Rex Lathwyn's Conquest

Chapter 2: Hope rekindled

Just then, his phone rang.

Staring at his phone screen, Rex discovers it has turned half blank possibly from being kicked back then by the overzealous securities.

Without identifying the person phoning, he picked it.

"Hello?"

"... Rex?"

As soon as Rex heard the voice which hasn't called or talked to him for the past three years because of the mistakes he made, he couldn't help but quiver.

Remembering how he was told to choose between the family or his lover and his choice, Rex felt ashamed and downcast thinking about his current situation.

Truly he was blinded by love.

"Gra... Grandpa." He responded in a soft voice that most will find hard to hear.

"I'm glad you're alright. It's been a while, how are you doing?"

_I definitely won't have been alright for long_ Rex thought while looking down at the bridge as he felt the courage he accumulated to execute suicide vanish like a puff of smoke.

"I'm doing great."

"Well, that is pleasant. Rex, I don't have much to say now. We will discuss this when you get back to the clan.

Hereafter, your uncles will be bringing their first 20+ male children to partake in the family's most talented conquerer to choose the next heir of the family and I would like to add you. I know we chased you away from the clan because of some ridiculous cases but we are ready to take you back and if you win then it's a win for us all. Even if you try it's still great but just don't be the last. Also, send me your account number so I can transfer some money to you, that's if you need it."

Beep!

After saying so, Rex heard a beep sound showing his grandfather had cut the call.

Dumbstruck, Rex could not comprehend why his grandfather would think of him just when he wanted to end his life.

_Is this luck or coincidence? Maybe God wants me to take back my wife._ he guessed inwardly as he grinned foolishly.

With anticipation coursing through his veins, Rex speed-dialled the phone number he knew. Ring after ring echoed through the air, but the person on the other end remained silent.

Unperturbed, Rex tried again and again, until finally, the call was answered.

"Can you stop calling my number for crying out you asshole?!" Silvia yelled with hostility from the other end of the phone.

Unperturbed, Rex with excitement to break the joyous news to her says, "Guess what hunny?"

"Pft, you have the audacity to call me after all that drama and telling me to 'guess'? Preposterous! Well, you too should guess this... I'm getting engaged to Grey, the man of my dreams who can afford whatever I want, while you... Well, you'll never amount to anything. You're a servant, destined for a life of servitude. You're beneath me and always will be. So, good day to you, sir! Lastly, I have spoken to Grandpa, he has approved of me getting a divorce letter. Let's end it!"

Beep (End call...)

Rex was shocked to the bone!

The realization hit Rex like a ton of bricks, his illusions of marital bliss crashing down around him. His wife, Silvia, had truly left him in the dust, deserting him like a rat on a sinking ship. He was heartbroken, his chest feeling as heavy as a lead balloon.

[You're a servant, destined for a life of servitude. You're beneath me, and always will be...]

[Servant...]

[Beneath me...]

[I'm getting engaged to Grey, the man of my dreams who can afford whatever I want...]

Those scathing words kept ricocheting through Rex's mind, bouncing around like a pinball in an arcade game. They taunted him, mocking him for his lowly status in life, for his inability to measure up to the colossal figure of Grey. It was like he was entangled in a dystopian, broken-record nightmare, haunted by Silvia's scathing words.

****

Rex remained frozen in place on the bridge for a full 20 minutes, his mind racing through memories like a runaway train. He recalled the innocent, affectionate Silvia he'd met in college before she transformed into the bitter woman who had just abandoned him. And he couldn't forget the cruel ultimatum from his family - 'marry her and be disowned.' He'd followed his heart, only to be left broken and alone. It was a tragic irony worthy of the Bard himself.

_Why should I wallow in resentment when my sister lies in the infirmary? Furthermore, why should I relent when my family has provided me with a golden opportunity to prove my mettle?! Verily, I shall rise from the ashes, surpass Grey, and render his family's fortunes as insignificant as flatulence! My appellation shall strike fear and awe into the hearts of all who hear it!_ This thought flashed through his mind in a thunderous manner, forcing Rex to feel a sudden urge to be great, to prove to Silvia she made one of the stupidest decisions of her life and her family who always looked down on him.

"First let me message Grandpa to send me money for the transport." Upon texting his account number, unsure if it is correct after all, his screen is presently blank. It didn't take more than two minutes for him to receive a response.

Ding!

Being incapable of seeing the text, he dropped from the bridge, halted a taxi and stopped near one of the closest banks with the motive of examining his account balance. Upon seeing his account, Rex's mouth was left agape from seeing $15,000!

"What the hell, I thought you said transport fair old man, How come it feels more like a top civil servant's pension?" Rex mumbled with a melancholy smile as he impatiently redrawed it while saying, "This will be more than enough to treat Mirabel."

She is his main concern right now.

After that he headed straight towards the hospital with tension, while rushing into the hospital, as soon as he made a sharp turn towards her ward in his lost mind and hurry state he mistakenly crashed into a very important individual.

Ahhhhhh!

With a brief shriek, the young lady whom Rex bumped into fell on the hard tile and her phone which she held smashed onto the floor right off the bat.

Without wasting time she quickly stood up, less one saw her in such an embarrassing position but as soon as she saw the condition of her phone, her countenance changed.

"Young man you will pay for this! This phone is the Falckon Midnight Diamond Edition from Goldgenie - it's a customized iPhone 12 Pro that retails for a cool damn $4.5 MILLION and I won't take an apology as an answer I swear on my dead grandfather!!!"

_Oh great, look where my anxiety has taken me to_