The Beggar’s Throne

Chapter Five

Jake snatched a piece of bread and shoved it into his mouth, crumbs spilling everywhere.

Greg laughed from across the room. “Look at the dog eating!”

Jake’s throat tightened. He didn’t respond. He just swallowed hard and stumbled out the door.

The morning sun hit Jake’s face, making it turn red. Crumbs were still on his shirt. 

Amanda walked out with her purse swinging.

“Let’s go, Jake,” she said sharply. “Don’t slow me down.” Her cold tone hurt more than Diane’s stare. Jake followed behind her, head down, feeling like a stray dog walking after its owner.

At the market, Amanda gave him heavy bags filled with fruit and meat. “Carry these, Jake,” she said. People stared and whispered, “Is that her servant?” Jake’s arms hurt, but he said nothing. Amanda rolled her eyes. “You’re useless, but at least you are here.”

Jake’s face squeezed, he couldn't wait to get over with his plans, but when would that be?

Amanda got some apples and threw them at Jake “Catch, loser,” she said, laughing as it hit Jake’s chest.

The people nearby giggled, their pity was worse than their laughs. Jake bent down to pick up the apple, his hands shaking. Then manda snapped, “Stop embarrassing me, Jake.”

On their way home, they stopped by a luxurious boutique for Amanda to get some bags.

At the luxurious boutique, the glass doors and shiny counters screamed money.

Amanda walked in confidently, her heels clicking on the floor, while Jake followed behind in his old, worn-out shirt.

“Hold these,” she said, tossing him a pile of shopping bags. She looked at his clothes with pity.

You could never afford any of this, Jake.”

Jake’s arms hurt from carrying the heavy bags. Amanda picked up a Louis Vuitton purse and shook her head.

“This is real class,” she said with a cold voice. “Something you’d never understand.”

He saw his chance, to prompt her that he wasn't that poor Jake anymore. “Louis Vuitton’s outdated,” Jake said, loud and clear, “Hermès Birkin’s the trend now.” 

Amanda froze, her eyes narrowing. “Since when do you know fashion?” she asked, voice curiously. Jake’s ego swelled, he’d caught her off guard, shown he wasn’t just “poor Jake” for a moment.

Her doubt didn’t last. Amanda scoffed, “Don’t act like you’re somebody, Jake.” she said, paid and left the boutique building, walking to her lambo, Jake followed behind, calm and quiet. 

She hadn’t really said a word since that Birkin line slipped out of his mouth, he definitely felt it.

The way her brows had been moving and her brief pause Jakes knew she was thinking.

Amanda didn’t say a word until they reached the parking lot. Her Lamborghini glistened in the sun.

She turned to Jake, her eyes squinting.

“Seriously… how do you know about Hermès? That’s not something broke boys know about.”

Jake smirked. “I’ve seen a few in pawn shops.”

Amanda rolled her eyes. “You? In a pawn shop? You’d be lucky to afford one of the plastic bags.”

Then Jake’s phone ranged. Not his usual deadbeat burner phone, but a new one, sleek, silent, and expensive-looking.

Amanda’s eyes widened immediately. “Whose phone is that?”

Jake didn’t answer. He just stepped to the side and answered it calmly.

His voice went low, like he didn't want anyone to hear him.

“Yeah… go ahead with the acquisition. Make sure the holding company is registered under the Dubai office... No, delay the press release. I want NDAs signed first. If the board gives pushback, remind them who kept them afloat last quarter.”

Amanda froze as she eavesdropped on Jake's call.

Jake didn’t sound like a cleaner. Or a loser. It sounded like someone used to being obeyed.

“And send the prototype to Chicago—I want to see it in person before we greenlight manufacturing and shipping.”

He hung up and turned to Amanda casually, as if nothing had happened.

She blinked. “What… was that?”

Jake shrugged. “A friend. He talks too much.”

Amanda’s lips parted slightly. Her eyes scanned him like she was seeing something new.

“…What kind of friend talks like that?”

Jake chuckled, opening the door to his battered Honda. “The kind you meet in pawn shops.”

Amanda roared off in her Lamborghini, leaving a cloud of dust behind Jake.

At the house, Amanda carried her shopping bags herself.

She rushed into her room, like she was being chased. “Something happened while we were at the market,” she said sharply, eyes serious. “I want to talk. You and Mum — come with me to Mum’s room.”

Ethan frowned. “What’s going on?”

Amanda tossed the bags on the bed and marched out. Ethan quickly followed, jeans half-zipped in a rush.

She locked the door behind them, glancing over her shoulder. “Especially no one is to follow. Jake, don’t let him hear this.”

Ethan leaned in, confused. “Why the secrecy?”

Amanda’s voice dropped low. “I heard Jake making a call. Not just any call.”

Her mother, Diane, sighed, unimpressed. “So? Everyone makes calls.”

Amanda shook her head. “No, Mum. It wasn’t normal. His voice… he sounded like a man who owns the whole of Chicago.”

Ethan’s eyes widened. “You mean, like, he’s more than just some loser?”