2024-08-21 02:28:54Marvin pulled his sedan into a parking spot just outside the Mayor’s Bite restaurant.
The neon lights flickered in the evening gloom, casting a pale glow on the sidewalk. He killed the engine and stepped out, stretching his back, wincing slightly as his hand brushed against the bandage on his head. Circling around to the back, he opened the door for his kids. “Easy, Bryan. Don’t hurt yourself,” he said, just in time to catch his son as the boy tumbled out, nearly tripping on the curb. Bryan grinned, as fearless as ever. “I’m fine, Dad.” Marvin chuckled despite himself, then turned his attention to his daughter. “Hey, sweetie, ready to come out?” His voice softened as he gently lifted her from the car seat, with her tiny hands clutching his shirt. She giggled, pressing her chubby cheek against his, and his heart melted just like it always did. But before he could fully savor the moment, Bryan’s voice broke through. “Dad, is your head still hurting?” Marvin adjusted his daughter on his hip and glanced at his son, whose wide eyes were locked on the bandage. “It’s not too bad, buddy. It is better than yesterday.” Bryan frowned. “Are the floors at your workplace that slippery?” “A little, yeah.” Marvin admitted, his lips curved into a reassuring smile. “But I promise, I’ll be more careful from now on.” Bryan nodded, satisfied for now, while his little sister cooed. “Papa,” and nuzzled into his neck. Marvin kissed the top of her head, and warmth spread through his chest. Inside the restaurant, the familiar scent of freshly baked bread and garlic greeted them. Marvin waved at a man behind the counter—Mr. Fredrick, the owner, his apron was dusted with flour. “Hey there, Marvin,” Mr. Fredrick called, his well-groomed mustache twitched as he spoke. “How’s the day treating you?” “Pretty good,” Marvin replied, walking up to the counter, with Bryan trailing behind. Mr. Fredrick’s eyes narrowed on the bandage. “Yikes. What happened?” “Ah, just took a nasty fall at work,” Marvin said with a shrug. “Sorry to hear that.” Fredrick’s brow furrowed in sympathy. “Anyway, I see you’re all ready for Martha’s birthday celebration.” He smiled warmly at the children, who waved back shyly. “That’s right,” Marvin said, grinning. “We’ve been looking forward to it.” “And the cake?” Fredrick asked. Marvin’s eyes lit up. “Yeah, the cake! How’s it coming along?” Mr. Fredrick’s chest puffed out with pride. “Oh, it’s done, and trust me, you’re gonna love it. It’s one of my best yet. But... I’ve got to ask...” Marvin’s smile faltered slightly. “What is it?” Fredrick lowered his voice, leaning in. “Marvin, I know it’s not my place, but twenty-five thousand dollars for a cake? For just you, your wife, and the kids? That’s a fortune, man. Are you sure Martha’s worth all that?” For a moment, Marvin stood frozen. Then, a slow smile crept across his face, a smile that reached his eyes, eyes that were glowing with devotion. “Mr. Fredrick, Martha is worth every penny. She’s been my rock, my happiness, and look at these kids,” he gestured to his son and daughter, “she gave me the best gifts I could ever ask for.” Fredrick held up his hands, backing off. “Alright, alright. I get it. It’s just that with the economy, and with the way those corporate gladiators are running wild with their—what do they call it—elemental powers or whatever, the world’s changing, Westwood especially is changing Marvin. People are struggling.” Marvin shook his head, smiling with quiet resolve. “Even if the world falls apart, I’ll do whatever it takes to make Martha happy.” Fredrick studied him for a moment, there was a strange mix of admiration and wariness in his eyes. “Well, you’re a better man than most, I’ll give you that.” Marvin nodded, gathering the kids and heading to a table near the window. The evening crowd began to fill the restaurant, and Marvin ordered drinks for himself and cookies for the kids, but his mind wandered. Martha was late. Twenty minutes late. He fished his phone from his pocket and dialed her number. It rang, then went to voicemail. His heart sank. What’s keeping her? His daughter, oblivious to his growing unease, broke a cookie in half and giggled as crumbs scattered across the table. Bryan, on the other hand, was quiet, with his eyes darting to the door every few seconds, clearly missing his mom. Just as Marvin started to dial again, the door swung open. There she was. Martha stepped inside, with her heels clicking against the tiled floor. She looked radiant, her fitted dress highlighted her curves, and her long hair framed her flawless face. Marvin’s breath caught in his throat. She was always beautiful, but tonight—tonight she looked stunning. A broad grin spread across his face, and relief and pride washed over him. But just as he was about to stand and greet her, the door swung wider, and another figure stepped through. Marvin’s smile faltered, and his heart stuttered in his chest. It was Daniel Richmond. His stepbrother. The man he had come to despise more than anyone else in the world. Martha’s hand was on Daniel’s arm, her expression was warm, too warm. She leaned in close to say something to him, and Daniel laughed, with his eyes glittering with something Marvin couldn’t quite place. The sound sent a chill crawling up Marvin’s spine. His mind reeled, unable to make sense of what he was seeing. Why was she with him? And why did she look so comfortable? The blood drained from Marvin’s face as a thousand possibilities raced through his mind, each one was worse than the last. His heart pounded, his throat turned dry. Everything in the room blurred except for the two figures standing in the doorway—the woman he loved, and the man he hated.
Previous Chapter
Related Chapters
THE UNDERESTIMATED HEIR A FATHER'S WORST NIGHTMARE
Marvin shot up from his seat, his legs turned shaky beneath him, but his heart raced with burning anger. His breath hitched, and his thoughts tumbled over each other like a dam ready to burst. He forced a strained smile, trying to make sense of the situation. "Honey, welcome... how—" "Hey, my little angels!" Martha’s voice cut through his greeting like a knife, her tone was unnervingly sweet, but it wasn’t for him. She breezed past Marvin as though he didn’t exist, swooping down to embrace their children. “Mommy, you’re late!” Bryan said, as his arms were wrapped tightly around her. His voice carried that mix of worry and joy, clearly happy to see her after what felt like an eternity. Martha tousled his hair. “I know, baby. I’m here now.” Marvin’s pulse quickened. He couldn’t believe it. Martha had never ignored him before—not once in their years together. She was always affectionate, always pulling him into her world. And now? Now, it was as if he was invisible. What was
THE UNDERESTIMATED HEIR FRACTURED TIES
Like a lightning bolt, Marvin’s fist clenched tight, his knuckles turned white as fury overtook him. His eyes were locked on the glowing Synapticore mark etched into Daniel’s forehead, it was the symbol of the man who had stolen his life, his future—his family. In a burst of adrenaline, Marvin lunged forward with a force he didn’t even know he had. His vision tunneled, and the world shrank down to the single goal of his fist smashing into Daniel’s skull. The crack of impact echoed through the restaurant as Marvin’s fist connected with Daniel’s head, right over that cursed Synapticore mark. Daniel staggered under the blow, and his body jolted from the sheer force. “You took everything from me!” Marvin roared, his voice was thick with years of suppressed rage. His next punch came hard and fast, the power of it was fueled by a cocktail of heartbreak and betrayal. “I’m going to destroy you!” But Daniel, whose blood was now trickling from the corner of his mouth, simply smirke
THE UNDERESTIMATED HEIR STRIPPED OF EVERYTHING
Two days after Marvin’s discharge from the hospital, he was driven home. The shock of his wife’s revelation still clung to him like a shadow, leaving him sober and hollow. It wasn’t just that he had wasted years loving the wrong person—the truth was worse: He had no children. As the car rolled to a stop in front of his house, Marvin barely noticed the towering structure before him. His mind was a battlefield, as the words of his wife replayed in a torturous loop. Therapy had been prescribed for his injured head, but how could twenty-four hours of counseling ever soothe the wreckage of a man who had lost everything? "Hey, I know you're dealing with a lot," said Mr. Fredrick from the driver’s seat, breaking the silence. "But don't be too hard on yourself, okay?" Marvin nodded absently. "Okay," he muttered, already opening the door. "If you need anything, just call me, alright?" Mr. Fredrick added before driving off, his voice was full of concern. Marvin stood at the entrance
THE UNDERESTIMATED HEIR THE COST OF DEFIANCE
Daniel’s fingers hovered over the edges of the papers, with a mocking smile playing on his lips as he skimmed through Marvin’s meticulously detailed calculations, theories and notes. “Marvin, Marvin…” Daniel mused, with a voice that was dripping with false admiration. “You’ve really put a lot of effort into all this, haven’t you?” His eyes darted across the pages, but the cold glint in them betrayed his true intentions. He picked up one sheet, holding it between his hands, as if savoring its fragility. “I wonder how it would feel to tear it in half,” he said, his tone was mocking, and lips curled into a twisted grin. “Daniel, don’t,” Marvin warned, his voice was firm but it was tinged with desperation. “Those papers... they’re my life's work. You don’t understand what you’re about to destroy.” Daniel’s gaze flicked up, his expression shifted from fake curiosity to a cold, brutal indifference. “Oh, I understand perfectly.” He sneered, his grip tightened on the paper. “What you see
THE UNDERESTIMATED HEIR UNTRACEABLE SHIPMENT
A few days later, Mr Richmond was seated in his office, watching a hologram that showed how his production staffs were developing a Quantum Computing Algorithm.These were algorithms that could harness the power of quantum computing to solve complex problems, such as optimizing supply chains, financial modeling, or advanced data encryption.In a few minutes, Mr Richmond leaned back in his leather chair, his eyes narrowed as he focused on the hologram infront of him. With a deep breath, he raised his his hand to his forehead, where the synapticore mark began to pulse.As his fingers made contact, the mark ignited a blue light, bathing the room it's glow.The energy from the mark surged through him, connecting his thoughts with the intricate workings of the Quantum Computing Algorithms his team was developing.As the connection solidified, the hologram began to shift, displaying complex data streams and projections.With the aid of the Synapticore force, his mind raced through the poss
THE UNDERESTIMATED HEIR THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM
Marvin walked through the entrance of the company building to the reception. Upon reaching where the receptionist was and upon sighting him, her eyes were wide out of shock. "Good morning Master Marvin." She greeted. "Good morning Mrs Flora, how is everything?" "Everything is fine. How about you?" "I am good." Replied Romeo. "So sorry about what happened to you, I on you must be going through a lot right now." "I know Mrs Flora, but what would I do, my father has made his decision." Marvin shrugged his shoulders. "You know I really wish you had the synapticore force within you, you surely would have been a great leader." She was aware of how hardworking and passionate Marvin was during his time at the company. "Well, I don't have it." "About your wife…" "No Mrs Flora, don't go there, I don't wish to remember anything about Martha Arceneaux." Marvin interrupted. "I am sorry about that master Marvin, but what I really wanted to say, is that I have a niece that you c
THE UNDERESTIMATED HEIR MARVIN'S UNSEEN FORCE
Marvin's words hung in the air, and the mood in the room shifted. David who had been so confident, now looked a bit nervous.Marvin's smile grew, but there was no kindness in it.Marvin calmly pulled out his phone and started making calls. David watched him, confused and nervous, not knowing what Marvin was about to do.Marvin dialled the first number, and he spoke confidently into the phone."Hello, Mr. Charles Williams?""Hello Master Marvin, how are you?""I am fine Mr. Charles.""So what is it?" Mr Charles asked."Um Mr. Charles Williams, I just wanted to let you know that I am no longer working at Richmond Tech group. I think you should take your investments out of the company right away.""Marvin, this is sudden. Why are you leaving Richmond Tech Group? Did something happen?" The voice at the background sounded surprise."Let's just say that there has been a shift in the company's direction that I can no longer align with. It is a strategic decision on my part, Mr. Williams. I b
THE UNDERESTIMATED HEIR THE WINE DRENCHED OUTCAST
Marvin and his mother had relocated to Mr Fredrick's family home after they were sent parking from the Richmond estate.At the moment, he and his mom had nothing but a few thousand dollars in the bank, however Mrs Richmond's hopes were on the final court order to make sure that Mr Richmond had paid the hundred thousand dollars pre nuptial agreement.Now that all that was not forthcoming, both Marvin and his mother were totally dependant on Mr Fredrick and his wife who was a nurse. To keep himself busy, Marvin worked at Mr Fredrick's restaurant as a dishwasher. He had been working in the restaurant for two weeks now, but today was going to be very different.Marvin was done washing the first set of plates that morning and stepped out to get breakfast of toasted bread and some cheeseburger when he bumped into Braun Velcan. "Hey, who do we have here?" Said a surprised Braun Velcan."Good day old friend, longtime no see, how are you?" Marvin greeted with a smile, stretching his hand ou
Latest Chapter
OF BLOOD POWER AND LIES
The world around Marvin was dark and quiet.It was no longer the golden, peaceful lounge of La Vie En Rose. No music. No warmth. Only the low hum of silence and the smell of rust and oil.Dim lights flickered from old, hanging bulbs. The walls were made of bare concrete, and the floor was stained with grease. Broken car parts, metal tools, and oil drums were scattered everywhere. It looked like an old, abandoned car garage. Cold. Lonely. Empty of life.The only sound was the soft drip of water from a leaking pipe in the corner.Marvin’s head felt heavy. His eyes were half-closed. His whole body was weak—like he had been running for days with no food, no rest. Sweat rolled down his forehead, sticking his hair to his face. His mouth was dry. His tongue felt thick.Slowly, he began to wake up more. He tried to move.That’s when he realized…He couldn’t.His arms were spread apart, each one was chained tightly to the sides of a steel pole. His legs too were stretched and chained to the
HER SMILE HIS DOWNFALL
As Marvin walked through La Vie En Rose, heads began to turn.Some people gasped quietly, others whispered to one another. Within seconds, smartphones were lifted into the air. Camera flashes blinked like fireflies.“Isn’t that Marvin Richmond?” someone whispered with excitement.“The CEO of Helios enterprise!”People started taking photos and recording short videos. A few stood up and came toward him politely, smiling and asking for autographs.Marvin smiled kindly, even as he kept moving. He paused for a moment, signing one or two with a graceful nod. But as more people began to gather, he raised a gentle hand and spoke with calm respect.“I appreciate the love, everyone,” he said warmly. “But I’m with someone special tonight. Maybe next time, alright?”There were no hard feelings. The patrons of La Vie En Rose were people of class and manners. They nodded with understanding and returned to their tables, still excited just to have seen him in person.Marvin returned to Helena’s s
WHISPERS BENEATH THE STARS
Marvin stood still for a second, his hand was frozen in the air.But then, he shook his head slightly and let out a soft sigh.No matter what, he wasn’t going to let anything ruin tonight.He straightened his suit jacket and walked calmly to the passenger side of the car.Without a word, he opened the door and slipped into the back seat beside Helena.The car’s interior was quiet, and the atmosphere felt heavy.Helena sat beside him, her face was expressionless, her eyes distant.She looked out the window, as if she wasn’t even aware that he was sitting next to her.Marvin watched her silently for a moment, feeling a gnawing worry rise in his chest."Where did all this coldness come from?" he thought.This wasn’t the Helena he knew.Slowly, Marvin reached out and cupped her chin gently, turning her face toward him.His thumb brushed her soft skin with care."Baby," he said softly, his voice was low and soothing."What’s up? What happened? You don't seem so good... you don't sound so g
UNANSWERED QUESTIONS
It was Valentine’s Day.Inside his VVIP lounge at the Aurora Grand Hotel, Marvin stood in front of his large bedroom TV. He was fully dressed in a custom-made navy blue suit, adjusting his silver cufflinks. His reflection on the screen showed a man who had everything — success, power, and charm.On the TV, a documentary about his company, Helios Enterprise, played softly. Marvin glanced at it with mild interest. The documentary showed all the major exploits and innovations of Helios Enterprise, including the famous SOLNOVA Projects — inventions that had the possibility of changing solar technology across the world.The voice of the narrator filled the room:"Helios Enterprise, under the visionary leadership of Marvin Richmond, would be launching the SOLNOVA projects in four days time, with the hope of bringing endless energy to millions..."Just then, Marvin’s phone buzzed. He smiled faintly and called Helena.She picked up almost immediately."Hey, are you ready?" Marvin asked, his
FROZEN AT THE THRESHOLD
She had heard it all. Every word, every promise, every confession. Her heart sank with each syllable that left Marvin’s lips. His voice was so filled with conviction, so different from the way he had spoken to her. To Helena, it was a cruel revelation. The man she loved—truly loved—had just opened his heart to another woman in a way she had never imagined.Helena stood frozen just outside the door, her breath caught in her chest. She wanted to retreat, to leave the space, but she couldn’t. She was paralyzed, as if the air had thickened around her, suffocating her ability to move. The reality of Marvin’s feelings for Stella settled over her like a dark cloud, suffusing her thoughts with bitterness and sorrow. She couldn’t comprehend how it had all gone so wrong upon the firm confirmation that Marvin had another lover.From inside the office, Marvin’s voice continued to flow, filled with life and excitement as he spoke to Stella, unaware that Helena was standing mere feet away, hea
A FUTURE TOGETHER?
Marvin leaned back in his chair, the conversation with Helena was still echoing in his mind. It had been a close call earlier, but things had finally lightened. She had kissed him lightly on the cheek before heading for the door, leaving behind the faint trace of her perfume, the scent lingered in the air like an invisible mark of her presence.The door clicked softly behind her, and for a brief moment, Marvin let the silence settle. He closed his eyes, exhaling deeply, with a sense of relief washing over him. His shoulders, tense from the pressure of the conversation, began to relax as the moment of calm spread through him. But just as he thought he might get the chance to fully unwind, his phone buzzed again.He glanced at the screen, the name was flashing brightly: Stella Orion.A smile tugged at the corners of his lips. Stella. She had this way of making everything feel easier, lighter. His mood shifted, almost eagerly, as he swiped to answer the call. No more pretending,
A FRAGILE MOMENT
She leaned forward, her eyes locking onto his. The tension between them was palpable, thick enough that Marvin could almost feel it pressing on his chest."Why are you not picking up your call?" she demanded, her voice was now laced with suspicion.Her tone had shifted. It was forceful now, more aggressive, more violent than it had been a moment ago. "Who is it, Marvin?"The question hung in the air like a heavy weight. Marvin’s heart raced as the blood drained from his face. He could feel the words slipping through his mind, desperate to make an escape, but he couldn’t bring himself to speak the truth. He had promised himself that he would be honest, that he would stop lying... but now, under the intensity of her gaze, he wasn’t sure what would happen if he did.For a moment, he simply stared at her. The silence stretched out, dragging on longer than it should have. The weight of their unspoken words pressed down on him, suffocating him in a way that felt almost unbearable.What
HOME, BUT NOT THE SAME
Marvin opened the door gently.The soft click of the handle turning echoed slightly in the quiet room.Inside, Helena sat on the couch near the office desk, her eyes were fixed on her phone. Her fingers glided lightly across the screen, seemingly absorbed in whatever she was reading. The atmosphere in the room felt different — quieter, colder.As the door swung open, Helena raised her eyes slowly.Their gazes met.Marvin’s heart skipped a beat. A wave of relief and joy washed over him at the sight of her, but something else lingered in the air — something he couldn’t quite place.Without thinking, he walked toward her with open arms, he felt the instinct to pull her close. He had missed her — more than he cared to admit.But today was different.Helena didn’t rush toward him, as she used to. There was no excited smile, no sparkle in her eyes. She simply stood up, her movements were slow and deliberate, almost mechanical. Her expression remained unreadable.He faltered for a moment,
HOME, BUT NOT THE SAME 1
A Week Later…The city of Neovalle was bathed in the soft, golden light of morning.After a week away, Marvin Richmond finally returned to Neovalle.He sat comfortably in the backseat of a sleek black luxury vehicle, the engine was humming quietly as it moved smoothly through the streets.The windows were slightly tinted, shielding him from the outside world, but Marvin could still see the tall buildings, busy streets, and colorful banners fluttering in the breeze.Neovalle was alive as ever—but for Marvin, something felt different.He leaned back into the plush leather seat, resting his head for a moment against the headrest, deep in thought.The driver, dressed neatly in a black suit, maneuvered the car expertly through the final turns, heading straight toward the tall, modern building of Helios Enterprise.Marvin’s sharp grey eyes caught sight of the familiar shining letters on the front of the company compound as they approached.HELIOS ENTERPRISE.Home.The vehicle slowed down as
