Two

Dylan fell on both his knees, unfazed by the fact that he was told to kneel. He was desperate so he could do anything.

His aunt, his mom's sister was the only family that took him in after his father's family banished him and rendered him useless. Her dying and him not knowing what to do about it and how to help will forever eat at his conscience.

He usually made things difficult for her and even if she hardly says it, he knew and now she's on the brink of death.

Everyone kept laughing hysterically like they were watching the biggest joke of the year.

Hermione could only shake her head while her sister, Madeline sighed since she actually felt pity for him. She always liked him and she knew her family was being unfair toward him.

"It's been long we know you're an ordinary pussy, Dylan. Look at you." A man derided.

But Dylan was unfazed, his gaze was more fixated on his mother-in-law, Sharon. "Help me save my aunt." He begged.

Sharon chuckled. "Look who's begging, Dylan. Oh, how the mighty has fallen, now it's dawn on you, piece of trash. Get the hell out of sight right this moment!."

Dylan furrowed his brow. "What?"

"I say you don't belong here, you can see that." She pointed out, eyeing him up and down with a disgusted expression. "I don't want you polluting my birthday party so get your stinky feet out of my house."

Dylan looked away expecting humiliation. He wondered what to do next. Should he beg so desperately like it was his life on the line? Should he kowtow, call her a good hyping name that may make her change her mind?

He wasn't used to all that but he doesn't have any choice. "Mom..."

"Please leave my impoverished cousin alone." They heard causing the place to quiet down.

Sharon stood up at the sight of Sean Clifford, the director of C.C. The top richest bachelor in the whole of the country. She chuckled. "I'm glad to see your presence in my residence, Mr. Clifford."

Sean nodded. "Scratch that. I came bearing gifts. A hundred-year-old ginseng worth three million dollars. It feels like I went through the end of the earth to get it."

Upon hearing the ginseng was worth that amount of money, madam Sharon could not contain her happiness. She immediately received it with a greedy grin "Thank you so much, Mr. Clifford. I'll definitely use it well. You're the best son-in-law anyone can ever have."

"Then I won't be ashamed to say the main reason I'm here is for your daughter, Hermione." He looked at her and gave her a smile which she reciprocated.

He turned toward the crowd of horny bachelors. "You guys should raise your white flags 'cause you can't get her. She's going to be mine."

Dylan scoffed and stood up. "What are you doing, Sean? Hermione is my wife."

Sean looked at him. "In papers, cousin. You weren't even able to do anything with her, bro. If she's still not a virgin, no man will be here."

"I'm not giving her out to any man, Sean and besides you're my cousin. Shameless of you to be after my wife." Dylan told him.

Sean laughed. "Look, cuz, you have no choice here. They don't want you anymore so stop fighting."

Dylan looked at Hermione but she immediately looked away not having the urge to talk to him.

Sharon laughingly added, "You now belong in the gutters, Dylan, hell that name should be stripped away from you. And besides, there was a problem Hermione here had with Roger Mallory of Apex Conglomerate, Sean here has promised to help us deal with it."

Everyone looked at each other at the sound of the number one most richest and feared company in Melrovia owned by Lord Nigel Owens. A middle-aged man that even the old kneel and bow to.

Apex Conglomerate has a lot of subsidiaries under them all around the country of Melrovia and even other countries.

Importing and exporting of cars, restaurants, landholders, builders, cosmetics, jewelry, bars and pub, science and technology, newspaper company, media, name it.

No one can even estimate the total value of the company's wealth because it was always wrong but they knew it was up to a trillion if not more than. They were richer than anyone could even imagine. Even more richer than Clifford Cooperation. Every company hopes to merge with Apex. To be included as a shareholder.

Sean nodded with a smirk written on his face. "I'm sure none of you here have the guts to show your face to any of the Mallories. You know how scary they are."

"And you can?" Dylan asked him with a dull but curious expression.

Sean looked at him. "Well, you can't and I will save your wife and family from the claws of Apex conglomerate. I'm sure you wouldn't know of the threats they received after that happened. I'm not sure you even know what happened."

Sharon scoffed. "Why should he? He's useless. There's nothing he can do except he wants to literally break a leg or get himself killed."

Dylan was curious to know the problem but he knew they were not going to bother telling him. He's useless after all.

"After I've saved my precious Hermione, I'll officially become her fiance and husband-to-be," Sean concluded and bared his teeth at Dylan

Dylan gave him a poker expression since he didn't give a damn about it. "You're not snatching my wife from me."

Sean chuckled knowing how his cousin is. In fact, he knows him more than anyone. "I heard your aunt is...sick. You want half a million. I could give you a million if you sign the divorce papers."

Dylan breathed out calmly and looked at Sharon. "So you really don't care if my aunt dies."

"I don't give a damn about it. Go be a man and work for it instead." Sharon harshly said.

"Have you pawned our wedding ring?" Hermione questioned and shook her head. "I think not. That ring is worth up to half a million I think or better yet make things easy for you and accept Sean's offer."

Dylan looked at her, wondering why he was in love with her or if he actually was. Having her was something he always wanted. They were together for a while, he fell in love and they got married. That was a dream come true.

But now, it's as if, she was never in love with him and no matter how he tries to doubt his love for her, he knows he still loves her and can do anything for her.

All he has to do was prove himself to her. To make her love him back which means he can't sign any divorce papers or pawn their wedding ring.

He looked at Sharon. The villain in everything. He knew one day he's gonna make her suffer for every humiliation she caused him throughout the months he was grieving and rendered useless. She was evil.

"Stop glaring at me, you good for nothing." She cautioned, giving him a frown.

Dylan looked at Sean. "So, as usual, you're after my vomit. Took my inheritance and now after my wife."

"You didn't vomit those, bro. They were taken because you ain't deserving of any of it." Sean retorted.

Dylan took steps toward him. "And you know me - bro. Don't think I've fallen yet just because you have everything now."

Hermione got fed up with Dylan. It was annoying how insistent he was about not letting go of her. He's just so stupid. She sighed and stood up, causing Dylan and Sean to instinctively look at her.

Dylan expected Hermione to walk toward him but she walked toward Sean instead with a seductive expression and placed her hand on his shoulder before looking at Dylan. "This is a lost cause, Dylan. Leave while we're still being nice."

Dylan looked at Sean's hand that was suddenly wrapped around her waist, then he blinked as he stumbled upon the realization of them being already together. It made him frown and looked at her. "So you're this shameless, Hermione."

Slap!

Dylan's face swayed to the side as Hermione's hand landed on it.

"Go get a life, Dylan..." She spat on him with a revolted gaze and continued, "I want nothing to do with you anymore. You are nothing to me now. A poor good-for-nothing bastard. Get out!"

Dylan stared at her for a few seconds, then he cleaned the saliva on his face and left, shutting the door behind him. He could hear Sean shouting from within the villa. "Dylan, remember to get the divorce tomorrow or your aunt dies!" And all the guests laughter filled the silent night.