From Scorn to Sparkling; The son-in-law's Redemption.

CHAPTER SEVEN: Unforseen Revelation

immediately as she entered the conference room, the securities lined up behind her as she looked around.

"Here is the idiot that wants to hack your system," Lucas mockingly said, pointing to Romsey who was still smiling with the Black VIP card placed between his fingers.

Brian was behind him, watching curiously for the next line of action. "Ma, I have told him that the card cannot be accepted here," Rossie added.

"Shut your mouth, Rose, and never say another word." Britney angrily turned to Lucas. "It's fine, sir, we will take care of it from here."

She greeted Romsey, taking the card from him. Britney flipped the card in her fingers to see both sides of it and rushed out of her office.

*******

In her office, Britney swiped the black card on the debit machine, but to her surprise, it kept declining.

"I can't believe this could be fake; it looks just like the real one," Britney muttered to herself.

"He needs to be arrested, Ma," the guard standing nearby replied, his face reflecting seriousness and readiness.

"What made you think it's original in the first place?" another worker asked curiously.

"I checked and found the golden eagle crest on it. That should be enough reason," Britney said, her voice low and curious.

Britney rushed back to the conference room.

"I'm sorry, sir, the card has been rejected several times," she began, but Brian's startled gaze showed surprise.

"Is there nothing else we can do?" he asked, sounding pitiful.

The Ralph family had long awaited this moment. "What did I tell you?" Lucas mocked, turning to Mr. Alexia, who had lost confidence except for his son.

"Can you please try it again?" Brian pleaded, his tone showing sympathy for Romsey.

"Try what?" Mr. Ralph scoffed. "Who gives a VIP card to a peasant? None of you answered that earlier." His scornful voice was unmistakable.

"I've worked as an MD in a top mining company in this country and I've never received a green payment card. Then a man who just begged to earn himself the position of a trash-dumper would own a black VIP card?" Mr. Ralph added, while the rest of the Ralph's family members laughed, their voices piercing through the tense conference room.

Romsey couldn't bear the humiliation; shock weaved through him. He had expected the card to work perfectly. Yes, he was very certain of it. He never expected it to decline, especially not at this crucial moment.

The shame and humiliation lingered in the air for hours as Britney stood, unsure of the next action to take.

"Can't you pay in cash, sir?" she asked, pointing to Romsey.

"Retry that card again, Ma," Romsey said, his voice less firm than it needed to be.

Britney stared at Romsey blankly, millions of thoughts racing through her mind. Could he be the man she thought he was? She wondered silently as she turned back to her office, the guards standing by the conference room exit.

In an hour or two, Britney returned to the room. The scorn and contempt had escalated, as the members of the Ralph family ensured that they rubbed the shame on Romsey's face. It seemed like a planned agenda.

"You've made the best decision, daughter," Mr. Ralph said. "You can say that again, Dad," Fiona replied eagerly, happiness shining in her eyes as she leaned on Lucas' shoulders.

"Babe, I…" Lucas' voice trailed off. "I want you to know that you've instantly earned yourself a high rank in my office, just as we sit," he bragged, turning his feigned look to Romsey to ensure his words hit home.

"I hope you'll come back to your post when you're done with this?" he mockingly asked Romsey. "What's this beggar still doing here?" Prisca, one of Fiona's relatives, asked, her voice stern and commanding, as they all laughed in unison.

"I'm very sorry, sir," Britney said as she walked into the room. Lucas raised his eyes, pulling down his glasses. "No issues, Ma," he thought Britney was referring to him.

"There's no need pleading, Ma. I have made my decision, and that's final, unless he will sign here that he would work to cover up for the amount after now," Mr. Ralph said, while the rest of the Ralph family laughed again.

No, not you, sir," Britney replied. "I have confirmed the card, sir. I apologize for any inconveniences," she added.

The laughter escalated again. "Are you trying to save his ass from the humiliation he deserves? Come on, you don't need to do that, Ma," Mrs. Sterling's response was laced with bitterness.

"You're a good woman, but it isn't the best to cover up for a fool as Romsey is," Fiona said. "Thanks, Ma," Brian's voice was heard, expressing his happiness.

Miss Britney dialed a contact she had in her device to confirm Romsey's identity, and luckily, a female voice answered. "Hello, this is Britney, manager at..."

"Hello, can you proceed with the challenges you have, please?" the voice interrupted.

"There's a calm young man here who gave me a black VIP card, one that matches the ones you come with every time."

"His name, please?"

"Romsey, that's what I hear them call him."

"Send me a picture of the person you're referring to, immediately." Miss Britney opened the CCTV unit and selected a picture that had Romsey's face, forwarding it to the woman on the phone.

VIP personality confirmed, top-ranked heir to the Spears Group of Multinational Companies," the woman on the phone answered immediately.

The reply hit Britney so deeply that she couldn't say another word for some minutes.

The hotel guards, who had been blocking the exit of the conference room, saluted as Britney apologized to Romsey. It seemed like a drama, but Romsey had always believed that fate would play out for him, even though he never understood the reason for its continuous intervention.

"Thank you for helping him, Ma," Brian screamed, kneeling to show his appreciation.

No, stand up, sir. His presence here has served me instead," Britney replied.

The words sounded unbelievable to Lucas. He couldn't imagine himself paying for the event, and Romsey being complimented.

He stood up instantly. "What's the meaning of this, Ma? If you're saving him, can't you stop at that? Why make it seem like we don't know what you're trying to do?"

"Let's walk out of here before this lady spoils my day," Lucas added. Fiona quickly stood up, as the rest of the Ralphs' family, who were already done with their meals, did the same.

Lucas arranged his tuxedo suit and stormed out of the place, his polished shoes making a sound as he walked through the door.