Matthew stood with one hand on the window of the car, his mind swirling with frustration and anger. He had doubted that the voice was Ashley's, and maybe even that underwear
His girlfriend, whom he valued more than the most precious gemstone, was cheating on him shamelessly!
As the thought arrived in his mind, Matthew couldn’t hold it in any longer.
“Ashley," he called out, his voice trembling with emotion. "How could you do this to me?! You cheated on me! And you even came here with another guy? Why, Ashley! Didn't I love you enough, or did you never love me back?”
Ashley stammered, her eyes wide with shock and confusion.
"You! How… did you…"
But as her gaze fell on the emerald bracelet on her wrist, that Michael had bought her just some minutes ago, her hesitation evaporated.
She met Matthew's eyes with a cold sneer as she spoke;
"Yes! Yes to both those things. Your love was never enough for me, because just this stupid feeling called love can't give me the lifestyle I deserve. And I never loved you, at least not enough to compromise on the things that I want!"
Matthew’s heart pounded in his chest, but Ashley was saying everything with zero hesitation.
"Today, you couldn't even send me $300 when I asked you for it. What will happen when we get married and have a family? You're only going to sink further and further into debt! And I won't let you drag me down, too. So yes, you're right; I'm with Michael now."
Matthew's heart sank as he processed her words.
“That's it? That's all it meant to you–”
Ashley raised her hand, showing off the gleaming bracelet.
"If you still can't see the obvious difference, then look! This, this what he bought me within two minutes of me saying that I like it! Can you say the same?"
Matthew was speechless, unable to find any logic to counter her cruel words. But Ashley took his silence as her victory.
She smirked. "That's right, you're too poor to be with me and give me the life I want."
Matthew felt a surge of anger. He had spent years supporting her, both emotionally and financially, and why? Only so she could betray him the moment she felt like it?
“I never expected you to be this shallow—"
Just then, Michael stepped out of the car, his expression smug. He had heard enough of their conversation to get a good idea about what was happening.
"What's wrong, sugar?"
He asked Ashley, wrapping an arm around her waist. Ashley turned towards him, her attitude shifting from aggressive to affectionate.
"It's nothing, darling. I just wanted to show this dumbhead his real place. Some people just can't understand it in one go, you know?”
Michael looked Matthew up and down, his eyes full of disdain.
“Oh? This gutter rat is your ex boyfriend? My Gosh, I can't even imagine! You know what, let me help him understand his real place. Listen to me, good-for-nothing leech! Not only should you be thankful that I'm allowing you to wash my car, but you should also lick my shoes clean with gratitude!"
Matthew felt a burning sense of humiliation as Michael's words fell into his ears; first, Ashley had tried to humiliate him, and now, this?
"You have no right to talk to me like that! You think money gives you the right to treat people like dirt?"
WHAM!
Michael's response was swift and brutal. He slapped Matthew hard across the face, the sound of the impact echoing in the car wash as a crowd began to gather around them.
"Yes! My money gives me the power to do this, and much more! So tell me, what are you going to do about it, beggar?"
The sting of the slap ignited something in Matthew. Without thinking, he lunged at Micheal, punching him across the jaw. Michael staggered back, due to the shock and the force of his punch.
But before Matthew could react, he felt a sharp, burning pain on the side of his head. He turned and saw Ashley standing there, clutching a heavy tool with both hands, her expression fierce.
“How dare you hit him!"
Matthew blinked in disbelief, clutching his head. The throbbing sensation in his head was making him dizzy, and if not for the continuous pain, he would never have believed that Ashley had tried to hit him.
His innocent, sweet Ashley… that was never her real face in the first place!
Meanwhile, as Matthew tried to steady himself, Michael grabbed Matthew by the collar, yanking him forward.
"How dare you touch me! You dirty beggar—”
At that moment, the owner of the car wash came rushing over, pushing through the growing crowd.
"Matthew, you bloody idiot! How can you raise your hand at a customer, let alone someone like Mr. Bale! Get out of my shop and never show me your jinxed face again. You are fired!"
"But, sir–”
"Shut up! Get out of here, or I'll do much worse!”
Saying this, the owner turned to Michael. "I'm sorry, sir, I'm really sorry. I can't express how apologetic I am—”
Michael smirked, his eyes fixed on Matthew, who was trying to stay upright despite the throbbing pain in his head. Michael spat out a bit of blood and sneered,
"Just a sorry isn't gonna cut it! I will make this fucker pay anyhow, he needs to learn that he has messed with the wrong guy. Apparently, he doesn't know the power of the Bales!”
He grabbed Matthew's collar again, dragging him toward the car. "Now I'll show you your real place, you son of a sorry bitch!"
Matthew struggled but was no match for Michael's strength and the pain clouding his senses. Michael shoved him into the car, driving straight to the police station.
At the police station, a crowd of onlookers and policemen had gathered outside the chief's office. After all, Michael Bale had just dragged someone inside, and the air was thick with whispers and murmurs about what was going on. Although, through the closed door, only shouts and abuses could be heard.Inside the office, Michael was pacing furiously, his face red with rage. “This fucking maggot had the audacity to hit me. Me! Mr. Bowen, I'm sure you will teach him a good lesson, because if it was up to me, I would have killed him then and there, and buried his worthless corpse where nobody would ever find him! But I have faith in you—"The police chief, Mr. Bowen, raised his hands in a calming gesture. “Mr. Bale, please be rest assured, everything will happen the way you want. If you want, he will never even see the open sky again."Michael smirked, a cruel glint in his eyes. "Maybe that's what will serve him right. He deserves to rot in jail!" He turned towards Matthew, who was sl
When the police chief heard the name of Victor Donovan's client, the most popular lawyer in the country, he almost didn't believe his ears. His jaw nearly dropped to the ground, and he struggled to control his surprise from showing on his face. "Pa-pardon me!" He tried to compose himself, “Actually, Mr. Donovan, I have been busy with a new case and I think I must have imagined that perp’s name from your mouth. Do you mind repeating yourself?”Victor Donovan was visibly irritated, but still repeated;“My client is Matthew Houston."The chief went silent, trying to understand the unexpected turn of events. "Is there a problem?"Donovan asked, his tone sharp.Clearing his throat, the chief quickly replied, "No, no problem at all! But, Mr. Donovan, why don't we sit in my office while we wait?"Donovan glanced at his watch and sighed. "Fine, but I want to make it quick.”Once they were inside his office and the situation was a little controlled, the chief was a little more relaxed.“
Victor Donovan looked at the police chief with disgust as he groveled in fear and desperation, asking for forgiveness. He gestured for Matthew to step forward, and he did the same, ignoring the pathetic cries of the corrupt chief.The doctor escorted Matthew out with respect, his respectful demeanor seemed very odd to Matthew, especially after the hostile environment they were leaving behind. They collected Mathew’s belongings: a mobile phone and a watch. Matthew looked down at his car washing uniform with complicated emotions before picking up his old watch and mobile phone. He had been fired from his job, and had barely $50 in his account… What was he going to do now? Where was he even going to go? And how was he going to pay this lawyer's fee?!Matthew stepped outside the police station, but before he could ask anything, Mr. Donovan led him towards a sleek, luxury car. "Please, get in." Victor Donovan opened the door for Matthew.He settled into the plush seat, the unfamiliar
As Matthew and Victor entered the opulent reception hall, Max Delacroix's eyes immediately locked onto Matthew's attire. His lip curled in disgust."Good God, what are you wearing?" Max sneered, looking Matthew up and down. "Did you pull those rags out of a dumpster? I've seen homeless people with better fashion sense."Matthew's face flushed with anger. "You have no right to judge a man by his clothes," he retorted, his voice tight with indignation.Without warning, Max roughly shoved Matthew, causing him to stumble off the sofa. "People like you should know their place. On the ground, where you belong."He puffed out his chest with pride as he said the next words. "But if it isn't, then you should also know that I have a close relationship with the Houston family. In fact, I'm here to discuss business and cooperation; although I didn't expect to be disrespected like this! After all, why would someone ask me to sit in the reception hall with a lowly beggar like you?”Max's superiori
The reception hall suddenly became alive with a flutter of murmurs and activity as Lady Houston arrived into the reception hall. She was nearly seventy, but in spite of her advanced age and bent stature, she had a powerful aura. There was determination, strictness and dignity on her wrinkled face, and her presence was enough to command the respect of everyone present there. However, at this moment, she was nearly invisible behind the wall of tall and strong bodyguards that surrounded her, shielding her from everyone's eyes. Max Delacroix, seeing the matriarch approach, eagerly rushed forward to greet her and make a good impression. After all, he was always ready to take advantage of a good opportunity. Pushing through the people around her, Max began."A very good afternoon, Lady Houston. What a blessing to be able to meet you out here—" But Lady Houston completely ignored him, her gaze fixed ahead, like she hadn't even heard him. One of the bodyguards shoved Max aside, clearing
Max's mouth went dry. "Dad, I... I can explain. They overreacted to a simple confusion, I didn't mean to—""Really? That's all you have to say, that you didn't mean it? Max, you idiot! How will I ever die in peace, knowing that a disaster- maker like you is going to be my heir?”Max was stunned into silence. Meanwhile, his father's voice boomed. “Do you have any idea what you've done? All our partners are claiming they can't work with us because you offended the Houston family! If that happens, there won't be anything left for you to inherit, except a mountain of debt!""Dad, I—""Save it!" Lucas Delacroix cut him off angrily. "I have no doubt that your careless actions must have offended someone important. So shut up and listen to me! Go back right now, and beg for forgiveness. I don't care what it takes, go on your knees, grovel, whatever! Do whatever you have to, to make this right. Fix it by tonight, or don't bother coming back!" The call ended abruptly, leaving Max standing th
"What's impossible, Matt?" asked Lady Houston.Matthew just scratched his head. "I just still feel like this is a dream."He felt as if the world around him was turned upside down. He never imagined his life could change this quickly. Lady Houston gently rubbed Matthew's shoulder. "This is real, My Grandson."Matthew was too stunned to accept the fact, like being hit by a tsunami wave that came without warning. "This...this can't be," he whispered, his eyes glued to the bank card his grandmother was holding. Lady Houston smiled faintly, her wrinkled yet stern eyes looking directly into Matthew's. "As the heir to a billion-dollar fortune, it is imperative that you learn to spend your money wisely. Take this in stride, my grandson."With a tremor of his hand, Matthew reached for the card, feeling the weight of responsibility suddenly falling on his shoulders. Lady Houston nodded understandingly, realizing the burden Matthew now had to carry. "You have time to adjust. But remember, thi
Matthew's hands trembled slightly as he aimed the power washer at the mud-splattered sedan in front of him. The roar of the machine drowned out most of the world, but he could still feel his phone, buzzing in the pocket of his uniform. He saw Ashley's name on the screen, heart skipping a beat. She wasn't feeling well this morning, was something wrong? He quickly picked up the call,"Hey sweetie”"Listen, I'm at the mall with my friends and I want to buy a diamond bracelet for myself. Since you never buy me anything anyway, just send me $300 and I'll consider it a well deserved gift." Ashley’s voice snapped on the other side, sounding impatient.There was a frown on Matthew's face, but he still spoke in an upbeat tone,"Okay, sweetie."Before he could finish, the line went dead. Ashley had hung up.With a sigh, he opened his banking app. The balance stared back at him: $200.89. He didn't have enough money to buy her the bracelet.It was just a matter of $300, was he so worthless that