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 superiority complex was very clear, and Matthew couldn't hold in his anger anymore. He took a step towards Max, but a firm hand on his shoulder stopped him.
Victor Donovan stepped up beside him, his expression stern.
“Mr. Delacroix! I believe the Delacroix family is just a small local family, isn't it? So it is my friendly advice, don't overestimate your worth.”“Advice? Who are you to–”
"I am not done yet!”
Max tried to open his mouth to insult him next, but Victor snapped at him, making him shut up. He added in a tone that clearly indicated that he was unhappy with the newcomer.
“The head of the Houston family hasn't even met with you yet, and now you dare to humiliate the young master of the Houston family?"
Unexpectedly, Max Delacroix burst out into a mocking laughter. He pointed at Matthew, his eyes filled with disbelief.
"Oh, really? You expect me to believe this nonsense? Didn't you find anyone else to fool this morning, that you decided to prank me?”
Max gave Matthew another look out of disgust, feeling revolted at the sight of his strange clothes that were stained yellow and red, God knows where all this man had been!
“Listen, no matter how popular the Delacroix family may or may not be, I ain't a fool! It is well known there is no heir in the Houston family. Where would a Young Master suddenly spawn from? And even if I'm willing to believe it for a second, do you expect me to believe that the Young Master is actually a homeless beggar! Now you're just making up lies, because where did they even find him? Lying in the trash can outside?!”
“You may want to reconsider your words, Mr. Delacroix! I feel like you want your collaboration with the Houstons and your entire career to be over before it has even started!”
“Oh, I'm so scared!” Max shrieked in a high pitched voice before smirking.
“Come on, at least tell lies which are a little believable! Who will punish me? You– who yourself works for the family? Or this man who looks no different than a street rat? Don't waste my time–’Matthew's fists clenched at his sides.
"You are the one wasting our time and testing our patience! So it will be better if you shut up–”Max snorted, interrupting him.
“Such big words from someone dressed like a tramp! I don't see any Young Master here! All I see is a bum trying to pretend to be someone he can't be in his wildest dreams."Victor spoke in a menacing tone.
"Mr. Delacroix, consider this your final and only warning. I suggest you apologize now before you regret it.""Apologize? To him? Don’t be ridiculous! You are the ones who will regret trying to pull this stunt on me."
Max Delacroix’s breathing had picked up, he was clearly angry. He couldn’t stand the idea of his family name being disrespected, especially not by a ragged nobody. He knew that he had to do something now, something to show them that he wasn't just bluffing.
He stood up abruptly and shouted, "Guards! Get in here!"
Two guards, dressed in the uniforms of the Houston manor’s security, quickly entered the hall. Max pointed at Matthew;
“Hurry, take this homeless trash out of here and kick him out on the street, where he really belongs! He’s causing a nuisance.”The guards took two steps forward, but hesitated when they recognized the lawyer, Victor Donovan. They exchanged nervous glances, clearly unsure of how to proceed.
Victor Donovan was well-known to them, and they knew that Lady Houston herself trusted him. Acting rashly against someone like that wasn't a decision they could take lightly.
Seeing them stop in their tracks, Victor spoke up again.
"Mr. Delacroix, you might want to reconsider your actions. Offending the Houston family is not something you or your family can afford. There will be hell to pay for it.""Consequences? From someone defending a nobody? I think not! Come on, guards, do your job!"
The guards remained rooted to the spot, their eyes flicking between Max and Victor, not sure of whose command to follow. Just then, the heavy wooden doors of the manor swung open with a loud creak.
The sound of synchronized footsteps echoed through the hall as two teams of bodyguards marched in. Their uniforms were crisp, and they moved with perfect discipline and authority.
In unison, they shouted,
"Welcome home, young Master!"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
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 underwearHis 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. An
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