Shut up and leave

"I don't agree to this!" Nicholas shouted. 

He had heard just about enough. It gave him no thrill to see members of the Goldstein family selling his wife off.

As far as Nicholas was concerned, they were putting Kimberly up for sale. He cannot accept that. 

Everyone stared at him, shocked at his sudden outburst. Then they all burst into laughter. 

It was unthinkable of Nicholas to chip in on the family's conversation. His opinion didn't count. 

The conference hall echoed with more and more laughter. 

"You don't agree?" Jean mocked him. "Just who do you think you are?"

Nicholas balled his hands in fist. "I don't agree to the Goldstein household's decision. My wife cannot marry George."

Kimberly stiffened and gaped at Nicholas as he said those words. Why did he say that? What was he up to?

"Shut up and seat down," lady Carla blasted at him. "Foolish man, must you disgrace me everywhere you go?"

"Who allowed this pauper here in the first place?" Sir Harold demanded, turning to Kimberly. "Control your trashy husband, Kimberly!"

Kimberly was afraid for Nicholas and herself. "Nic, seat down and keep your mouth shut. This doesn't concern you."

Nicholas turned to her. "But this isn't what you wanted. They're literally selling you out. You're my wife, not an object."

This brought another roar of laughter. It was comic seeing Nicholas standing there confidently in his shabby clothes. 

No one was taking him serious. 

Tiana scoffed. "You have no qualifications to speak in our family meeting. Who do you think you are?"

"He's the garbage husband Kimberly took the trouble to marry," Mariam laughed. "Go wash the toilet, spineless fool."

Nicholas took a deep breath. He had bore more than enough insults from the Goldstein family. 

If only they knew whom he truly was—His true identity. 

Nicholas was an heir to the Phoenix family. The Phoenix family was one the wealthiest and most prestigious family in the world.

The Phoenixs net worth amounted to over five hundred Billion dollars, but they kept an extremely low profile.

No one knew what they looked liked because they never allowed a close up interaction with people outside their circle. 

The Goldstein household had no idea the trashy son-in-law was an heir to this family because he kept it a secret especially from his wife. 

If anyone knew his true identity, his life would be in danger. 

Knowing how wealthy the Phoenix family were, twenty million dollars was chicken feed to them.

Ever since he learnt about the financial situation the Goldstein family were facing, Nicholas couldn't sleep nor rest. 

Kimberly despite not loving him, was the only person whom was kind to him. 

She even demanded he gets a million dollars from the Goldstein's wealth.

He wants to help her. He was willing to beg his family for twenty million dollars. 

But demanding such a price was risky. 

His life would be in danger again but he was ready to risk everything. Kimberly must not marry that fat pig. 

Facing the Goldstein household, he shouted, "If you give me a chance, I can offer the family twenty million dollars."

His boldness surprised everyone. He was never this bold. There was a new look in his eyes they have never seen before. 

Suddenly, everyone burst out laughing again. 

"What a clown," Flora wrinkled her nose at Nicholas 

"Where in heavens name would a pauper like you find twenty million dollars?" Jean asked, wiping imaginary tears off his eyes. 

"Nicholas," master Damian laughed heartily. "Until you die, a loser like you can never raise twenty million dollars."

"I will raise it," Nicholas insisted. "Just give me a chance to prove myself."

Lady Carla shrieked in annoyance, "That's enough, you good for nothing. Stop disgracing me. Shut up and seat down."

Nicholas didn't seat down. They may mock him and call him names however they want but he wasn't giving up.

He didn't want Kimberly to be sold off to George. He was ready to sacrifice for her sake. 

Sir Harold became angry at Nicholas relentlessness. 

"You're being extremely bold for a loser like yourself. Why do you disagree to our decision?"

"Because it seems as if Kimberly is being sold to save the family," he answered. "And I don't want that to happen. Besides, I'm her husband."

"You're her husband?" Lord Damian chuckled. "That's a laugh. Your marriage isn't consummated yet. She isn't yours!"

Nicholas glanced at his wife. The disappointment on her face told him he had gone too far. 

But he had other strategy. "Sir Harold, what if I'm able to raise the money? Kimberly wouldn't be able to marry George, right?"

"Of course," Sir Harold jeered. "But don't waste your time trying. Not even I can raise twenty million dollars talk less of a loser like you."

"I will do it," Nicholas announced. "Give me fourteen days. I'll be able to raise the money."

"That's enough," Jean interrupted harshly. "I've heard more than enough crabby talk from this garbage boy."

Everyone listened as Jean stood up to address Nicholas. 

"You're not permitted to speak in the first place but since you've chosen to be a clown, I'll make things clear to you."

Jean continued, "We need the money immediately. We aren't going to gamble our family business under those false talks of yours."

"But—"

Smack! Jean slapped Nicholas on his cheeks. The slap echoed in the quiet room. 

"Shut up, you trash. Let me finish," Jean bawled at his face. "You must accept reality. Kimberly is marrying George and there's absolutely nothing you can do about it."

Nicholas fists were shaking in anger. He would remember that slap. He would never forget that slap. 

However, it was no use. They wouldn't even give him a chance.  

But Jean was right about one thing. He was simply gambling with his life to ask for such an amount from his family. 

The Phoenix family might not give him the money afterall. He was playing with fire here. 

Facing Jean, he boldly asked, "But what if I successfully raise twenty million dollars?"

Jean raised an eyebrow. "Huh? What did you say?"

"What if I'm able to raise the money and stop her from getting married?"

Jean laughed, "You're surprisingly bold today. Well, I'm in for a little challenge. If you do all these you've said, I shall bow and kiss your feet."

"Jean," Sir Harold called. "Why are you bothering yourself with him?"

"I want to crush him," Jean replied, returning back to Nicholas. "But if you fail, you shall bow and kiss my feet and wash my toilet for a month."

Nicholas was quiet. He didn't know if he should accept this challenge or not. 

Jean grinned broadly. "You're awfully quiet, lowly dog. Where was all that spirit, huh?"

Nicholas bite his lips. If he accepted Jean's challenge and winded up failing, it would a bigger disaster. 

Lady Carla stood up sharply, "Listen Jean, my daughter and I have no hands in this silly challenge between you and Nicholas. Don't involve us."

"I accept your challenge," Nicholas said out loud instead. "I will provide twenty million and disgrace you, Jean."

Kimberly teared up and shouted at Nicholas with her fists raised, "Shut up, Nic! Shut the hell up and leave!"