From Scorned To Supreme

Chapter 3

The Patriarch’s voice boomed through the room, his final words settling in, and there was no room for negotiations.

Even after Elijah promised to pay back every cent, no matter how long it took.

Elijah had no choice but to divorce his granddaughter, Eleanor, or face the consequences. The Patriarch even promised to handle all of Esther’s medical expenses if Elijah agreed, hiring the best doctors and transferring her to the best clinic. It was supposed to be an easy decision after all, or so the Patriarch thought.

But as for Elijah, it was far from easy. He stood there, torn apart, unsure of what to do. If the situation were different—if it were just a matter of choosing between two women—it wouldn’t have been a problem.

But Eleanor wasn’t just any woman. Despite the way the Stones treated Elijah like garbage, Eleanor had always been different. She had never looked down on him because of his status or lack of wealth and qualifications. From the day they were forced into marriage, Eleanor stood by his side. She was faithful, loyal, and compassionate, never once treating him like the pauper her family painted him as. She took the vow “for better or worse” seriously.

Through thick and thin, she had been the only thing that kept Elijah going. Their marriage may not have been one born out of love or affection, but Eleanor never wavered at all, although when it got tough, she wished the situation was different.

When her family cast her out—kicked her out of their mansion, banishing her to live separately, in the guest house beside the main,—she never once blamed Elijah.

The reason for her exile? She refused to treat Elijah with the same hatred they expected. To them, Eleanor had committed the ultimate betrayal: siding with her husband over her family. In return, they disowned her. I mean who does that?

Elijah clenched his fists tightly, his heart heavy with the weight of responsibility. How could he possibly divorce her? Not only because of the vows they made, but because he knew deep down that Eleanor deserved so much more than what life had given her. She had sacrificed everything for him, and now he was expected to betray her? To humiliate her in exchange for money?

No. He couldn’t do it. Eleanor was worth more than that, it would be an insult on her image and Elijah would prove to the Stones that they were right all along.

Determined to find another way, Elijah hurried back to the hospital, hoping to plead for more time to pay for Esther’s medical bills. But when he reached the reception desk, the nurses barely gave him a glance. They were irritated, and annoyed by his persistence. He wanted them to extend the deadline for the money.

“Look, mister,” one of them said, her tone cold and dismissive. “This isn’t a charity case. If you can’t pay, then there’s nothing more to discuss. Now, I suggest you leave, or I’ll have security escort you out.”

The words stung, but Elijah bit his tongue. He couldn’t afford to lose his temper, not now. But he knew that was a line he didn't want to cross before the receptionist insulted him even further. He preferred to save his disgnity.

Turning on his heel, he stormed away from the spot, his mind racing with unanswered questions. What was he supposed to do? Every option seemed like a dead enwith no way out. And then, despite his best efforts to push it aside, the Patriarch’s offer crept back into his mind.

No. He shook his head, refusing to entertain the thought. Considering it felt like a betrayal in itself. How could he even think about divorcing Eleanor?

As he walked down back, lost in his thoughts that were driving him crazy, a voice called out from behind him.

“Young master, please listen to me!”

Elijah froze, recognizing the voice. It was Alfred, the man who had been following him for weeks, trying to convince him of something that seemed impossible. Oh God! Can't a young man catch a break?

“Young master,” Alfred continued, hurrying to catch up with him. “Please, give me a moment. Hear me out. Just this once”

Elijah sighed in frustration. “What do you want now Mr? I’ve already told you, I don’t believe any of this nonsense. It aggregating going back and forth with you”

Alfred handed him an envelope, urging him to look at the contents. “Please, just take a look. This will explain everything that you need to know.”

Reluctantly, Elijah tore open the envelope. Inside was a document was an official DNA test result. Eijah’s eyes scanned the paper with impatience, his heart skipping a beat when he saw the words written boldly: 99.9% match with the Windsor family Patriarch.

“ What… What is this?” Elijah asked, his voice shaky with disbelief. Deep down Elijah knew, but still wanted to hear it confirmed from Alfred “What am I supposed to do with this?”

“This is your DNA,” Alfred said calmly. “You are the long-lost heir of the Windsor family, like I told you. Now I have proof”

“Bullshit!” Elijah’s voice rose, anger bubbling up inside him, this was all a defensive mechanism and Elijah had grown up, knowing not to trust people blindly. “If I’m the heir to such a powerful family, then why was I abandoned? Why did I grow up with nothing? No money, no status, no family! Why are you just finding me now?”

Alfred remained composed, despite Elijah’s outburst. “I understand your skepticism, young master. But I swear to you, it’s true. I’ve been searching for you for years. Please, just come home with me. See it for yourself.”

Elijah shook his head, his mind reeling. There was just too much to process in a day. “Leave me alone, Mister. I don’t have time for this.”

Before he could walk away, Alfred pulled out a small, shimmering card from his pocket. “If you won’t believe me, then maybe this will convince you.”

Elijah’s eyes widened in shock. The card was unmistakable, Wish!—a diamond card, one of only three in the entire country. It was a symbol of immense wealth and power. With that card, Elijah could afford to give Esther the best medical care in the world, no questions asked. Heck, the card alone was enough to purchase countries under his name.

“I know your situation, I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but I overheard you and the receptionist” Alfred said quietly. “If you come with me, your foster mother will be in safe hands. She’ll be treated by the best doctors. You don’t have to beg for help anymore.”

Elijah stared at the card, his heart pounding in his chest. The offer was tempting—too tempting. With this card, he could solve all of his problems in an instant. He wouldn’t have to make the impossible choice between his loyalty to Eleanor and the welfare of Esther. He didn't have to save one, the women in his life. This is what you called killing two birds with one stone.

But something still held him back. He couldn’t just trust Alfred blindly, no matter how convincing he seemed. Elijah is just too stubborn and strong willed. He doesn't back down easily either and once he sets his mind on something, It was difficult to convince him otherwise.

“I know I've asked plenty of times. How do I know this is real?” Elijah asked, his voice laced with suspicion. “How do I know you’re not just feeding me lies?”

Alfred smiled faintly and handed Elijah his business card. Pretty confident that sooner or later he'd come looking for him. “You don’t have to decide right now, young master. Take your time. Think about it. But when you’re ready, call me. I’ll be waiting.”

With that, Alfred bowed slightly and turned to leave, leaving Elijah standing there, dazed and confused. Elijah even pinched himself to see if he was just hallucinating or It had happened all for real.

Elijah stared at the card in his hand, his mind racing. Could it be true? Was he really the heir to the Windsor family? It seemed too good to be true, but a part of him wanted to believe it. After all, who in his right state of mind would go through so much trouble to convince a nobody that he was royalty?

Shaking his head, Elijah shoved the card into his pocket and made his way back to the hospital. He had no time to waste at all. Whether the offer was real or not, he had to make sure Esther received the treatment she needed. He wouldn't know if he didn't try right?

But if that bitch Candice, and the rest of the family find out Elijah was the heir of the infamous Windsor family, it would be a shocker. Knocking every single one of them off their feet.

They always called Elijah names, like a pauper, their slave. but what they didn't know is they were no better, slaving their lives away, for wealth and power, they tried too hard to become relevant, the hottest topic of town. Everyday withholding a facade, They said Elijah was a slave at home, ironically they were slaves to the society, always seeking validation.

Elijah carefully weighed his options and concluded that it would be in his best interest to maintain a low profile for the time being. He planned to closely observe their movements and ensure that they remained concealed and unaware of the events that had transpired. Following Elijah's signature, the surgical procedure was scheduled to begin without delay.

In the Stone household, turmoil was taking hold. The head of the family, the patriarch was seething with anger, striding back and forth in the room while the rest of the family huddled together, intimidated by his presence. Their inability to secure a crucial business contract had triggered his wrath, and he had zero tolerance for any form of failure.

The patriarch was troubled that his goddamn family were all useless, a common contract they couldn't even secure. There stood Eleanor with her head hung low as they blamed her for all their misfortunes, “It is all your fault, if only you had rejected that pathetic fool, who has brought nothing but shame to this family.”

Tears brimmed Eleanor's eyes but she remained quiet, taking the insult from her uncles and cousins. That was it, in the stones, the word ‘family’ did not appear in their dictionary, they only considered family ties if someone was worth it, the only connection they had with one another was the fight for power.

Uncle Marcus slapped Eleanor on the face, her silence only infuriating him even further, “I am talking to you, are you mute?” But Eleanor remained quiet instead, knowing if she said anything, she would probably face a worse fate.

Just then Elijah stepped into the house, wondering what the ruckus was all about and why his wife was standing in the midst of them, crying.

“Oh you finally decided to grace us with your presence, you have successfully rubbed off your misfortune on Eleanor, I say, you both deserve each other.” Uncle Marcus yelled charging towards Elijah, striking him hard across the face too.

Elijah saw red, he tried hard to control his anger for his sanity, this maltreatment he and his wife undergo will soon come to a stop.

Just then, the patriarch threatened. "Good for nothing fools, if you don't secure the business contract with Windsor, I swear, I would have no choice than to disown you.” Elijah was beyond pissed, unknowing to the Stone, he is the alleged heir of the Windsor family, and he wondered how they would react after finding out. If it is true, that is.

Elijah smirked, seeing how the tables were about to turn, there was a twist in fate and he decided that he would take over the Windsor group.

He will make them pay for what they had done, not just to him but to Eleanor.