Chapter 3

Jack was taken a back, surprised by the request. One of the men spoke up, “Young Master, come with us. We have something important to discuss.”

But Jack refused, shaking his head. “No, you won't gain anything by kidnapping me. I am alone and very, very poor.” He said.

The man then smiled kindly, “No, Young Master. Come with us to meet your grandfather. Master Roodenburg has been searching for you for decades.”

“Mr. Roodenburg? The richest conglomerate in this country is looking for me? How come?”

“Young Master is the grandson of Mr. Tom Roodenburg. You are the sole heir of the Roodenburg family.”

Jack's jaw dropped to the ground before laughing out loud. It was the most ridiculous thing he had ever heard. If only he really was the grandson of Tom Roodenburg, Sophie would not have dumped him so cruelly.

“Look, my heart will definitely explode if what you guys say is true. But thank you, because of you now I know, that I can still laugh. too bad I'm not the person you're looking for. My name is Jack Marshall." Jack held the shoulder of one of the men in front of him. “I'm sorry mate, but I really don't have any relation with the Roodenburg family. May Mr. Roodenburg's grandson be found soon."

Jack tapped the man on the shoulder a few times before leaving. However, the two men called out in unison, “Young Master!”

Jack turned around with an annoyed face. He was so tired of the bitter reality that was strangling him tonight. If it wasn't for his late mother's message, he would probably already be depressed. “Gentlemen, I beg you, let me go. Now I am physically and mentally weak. As for tomorrow, I have a lot of pizza to deliver.”

One of the men fished something out of his pocket. It was a photo. He handed it to Jack. “Look at this photo, Young Master.”

Jack lazily accepted the photo. His brow furrowed at the sight of the portrait in the photo. "Where did you get my photo?" A moment later, Jack spoke again, “Wait, who is this woman? I don’t know her. How can I take a photo with her?” Jack scratched his head which didn't itch.

"That's not a photo of Young Master, but a photo of your parents."

"What?" It seems today that word is Jack's favorite.

"Young Master, look at this photo."

Jack received another photo. It was like a family photo. There was an old man, the married couple who were in the previous photo, and a servant holding a boy about three years old. From the photo, there are at least two people he knewd, namely Tom Roodenburg, who was indeed famous as a successful businessman, and the other one was ...

"This is my mother."

"No, that's your nanny."

"What?!" Jack was trying hard not to pass out. The woman he had thought for decades to be his mother turned out to be his nanny. “It can’t be true!”

“We understand, Young Master. Therefore, come with us. Mr. Roodenburg will explain everything to you.”

***

A Mercedes Benz pulled over at one end of the alley. A burly man then came down to open the door.

Jack was seen getting out of the car carrying a black plastic bag. He had spoken to the burly man before the car left.

Jack entered into the alley to walk to his home alone. He deliberately preferred to get down from the car in the front alley because he did not want to attract the attention of others. So far, luxury cars have never been seen entering the alley.

“Loser!”

Just when Jack saw his tiny boarding house, a loud curse greeted him.

'Another tirade.' Jack stood in place to simply let out a heavy breath.

"Come here damn it!" The woman was still glaring with her hands clasped on her hips.

This is Ross Stern, the landlord. She was short and chubby with shoulder-length curly hair. She couldn't talk to Jack properly. All this time she was just screaming and screaming. Thanks to her, Jack knows many kinds of swearing.

Jack drew closer. His eyes widened when he saw Ross's husband coming out of his boarding room carrying a large bag. He recognized the bag.

"Fred, why did you take my bag?"

Before the man could answer, his wife grabbed him, "Throw the bag in his face!"

"Darling."

“Are you deaf?!”

Fred placed the worn black bag in front of Jack. He shook his head and looked at Jack with a helpless face.

Ross pulled his husband's shirt to stagger back. She whispered in an intimidating voice, “I asked you to throw it, not give it away.”

Ross turned back to Jack. She held out her hand toward Jack. “Quickly give whatever money you have, then go to hell!”

"Ross, I-"

"Give me your wallet!"

Jack had just opened his mouth to speak, but Ross interrupted again. "I know you got paid today. Give it all to me, then disappear from this earth. Losers like you are very detrimental. Even trash can be recycled to be reused.”

"Ross, don't overdo it."

“Shut up! Because of a husband like you, this boarding house business is not growing. You only harbor useless people like this loser. This is a boarding house, not a trash shelter!”

"Actually I have spent my salary to buy this suit." Jack showed a white coat hanging from his shoulders.

"Give it to me!" Ross shouted again. After receiving the jacket from Jack, she began to examine it. "You stupid! You can't even pay the boarding house, how could you buy a suit like this? I should have kicked you out long ago." She pointed her finger. “Remember, next month, give me all your salary to pay off all your bills. Otherwise, I will come to King Pizza to kick your head!"

Jack's shoulders dropped. He didn't say anything, just took something out of the black pouch.

Seeing Jack’s action, Ross's impatient fuse exploded. “Bastard! Fred, give him a punch and kick before he goes!”

It wasn't until the order was carried out that both of them were wide-eyed at what was in Jack's grasp.

"Is this enough?" Jack handed over dozens of sheet with a picture of Benjamin Franklin.

Ross and her husband's jaws just dropped. They stared hard at Jack's hand to make sure it was money and not a leaf.

Ross looks at the money Jack gave her. She looked at Fred as she hissed, "It's real."

Jack reached into his plastic bag again. "Take this if it's not enough."

As fast as lightning Ross's hand answered him. She smiled broadly. “Jack, where did you get this much money? Is that plastic bag full of money?”

Jack nodded casually. "I won the lottery."

"Is it true? That's so great. You really are a lucky man. I am very grateful to be your landlord. Just stay right here Jack. You can tell me if you need anything."

“Why do you let people who are worse than trash live in your boarding house?”

Ross laughed out loud. She patted Jack's arm lightly. "Do not talk like that. I was just too worried about you. You know I’m already treat you like my own son.”

"Oh, really?" Jack's temples twitched.

"Of course!" Ross turned to her husband. “Fred! Why are you still silent?!” she screamed.

“Th-then what should I do?”

"Shit! Quickly bring in our son's bag. He had just come home, even his face was also injured. Pack all his things so he can rest quickly.” Ross looked back at Jack. She whispered, “I don't understand why I married this idiot. But don't worry, tell me if he bothers you."

"Okay."

“Tomorrow I will make a delicious breakfast for you. I will also wash your dirty clothes. This suit, I'll give it to you when it's clean and smells good. I will install an air conditioner in your boarding room so it won't be hot, as well as equip it with a TV and other furniture. You can use the toilet at my house if you're standing in line. Anyway, feel free to ask me for any help.”

"Can you do one thing for me?"

"Tell me, I will definitely do it." Ross's eyes lit up at Jack's plastic bag. She thought she would get extra tips.

"Shut up."

Jack walked into the boarding house, ignoring Ross who didn't budge at his words. The young man smiled. ‘This is what being dominant feels like. Day and night that woman scolded and cursed me, now one word from me instantly changed her.’

Wanting to forget the bad things that happened at the hotel, Jack intended to just sleep. He had just laid down and closed his eyes when a knock on the door entered his ears.

‘Did Ross come back to beg?’

“Jack? Are you in there?”

“Claire? Why is she here?” muttered Jack after opening his eyes.

Claire is Jack's co-worker at King Pizza. The two of them are very close. Jack is even friends with Claire's father. In many occasions, they often spend time together.

"Yeah, just a moment!" Jack got up from the bed. He approached the door still with a raised eyebrow. What important thing was that Claire couldn't wait for the morning to meet him.

"What took you so long? Daddy will pull my ear if he finds out I'm going to your boarding house in the middle of the night." Claire barged in, leaving Jack in the doorway.

"Then why are you here?"

"Sit down quickly." Claire patted the bed, asking Jack to sit beside her.

The little room that Jack rented was really bad. Besides room was narrow, the furniture in it was also too minimalist. There was only a single bed, a plastic cupboard, and a pair of small tables and chairs.

"What is it?" said Jack as he sat down.

"Wait a moment." Claire opened her bag. She took some money from there to hold out to Jack.

"What's this?"

“I know your salary is used up to buy a suit for your fiancé. Take this to pay for your boarding house. Don't you have to pay the bills? I'm thankful you didn't get kicked out tonight."

"I already paid for it, Claire."

Claire quickly pulled Jack's hand. She makes the man grab the money from her. “Don't lie to me! Of all people, I know best how poor you are.”

"I have some savings."

Claire laughed loudly. Yes. I believe everyone has savings, but not you, Jack.”

Jack smiled amusedly. "Do I look really pathetic?"

"Of course! I'm still lucky to live in my own house with dad. But you, look at this room of yours. If my father sat here, his shortness of breath would recur. Sometimes I worry that you will kill yourself because you are too poor.”

This time Jack couldn't help but laugh. He wanted to tell about who he really is. But Jack knew that Claire would laugh at him. A moment ago Sophie and everyone stepped on his pride, and that same night he was called Young Master. Therefore, he thought to save his identity first.

‘Who would believe that I am the sole heir of the Roodenburg family?’