Jason Blackwell's Rise To Power

CHAPTER 2

The sound of high heels echoed steadily across the marble staircase.

Tap.

Tap.

Tap.

Every servant instinctively lowered their heads.

Jason slowly turned around.

A beautiful woman in a white designer dress descended the stairs gracefully. Her expression remained calm as if nothing unusual was happening.

It was his wife.

Davina Hale.

She glanced at Jason's exhausted appearance before shifting her gaze to her parents.

"What happened?" she asked casually.

Mrs. Hale smiled.

"Your husband came asking us for five hundred thousand dollars."

Davina raised an eyebrow.

"So much?"

Mr. Hale nodded.

"He claims his mother needs emergency surgery."

Davina finally looked at Jason.

He immediately stepped forward.

"Davina..."

"My mother is dying."

"The doctors said she won't survive much longer without the surgery."

"I've begged your parents already."

"They refused."

He looked at her hopefully.

"Please."

"Talk to them."

"I know they'll listen to you."

Davina remained silent for a few seconds.

Then she asked calmly,

"How much exactly?"

"Five hundred thousand dollars."

She nodded slightly.

"And the surgery has to be tonight?"

"Yes."

"The doctor said every minute counts."

Davina folded her arms.

"I understand."

A faint smile appeared on Jason's face.

For the first time that night...

He felt hope.

She turned toward her parents.

"Dad."

"Mom."

"Do we still have the five hundred thousand prepared?"

Jason's eyes lit up.

Mr. Hale nodded.

"Yes."

His heartbeat quickened.

Mrs. Hale smiled knowingly.

"It's still in the company account."

Jason released a breath of relief.

"Thank God..."

He looked at Davina gratefully.

"I knew you wouldn't ignore this."

Davina slowly turned back to him.

"I'm sorry."

Jason's smile froze.

"The money can't be given to you."

His heart skipped a beat.

"...What?"

She spoke in the same calm tone.

"That money already has a purpose."

Jason frowned.

"What purpose could be more important than saving a life?"

Davina answered without hesitation.

"It will be donated to Christian."

The living room became silent.

Jason blinked.

"...Christian?"

"My ex-boyfriend."

Jason stared at her.

"You mean..."

"The Christian Morgan?"

Davina nodded.

"Yes."

"He is launching his new technology company tomorrow."

"We promised to support him."

Jason looked from Davina to her parents.

"You... promised him five hundred thousand dollars?"

Mr. Hale answered proudly.

"It is an investment."

Mrs. Hale smiled.

"Christian has tremendous potential."

Jason couldn't believe his ears.

"So..."

"You'd rather fund someone's business..."

"...than save my mother's life?"

Mrs. Hale shrugged.

"Business creates more value."

Jason slowly shook his head.

"No..."

"No..."

"That can't be your reason."

He looked directly at Davina.

"You know Christian already owns several companies."

"He's wealthy."

"He doesn't need this money."

"My mother..."

"My mother is dying."

Davina's expression remained unchanged.

"That doesn't change our decision."

Jason took a step closer.

"Davina."

"I've never asked you for anything."

"In three years."

"Not once."

"I'm only asking you to save one life."

She sighed softly.

"You still don't understand."

"What don't I understand?"

"The donation isn't just about business."

Jason frowned.

"What do you mean?"

Mr. Hale smiled faintly.

"Since you've asked..."

"I suppose it's time you knew."

Mrs. Hale placed her wine glass on the table.

"We've been trying to reconnect Davina and Christian."

Jason felt his mind go blank.

"...Reconnect?"

Davina nodded without the slightest hesitation.

"Christian and I were supposed to get married years ago."

Jason stared at her.

"But..."

"We're already married."

She looked at him as though he had said something childish.

"Legally."

"Yes."

"Emotionally..."

She paused.

"...No."

Jason's breathing became uneven.

"What are you saying?"

Davina met his eyes.

"I never truly considered you my husband."

Those words struck harder than any slap.

Jason stood frozen.

"You..."

"What?"

She continued calmly.

"You were only a temporary solution."

"A temporary solution?"

"Three years ago, I needed someone with your identity to secure an important government contract."

"You met all the requirements."

"So I married you."

Jason's face turned pale.

"You're lying..."

"No."

"You can't mean that."

Mr. Hale laughed.

"Did you really think my daughter fell in love with someone like you?"

Mrs. Hale joined in.

"You overestimated yourself."

Jason looked back at Davina.

His voice trembled.

"Tell me they're lying."

She didn't answer immediately.

Instead, she looked at him with complete indifference.

"They're telling the truth."

"My marriage to you was never meant to last."

Jason felt as though the entire world had collapsed around him.

Three years...

Every smile...

Every promise...

Every sacrifice...

Had all been a lie.

Just then—

His phone suddenly rang.

The sharp ringtone broke the suffocating silence.

Jason hurriedly answered.

"Doctor!"

The doctor's voice sounded urgent.

"Mr. Blackwell..."

"I'm afraid your mother's condition has deteriorated."

Jason's heart pounded violently.

"How long?"

There was a brief silence.

Then the doctor spoke.

"If the surgery doesn't begin within the next thirty minutes..."

"...prepare yourself for the worst."

Jason's hand began trembling.

"I..."

"I'll get the money."

"You have to."

The call ended.

Jason slowly lowered the phone.

His vision blurred.

His mother had only thirty minutes left.

He looked around the luxurious living room one last time.

At the people he had called family.

Not one face showed sympathy.

Not one.

Jason suddenly laughed.

It was a quiet, bitter laugh.

"I understand now."

He looked at Davina.

"I finally understand."

Without another word, he turned around and walked toward the door.

Behind him, Mrs. Hale's mocking voice echoed through the mansion.

"Don't forget to close the door on your way out."

The servants laughed quietly.

Jason never looked back.

The moment he stepped outside into the pouring rain, thunder roared across the sky.

He had no idea...

That before this night ended...

His fate would change forever.