THE CONSORTIUM SYSTEM

“You must be very stupid!” Xaden was appalled by the woman’s instant refusal. It was his first time witnessing such open hostility. “How do you expect us to just open our home to a stranger just because our father and your grandfather were old friends?” It was the woman’s brother,Trevor, that spoke this time with a frown on his face. “I don’t even understand why father would make friends with a man like that. Look at you, you’re just as wretched as your old man. Poor and stinking. Your shoes look worn out and you have dirt all over you. You also stink! While my father worked to gain all his wealth, your grandfather ran away like a coward to live in the country and remained poor.” Bianca sneered with obvious disgust and held her nose to emphasise her point. Xaden’s grandfather, John Dyre had been a good man and he was close friends with their father, Adam Miller. Though John had retired to the suburbs to live a quiet life, Adam had gone into business and become a millionaire. They b

Bianca chuckled. "I'm just messing around. Of course, we're not going to kill him. But maybe someone else can so we don’t stain our hands."Ashley went for the door. "Mom, I think you had too much wine today, just go to bed and I'll go talk to Xaden and accept his proposal, okay? Nobody's killing anybody and besides, Uncle Trevor seems to fancy him alot."Bianca rolled her eyes. Your Uncle hates him as much as I do. He’s just pretending so Xaden will trust him.”Ashley suddenly came up with a brilliant idea. "Instead of killing him, we'll look for a way to kick him out of our lives by divorce. We can accuse him of something and then kick him out."“That’s a great idea. Now go talk to him and tell him you’ve agreed to it.”Minutes later, Ashley returned and asked to speak to Xaden privately. He was shocked that she made that request when she had made it clear that she despised his presence.He took her to his room so they could talk and as she entered the room, he subtly inspected his r

How could she be pregnant? But there was no other explanation for her weight gain and swollen belly. He just sat there staring at Ashley's swollen belly. As far as he could remember, he has never touched her, not even held her hands once since they got married or kissed her. The first and the last time he tried doing that was during the wedding and he paid dearly for that when she embarrassed him by walking away. Suddenly she goes on a so-called business trip and returns with pregnancy? There was no other explanation, she cheated on him, and got pregnant by another man. Her pregnancy was already showing so she was at least five months pregnant now. He stood. His body was moving but it was like he was in a trance, watching everything happening instead of actually living in the moment. Bianca was saying something to him but he couldn't hear what she was saying. He walked slowly towards Ashley until he was a few inches away from her face."How could you do this to me? Y.you cheated on m

"Grandfather, why are you giving me the ring? You're not dying anytime soon, you have to stay with me." Grandfather smiled sadly and patted his head. "Though I'll be gone physically, but I'll always be with you, in here, in your heart." Xaden's face was filled with tears. He wiped them with his hands. "Don't go, grandfather. Don't leave me alone." Grandfather stood up and began to walk into the darkness, leaving Xaden in tears. Xaden tried to follow but he seemed to be stuck though he could see no chains. "When you truly need me, I will come to you. It’s your time now, Xaden. Destiny has found you, make sure you win. Trust no one." His voice echoed in the darkness. Xaden woke up immediately. He was covered with sweat, blood and bandages. What kind of dream was that? It started out as a memory he had with his Grandfather when his Grandfather gave him the ring before dying, then ended with his Grandfather giving him advice and a warning. "Where am I?" he muttered. He turned to

Adrian was sleeping when Malessa and Xaden walked in. Malessa smiled at her grandfather even though the sleeping man couldn’t see her, and nudged Xaden to move closer to Adrian. She was happy that her grandfather won’t be worried about Xaden’s whereabouts anymore. And now there was hope that Xaden would cure her father with his new found powers. She closed the door after her. Xaden was now alone with the old man. He walked around the room and noticed that the old man had a lot of antiques but there was something that caught his attention. It was a Japanese painting that hung directly above the bed. It was the same as the one his Grandfather had and also one that Adam Miller had which still hung in the Miller’s mansion. The woman might be right after all. The president must have been friends with his grandfather. "Lovely painting, right?" a voice asked behind him. Xaden was startled. He didn't hear anybody walk in. He turned round to see and it was the old man that was lying down on