chapter 3-
Matthew stood in the middle of the deserted street, the weight of the world pressing down on his shoulders. The message on his phone still glowed ominously in the darkness, reminding him of the surreal turn his life had taken. But as the cold night air settled around him, his thoughts were interrupted by the sudden sound of a car engine approaching. A sleek black sedan pulled up beside him, its headlights cutting through the night. The door swung open, and out stepped a woman who carried herself with an air of elegance and authority. Her presence was commanding, and Matthew couldn’t help but feel a sense of familiarity as she walked toward him. "Matthew," she called out, her voice warm yet firm. "It’s been a long time, hasn’t it?" Matthew’s brow furrowed in confusion. "Who are you?" he asked, his voice laced with suspicion and a hint of curiosity. The woman smiled softly, her eyes filled with a mixture of affection and something deeper—regret, perhaps. "I’m your mother, Matthew. I know it’s been years since we last saw each other, but I’ve never stopped thinking about you." His breath caught in his throat as her words sank in. "Mother?" He hadn’t seen or heard from her in so long that the concept of her reappearing now seemed almost impossible. "Why now? Why after all these years?" She stepped closer, her expression softening as she placed a hand on his arm. "Your father and I had our reasons for staying away, for keeping our distance. But I’m here to tell you that your exile—our exile—is over. You’re not just an ordinary man, Matthew. You’re part of one of the richest and most powerful families in the world." Matthew stared at her, his mind reeling. Everything he thought he knew about his life, about who he was, suddenly seemed like a lie. "Rich? Powerful? What are you talking about?" His mother smiled, reaching into her purse and pulling out a sleek black card. "The money you received earlier—that’s just pocket money, something I sent as a wedding gift. But since you’ve wisely decided to leave that greedy girl behind, it’s yours to use as you see fit. There’s so much more waiting for you, Matthew. You’ll get everything you’ve ever wanted and more. And, I’m sure, you’ll find a better girl, one who appreciates you for who you are." She gestured toward the car, and a second figure emerged from the back seat—a tall, poised woman dressed in a sharp business suit. Her presence exuded professionalism and competence, and Matthew couldn’t help but feel a sense of respect as she approached. "This is Miss Lexi," his mother continued. "She’s the director of one of our family’s most important companies. She’ll be your guide, your mentor as you prepare to take over the business. The company is yours to lead, Matthew, and Lexi will ensure you’re ready for the responsibility." Lexi extended her hand, her smile polite yet genuine. "It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Donovan. I’ve heard a lot about you, and I’m looking forward to working together." Matthew shook her hand, still in shock from the whirlwind of revelations. "I… I don’t know what to say." His mother’s smile widened. "There’s no need to say anything right now. Just know that we’re here for you, and we’re ready to help you step into your rightful place. You’ve been through a lot, Matthew, but the worst is behind you. Now, it’s time for you to claim the life that’s always been yours." With that, she turned and walked back to the car, leaving Matthew standing there, a thousand questions swirling in his mind. As the sedan’s engine purred to life, his mother leaned out of the window one last time. "Take your time, Matthew. Lexi will be in touch tomorrow to start your training. And remember, you’re not alone anymore." The car sped off into the night, leaving Matthew with a mixture of emotions—relief, excitement, but also an underlying sense of unease. He had just learned that his life was far more complex than he ever imagined, and with that knowledge came the realization that his past, his struggles, were just the beginning. As he stood there, trying to make sense of everything, his phone buzzed in his hand, pulling him back to the present. It was a message from Yvonne, Rachel’s friend—the one who had defended him earlier. "Matthew, I got your message. I’m glad you’re okay. We can meet tomorrow, just let me know when and where." Matthew’s mind raced as he typed out a quick reply. "Let’s meet tomorrow morning at the café by the park. I have something important to tell you." He hit send and slipped the phone back into his pocket, his thoughts now focused on what lay ahead. Yvonne had always been a good friend, but now, he couldn’t help but wonder if there was more to their connection. Perhaps she could be the one to help him navigate this new world he had been thrust into. As he turned to leave, his mind racing with possibilities, a sudden thought struck him—his grandfather. His mother had mentioned the family, but not once had she spoken of the man who had been a looming presence in his life, even from a distance. Could he still be alive? And if so, what role would he play in Matthew’s future? With that final question hanging in the air, Matthew walked off into the night, determined to uncover the truth about his family—and himself.chapter 4- The dimly lit office was filled with tension as Yvonne stood nervously in front of her boss’s desk. Her heart pounded in her chest as she listened to his harsh words, each one cutting deeper than the last."You’re worthless, Yvonne," her boss snarled, his voice dripping with contempt. "Another month without a single sale. What do you even do here? You’re good for nothing."Yvonne’s face flushed with embarrassment as she tried to muster a response. "Sir, I’ve been trying my best, but the market has been tough lately. If you could just give me one more chance—""One more chance?" her boss interrupted with a cruel laugh. "You don’t deserve another chance. The only reason you’re still here is because of your pretty face and that body of yours. Maybe if you spent the night with me, I could reconsider."Yvonne’s eyes widened in shock as her boss leered at her, his gaze lingering on her body in a way that made her skin crawl. "What are you talking about?" she stammered, taking a
CHAPTER 5- The tension in the room was palpable as everyone watched Henderson’s secretary bring up the contract for the villa. The air was thick with anticipation, and a smug smile played on Rachel’s lips as she watched her new boyfriend, Michael, hesitate."The villa is not less than fifty million dollars," Henderson announced, his voice dripping with satisfaction. "Are you sure you want to go through with this, Matthew? It’s a hefty price for someone like you."Michael shifted uncomfortably, his confidence wavering as the reality of the situation began to sink in. Fifty million dollars was an astronomical amount, far beyond anything he had imagined. But as he glanced over at Matthew, he convinced himself that this was all a bluff. Surely, Matthew would back out at the last moment, saving him from having to make such a large purchase.Yvonne, standing beside Matthew, looked up at him with concern etched across her face. "Matthew, please," she pleaded, her voice barely above a whispe
CHAPTER 6- The office was buzzing with tension as Henderson, still trying to comprehend the events that had just transpired, looked at his boss with a mix of desperation and confusion.“What did I do wrong?” Henderson asked, his voice shaking slightly. “I thought the card that paid for the house belonged to Mr. Donovan, but he’s just some low-life who couldn’t even scrape together enough money for his ex-girlfriend’s compensation. How could he have bought that villa? It doesn’t make any sense!”His boss, clearly frustrated and still reeling from the realization, shot Henderson a sharp glare. “You’re not listening, Henderson! The problem wasn’t with the payment—it was with who made it. You’ve been barking up the wrong tree this whole time. The payment didn’t come from Rachel’s boyfriend, Michael—it came from Matthew Donovan.”Henderson’s face paled as the truth began to dawn on him. “But… but that’s impossible! It was Rachel’s boyfriend, not Donovan! There’s no way he could afford som
As Matthew stepped out of the office, Yvonne quickly followed him, her eyes filled with curiosity and concern. “Matthew,” she called out, catching up to him, “how could you afford such an expensive house? Where did you get the money?”Matthew paused, taking a deep breath before turning to face her. He knew he couldn’t reveal the truth just yet, not when so much was at stake. “It wasn’t me,” he lied smoothly, his voice steady. “It was my boss. He bought the house and used my card to make the purchase. He sent me to buy it on his behalf.”Yvonne’s eyes widened in surprise, relief washing over her face. “Oh, thank goodness. I was so worried about you. Thank you for saving me from the boss. You didn’t have to do that.”Matthew gave her a reassuring smile. “You don’t need to thank me. I couldn’t just stand by and let him treat you that way.”Yvonne nodded, her expression softening as she looked at him with genuine gratitude. “Matthew, maybe it’s better if you pay off the compensation to Ra
chapter 8- The tension in the air was palpable as Matthew Donovan stood at the entrance of his newly acquired villa, watching the confrontation between the guards and the intruders—Rachel, his ex-girlfriend, and Kevin, her brother. The guards, who had been a silent but imposing presence until now, suddenly moved with purpose, catching Kevin by the arm and firmly blocking Rachel’s path.“Let go of me!” Kevin barked, struggling against the iron grip of the guard. Rachel, her face a mix of shock and fury, tried to yank her arm free from another guard's hold.“This house doesn’t belong to you,” the lead guard said, his voice calm but carrying an unmistakable authority. “It belongs to Mr. Donovan. You have no right to be here, and if you don’t leave immediately, you won’t have legs to walk out on.”Rachel’s eyes widened in disbelief, and Kevin’s expression darkened with a mix of fear and anger. “You think you can scare us?” Kevin spat. “I’ll call up the security head of this locality! He’
CHAPTER 9- The next morning, Matthew woke up to the sound of his phone buzzing incessantly on his bedside table. Groggily, he reached for it, squinting at the screen as he saw the name of his assistant, Lexi, flashing across it. He answered the call, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.“Good morning, Mr. Donovan,” Lexi’s voice came through, professional yet warm. “I hope I didn’t wake you too early, but I wanted to inform you that everything is set for tonight’s party. It will be the official announcement that your family’s exile is over, and the beginning of your journey to build your business empire.”Matthew’s heart quickened at the news. He had been preparing for this moment, but now that it was finally here, the reality of it all was sinking in. The Donovan name, once revered and respected, was about to be restored to its former glory. And he, Matthew Donovan, would be the one to lead it into the future.“Thank you, Lexi,” he replied, his voice steady. “I’ll be there tonight.”As t
**Chapter 10** The aftermath of the explosion had left the grand ballroom in ruins. The once opulent space, adorned with chandeliers and intricate décor, was now unrecognizable, covered in debris and the remnants of shattered glass. The pungent smell of smoke lingered in the air, mixing with the acrid scent of fear that clung to the guests. Emergency responders had arrived swiftly, their flashing lights casting an eerie glow over the devastation. The lively chatter and music that once filled the room were replaced by the sounds of sirens, the cries of the injured, and the hushed whispers of those trying to make sense of the chaos. Matthew Donovan and Yvonne had managed to escape the immediate danger, but the night was far from over. They had sought refuge in a nearby alley, away from the scene of destruction. The narrow passageway was dimly lit, the shadows stretching ominously across the brick walls. The night air was crisp, and the adrenaline was still coursing through Matthew’s ve
**Chapter 11**The city’s skyline loomed in the distance as Matthew, Yvonne, and Lexi drove through the night, their breaths visible in the chill of early morning. The tension inside the car was palpable, each of them lost in their own thoughts about what awaited them. Victor Marlowe’s name was a dark cloud hanging over their mission, and the stakes had never been higher.As they approached Marlowe’s office building—a sleek, modern structure towering over the surrounding buildings—Matthew’s grip tightened on the steering wheel. He could feel the weight of the night’s events pressing on him, but his resolve remained unwavering. This confrontation could reveal the mastermind behind the attack and bring him one step closer to reclaiming his life and business.They parked and exited the car, their footsteps echoing in the empty street as they made their way to the building’s entrance. The grandeur of the lobby was a stark contrast to the chaos they had left behind, its polished floors and