The Billionaire Pauper

CHAPTER 5

THE GOLDEN RULER

Now listen to me Reuben. A broke ass like you cannot determine my position nor my life. You have no power to decide whether or not my contract will be extended right”

The manager said and laughed mockingly at Reuben

Reuben grinned loudly let out a wicked smile.

Everyone suddenly began murmuring to each other.

They could not understand how Reuben had the guts to say that to the manager.

Everyone of them looked so astonished at Reuben's words

Having had enough. Grandma broke her long silence.

“ Enough of the drama you two.. ” she said as she stared at Reuben

“ … . Now you Reuben, I've had enough of you. You have broken the family's laws and rules by cheating on Louisa. You have to be punished for doing so.

And you would be punished with the GOLDEN RULER ” Grandma said.

“Whoa ” the whole crowd exclaimed at once  in unision.

… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …

The GOLDEN RULER was a long flat and flexible cane that had the shape of a ruler. I had a golden colour and hence it's name.

The material it was made of was was elastic .

The kind of pain afflicted on the reciever were severe and sometimes led to injuries.

In the Anderson family, the golden RULER was a  severe punishment for the offender and whenever judgement is declared for the use of the golden ruler, the offender would usually beg for pardon and change in punishment.

The golden ruler was not used on all offenders, it was only used on offenders who had committed grave aberrations and crimes.

Although Reuben had not committed any severe crime to deserve the punishment of the golden ruler, she intentionally pronounced that judgement to make Reuben plead for mercy

…. …. ….. … …. …. … … … …. … … … …

The whole crowd got into an uproar on hearing the name of the golden ruler.

Some were waiting for Reuben to render an apology and ask for mercy.

Others were happy for the judgement especially for the guards he had defeated.

They felt it was a revenge for them.

Reuben smirked on hearing what grandma said . He stood there unconcerned about anything.

Grandma asked one of the guards to fetch the golden ruler .

The guard hurried in to go get the ruler.

He was smiling as he hurried away. For him it was a great revenge for the beating he received from Reuben.

Everybody stood in silence waiting for the next action. They were expecting Reuben to apologize and beg for mercy but he did not do so.

The guard returned with the golden ruler in his hand.

There was a commotion. Everyone wanted to be the one to whip Reuben with the golden ruler. Amongst the serious competitors was Louisa's cousin who mocked her.

Louisa upon seeing this quickly snatched the ruler from the approaching guard.

“ I will be the one to whip him with the golden ruler” She declared.

Everyone kept quiet.

“ He was my husband and he cheated on me . I am in the best position to whip him” she further stated.

Most of the people gathered agreed with her .

She smiled and began moving over to Reuben who quietly stood there watching the turn of events. He stood unconcerned about the whip he was about to receive from his wife with the golden ruler

Louisa approached Reuben with the golden ruler. Before she could reach where he was, the manager dashed forward and snatched the ruler from Louisa. He flapped it at Reuben wanting to slap him hard on his face.

Reuben quickly reacted by dodging the ruler.

The ruler flapped back and hit the manager hard in the face instead

He caught hold of the manager and twisted his arm making him fall flat on his face groaning in pain.

The place became dead quiet.

Grandma stood up furiously

“ Hey you, who do you think you are? A cheating bastard like you deserves to be punished.

What gave you the audacity to ask for a divorce after what you did? Huh? " Grandma questioned him.

Reuben's demeanor changed.

He flashed a quick look at Louisa and then back at grandma.

“ Sorry grandma, I never cheated on Louisa here. In fact she is the one who cheated on me with another man. I.. ” Reuben tried to explain

But before he could finish his sentence Louisa burst into tears again abruptly cutting him short

“ It's a lie grandma, he cheated on me and now he wants to turn it up on me.

He was the one who cheated. I saw him in bed with another woman, ” Louisa said amidst crying.

Reuben frowned.

He looked surprised and confused. Before he could say anything grandma pointed an accusing finger at him.

“ You… you cheated on her and you want to turn it all around on her. You are lying in my presence and in front of everyone here. ” Grandma said angrily.

“ No grandma, I'm innocent… ”

“ Shut up you stupid fool. Now you are the same person who is seeking a divorce even after your evil act. Who the hell do you think you are?? ”

Reuben stood grounded, he was vibrating with anger at Louisa and Grandma.

He realized that Louisa had succeeded in turning her whole family against him.

Everyone had believed he was the one who cheated on her.

Reuben shook his head in disgust.

Meanwhile grandma continued talking.

“ You have no shame at all. You want to bring disgrace to this family and I will not allow it.

Reuben frowned and creased a brow.

He shook his head in the negative and stared blankly at grandma.

“ I don't have any apologies to make here, it's your granddaughter who is supposed to apologize to me for cheating on me and going to tarnish my image in front of everyone here.

She's the one who's supposed to give apologies here and she's the one who needs to be punished severely. ” Reuben said, pointing a finger at Louisa.

Grandma's mouth was left agape, everyone was left in awe.

They were all dumbfounded at the manner in which Reuben spoke.

Everybody knew him to be a very weak man who hardly speaks.

Reuben hissed and looked around.

Something caught his attention.

He noticed someone entering the room.

He looked again.

Lo and behold, it was the man who was with Louisa at the hotel