THE UNEXPECTED DOMINANCE OF RICHARD PAYTON

Chapter 5 - Meeting The Paytons

After much pressure from Hailey, Richard finally registered his fingerprint on the account and Hailey insisted that he hold the phone. He was definitely uncomfortable being in possession of such an insane amount of money but he couldn't do anything about it. 

"Aah, we're finally here" Hailey announced as they approached a gate that led into the Payton Estate. 

The gate allowed you see through and behind it was a space that spoke volumes about the Paytons' wealth. A vast courtyard decorated with expensive ornamental plants and trees as well as fountains and fruits.

"Wow, this is magnificent" Richard couldn't help but compliment the beautiful sight.

"Yea, Ma Payton is very strict on the appearance of the family home. Sir Payton couldn't care less about the appearance" Hailey informed him.

Richard noticed she referred to the Payton couple as Sir and Ma instead of any parental names like Mum and Dad or Father and Mother. Maybe she was indeed adopted.

But even though, who asks for a date with her foster brother? He just made peace with the face that Hailey was just something else.

The car finally came to a stop and parked. The servants rushed and opened the doors for Hailey and Richard who stepped out. Hailey guided Richard into the mansion to the living room where the entire Payton family were already in waiting for him. 

"Hello, everyone! Guess who's back?" Hailey announced her arrival rather dramatically.

"What took you so long?" A relaxed and refined masculine voice said calmly.

"Oh, Father. I'm sorry for my delay. We were caught up in some hindrances at the Chryslers' place" Hailey replied.

"What hindrances? I thought they didn't want him?" Mr Payton asked, standing up.

Richard could see that he was indeed a wealthy man through and through. 

"Well... Last minute reservations I guess" Hailey said and walked towards the seated family.

"Welcome to the Payton family, Richard" she smiled and gestured towards the family and started introducing them one after the other.

"This is Sir Marshall Payton, the father of any and everyone here. This is Mabel Payton, the mother of the twins. These are the twins of the house, Michael and Michelle Payton" 

As Richard looked at the twins he immediately noticed that they looked at him with a disgusted expression. He immediately could tell that those two didn't welcome his presence at all. But it wasn't only them. Their mother too wasn't happy with his arrival. She kept sizing him up and down.

Hailey then introduced the butler and the housekeeper.

"So where do I fit in a this" Richard asked. 

Sir Marshall Payton then motioned to speak. 

"I had a wife before Mabel when I was much younger and less responsible. Her name was Lydia. I hurt her emotionally and cheated on her. She was forced to divorce me and run away. Unknowingly, she was pregnant with my child. Months later, I heard she had passed away. 

"It was my housekeeper at that time who informed me that she was pregnant before she left. But when I got to the hospital, the child was nowhere to be found. Since then I have been looking for him but to no avail. Hailey is the granddaughter of the housekeeper. I adopted her after her mother passed away. She vowed to help me find my son and we've been looking for years.

"Recently, she had some of her agents run background checks on several suspects and you happened to fit the exact criteria. When she showed me your photographs, I saw certain resemblance to Lydia but now I've seen you personally, I don't need a seer to tell me you are my lost son.

"Welcome home, Richard, my son" the aged man smiled with a look in his eyes that held both joy and sadness.

Richard didn't know how to react. He had been an orphan since he could remember. And a nobody. He didn't know how to take the news.

"Don't worry, I know it'll take some getting used to. But please, make yourself as comfortable as possible. This is your home. I can't atone for what I did to you and Lydia but I vow to give you the best life I can.

"Hailey volunteered to incorporate you into the business and our commercial circle. I have no doubt that she will do a good job. The entire Payton Enterprise is yours if you show me you're worthy of it." 

The billionaire mogul smiled at Richard and walked to him. He held him by the shoulders.

"I have faith in you, my son. Ascend to the pinnacle of society as my rightful heir" he said and tapped him warmly.

"I'm sorry to leave now but I have an urgent meeting in New York. I'll be away for a couple of weeks. Hailey will make sure you have everything you need" he said before heading towards the exit.

Richard turned and watched him leave the mansion. The rest of the family left the living room without a word to him. He got their message loud and clear. They didn't consider him family like the other two did.

Hailey walked up to him and locked her arm in his. "Alright then, Richie. Let's first of all go get you changed up. Then we'll go shopping and get you a nice outfit for that date you promised me" she giggled mischievously.

Richard found himself smiling. He suddenly felt a different feeling run through his veins. 

Was this what it felt like to be rich and powerful?

He knew the power and influence the Payton name had in all of California. They were among the top of the top brass in the state. Their influence even reached into other states as well. And he, a nobody just a day ago had it all in his palms?

"Hahaha" he suddenly laughed hysterically.

"What's the issue? Did I say something funny?" Hailey asked with a concerned expression.

He just chuckled again. "No, it's nothing. I believe I owe you a date" he said and smiled at her. 

"Yes you do" she smiled back and pulled him with her. The next minute saw them driving on the highway, headed for one of the biggest clothing store in California.

At the clothing store, Hailey shopped in the ladies' section different from where Richard shopped. He had insisted that he wanted to shop on his own when she suggested a guide. 

As he walked between the lines of clothing brands and sections, he caught sight of Samuel's friends as they stood at the end of the line. They were probably working here. He immediately turned away to avoid them but they had already seen him.

"Isn't that Samuel's loser brother-in-law?" One of them said.

"Yes. Richard or what's that his stupid name?" The other one chuckled.

"What's he doing at a place like this?

"I heard Rachel was divorcing him this morning. He's been divorced and now he's trying to use the Chrysler name to steal some things before the divorce is made public" 

"What a lowlife"

"Come, let's foil his plans" 

They immediately rushed at him. 

"Hey, loser" one tapped him from behind.

Richard wasn't in the mood to respond to them so he ignored.

"Are you trying to steal something?" The other one said, grabbing him from behind.

Richard had a pair of suits in his hand and some high quality shirts as well.

"Please, let me be. I'm not stealing anything" he replied calmly.

"Show us your card then. What do you intend to pay with?" 

"The Chrysler name isn't it? You're not even worth 20 dollars, a loser like you has no business here" they continued probing him.

"He's probably going to tell the cashier 'I'm Richard Chrysler, the husband of Rachel Chrysler. My wife will come clear the bills later' what a fraudulent lowlife" the other one said and they laughed mockingly.

"Please, I request you men leave me alone" Richard said in a calm voice, slowly getting irritated. He didn't want to make a fuss so he kept his voice low. 

"What is that tone? Are you threatening us? We caught you stealing from our shop and you're threatening us?" They started raising their voice.

A security personnel walked in. "What's the problem here?" He asked.

"We caught this thief here trying to pack some of our clothes and he started threatening us" they replied.

"How is he a thief when he hasn't passed the exit with the items?" The security asked.

"It's because we know him. This is how he operates. We have received similar reports from other stores. He comes and takes items under his wife's name but when the shop demands payment from her she proves that she has already divorced him" they replied.

The security turned to Richard. "Please Mr, show me your mode of payment" he said with disdain. He had already believed what Samuel's friends had said.

Richard was dressed in basic clothes that looked like those of a servant. How did he even get into the shop? 

"Please, I am not a thief or anything of that sort. Allow me finish my shopping. I will go to the cashier when I'm done" he replied calmly.

"You sure don't look like someone who can even pay for one of our boxers. I demand that you show me your mode of payment and prove your identity immediately or I will throw you out" the security warned.

"You cannot accuse me of such behaviour when you hardly know me. What if these men are lying?" Richard was furious at this point. 

"Are you raising your voice at me, Mr Thief?" The security guard fired. 

"What did you just call me?" Richard balled his fists. 

"Hey hey hey, what's going on here?" The manager of the shop rushed in. He had been hearing the commotion from above and had to rush down.

"Tony and Andrew just confirmed this man to be a chronic thief who scams shops like ours with a false identity. I asked him to identify himself but he wants to fight me" the security guard reported.

The manager turned to Richard and sized him up and down. 

"Please, Mr, can we see your mode of payment" he asked him politely.

Richard was lost. He didn't have a card with him and he had already given back Hailey her phone. There was nothing on him to prove himself.

"Mr..?" The manager called.