Chapter One
As the glowing sun began to set, a young man named Elijah stood nervously at the doorstep of his step brother’s luxurious apartment.Elijah was dressed in tattered clothes, his hair unkempt, and his eyes bloodshot from crying. In his hand was a crumpled piece of paper, the hospital bill that he had received earlier that day.Elijah’s mother had fallen ill, and the hospital had demanded immediate payment before they would provide any treatment or even give them a bed space in the clustered hospital ward. Elijah had already used up all his savings, and he had no one else to turn to but his younger step-brother, Henry.This is so embarrassing and humiliating, begging my younger step brother who treats me like trash for money is something really insulting but I have no choice , my mother is sick and I don’t have any money left to continue with her cancer treatment and chemotherapy “ Elijah whispered to himself.Elijah is the black sheep of the family even though he is the most hardworking , intelligent , respectful and legitimate first child. He was hated and rejected bitterly by his father after meeting his new mistress. It looks like the mistress has bewitched his father because he does everything she says and completely forgot and abandoned his legal wife and her son Elijah , treating them like trash.The mistress has a son whose name is Henry ,he is 3 years younger than Elijah and is treated like a pampered Prince and he is spoiled with money and luxurious lifestyle by their father because of his evil mother’s influence.Elijah took a deep breath and rang the doorbell. The sound echoed through the empty halls of the house, and he waited anxiously for someone to answer.It was a hot and humid day, and Elijah wiped the sweat from his forehead with the sleeve of his tattered shirt. He looked down at the empty wallet in his hand and sighed.Elijah decided to use this chance to call his girlfriend Stella with his cell phone but her number was not reachable, he noticed that ever since he told her he is broke and his mother needs money for an emergency treatment ,Stella suspiciously stopped picking his calls and she also doesn’t reply his messages anymore.“Yes,who are you and how may we help you?” The elderly woman who was wearing a maid’s uniform asked Elijah when she opened the door.“I am here to see my Henry, I am Elijah and he is my younger step brother “ Elijah answered uncomfortably.“Oh okay but Mr Henry is busy right now with a female guest and he can’t attend to any visitors till he is done with his private business” she answered but Elijah gently grabbed her hands before she could lock the door.“It’s an emergency, I need to see him . My mother is dying and I have to see him, take a look at the hospital card and billing receipt if you don’t believe me .” Elijah begged , showing her the paper and her eyes were suddenly filled with pity when she saw the critical diagnosis and the large amount of money needed for treatment.“You can come in and wait for him in the living room before he finishes but please be quiet “ she said politely and Elijah thanked her as she ushered him into the luxurious apartment which looks 100 times bigger than where Elijah and his mom stays.“Sit down, I will inform you of his presence when he is done with his private business “ she said before disappearing.Elijah was sitting on the sofa in the living room when he suddenly began to hear clapping sounds and the loud sounds of a woman moaning from a room that is towards the left side of the living room.“Mmmmmmm, please more ….yes , yes harder ! That’s right more !Mmmmm '' The girl was shamelessly moaning on top of her voice and Elijah felt really sad and insulted that his step brother couldn’t attend to his medical emergency needs just because he was getting laid.The sounds were getting too loud and embarrassing that Elijah had to stand up and start admiring the living room so that it would keep his mind busy.Elijah stood in the center of the living room, taking in the impressive sight before him. The room was large and open, with high ceilings and large windows that flooded the space with natural light. The walls were painted a warm, masculine gray that contrasted beautifully with the dark hardwood floors.The furniture was sleek and modern, crafted from the finest materials and designed with an eye for both style and comfort. A large sectional sofa dominated one side of the room, upholstered in a rich, buttery leather that begged to be touched. A matching armchair sat in the corner, a plush throw draped over the back.A massive flat-screen television hung on the wall, flanked by a pair of sleek, black speakers. Elijah could imagine the sound quality that must come from them, and felt a pang of jealousy.The coffee table was a work of art in its own right, made from a single slab of polished marble that gleamed in the light. It was decorated with a few carefully chosen items - a crystal ashtray, a collection of expensive-looking cigars, and a set of coasters made from hammered copper.On the other side of the room, a fully stocked bar took center stage. It was made of rich, dark wood, and stocked with every type of liquor imaginable. A set of crystal glasses glimmered on a silver tray next to the bottles, and a collection of bar tools was arranged neatly in a wooden caddy.Elijah couldn't help but admire the attention to detail that had gone into the room's design. The furnishings and decorations all complemented each other perfectly, creating a space that was both functional and stylish.As he waited for his step-brother to emerge from the bedroom, Elijah found himself drawn to the large windows that looked out over the city skyline. The view was breathtaking, and he could see why his step-brother had chosen this particular apartment.He turned his attention back to the room, admiring the various works of art that were scattered throughout. A large abstract painting dominated one wall, its bold colors and intricate brushstrokes drawing the eye. On another wall, a collection of black and white photographs were arranged in a neat grid, each one depicting a different cityscape.Elijah felt a twinge of envy as he looked around the room. He couldn't help but imagine what it must be like to live in such luxury, to be surrounded by such beauty every day especially when he knows that all these things were supposed to be his own because he is the true son.But as he continued to take in the room's impressive features, he began to notice something else. Despite the undeniable luxury of the space, it lacked a certain warmth and personality. It felt more like a showroom than a home, with everything in its place and nothing out of order.He wondered if his step-brother ever truly relaxed in this space, or if it was merely a place to entertain guests and impress business associates.As if on cue, his step-brother emerged from the bedroom, looking disheveled in his designer clothes.“What are you doing here Elijah and who asked you to sit down on my couch when you look like a beggar?” Henry asked rudely while he adjusted his belt that was hanging on his trouser.Elijah closed his eyes to calm himself down and endure the insult and disrespect for his sick mother’s sake.“I need your help , my mother is seriously sick and the test results shows she has cancer …I need your help , the money for treatment is 2 million dollars because her case is critical and I don’t have the money” Elijah pleaded but Henry hissed.“Are you not her son? Why are you telling me this when it’s none of my business?” Henry said arrogantly , he wasn’t willing to give Elijah anything even though he has more than 50 million dollars in his bank account.“Please I need your help, even if it’s just 500,000 dollars to start the treatment before I find a way to get the rest of the money and complete the payment ” Elijah pleaded almost in tears“Didn’t father give you any money , what about your monthly allowance ?” Henry asked looking at Elijah with disgust in his face“You know he only gives me 500 dollars monthly and it won’t be enough to even pay for a single drug “ Elijah complained , he almost went on his knees because of how desperate he was.“Sorry, I can’t help you besides it won’t make any difference if she stays alive or not…” Henry said nonchalantly and Elijah felt like punching him to the face but he doesn’t want to cause any trouble that will land him in the prison when his mother is critically sick, weak and vulnerable.Before Elijah could think of a way to convince Henry to give him the money, he hears a young woman’s voice that sounds really familiar coming out of the room that Henry just came out of.“Hey baby , where is the Dior designer bag you promise to get for me if I let you have your way with me?” The lady asked while coming out of the room but she stopped midway looking shocked when she saw Elijah standing in Henry’s living room, she never expected him there and at that very moment her heart started beating fast because she knew that she had been caught red handed cheating.“What are you doing here Stella? Why are you coming out of the same bed room with my step brother?” Elijah's voice quivered as he asked his girlfriend Stella with a broken heart.Chapter Two“What are you doing here Elijah?” Stella asked instead of her to apologize to her boyfriend for disgracing him by hurting his feelings and cheating on him. “I should ask you what are you doing here , please don’t tell me that you both have been having sex behind my back?!” Elijah asked, feeling so betrayed , he felt like his world was shattering and his heart was on fire. “Don’t you dare talk anyhow to Stella when you came here to beg for money” Henry said which made Stella to become more egoistic “Oh so you’re even here to beg and you’re asking me for the reason I am cheating on you? I don’t deal with poor beggars , just take a good look at the way you look right now “ Stella said laughing and mocking Elijah while mocking his tattered outfits with her hands. “How could you do this to me when you know that my mother is not feeling too well, we have been dating for more than 2 years now …I am so disappointed in you Stella. I don’t believe you could do this to me” Eli
Chapter Three “I can’t let my mother die of cancer, I have to do whatever it takes to save her ! I can’t allow my mother to die, she is the only one I have in this world” the young man called Elijah cried with tears and mucus running down his face as he ran towards his father’s office to beg for money so that he could take his mother to the hospital. Elijah always sits beside his mother and takes care of her since she feels sick. She has been painfully sick for the last 2 months but no one cared about her , Elijah was the only person doing a lot of hard labour and side jobs to get enough money to buy medications for his mother but he didn’t get enough money because taking care of his mother didn’t allow him to work longer hours and not a single soul helped him. Elijah even sold all his mother’s expensive jewellery, shoes and bags but the money wasn’t enough to treat her diabetes which results in cancer because of lack of proper care and professional treatment from the doctors. Elij
Chapter Four “Hmmm, young man you have to take heart. You were too late , why didn’t you bring her to the hospital as soon as possible “ the doctor asked “I ur mother can’t make it, we tried our best but you brought her in too late . You are lucky to have some few minutes with her before she leaves us and don’t worry about the bills , I will take care of it” said the doctor who pitied the young man when he saw how shabby and tattered he looked. “Where is she ! My mother can’t die !” Elijah started shouting till his veins popped up , the younger male nurses had to come and hold him down and calm him before they led him into his mother’s room. Elijah Stood by his mother's bedside, watching as she took shallow, labored breaths. Her skin was pale, and her eyes were closed, and he could tell she was in pain. He felt helpless, like there was nothing he could do to ease her suffering.The room was quiet except for the sounds of the machines beeping and the hiss of oxygen flowing through t
Chapter Five Elijah stretched on the bed and yawned while trying to clean his eyes hoping that this was all a dream but a loud feminine voice confirmed that he wasn’t dreaming. “Arghhhhhhh! What are you pervert doing in the same bed with me naked !” The young lady on the bed shouted when she woke up from sleep. Elijah quickly lifted up the duvet and saw that his trousers were gone but his shirt was still intact. Elijah didn’t look at the girl's body out of respect but he still knew that she was naked under the bedsheets. Elijah’s head began to ache more because he was trying his best to remember how he got into the messed up situation but he couldn’t Rem her nothing and to make matters worse , the lady beside him on the bed was looking at him with a mean scowl. “What kind of question is that? I am not completely naked and I don’t know how I got myself in this situation so you should start explaining yourself!” Elijah shouted at the lady who looked clueless and helpless. “Is this
Chapter Six Elijah was nervous, his eyes darting back and forth as he shifted his weight from foot to foot“No, this is not going to work. I am innocent and only came to the bar to mourn my mother’s death. There is a mistake somewhere , Selena here seems like a nice lady but I declined this offer and I won’t be your son-in-law …” but before Elijah could finish his words , Grandfather Clinton spoke “Shut him up “ he ordered, his voice low and menacing.The bodyguards stepped forward, their hands moving to grip Elijah’s arms. He struggled against them, but they were too strong. They dragged him to the center of the room, their footsteps echoing in the silence that followed before the sounds of beating took over. Elijah was thrown to the ground. The bodyguards surrounded him, their faces twisted into sneers of contempt. Elijah looked up at them, fear and confusion written across his features."Please," he begged, his voice barely above a whisper. "Please, don't do this” Elijah pleaded
Chapter Seven“Whoa, this is some party” Elijah whispered when he saw the splendor of the party while walking towards Selena, his sudden bride that he doesn’t know anything about. The ballroom of the party shimmered with cascades of crystal chandeliers, casting a soft, ethereal glow upon the elite attendees. It was a grand affair, a party hosted by the renowned Grandfather Clinton in order to attract more people for his Presidential seat political campaign. The room buzzed with laughter, music, and the clinking of glasses, yet amidst the vibrant crowd, one figure stood out despite his old and battered suit, the young man named Elijah has an alpha male and charismatic aura that makes people keep glancing at him besides he is not a popular person in the business society. Elijah navigated through the sea of elegantly attired guests with a sense of purpose. His eyes, as blue as the deep ocean, scanned the room until they came to rest on a breathtaking sight who kept moving around like a
Chapter Eight As the elderly man walked into the ballroom, his presence commanded attention. His perfectly tailored suit hugged his lean frame, accentuating his broad shoulders and chiseled jawline. The fabric shimmered under the glow of the chandeliers, and the color was a rich shade of navy blue. The shirt underneath his suit was crisp and white, and the tie was a deep burgundy that contrasted elegantly with the suit. His shoes were polished to a mirror-like shine, and the gleam of his gold cufflinks caught the light as he walked.The man's face was weathered by time, with lines etched deep around his mouth and eyes. But there was a charisma in his gaze that seemed to draw people in. His hair was a silvery white, neatly combed back, and his mustache and beard were trimmed immaculately. He wore a Rolex watch on his wrist, and the diamonds on the bezel sparkled in the light. As he made his way through the crowd, several bodyguards followed him closely. They were all tall, muscular m
Chapter Nine“Where did you get that ring from ?” Godfather Roberto asked with a thunderous voice while his bodyguards held Elijah’s arms in place and so tightly that he couldn’t fight or move anywhere. “What ring are you talking about ?” Elijah asked, looking confused for a brief second. "Young man," the elderly Godfather Roberto spoke with a gravelly voice, each word measured and deliberate. "That ring on your finger... it holds secrets. Secrets that no one knows about.."The young man swallowed hard, his mouth dry, and he met the older man's gaze, attempting to hide his fear. "I... I don't know what you're talking about," Elijah stammered, his voice barely a whisper.Godfather Roberto’s thin lips curled into a sly smile, his eyes narrowing. "You expect me to believe that, lad? I have eyes everywhere. That ring, it's no ordinary piece of jewelry. It belonged to a great family and it has been missing for years , where did you get it or who did you stole it from ?"Godfather Robert
Epilogue Elijah lay beside Vanessa, the soft breeze from the open window brushing against their bare skin. The rhythm of the ocean waves outside their beach house was soothing, but all Elijah could focus on was the warmth of Vanessa’s body pressed against his. The years had passed, but the fire between them never dimmed. Vanessa turned to him, her dark hair falling messily across her shoulders, her eyes heavy with desire. Elijah reached out, his hand brushing the hair from her face, his fingertips tracing the curve of her jaw. Her lips parted slightly as she leaned in, kissing him slowly, deeply. "I can never get enough of you," Elijah whispered, his voice low and thick with emotion. Vanessa smiled, a soft laugh escaping her lips. "And you never will." She pulled him closer, her hands exploring his body, feeling the familiar strength and warmth of him. Their lips met again, this time more urgently, and Elijah rolled over her, his body pressing her into the soft sheets. Their bo
Chapter Three Hundred And Twenty Eight The flames from the fire had long since died down, but the warmth lingered in the air. Elijah stood on the balcony of the rebuilt estate, his gaze fixed on the horizon. The war was over, at least for now. The family legacy was safe, but the scars ran deep. He had gone from being a nobody, a broke son-in-law, to a man standing at the head of one of the most powerful families in the country.Henry walked out onto the balcony, joining him. His steps were slow, still heavy from the weight of everything they had endured."Hard to believe it's over," Henry said, leaning on the railing beside Elijah.Elijah nodded but said nothing. His mind was racing, his heart still burdened. He had done what he had to for the family. But something was still eating away at him, something deep that refused to let go."You did it, Elijah," Henry continued, trying to offer some comfort. "You’ve proven yourself. You went from being the guy no one believed in to the man w
Chapter Three Hundred and Twenty-Seven Henry looked at Elijah, his face pale. "Our father," he whispered. "This isn’t just about us. They’re going after our family’s legacy." Elijah's heart pounded as he tried to process the information. The brothers' father, a former mafia boss who had turned legitimate, held the key to a vast network of power and influence. If Vincent and his allies gained control, it would mean disaster not only for their family but for countless innocents entangled in the web of corruption. "We have to warn him," Elijah said, urgency in his voice. "We need to get to him before they do." The brothers mobilized their team, arranging a secure transport to their father's secluded estate. As they traveled, Elijah could see the tension in Henry’s face, the weight of their family’s legacy pressing down on him. Arriving at the estate, they were met by their father's loyal guards, who ushered them inside. Their father, a tall, imposing man with a stern expression,
Chapter Three Hundred And Twenty Six## Chapter Three Hundred and Twenty-SixThe brothers left the press conference, the weight of the revelations heavy on their shoulders. The drive back to their headquarters was tense, both men deep in thought about their next move. Elijah, behind the wheel, kept stealing glances at Henry, who was lost in his own world, staring out the window."We need to be ready for anything," Elijah finally broke the silence, his voice resolute. "This changes the game completely."Henry nodded slowly, turning to face his brother. "We need to find out how deep this corruption goes. We can't trust anyone except ourselves."As they pulled into the underground garage of their headquarters, their security team greeted them with somber faces. The atmosphere was thick with tension, everyone on edge after the morning's events.Inside the office, they were met by Marco, who had been working tirelessly to gather more intelligence. "We've got a new lead," he said, handing H
Chapter Three Hundred And Twenty Five The brothers had anticipated retaliation, but nothing could have prepared them for the storm that was about to hit. It started with subtle threats, shadowy figures lurking around their new business premises, and strange calls in the dead of night. Yet, the true horror unfolded on a fateful morning when their company’s stock plummeted without warning.Elijah stared at the stock market ticker, disbelief washing over him. "We’re losing millions," he muttered, his voice thick with tension. "Someone is sabotaging us."Henry paced the office, his mind racing. "It’s the mafia. They’re hitting us where it hurts."Their tech company had risen to prominence, hailed for its innovative solutions and ethical practices. Now, the mafia was crippling their financial stability, a silent war fought in the shadows of the corporate world.That night, as Elijah and Henry strategized their next move, the tranquility of their office was shattered by the sound of gunfir
Chapter Three Hundred And Twenty Four The realization hit like a freight train. The figure standing before them was someone they had never suspected. The informant's words echoed in their minds as the man revealed himself."I see you’re both surprised," the figure said, stepping into the light. It was Vincent Caruso, a high-ranking official who had been a close family friend for years."Vincent?" Elijah's voice trembled with shock. "Why would you do this?"Vincent's smile was cold, devoid of any warmth. "Because power is everything, Elijah. And you and Henry were becoming a threat to the balance I’ve worked so hard to maintain."Henry's blood boiled. "You set us up, manipulated us, and now you’re telling us this was all about power?"Vincent nodded, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "Precisely. You see, Elijah, you were too influential, your business dealings too clean. And Henry, with his criminal connections, was the perfect pawn. Pitting you against each other kept you both occ
Chapter Three Hundred And Twenty Three Elijah and Henry sat in the back of the detective's car, a suffocating silence enveloping them. Henry's mind raced, the conflicting emotions tearing him apart. He had been prepared to kill his brother, but the revelation of Elijah's supposed betrayal shattered his newfound resolve. The car's headlights pierced through the darkness, the rain pelting against the windows like the pounding of Henry's heart.At the police station, they were separated for questioning. Henry sat in a small, dimly lit room, his mind spiraling into chaos. He couldn’t believe that after everything, he might have been manipulated once more. Detective Harris entered, carrying a thick file, and sat across from Henry."Tell me everything you know about Elijah's activities," Harris demanded, his eyes boring into Henry.Henry took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. "I don't know anything about Elijah being involved in criminal activities. I thought he was trying to help m
Chapter Three Hundred And Twenty TwoHenry's heart raced as he stood in front of Elijah. Each interaction drew him closer to the moment he had envisioned for years. Every time they spoke, Henry's resolve hardened, yet a part of him struggled with the hatred that had consumed his life.At the party, Elijah seemed oblivious to the storm brewing beneath Henry’s calm facade. They danced, laughed, and mingled with guests. Henry's eyes never left Elijah, the target of his deep-seated vengeance.Days turned into weeks, and Henry, now known as Vanessa, integrated seamlessly into Elijah's life. He became Elijah's confidante, learning his deepest secrets, his weaknesses, and his fears. Elijah trusted Vanessa implicitly, unaware of the peril lurking within.One night, as they sat in Elijah's luxurious penthouse, sipping wine, Elijah opened up about his past. "You know, Vanessa, I've had a complicated relationship with my brother, Henry," he said, his voice tinged with sadness. "We grew up togeth
Chapter Three Hundred And Twenty One Elijah paced the floor of his office, his mind racing with thoughts of Henry. The detective's visit had stirred up a storm within him. He tried to focus on the tasks at hand, but the news of Henry being alive gnawed at him.A few hours later, there was another knock at the door. It was Detective Harris again."Come in," Elijah said, trying to mask his frustration.Detective Harris stepped inside, holding another file. "Mr. Elijah, we've discovered more about your brother."Elijah's heart pounded in his chest. "What is it now?""Henry has been evading us for years," Harris said, opening the file. "He managed to get away with a lot of criminal activity because he kept changing his face. He had the help of a plastic surgeon in Dubai."Elijah sat down heavily in his chair, absorbing the information. "How can we catch him?""It's going to be hard," the detective said, shaking his head. "He keeps changing his face. It's like chasing a ghost."Elijah cle