Apocalypse Survivor

Chapter 8 How did he get so rich?

Claire and her family stood near the courthouse entrance. It was a few minutes until their trial. 

Claire folded her arms and smiled. Her father, Robert, laughed loudly while Marcus, who had been their ride, stood beside her. 

“Today is going to be a good day.” Claire's mother had a happy smile on her face. 

Claire smirked. “That jerk has been hiding money from us this entire time.”

She clenched her fists.

“He thought he could play us all. He thought he could secretly become rich while pretending to be the same useless man we've always known.”

Her expression twisted with greed.

“But not anymore. I'm going to milk everything out of him.”

She laughed coldly. “Everything.”

Her mother immediately joined in. “Don't forget the child support.”

Claire's eyes lit up.

Her mother leaned closer. “You can drain him for years. If he really has that much money, imagine how much you could collect.”

Claire gritted her teeth before breaking into a smile. “Yes.”

She had already started imagining it. A luxurious house, expensive cars, designer clothes, vacations. She wouldn't have to work again and she would also have the chance to awaken her dying business. 

Her younger brother leaned against the railing, already looking pleased with himself. “Speaking of houses…”

He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “That house we got in Summerville is beautiful.”

Claire glanced at him. “What about it?”

He grinned. “Why don't you give it to us?”

Claire raised an eyebrow. “You want the house?”

He shrugged. “Your jerk husband apparently has more money than we thought. If the court splits everything up, there'll still be plenty left.”

He laughed. “So why not give me the house? It would look good with my new car.”

Their father laughed. “I think your brother has a point.”

He patted Claire's shoulder. “Your husband has been hiding money from us for years. If he really has that much, you might as well take everything you can.”

Claire smiled. “Don't worry.”

She looked toward the courthouse doors.

“After today, we'll have plenty.”

The clock on the courthouse wall showed ten minutes to 10:00 a.m.

The proceedings were about to begin.

Claire looked around. “Where is he?”

Her mother frowned. “That fellow is still not here?”

Claire rolled her eyes and scoffed. “Even now, he was going to be late?” 

She shook her head.

“That idiot probably doesn't even understand how serious today is.”

Robert snorted. “He'll learn.”

The family started walking toward the courthouse entrance.

Suddenly a low engine growl echoed across the street. Everyone stopped and heads turned.

A sleek black McLaren latest model rolled toward the courthouse.

Its dark tinted windows reflected the morning sunlight as the expensive sports car came to a smooth stop directly in front of the entrance.

They all stared and her brother's mouth dropped open.

“Who owns that car?” someone nearby whispered.

The driver's door opened. A sharply dressed chauffeur stepped out.

He walked around the front of the McLaren and opened the passenger door.

“We're here, sir.”

Everyone looked toward the open door. A man's polished shoe touched the pavement.

Ethan stepped out and the entire group froze.

Claire's eyes widened. Her brother stared at the McLaren, salivating at this point. He couldn't even understand why it has to be this good-for-nothing for the bum he had taunted all these years to be the one who would get so rich. 

Robert's jaw tightened.

Ethan calmly pulled out his phone and glanced at the screen. A notification from his investment account was waiting.

The market had moved exactly as he remembered. Another position had exploded in value.

Ethan looked at the figure. +$20,000,000

His lips curled upward. It seemed to be stagnant now but by the time the court proceedings ended, he would be another hundred million dollars richer. Then he could begin the second task. Acquiring ten years' worth of supplies. 

He quietly locked his phone and slipped it into his pocket.

“What a great morning.” 

The chauffeur closed the car door behind him.

Ethan adjusted the sleeve of his expensive suit.

Then he put on his dark sunglasses.

The suit was tailored perfectly, the fabric unmistakably expensive, and every detail of his appearance screamed wealth.

He didn't look like the man Claire had once ordered around. He looked like someone who could buy the entire building they were standing in.

Claire's face darkened. “How…”

Her voice barely escaped her lips. “How did he get that rich?”

Her brother recovered first and let out a nervous chuckle. “Well…”

He stared at the McLaren. “That's a nice car.”

He grinned. “When you finish the divorce and get your share, can you give me that McLaren?”

Claire stared at him.

“Seriously, looking at it. It would look good on me.” He pointed toward the car.

Claire didn't answer him. Instead, she looked at Ethan. Something about him was different.

The way he walked, the confidence he carried himself with and also the complete lack of concern on his face.

He wasn't nervous or neither did he look afraid. Like he has won or had a trick under his sleeve. 

But Claire shook her head. She was convinced he got rich when they were married.  

‘There's no way he would become rich just days after their divorce.’ She thought to herself. 

Ethan didn't even glance at them a second time. He simply walked toward the courthouse stairs.

Robert, her father, stepped forward. “Ethan!”

Ethan stopped. Robert's face was red with anger.

“You think you're untouchable now?”

Ethan slowly turned his head.

Robert pointed a finger at him 

“You might have gotten lucky somehow, but once we're finished with you, you'll be begging.”

Ethan noticed someone standing behind Claire.

Marcus. The moment Ethan saw him, his smile disappeared for half a second.

Marcus looked completely stunned. His eyes moved from Ethan's suit to the McLaren.

Ethan remembered during the apocalypse this man had not only taken his wife but pushed him off the both. This was not the time to deal with him.  He thought to himself and walked away. 

Marcus swallowed hard at the hard death stare he just received. 

Claire smiled as she stepped closer. “You should start thinking carefully, Ethan. You can't hide your money forever.”

Ethan stared at her through his dark sunglasses.

Then he smiled. It wasn't the nervous smile they remembered.

It was calm and almost amused. “Hide my money?” Ethan chuckled and walked away. “Let's get done with it.” 

Claire eyes sparkled. If Ethan could afford a McLaren like this, then how much money was sitting in his accounts? Millions? Her eyes widened. She had thought she was walking into court to take properties Ethan had managed to get.

What if she had just discovered a fortune?

Claire smacked her lips. “How did that guy become so rich?” 

Her brother shrugged. “Who cares?” He turned toward the McLaren again. “As long as you get the money.”