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FROM ASHES TO BILLIONS. Chapter 1: Kicked Out.
"I'm sorry to bother you sir, but if you don't want to order something else, I suggest you leave. This table needs to be cleared for another customer,"Adrian looked up from his glass of wine to the waitress who was trying so hard to maintain a smile. He exhaled deeply, trying to recollect his thoughts."Sir…"Adrian didn't reply, instead, his eyes shifted to the papers in his slightly shaky hands. It was divorce papers that his wife, Layla had persisted him to sign for a week now.One might think that he should be grateful for an opportunity to finally get out of a toxic marriage where he wasn't receiving any peace of mind. But Adrian felt different. He felt that it was still possible for Layla to change the way she felt towards him.To Layla, their marriage was just a business merger between their families. He was not even the husband she was supposed to marry. She was supposed to marry his handsome, perfect brother, Ryan, but when he disappeared on the day of their wedding, she had
FROM ASHES TO BILLIONS. Chapter 2: Grand Betrayal
Adrian opened his eyes slowly to find himself in a hospital room. Pain slithered through his forehead and he released a gentle groan.He tried to sit up, but waves of pain shot through his body and he groaned again. He stared down at his hand and noticed they were handcuffed to the bed."How did I end up here?" He winced, his question directed to no one in particular."I see you're awake, you son of a bitch. Next time you pull a trick like this on us, I promise we'll take you to a mortuary and deposit your useless body there," A police officer who stood by the side of the bed said harshly.And that was when the painful memories of how he had fainted began to click. Daily, the police would take him to a dark room and beat him up, urging him to confess to crimes he didn't commit.They'd tie him up, maltreat, and abuse him without waiting to listen to his pleas of innocence. In the end, when his body couldn't take the pain anymore, he passed out in the dark room and they brought him here
FROM ASHES TO BILLIONS. Chapter 3: Fresh Start.
Adrian didn't know what he was thinking when he decided to enter a car with a total stranger. What if this was a plot by Ryan and Layla to kidnap him? Those two could go through hell just to make his life miserable.He scoffed.He was such a fool to have believed that they had a heart like normal people.From the corner of his eyes, he saw Felix look at him through the mirror with an emotion that suggested pity. He didn't like it when people pitied him."It's been ten years since you left home, young Master. A lot has happened since then. Now, your grandfather wants you home for good," Felix said, initiating a conversation.Adrian straightened in his seat with a curious brow. "G–randfather Milan?""Yes," Felix nodded."What's your relationship with him?” Adrian frowned. "And what does he want with me? He drove me out of his life like I meant nothing to him. Now he wants me back? Amuse me,"Felix was silent for a minute. "He's dying,""What?" "Stage four cancer," Felix replied. "He ha
FROM ASHES TO BILLIONS. Chapter 4: A Feeling Of Ice.
The cold evening air slapped Adrian's hair back and forth as he walked inside the hall. The place was filled with wealthy people drinking and sharing jokes amongst themselves.Adrian allowed his eyes to wander, taking in the festive mood that dominated the atmosphere. Ryan and Layla had put so much effort in organizing this party, evident from the heavy decorations and the majestic display of expensive dishes and drinks.A surge of air escaped from his mouth as he released a gentle chuckle. Were those two really serious about moving on with their lives after what they did to him?Did they really not care?The only crime he had committed was getting married to Layla. Did he deserve to be nailed to the cross, suffer the most inhumane punishment, and betrayed because of that?“Adrian?! What the fuck, you worthless piece of shit. Is that you?!” A feminine voice suddenly sounded behind him and he turned around with a frown.Speak of the devil.It was Layla. She was dressed in a beautiful g
FROM ASHES TO BILLIONS. Chapter 5: A Slap In The Face.
“What the hell are you doing?!” Ryan hissed, almost forgetting that he was in a public place.“What does it look like I'm doing? You called for the president, so here am I. Allow me to give my speech,” Adrian replied calmly. Ryan blinked once in surprise, then twice in anger. His eyes shifted to the audience and he could see their inquisitive eyes. He swallowed nervously, feeling like a fool.His hands curled beside him as horror spread over his face. What the hell was happening? No, he scoffed. This had to be a joke.“I'm going to give you two seconds to get yourself down from this stage, you delusional fool. You want to ruin my event, don't you?” Ryan said, but his voice came out weaker than expected.“I won't entertain any insulting words from you, Mr Ryan. Learn to address me properly since it is obvious we're not on the same level,” Adrian scolded, but Ryan could hear the mockery in his words. It was enough to piss him off.“Security!” Ryan yelled. “Throw this worthless fellow o
FROM ASHES TO BILLIONS. Chapter 6: Cornered.
“Arggggh!! Fuck hell!” Ryan yelled, throwing a glass of wine against the wall and watching with satisfaction as it smashed into pieces. “How…how did he get out of jail. He was supposed to fucking rot in there!” He heaved, his chest rising up and down. “Damn it, but I paid those stupid wardens enough money to make his life miserable. Now he's out?”Ryan scoffed in disbelief, his mind refusing to erase the picture of how embarrassed he felt at yesterday's party. Not only had Adrian managed to get himself out of jail, he had also paraded himself like a king. Like someone untouchable.He…looked different, like a fucking royalty.“Fuck…! How could I not have known?!”“Sir…here's the report,” A scared voice broke into his reverie and he turned around with a hiss to find his secretary shaking like a leaf in the winter.It irritated him more. “What is it, Rita? You've been standing there like a goddamn piece of paper for the past three minutes. Have you lost your tongue?!”“The investors h
FROM ASHES TO BILLIONS. Chapter 7: You Have To Learn Manners.
“I have an appointment with the president. Is he in?” Ryan placed a hand on the counter while directing a curious look at the secretary.“What's your name, sir?” The lady asked and as Ryan said his name, she made a quick call before directing him to the office where he was to meet with the president.Ryan expelled a shallow sigh as he walked. If everything went well and he convinced the president of Nilean Group, then his company would gain back its reputation.Not only that, Adrian would be labeled the instigator of the fight that day and even if he were to report the video of his assault to the police, nobody was going to believe him.They were only going to accuse him of trying to shift blames.He was an ex convict after all.A sly smile danced at the corners of his lips as he knocked on the broad oak door. Upon permission to enter, he stepped into the fully furnished office and for some reason, goosebumps arrested his entire body. He swallowed nervously, feeling cold.The presiden
FROM ASHES TO BILLIONS. Chapter 8: Unexpected News.
Layla squeezed the glass in her hands so hard that it cracked under the pressure. Her brows quirked, and she inhaled the cigarette in her left hand before hissing out a puff of smoke.“What the fuck did you say Adrian did to you?”“How many times do I need to say it? You're beginning to annoy me,” Ryan said, his jaws clenched.Layla poured more brandy into the cup and gulped it down. The alcohol produced a tingling sensation in her throat causing her to bite down on her lower lips. “That son of a bitch,”“President Milan ordered his bail. They are connected somehow,” Ryan said, tapping his knuckles. He looked up with a scared look in his eyes. “We're doomed,”“If anyone is doomed, it's Adrian,” Layla replied, trying to shake off the odd feeling that enveloped her.Ryan chuckled bitterly. “His cooperation with my company has been cut off. The other partners are also threatening to withdraw if I don't restore my image within a week,”A dry scoff escaped his lips. “Now, Adrian has a copy
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- FROM ASHES TO BILLIONS.
Chapter 33: Who Pierced The Tyres?
The manager accessed the situation for a moment before frowning at Sophie. “Don't you know that this is a business center and not a playground?! Why is there so much noise in my company?”Sophie bowed her head. “I'm sorry sir, but this man came in here with such rudeness that couldn't be tolerated. He insulted me and called me all sorts of names. I had to involve you,”The manager turned to Adrian, his eyebrows raised into a tight scrutinizing look. “Who are you to come in here to harass my staff?” He directed an angry look towards Sophie. “Call security to throw him out and make sure you don't allow riffraffs like this into my shop again!”“How very professional of you to throw blame,” Adrian replied, his tone twisted with dark sarcasm. “Don't you have any CCTV around here? You can check it out and see who is truly in the wrong,”The manager flinched at the sharpness in Adrian's tone, but Sophie quickly interrupted. “Can you hear the sauciness in his voice, sir? That's exactly what k
- FROM ASHES TO BILLIONS.
Chapter 32: Delusional.
Adrian scoffed, placing a hand on the counter while staring at Sophie like she was some piece of bug that just shat on his face. “Look here, don't you think you're a little too old for this kind of immature behavior? Security? No, I think you should call the manager, let him explain why he employed an irresponsible staff,”Sophie's face reddened with mad rage. She opened her mouth, stuttered, then snapped it shut again before stomping a hand on the counter. “W…hat did you just call me?”“I didn't mince words. If you were responsible, you wouldn't be picking a fight with a customer who was minding their business,”“I don't blame you. Give me some time and I'll make sure Layla locks your pathetic ass in prison once again. You won't get to see daylight ever again,”“It'll take the whole of Layla's minions put together to pull out a strand of my hair, talk more of inventing another stunt to land me in prison,” He chuckled, flipping his hair back. “Oh, you didn't know? At the mention of my
- FROM ASHES TO BILLIONS.
Chapter 31: Trouble At The Car stand.
At the sight of the beautiful cars on display, Paige wrapped an excited hand across her mouth with a gasp. “Wow! Y…you want to get a car?”“For you, yes. Even when you cannot drive,” Adrian teased.“And who told you I can't drive?” She replied with a small smile, her eyes roaming the place. “That brat forced me to learn a lot of things including driving a car,” Then she jumped dramatically, wrapping an excited hand around his broad muscles. “Big brother with the funds! Thank you for planning this beautiful surprise for me! I feel so seen, I won't even lie,”Adrian scratched her hair lovingly. “I want to make your day special, my princess, so focus your thoughts on me and me alone,”“Yes, please. My thoughts belong to no one else but you today,” She chuckled, and they both laughed, walking to the sales counter where a plum brunette lady was writing something on a piece of paper.“Good morning. Please I'd like to buy a car. The black Bugatti over there,”“Oh, yes sir. Welcome. Which of
- FROM ASHES TO BILLIONS.
Chapter 30: Taking The Bull By The Horn.
At the words, Cyrus's face twisted into a mask of fury. “That bastard? I thought you had gotten him to know his damn place,”Ryan gulped down alcohol before releasing a low belch. “I swear, he's doing the most. We need to get him out of the way or at this rate, he'll end up dragging us down to hell,”Cyrus expression changed into that of rage. His blood roared in his ears and his fist curled into a tight ball. “Because of his family, my mum abandoned and left me to rot. Can't he read the fucking room and stay out of our way? After I kill him, then I kill my mother. Case closed,”“Are you still pissed with Elizabeth? It's been such a long time and you're obviously doing well without her,”“She fucking lied to me!” Cyrus glared. “She lied to my face about coming back for me. Do you know what I had to endure living in that bloody orphanage while waiting for her? She pursued her greed and never showed up, not even once! What now? I should just forgive her?”Ryan waved his hands. “Whatever
- FROM ASHES TO BILLIONS.
Chapter 29: Meeting With An Ally.
Adrian's hands reached out for the mug of coffee before him and he took a quick sip. A gentle sigh escaped his lips and he groaned before looking up to Felix whose face was squeezed into a petty frown. "Hey, you wanted to say something earlier. I'm listening,”Felix expression was tight as his frown deepened.“That's weird, don't you want to concentrate on your work anymore?"“I'm the boss. I can do whatever I want,” Adrian smirked, his aim to provoke the other man further.“The information was urgent and I came in here with a lot of vibes. You killed the excitement when you asked me to wait until you were done with work,” Felix growled, his lips pulled into a feigned pout. “Sorry, but the mood is gone. Can I leave now?”Adrian chuckled. “You're being petty,” He sighed. “Look, just accept the fact that you came in at the wrong time. I was attending to some international clients,”“That couldn't wait?” Felix said, sounding like a jealous lover. “Well, you'll have to bribe me to spill
- FROM ASHES TO BILLIONS.
Chapter 28: Playing To Win.
Ryan tapped a nervous knuckle on the desk of his office. With his left hand, he flipped a cigarette expertly and hissed as the light smoke trailed into the air. His brain was whirling, the thoughts muddled and scattered all over the place.He had to do something to revive his almost bankrupt company before it was too late. He couldn't afford for everything he had ever worked for to go down the drain, and most importantly, he couldn't risk letting Adrian win.That would mean suicide.Straightening his back, he felt a sharp pain course through him and he hissed. The place where Adrian's men had beat him up that day still hurt, like a motherfucker.Mixed with the pain, he felt raw fury travel through his body. Gosh, he had never felt this vivid in his entire life. He wish he had some sort of super powers to blot out this poison that was slowly crippling him —Adrian.“It's okay, Ryan…it's okay. Take a deep breath,” He whispered to himself, his fists clenched. “It's not your fault. You wer
- FROM ASHES TO BILLIONS.
Chapter 27: Fake Make-up Artist.
Elizabeth scoffed, and then she stuttered like she hadn't heard him well. “W…hat the heck did you just say?”“You need evidence?” Lucian replied with a light chuckle, brandishing his phone in the air. “I can show you if you want,”“Don't play games with me, Adrian. I'm warning you,”“No, I think you started the games first. Why blame me now that it's blowing up in your face?”“What did you do to Layla? l swear I'll kill you, you slime! Don't you dare mess with me!”“So it's okay if you mess with me by trying to kill my sister? Haven't you done enough?” Lucian chuckled dryly. “I see you twisted the law of retributive justice to suit your sick psychotic behavior, so why froth at the mouth when I'm returning your vibes? Isn't it aura for aura again?” Lucian asked, his voice a bit raised. He shrugged when she didn't reply. Then he walked up to trace the lines around her face. She shuddered, trying to push him back, but his fingers dug deeper. When he saw her wince, he released her and w
- FROM ASHES TO BILLIONS.
Chapter 26: Paige in Danger.
Adrian walked into the VIP section of the hotel where he was to meet with Elizabeth. He tapped the small, nearly invisible buds on his ears and said softly.“I just arrived, and I think she has my sister in there. Whatever we do now must be to ensure that Paige is safe,”“Yes, young master,”“Alright, I have to go now, these bastards are up to me,” Adrian said as two hefty men walked up to him. “Adrian Lancaster?” One asked roughly.“Didn't your boss give you a detailed description of me? What's with the stupid question? Do you want to lose your tongue?” Adrian snapped in irritation. “Where the hell is my sister?”“You have to cooperate for things to go well, Mr Adrian,” The man replied, scanning the environment to ensure there was no danger lurking around. He turned to Adrian. “Surrender yourself to be searched,"Without giving him a chance to respond, the two men proceeded to pat him down roughly before leading him to a private lodge.Inside the room, a shudder ran through his spin
- FROM ASHES TO BILLIONS.
Chapter 25: A Requirement For Saving.
Adrian sat in the lobby of the hospital waiting room, his hands resting on his chin. His thoughts were in disarray, shambled, like the after remains of a war.Felix sat behind him, wanting to speak, but couldn't. The atmosphere was gloomy and reeked of tension. Maybe it was the uncertainty of the poor driver's survival, or maybe it was the young master's creepy silence.“Keep an eye on Ryan to make sure he doesn't try anything funny. I don't know if I'll be able to stop myself the next time he provokes me,” Felix nodded. A lump gathered at the back of his throat and he swallowed hard, feeling uneasy.“What is it, Felix? I know you want to say something, so say it,” “Umh…” Felix cleared his throat. “There's something you need to know, young master. I mean I'm not sure how you might react to the news, considering everything that has been happening in the last few days,”“Speak,” Adrian commanded.“Your father…” Felix started slowly. “He isn't your grandfather's only son. You have an u
