Ansel gripped onto his phone tightly, desperation filled his lungs with a deadly venom, making it hard for him to swallow. He knew he shouldn't do such a thing but what else could he do when he had no other choice? So he took his chances and called his wife for help. The phone rang for a while, like she had purposely delayed answering the call. Finally, he heard the call connect and he sprung to his feet. "Hello Lara Jane?" He heard a scoff from the other side of the phone. "How many times do I have to tell you not to call my sister's name like that? You should have some regard for the name that is valued more than your entire lineage!" The man's voice was stern as he spoke, laced with so much hatred that Ansel could feel it pouring out of the phone. He didn't need any introduction to know that it was his brother in law, Jeremiah, who had answered his wife's call. Jeremiah was the one who tolerated him the least in the entire Cree family. He didn't even tolerate him at all a

A scoffed laugh came from one of the others in the hall and a beautiful young lady– though not as beautiful as Lara Jane but shared the same lengthy brown hair as her– walked forward towards Lara Jane and Ansel. She stood with her hands rested on her hips as she spoke. “Why must your filthy husband always go around embarrassing our family like this? Can't he have a little self-respect?” Her name was Rachel Cree, Lara Jane’s younger sister. A scowl sat on her face as she spoke. “Fight with the security on grandma's birthday? Certainly that can't be forgiven.” “That's right!” Rachel's fiancé, a handsome young man, stepped into the light. His name was Austin Royal. “We are the oldest grandsons of the Cree family, we should at least hold up a little self-respect if nothing at all. Don't you have any shame at all?” His brow arched. Austin was more irritated by Ansel's presence than anyone else in the entire room. He was sure he hated him more than anyone in the entire city. Austi

Ansel's eyes searched for the man as he felt as if he knew him. He stared at him. Those dark brown eyes seemed to overflow with distant memories in his head and the young and full of energy smile despite his wrinkles from old age on the man's face was all too familiar. Like a spark, the man's identity returned to him. “You are Carlos, aren't you?” Hearing Ansel's correct guess, the man's smile broadened. “Yes! Yes I am!" He beamed so excitedly that it was almost blinding. "I really can't believe that you still remember me, how wonderful!” He exclaimed, not even trying to hide his excitement as it was written all over his slightly wrinkled face. Carlos was a man in his late sixties but was always neatly dressed. Most people even believed he was a lot younger than he claimed. A fine black suit stood firmly against his healthy body, and he held a black walking stick with a golden round head on the top. He had worked as a butler for Ansel's family for over three decades. Ansel gru

Ansel got home lost in thought. He still found it very hard to believe that he was now the richest man in the entire city. He couldn't help but to wonder if life was as easy as that for some people out there. He didn't know if he should be grateful for the sudden abundant blessing. The house was more unsettled than his mind. Lara Jane and her family lived away from the Cree family mansion because of Ansel. Since her grandfather had died, she and her family got kicked out of the mansion because they didn't want to see Ansel. Lara Jane didn't have a problem with him, but it was more reason for her parents to hate her husband. They hated the fact that they lived apart in a small apartment like they were not millionaires but just a normal family. Lara Jane was caught up in a heated argument with her parents and, as every other time, it was Ansel's matter. “Tell me what exactly it is that you are trying to pull here! Huh! Can't you read in between the lines? We might lose it all

Ansel could not bring himself to fall asleep all through the night. He kept thinking about his wife's words and the fact that he had the power in his hand. He listened to the rhythmic breathing of his wife as she slept, and it only made him think more about the step to take. The sun brushed against his face, caressing his skin softly and he opened his eyes. He had dozed off only a moment ago and now his wife was nowhere to be found. He quickly freshened up and went to check for her in the living room. He saw his mother-in-law and father-in-law in the living room. Tim and Ella were busy watching their favorite early morning show. Ella sliced up some apples for them as snacks. "Good morning mum, good morning dad." Ansel greeted both of them, knowing well that they would not respond. Just as he had expected, he was met with their silence. Ella chewed on a slice of apple and let out a soft laugh at the show she was watching. He didn't press further about the issue and just w