Chapter 1

Bright lights and extravagant decorations lit up the magnificent Rodney mansion.

It was noon and it was madam Rodney’s celebration of the company at 40. She had successfully chaired the company since she was 32 years old. The celebration doubled as a late birthday celebration for Madam Rodney, she was 72 years old today.

She was the Rodney family’s monarch and brutally headed the company all these years.

Her grandchildren, their spouses and both of her daughters each presented gifts worth ridiculous amounts in Mason’s opinion.

“Gran, I was able to get my hands on this Tiffany diamond necklace, only one of its kind.” Jason Rodney, her grandson said, 

“Mom, here are some gold statues I got when I traveled to India. They’re worth at least 10 million dollars!”

“Mom, I wasn’t sure what to get you since you already have everything, so I bought you shares from the Wilson’s.” Another said.

Madam Rodney was elated, she cheered heartily and laughed immensely.

“Party! Everyone party!” She yelled, feeling very fulfilled.

At that moment, Mason Wilde, her oldest grandson in law, approached her seat, “madam Rodney, could you please lend me $500,000? Mr Carter is in stage four kidney failure and is in dire need for a transplant.”

Gasps were heard across the room, everyone present in disbelief. 

Everyone started at Mason with utter disgust mixed with disbelief.

Mason Wilde was a bold man! Not only did he live off his wife’s family and didn’t come with a gift, he had the audacity to make a request from madam Rodney! 

Five years ago, Mister Rodney, the head of the Rodney family betrothed Scarlet Rodney to Mason Wilde, a nobody. Madam Rodney fought and fought but he insisted that his word was final. Months after their marriage, Mister Rodney passed away.

Mason had been living with the Rodney’s since then and endured their ridicule and insults. He and Scarlet had just been able to move out from the family home after his wife took a loan from her mother, Vivian Rodney.

Jason always seemed indifferent and never responded to their snide and demeaning comments. They tried relentlessly to kick him out of the family, always proposing that Scarlett divorced him.

However, this night, Mason was at a crossroads. The man who trained him after the death of his parents, was on his deathbed and Mason couldn’t watch him die. He had to borrow money from madam Rodney.

He thought that he could take advantage of her joy on her birthday and perhaps she would be feeling generous.

He could not have been more wrong. Her smile fell instantly and her eyes were filled with disgust.

“Idi*t! What do you think you’re doing here?! Who let this b*stard in here!!!?”

Scarlett rushed forward, “Apologies grandma, Mason is just desperate. He isn’t thinking clearly.”

At this moment, Elicia, Scarlet’s aunt and Madam Rodney’s illegitimate daughter sneered.

Elicia and her son Jason had been living with madam Rodney since the death of mister Rodney who didn’t want Elicia living with them. However, after he fell sick shortly before his death, he began to warm up to his half grandson, Jason, who had a knack in acting like the best person in the room.

After mister Rodney died, he left a house for Jason and that was how they gained access to the company little by little.

“Who let this rat in here?! How dare you approach madam Rodney without any gifts on such a big day?!” Elicia screamed.

“Look at your useless husband Scarlet! Once again bringing shame to us!” Jason added. 

“Why don’t you divorce this disgrace and marry Ric?! Do us a favor!” Elicia added.

“Maybe his true intention is to ruin madam Rodney’s mood.” Michelle, Scarlet’s younger sister said.

“Yes! What a sneaky man!” Said Vivian

Mason had had enough of their insults but he was desperate. The only man he knew as a father was sick and could be saved if only he could get some financial assistance from the Rodney’s. He knew no one else to turn to.

The mother and son duo have always been jealous of Scarlet. Being the child from madam Rodney’s extra marital affair, Elicia and her son automatically had no claim to the company’s wealth except the house in the countryside that Mister Rodney was kind to leave for Jason, though he had no obligation to.

Vivian however who was a legitimate daughter forsook her claim when she married a man from a low class, Scarlet’s father who happened to be her third husband.

Although her father was considered a bum, Scarlet was loved deeply by her grandfather before his death, he was clear that Scarlet remains included in the family’s dynamic, much to her cousin’s dismay as well as her aunt.

The rest of the family didn’t understand why Mister Rodney favored Scarlet and not Jason. Madam Rodney thought her child from an extramarital affair was better than Vivian, her legitimate child through marriage having had 3 husbands and settling with a lower class man.

Vivian regretted her decision of marrying Scarlet’s father. However, her father had told her that if she couldn’t keep her marriage, she had no business managing anything in the company.

So although she was married, she hated her husband. She claimed she was not herself when she met him and that her marriage was a mistake. Something Scarlet heard a lot of going up.

Due to her failed chances at finding love and money , Vivian was determined to ensure her daughter married a well off man. Her plan was shattered when her father, mister Rodney, brought Mason Wilde home.

They all hated Mason and had thought Scarlet would divorce him after her grandfather’s death but to their surprise, she stayed with him.

“Mason, if you want to rescue someone’s life don’t you think you should at least ask people that actually like you and would want to help you?” Vivian asked.

“Grandma, please understand. Mr Carter basically raised Mason and he’s dying! We promise to pay it back.” Scarlet pleaded.

“No problem, Scarlet.” Madam Rodney said.

“Really?” Scarlet gleamed.

“Of course. Just say you’d divorce him and the bill is settled. Mr Wilson is still interested you know” madam Rodney said.

Mr Wilson was Ric Wilson, one of the most prominent and influential bachelors around. He had been interested in Scarlet since she was a teenager and felt sidelined when it was announced that she would be marrying the nobody, Mason Wilde.

Ric continued pursuing Scarlet despite her being married for over five years. He never seized an opportunity to present divorce, in exchange for any form of aid. The Wilson’s were an influential family in Beverly hills and they were important to the Rodney’s. 

In the ladder of social status, the Rodney’s were pretty high up there. However, the upper echelons consisted only of a few families, with the Wilde’s on top. The Wilson’s were pretty high up there too.

In that heated moment, one of the servers rushed in, “a present from Mr Wilson!” The butler gleamed.

“A 10% share in his company?!” Jason, Madam Rodney’s grandson, shouted.

“Oh my God!” Michelle, Scarlet’s younger sister exclaimed.

“You see? Scarlet? He’s a good man. Look what he gifted your gran.” Madam Rodney gleamed.

“He really is the dream man. Perfect for our Scarlet.” Vivian, Scarlet’s mom swooned.

“Maybe he could send me some gifts too. I am your mother after all.” Vivian added much to Mason and Scarlet’s disgust.

“I will not be leaving Mason.” Scarlet said, clenching her fist.

“You ungrateful child!” Madam Rodney screamed.

“How could you refuse such a perfect man!! Why do you stick with your husband?! All he ever does is bring us shame.” Madam Rodney said.

Mason sighed, thinking it was already a lost cause. He didn’t know why he bothered trying

“I’ll be leaving, I need to speak with the hospital head.” Mason said. “Let me come with you.” Scarlett suggested.

“If you walk out that door you will no longer be a member of my board!” Madam Rodney shouted. Scarlet shot her a look.

“It’s okay. Stay.” Mason said and left the mansion, ignoring their comments as he walked away.

—————————

He got into his car and drove to the hospital. 

“Please, is there a way we could do installmental payment? He really needs a kidney.” Mason pleaded with the hospital accountant.

“I’m afraid not, you need to pay upfront. There is nothing we can do.” The plump accountant said. 

At that same moment, the accountant received a call. 

“Oh! Alright sir.” 

“Turns out Mr Carter is no longer a patient here  Mr Wilde. He has been transferred to Pikan hospital.” The accountant said.

“How? That’s not even possible.” Mason could never afford Pikan, the top hospital in town. 

“Who authorized the transfer?” He asked.

“I don’t know Mr Wilde. But the debt to our hospital has also been paid in full. The $1 million dollar debt has been settled.”

Mason couldn’t believe his ears.

“Mr Wilde.” A voice called from behind him, he turned around to see an older man no younger than 60 approached him, dressed in a black tuxedo.

Mason turned around, “Young master” The man said.

“Gerald?” He asked the old man, he was his childhood butler

“Your grandfather has been trying to reach you.”

“I find it hard to believe he had no clue about my whereabouts all these years. Why is he trying to connect now?.” Mason asked.

“ It’s been 20 years, Master would like you to return home.” Gerald said.

Mason scoffed.

“Mr Christian has been diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer, Mason. He has maybe a year left.” Gerald said.

Mason wasn’t sure if he was sad to hear the news. Perhaps all his grandfather put his parents through had finally caught up with him.

Mason did not comment on what Gerald just disclosed to him. If the patriarch of the Wilde company was terminally ill, that was bigger than big news. It would shake the nation.

“Were you the one that settled the bill?” Mason added.

“Yes sir. He wishes to see you.”

“I am grateful that you paid the bill but I Will not be meeting with him.” Mason said coldly. He was never going to forgive his grandfather.

“Forgive me, sir. I am sure you have your reasons for remaining with the Rodney’s despite how badly they treat you.” Gerald paused. 

“Would you please accept this? It could make your life a bit easier and maybe when you’re ready, you come in to see your grandfather.” He handed Mason a small envelope.

“It’s a gold card.” Meaning a card belonging to an account with extraordinary credit.

“I don’t need it.”

“Please accept it sir. Your grandfather will take his anger out on me if I return without you and with the envelope also.” Gerald said.

“I have lived without help for years without help from Christian Wilde and I can continue doing so without it.” Mason insisted.

“Then use it to settle Carter’s medical bills or toss it in the trash. I just plead that you take the card.” 

“How much is in here exactly?” Mason asked.

“Not much. If I remember clearly, just about 25 to 30 billion dollars.” Gerald said passively.