"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, this wealth is not just for your own enjoyment. There is great responsibility that comes with it."
Matthew felt his spirit rekindle. "I'll do it, Grandma.
His Grandma smiled, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Our families may be separated, but our bond is never lost. Now, you must fight for your rights. We won't let anything stand in our way anymore. From this day forward, you must rise to the occasion. Show the world that you are a true Houston heir."
"Sure. I will fight! I will rise up and I will show those people who I really am." Matthew seemed to be instilling a strong determination.
"Good. This is the new grandson of the Houston family." The old woman burst out laughing.
Night had fallen. Matthew said goodbye to his grandma to rest after all the shock and chaos.
He looked at the large and luxurious bedroom with complicated feelings. The king-sized bed with silk sheets, the crystal chandelier hanging majestically from the ceiling, and the luxurious decorations made him feel like he was in a dream.
However, this new reality was not a dream, but a great responsibility that he had to take on.
Matthew sat on the edge of the bed, letting out a long sigh. "How am I supposed to manage all this? What can be expected of me?" he thought.
He reached for the small notebook he always carried with him, opening the pages filled with scribbles. This was the place where he wrote all his worries and hopes, an escape from the reality that sometimes felt oppressive during this time.
He began to write, "Today, my life changed. I never imagined that I would be the heir to such a large fortune. Grandma gave me a black bank card with an amount I couldn't imagine before. I have to learn how to manage this money wisely. But, more than that, I have to prove that I'm worthy of this responsibility."
After writing a few lines, Matthew stood up and walked towards the large window overlooking the spacious garden. The moon shone brightly in the night sky, casting a soft light that calmed his heart.
"I can't let grandma down," he thought. "She believes in me, and I have to show her that I can do it." Matthew then walked to the large mirror in the room, staring at his reflection in the mirror. "You can do it, Matt. You have to," he whispered to himself.
He then cleaned his face and prepared for bed, hoping that sleeping tonight would give him the strength he needed to face tomorrow.
The next morning Matthew woke up. He immediately went to the bathroom to clean himself up. The butler was seen waiting.
"Good morning, young sir. Mrs. Houston is waiting for you in the dining room," said the butler.
"Yes. Take me there," Matthew said.
Matthew walked behind the butler to the dining room. When he arrived at the dining room, Matthew saw his grandma sitting in one of the chairs.
"Hello, my grandson," greeted Lady Houston.
Matthew sat on the chair next to the one his grandma was sitting on. "Hello, Grandma."
"You're looking better," Lady Houston said as she poured herself some tea. "I'd like you to consider taking over the company. But of course, that's after you're really ready."
Matthew was silent for a moment, contemplating his grandmother's words. "I'll think about it, Grandma. Thank you for your trust."
Just then, the butler came over and bowed respectfully. "Sorry to disturb you, young master, madam. Mr. Max Delacroix has been kneeling at the entrance to the estate all night. The security guards have asked him to leave, but he refuses to leave despite being beaten and chased away by the security guards. He asked to see you, young sir."
Lady Houston looked at her grandson with a meaningful gaze. "You solved your problem yourself. This is another test for you. Show him who you are."
Matthew nodded, then ordered the butler, "Take Max to the dining room." There was a tone of kindness in his voice, even though his heart was full of mixed emotions.
Not long after, Max Delacroix appeared at the dining room door. His clothes still had traces of the security guard's shoes from the hard kicks he had received, and he looked cold after being on his knees all night. His eyes were swollen and bruises dotted his face.
Matthew looked at Max's appearance with pity from top to bottom. What an ironic life.
"What do you want from me, Ma? I let you go, but you didn't leave and insisted on coming to see me," Matthew said with a flat stare aimed at Max.
Max dropped to his knees, and in a trembling voice he said, "Matthew, I... I beg your forgiveness. I know I've done wrong. Please, give me a chance to make it right."
Matthew looked at Max with a look that was hard to read. On the one hand, there was compassion arising from his heart, but on the other hand, the anger and humiliation he had received were not easily forgotten. "Max, I want to hear your reason. Why did you lower yourself so much? What really happened?"
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
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