Once Downtrodden; Now Divine

Chapter 2

Donald Smith turned the black gold card in his hand.

Only four such cards existed in all of Boston, and each one was worth one trillion dollars.

One trillion was a fortune powerful enough to topple dynasties or raise new ones in their place.

Beside it lay the Phoenix Ring.

He picked it up carefully.

The ring wasn’t just jewelry, it was the Chairman’s symbol and the key to his empire.

It gave him influence from Boston’s politicians to West Coast business leaders, and even into the dangerous underworld no one dared mention.

Donald held the card and ring tightly, thinking about the power and connections spread across America.

He wanted to thank the former Chairman face-to-face.

The prison warden noticed and stopped him. He shook his head and spoke softly, with respect.

“The Chairman appreciates your gratitude, Mr. Smith, but asks only that you keep your attention on your own duties.”

Donald frowned, staring at the card and Phoenix Ring in admiration.

He didn't know why someone of the Chairman's level thought so highly of him. After all, he had once been someone who was content to live on the margins.

While Donald wrestled with the thought, the warden’s lips tightened. Then, slowly, he sank to his knees.

Donald stared at him in surprise.

“Clarke, what are you—”

“Mr. Smith, I beg you. Please… save my daughter!” 

Donald's expression momentarily became serious. He said in a low voice, "Explain."

The warden’s voice was low but urgent.

“She’s in Boston. She runs DeGrand Corporation, one of the city’s top three biggest companies. But she is in great danger and I can’t protect her. That’s why I prayed you would step in.”

Donald's eyes narrowed. If even Boston's most prominent families couldn't handle this, it clearly wasn't some minor issue.

But... as one of the Chairman's men, the Warden should have sought the Chairman's help long ago. Why wait until now to ask him to step in?

The Warden's daughter was a well-known female CEO in Boston—young, with a stunning figure and striking looks.

Her capabilities and standards were both high, and she'd never found any man in Boston that attractive. The Warden had dropped hints about her in Donald's presence several times before.

Now the Warden was asking him to rescue her. The implications were crystal clear.

But he'd only just gotten divorced. The last thing he wanted right now was to get entangled with any woman. The Warden was being far too hasty.

Regardless, the Warden had given him preferential treatment over the past two years. And more importantly, the Warden was one of the Chairman's men.

So he replied, "I'll be there."

The warden lifted his head in relief and bowed again.

“Thank you, Mr. Smith. Thank you. I‘ll inform my daughter about your help.’”

With that, Donald tucked the Phoenix Ring into his pocket, slid the black gold card into his wallet, and set out toward DeGrand Corporation.

---

Across town, in the luxury car, when Jaxon Brown's hand rubbed vigorously on Jane Wilson's plump chest, she let out a sigh mixed with pain and flattery.

“Jaxon,” she said sweetly, “I told you already, didn’t I? I’ve cut off that useless freeloader, Donald. I've signed the divorce papers. He’s finished.”

Jaxon’s lips curled into a cruel smirk, pleased by her obedience.

“Good. That dead weight would have only chained you to failure. You were wise to throw him away.”

He leaned in.

“Now that you’ve finally cut ties with that trash, we can visit DeGrand Corporation together as a couple. It’ll speed things up.

We’ll discuss cooperation, and I’m confident this time will be different. If all goes well, your family will finally know what it means to stand in the shadow of real power.”

Jane gasped for joy.

Even among Boston’s elite, DeGrand Corporation's name rang louder than Jaxon’s own family company.

If they could become partners, her rise would be unstoppable!

She was glad that she had played her cards perfectly.

That loser Donald could never have given her this. Never!

By the time the car rolled into DeGrand’s imposing headquarters, Jane’s confidence was radiating like a fragrance that filled the air around her.

She clung to Jaxon’s arm as they walked through the gleaming glass doors.

At the reception desk, Jaxon signed their names into the registry.

And then, Jane froze as soon as she looked towards the waiting area.

There, seated casually in a leather chair, was Donald Smith.

Her breath caught.

"My goodness! How the hell am I running into him after the divorce! Just my fucking luck." She muttered in disgust, ready to drag Jaxon to the other side.

After all, she had just told Donald that she framed him, and she couldn't be sure he wouldn't react violently if he saw her.

But then Jaxon pressed a hand on her shoulder, a mocking smile playing on his lips.

"Darling, I don't think this is about luck. Think about it."

He stared at Donald for a moment, lips curling: "How does a lowlife like him have any business in DeGrand, let alone running into you here by chance? No, no, no—he's one hundred percent here specifically for you. You're Boston's rising star, and he's a freshly released loser."

"Even though you decisively divorced him, do you really think he'd accept it? That he wouldn't want to grovel and beg you to take him back? I bet wherever you show up, he'll follow like a shadow."

He clicked his tongue: "Don't let him fool you sitting there pretending to rest—he's probably glancing at you sixty times a minute, just waiting for you to notice him, pity him, take him back, and let him share your money and success!"

Jaxon's taunting made Jane flush with shame and anger. How dare that loser Donald shamelessly cling to her? If it affected Jaxon's opinion of her, even Donald killing himself wouldn't be enough to make amends!

Jane detached herself from Jaxon and hurried toward Donald, her heels echoing in sharp, clipped beats.

"Donald?" She stared at him incredulously: "What the hell are you doing here? This is DeGrand Corporation. Men like you don't even deserve to sweep the floors here."

She let out a sharp, grating laugh of contempt that drew stares from everyone around. Then she glared daggers at him.

"Don't tell me you actually followed me here, pathetic enough to beg for me to return?"