Once Broken, Now Unstoppable

Chapter 4: Veronica

Chapter 4

The Tudor family is a powerhouse unlike any other, a name that commands respect and reverence in every corner of the globe. With a legacy built over generations, they are among the wealthiest and most influential families in modern history, boasting a fortune that exceeds a trillion dollars. Their wealth isn't just a number; it’s an empire spanning industries—banking, technology, luxury goods, pharmaceuticals, and even private military contracts. If there’s a sector worth dominating, the Tudors have already planted their flag.

Their influence isn’t confined to the boardroom. Politically, the Tudors have a long-standing reputation for pulling strings from behind the scenes. Presidents, prime ministers, and monarchs have all been guests at their sprawling estates, seeking alliances or simply their favor. In many ways, the family operates like a shadow government, their reach extending far beyond the visible.

Socially, the Tudors are untouchable. Their gatherings are the stuff of legend, attended by royalty, celebrities, and billionaires. Their family name is synonymous with prestige, and an invitation to a Tudor-hosted event is seen as the ultimate validation in elite circles. Their estates—whether the palatial mansion in Switzerland, the vineyard in France, or the private island in the Caribbean—are breathtaking monuments to their unmatched opulence.

But it’s not just wealth that makes them powerful—it’s the careful curation of their image and the way they wield their resources. The Tudors aren’t loud or ostentatious; they don’t need to be. Their power lies in subtlety, in the quiet decisions that ripple through global markets and shift political landscapes.

Even within the family, the hierarchy is clear, and expectations are impossibly high. To be a Tudor is to carry the weight of an empire on your shoulders. It’s not just about wealth; it’s about legacy. And for those who falter? The family has a way of reminding them exactly what’s at stake.

Just like how Thomas have been reminded.

Thomas had learned his lesson the hard way; he'd never dare make such mistakes again after being given a second chance.

Just as he was about to step out of the house, out of the compound, and out of their lives forever, a car pulled into the driveway, slowing to a halt before him.

He paused, rain soaking him as he watched a lady step out of the vehicle. An umbrella unfurled in her hands, shielding her from the downpour.

She was dressed in a flowery gown, its shoulder straps exposing her smooth, fair skin. Her grey eyes immediately spotted him, and without hesitation, she briskly walked over. Lifting the umbrella higher, she positioned it to shield them both from the rain.

"Tom, what are you doing outside in this rain? And why are you holding your bag?" she asked, her soft voice tinged with confusion. Her gaze flicked to the drenched, cheap bag in his arms.

With a heavy sigh, Thomas explained. He told her how he’d arrived home only to find his wife in bed with another man. How, when he tried to confront them, his wife sided with her lover, injured him, and then threw him out of the house.

Her expression darkened with anger. She stomped her foot, fists clenched. "That jerk! Shameless enough to sleep with another man’s wife. What a pathetic excuse for a human being—ruining someone’s marriage for his own selfish pleasure. Hmph!"

Her cute, fiery outburst made Thomas chuckle despite himself. "Don’t worry about it. It’s all in the past now," he said lightly, his voice weary. "If she wants me gone, I’ll go. I was never good enough for her anyway."

"No, don’t go!" she exclaimed, her voice laced with urgency. She grabbed his hand, her delicate fingers surprisingly firm. "Tomorrow is Grandma’s 71st birthday. This is your chance to impress her! If she likes you, you’ll have a real shot at climbing the family ladder. With your intelligence, you could start running one of the smaller companies. And if you make it grow, Jessica—my sister—will have to see you in a new light and grandma will give you a bigger company to run!"

Thomas blinked, momentarily stunned. Her stubbornness was unexpected, even touching.

But wasn’t it already too late?

Once, he might have tried to scrape by, hoping for their approval. But he wasn’t a poor, desperate man anymore. His net worth stood at $150 billion—a figure their $500 million couldn’t compare to even in their wildest dreams. Why should he grovel at their feet?

As he opened his mouth to explain, she cut him off, reading his hesitation. "I know what you’re thinking—you don’t have enough money for a gift. Hold my umbrella."

Before he could respond, she thrust the umbrella into his hand and dashed towards her car, ignoring his startled shout. "Hey, Veronica! You’ll get drenched!"

She didn’t stop. Rain soaked her flowery dress as she grabbed her handbag from the car. Running back to him, she huddled once more under the umbrella. Thomas raised a brow, bemused. "You’re already drenched. What’s the point of hiding under the umbrella now?"

She ignored his dry remark and opened her purse, pulling out a bundle of cash. "I don’t have much," she admitted, cheeks flushed. "This is from my monthly pocket money. I’ve already spent some on my skincare, clothes, savings, and donations to the orphanage. I was on my way to visit you and Jessica before heading there. But since you’re here and need help, take this $50,000. Use it to buy Grandma a memorable gift, get yourself a decent suit, and maybe some cologne. I’m confident she’ll see your charm tomorrow."

Her bright smile made something in Thomas soften. The chaos of the day—the betrayal, the heartbreak—seemed to fade in her presence.

Who was Veronica?

She was Jessica’s younger sister, four years his junior. At nineteen, she was the only one in the family who treated him with kindness. While the rest spat on his existence, Veronica always stood by him. If he wasn’t fed properly, she’d sneak him cash for meals. If others mocked him, she’d defend him fiercely.

Sometimes he wondered—if Veronica had been old enough when he first joined the family, could things have been different? Would she have been the one he married? She was a gentle soul in a house full of shadows.

Thomas stared at the money, unsure how to respond. Before he could say a word, the front door swung open, and a familiar voice shrieked, laced with venom.

"Veronica! What the hell do you think you’re doing with that piece of gutter trash?!"