THE UNDERDOG BILLIONAIRE

CHAPTER 8

Sophia placed the last plate of scrambled eggs on the table, sighing as she wiped her hands on her apron. Breakfast with Grandma White and the rest of the family was always tense, especially after the whole Dominic fiasco.

“Where’s the tea, Sophia? I’m not getting any younger here,” Grandma White barked, tapping her spoon against her cup.

“Yes, Grandma, it’s coming,” Sophia replied, trying to keep her tone neutral. Just as she turned to grab the kettle, her phone buzzed loudly on the counter. She glanced at the screen and saw an unknown number.

Frowning, she picked up the call. “Hello?”

“Good morning! Am I speaking to Miss Sophia White?” a cheerful voice asked on the other end.

“Yes, this is she,” Sophia replied cautiously.

“I’m calling from the Empire of Commerce to inform you that your family’s application for membership has been approved! Congratulations! You now have access to all premium benefits,” the voice chirped.

Sophia froze, the words echoing in her head. “Wait, what?” she stammered.

“You’re officially members! A welcome package will be delivered later today,” the voice continued.

“Oh my God!” Sophia screamed, startling everyone at the table. She hung up the call and spun around, clutching the phone like it was made of gold.

“What’s going on, child? Why are you yelling like a lunatic?” Grandma White demanded, her face scrunched up in irritation.

Sophia grinned, barely able to contain herself. “We got it! We’re in! The Empire of Commerce accepted us as members!”

The room fell silent. Everyone stared at her, their forks mid-air, as if she had just told them she won the lottery.

“What are you talking about?” Grandma White finally asked, her voice skeptical.

“I just got the call! We’re members now, Grandma. Full access. Premium benefits. Everything!” Sophia exclaimed, her hands gesturing wildly.

Her younger cousin dropped his toast. “No way,” he whispered.

“Are you sure this isn’t some prank?” Uncle Mark chimed in, raising an eyebrow.

“I’m sure! They called me just now!” Sophia’s voice was almost hysterical with excitement. “Dominic must’ve done it. He said he’d help, and he did!”

At the mention of Dominic, Grandma White snorted so loudly it made Sophia flinch. “Dominic? That boy couldn’t even get us a discount at the corner store. You really think he pulled this off?”

Sophia frowned. “Grandma, he said he would. Maybe he has more connections than you think.”

“Connections?” Grandma White cackled, shaking her head. “The only connections he has are to the toilets he’s scrubbing at work.”

“Grandma!” Sophia protested, her face flushing with anger.

“Don’t ‘Grandma’ me,” she shot back. “It’s the truth. That boy’s a dreamer, Sophia. Always making big promises he can’t keep. Someone else must’ve done this.”

Before Sophia could respond, the doorbell rang. Aunt Clara quickly got up to answer it. Moments later, Mr. Gregory walked in, his usual smug smile plastered on his face.

“Good morning, everyone,” Gregory greeted, his voice dripping with charm.

“Gregory, dear! What a pleasant surprise!” Grandma White beamed, standing up to greet him. “Come in, come in!”

Gregory stepped inside, his eyes briefly landing on Sophia before he focused on Grandma White. “I hope I’m not interrupting anything.”

“Not at all,” Grandma White said, waving her hand. “In fact, you’re just in time for some good news! We’ve been accepted into the Empire of Commerce!”

Gregory raised an eyebrow, genuinely surprised. “Really? That’s… incredible.”

“Isn’t it?” Grandma White gushed. “We’ve tried for so long, and now it’s finally happened. Thank you for your help, Gregory.”

Gregory blinked. “My help?”

“Yes, you told us you’d ask your father to put in a word for us,” Grandma White reminded him. “It must’ve worked! We’re so grateful.”

Gregory hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck. “So quick? That’s… unexpected.”

Sophia frowned, catching the hesitation in his voice. “What do you mean, unexpected?”

Gregory shrugged. “Well, I did mention your family to my father and asked if he could help. I suppose he made a call.”

Grandma White clasped her hands together, her eyes shining with gratitude. “Oh, Gregory, you’re an angel! I knew you were the one for our Sophia!”

Sophia rolled her eyes, muttering under her breath. “Unbelievable.”

Gregory gave a small, smug smile. “It’s nothing, really. I’m just glad I could help.”

Grandma White practically shoved him into the chair at the head of the table. “You’re staying for breakfast, of course! Sophia, serve him more bacon!”

“I didn’t know my father would pull this off so fast,” Gregory remarked.

“Nonsense! Of course, he did,” Grandma White said, patting his arm. “You’re such a thoughtful young man. Unlike some people.”

Sophia’s jaw tightened, but she stayed quiet. She glanced at Gregory, who looked a little uncomfortable but didn’t deny her grandmother’s assumption.

“Relax, make yourself comfortable,” Grandma White insisted. “You deserve a proper thank you.”

Gregory sat, though he seemed unsure. “It’s really no big deal, Mrs. White.”

“It’s a huge deal,” Grandma White corrected him. “You’ve done more for this family than—”

As the family fawned over Gregory, the front door creaked open, and Dominic walked in, looking exhausted but content. He froze when he saw everyone staring at him. He stood in the doorway, taking in the scene: Gregory at the table, Grandma White gushing over him, and Sophia looking like she wanted to disappear.

“Dominic,” Grandma White said, her tone icy. “You’ve got some nerve showing your face here.”

Dominic frowned, confused. “What are you talking about?”

Grandma White stood up, her chair screeching against the floor. “Do you have any idea what’s happened? We’ve been accepted into the Empire of Commerce!”

Dominic smiled slightly. “Yeah, I know.”

Grandma White narrowed her eyes. “You know? Don’t be ridiculous. Gregory’s father made it happen.”

Dominic’s smile faded. “Actually, I—”

“Don’t you dare,” Grandma White interrupted, pointing a finger at him. “Don’t you dare try to take credit for this.”

“I’m not trying to take credit, and I don’t see the problem,” Dominic said, shrugging. “I told you I’d take care of it.”

Grandma White laughed, the sound sharp and mocking. “You? Take care of it? Don’t make me laugh. Gregory’s father is the one who made this happen.”

Dominic’s eyes flicked to Gregory, who shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “Is that so?” he asked, his tone calm.