"You've ruined us," Lady Carla shrieked, beating Nicholas with her fists. "You will be the end of us."

She was being restrained by Master Damian while Nicholas tried to get away from her. 

Somehow, Lady Carla and Master Damian had managed to curb the situation by soothing George's anger. 

George had returned back into the house and was now seated beside Kimberly once again. 

Kimberly did her best to keep him in a good mood by teasing him and cracking jokes. 

It worked and George was once again returned to being the ugly jolly fellow he was ten minutes ago before the storm. 

Inorder to punish Nicholas, Lady Carla kicked him out of the villa into the freezing cold outside the backyard. 

"You will remain outside until morning, you piece of trash," she yelled and slammed the door, locking it from inside. 

Nicholas stood to his feet and dusted his shabby clothes. 

He walked around the villa to the front door where he peeked through the window. 

In the cozy living room, he saw his wife and George talking and laughing. 

His in-laws treated George like he was some idol to be worshipped. 

They brought out the most expensive wine in the house and served him. 

Nicholas suddenly had a lightbulb of idea. 

If the Blackwell family goes bankrupt, they wouldn't be able to help the Goldstein family.  

If they failed to aid the Goldstein's, then Kimberly won't have to marry George anymore. 

Nicholas smirked. He would turn that arrogant fat man into a weeping puppy.

With a fierce determination, he picked up his cell phone and dialed the number for his family's cooperation.

"Hello, this is Lord Dominik Niklaus  speaking. I must speak with the board of directors immediately," he said sternly.

Within a few seconds, he was connected with the board and he outlined his plan.

"I want to bankrupt Blackwells Incorporated. Their fat arrogant son had just insulted me. I'm tired of being disrespected and I won't stand for it any longer. I want to use our resources to financially ruin them," he declared.

There was a stunned silence on the other end of the line as the board members absorbed this shocking request.

"Is that all you want, Lord Niklaus?" one of them finally asked.

"Absolutely," Nicholas replied firmly. "We have the power and the resources to make it happen. Do not rest until that man is brought down to his knees."

"Say no more, Lord Dominik Niklaus," he got his reply. "Give us five minutes. The Blackwells family shall rue the very day they insulted our Lord and master."

With a sense of determination, Nicholas hung up the phone and waited to see what happens next. 

                                * * * * 

George was in the middle of presenting Kimberly with a small velvet box containing a diamond ring. 

Just as he was about to speak, his phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID and saw that it was his father. 

With a sinking feeling in his stomach, he answered the call.

"George, where the hell are you?" his father's voice boomed through the phone. 

George answered arrogantly, "I'm at my fianceé's place. I thought I told you that before leaving home."

His father roared. "Get your ass out of there and hurry home. We are finished. We are in big trouble!"

George didn't like the tone his father used on him. This was the first time he had ever been yelled at. 

"Chill, Dad," he said. "What could possibly be the problem?"

"The company has been bankrupted, you bloody fool!" His father screamed. 

"All of our assets have been seized and the creditors are coming after us. I don't know how we're going to get out of this mess."

George's heart sank. His face fell and his skin turned pale white. 

This was the last thing he had expected to hear on what was supposed to be his happy and joyous evening. 

He glanced up at Kimberly, who was watching him with a mixture of concern and confusion.

"Is everything alright?" She asked. 

"I must go," he said, jumping to his feet. "I'll call you as soon as I can."

He hung up the phone and grabbed his coat, his mind racing as he tried to figure out a way to fix this disaster. 

He knew that his family's reputation and livelihood were on the line. 

As he rushed out the door, stumbled into Nicholas. 

"Out of my way, dog," he pushed Nicholas away roughly and ran like his life was in danger. 

Nicholas watched him go, a smirk lingering at the corner of his mouth. 

This was the end of the Blackwells. They would never survive their company's meltdown. 

                            * * * *

Before the break of dawn, news of the Blackwells bankruptcy spread like wild fire across North Hills City, the Capital and the rest of the world. 

It was featured in the morning news on national television as well as the morning papers. 

People claim it's one of the worse business meltdown in history. The Blackwells were never to recover from it. 

Due to this unexpected crises Sir Harold called for an emergency meeting. 

The conference room was filled with every single members of the Goldstein family, all seated around a large oak table. 

At the head of the table sat Sir Harold as always. 

He sat still, a stern expression on his face. Sir Harold was a stout man in his late fifties with graying hair. 

Today he was very unhappy and it could be revealed in the looks he gave everyone. 

"I'll cut straight to the point," he began. "The Blackwells family are finished. They're broke with nothing to their name."

Silence. No one said a word. 

"You all saw the news. It's shocking but we have to accept reality. The Blackwells can't aid us anymore."

A loud cry went off and the conference room became noisy with bitterness and grief. If was as if someone had died. 

"But this is just too terrible."

"We're doomed."

"If nothing is done immediately we'd end up like the Blackwells."

"Silence, my children," Sir Harold ordered, curtly. "Surely we're at a precarious situation here but not all hope is lost."

Silence gradually returned and everyone waited with baited breath to listen to what Sir Harold has to say. 

He cleared his throat, then continued. 

"I'm sure most of you haven't heard but I have received word that a new lord has taken control of the Phoenix family."

Everyone looked shocked and surprised. 

"The Phoenix family is worth over five hundred billion dollars. They're the wealthiest family in the world right now," Sir Harold said. 

"But they're very invisible," someone said. "And so out of reach. Commoners like we are never allowed near their circle."

"Shocking enough, your late grandmother had close ties with a member of the Phoenix household," sir Harold revealed. 

This revelation shocked everyone because no one thought late Madam Elizabeth had such a connection. 

It is very rare to hold down an acquaintance with the Phoenix maids talk less of a member of the family. 

Not even The Griffins, the wealthiest family in North Hills can boast about having such a rare ties as late Madam Elizabeth had. 

"It's not true," another person said, awestrikened. "I don't believe it. Why didn't grandmother ever mentioned this?

"She told me but only vaguely," Sir Harold answered. "The trouble with your grandmother is that she is too secretive."

"She hides things from me but I'm sure she revealed her connection with the Phoenixes because she believes that one day, it'd be a big advantage to our family."

Everyone agrees to what he said. 

"I believe it is in our best interest to seek financial aid from them," Sir Harold suggested. 

There were murmurs of agreement around the table.

"I propose that we send one of our own to speak with the lord and request his assistance," Sir Harold continued. "Who among us is willing to take on this task?"

There was a moment of silence as the family members looked at each other, wondering who would volunteer. 

No one stood up. No one even tried. They weren't prepared for such a big task. 

Sir Harold had anticipated something like this was bound to happen but seeing his children hesitating to take up the challenge filled him with embarrassment. 

"Cowards," he banged his fists on the table. "Isn't there anyone ready to sacrifice for the good of our family?"

No one stood up. No one said anything. 

"Pathetic," Sir Harold said through gritted teeth. "Whoever succeeds to bag a contract with the Phoenix family will become the new head of our family after I pass away."

This was the ultimate reward anyone would be happy to compete for but at such a demanding price? 

Finally, a young man boldly stood up. "I will go, father."

Everyone turned sharply to look at this brave man. They caught their breath in shock. 

It was no other person but Nicholas.