Whispers floated through the room like poison."Look at poor Kirra, standing there with her charity project husband," Aunt Kakadu murmured loud enough to be heard."I still can't believe she had to marry that orphanage janitor just to qualify for business leadership," Uncle Jarrah replied with a snicker."Desperate times, desperate measures," someone else added. "Though I suppose even a trained monkey is better than no husband at all."Elder Dundarra's gavel cracked against the table, silencing the chatter. "Family! We're here tonight to discuss expanding our business

Kirra stood in front of the bathroom mirror at dawn, her hands trembling as she applied lipstick for the third time. Dark circles under her eyes betrayed a sleepless night filled with anxiety and dread.Connor appeared in the doorway, dressed in his simple orphanage work clothes. "Ready?""Ready to be humiliated, you mean?" Kirra's voice cracked. "Connor, this is impossible. A prime downtown office building for five million dollars? They'll laugh me out of the building.""They won't laugh at you.""How can you be so confident? You're talking about Jarrah Properties—they deal with billionaires, not middle-class families with charity-worker husbands!"Connor moved closer, his voice gentle. "I told you, I have friends inside who know about our situation. My charity work has created some unexpected connections."Kirra stared at him through the mirror. "Charity connections? Connor, we're talking about one of Melbourne's most exclusive property companies. What could emptying bedpans at an o

Bandicoot’s face went pale, his lips trembling as the room fell silent. All eyes were fixed on him, waiting.“Now, Bandicoot,” Connor said, his voice calm but carrying quiet authority, “you made a promise yesterday, and that too in front of everyone. Surely, you won't back out now, when it is time to honor it?”The cousin’s jaw tightened. He opened his mouth, but no words came. The smirk from earlier had vanished from his face, replaced by an unbearable, suffocating pressure.With a deep, shuddering breath, Bandicoot’s shoulders slumped. Slowly, painfully, he bent at the waist, bowing his head until his forehead nearly touched the floor. Every inch of his pride seemed to spill out with the movement.Milla gasped, covering her mouth with one manicured hand. “I… I can’t watch this!” She whispered, her eyes wide. Beside her, Wonga Kuranda looked like she had been struck by lightning. “This… this is outrageous!” She shrieked, clutching at the edge of her chair. Elder Dundarra’s stern