If Alex wasn't mistaken, the face in the ID card was that of his boss’s assistant.
Immediately, he was filled with rage when he realized the betrayal that his boss had organized. However, he couldn't go back to the Emrand Enterprise at the moment, because he was out of time. Instead he rushed to the hospital to plead with the doctors not to discharge his sister and give some more time. But when he arrived at the hospital, Leah was lying weakly on a bench outside of the hospital, her face pale. She had been discharged and abandoned there. Alex's heart ached at the sight of his beloved sister, abandoned and vulnerable. He knelt beside her, gently shaking her shoulder to wake her up. "Leah, Leah, wake up," he whispered urgently. Leah stirred, opening her eyes slowly and looking up at her brother with a weak smile. "Alex, you're back," she mumbled. "Leah, why are you out here? You should be inside, resting," Alex asked. Leah looked down, her eyes filled with tears. "The doctors threw me out, Alex. They said they needed the bed for someone who could pay," she whispered. Alex's blood boiled with rage as he stood up and stormed into the hospital, his fists clenched at his sides. He demanded to see the Chief Doctor, his voice loud and filled with fury. "How could you do this? How could you throw my sister out like she's nothing?" Alex yelled, his eyes blazing with anger. The Chief Doctor, a tall and imposing figure, looked down at Alex with a cold expression. "We have limited resources, We must prioritize those who can pay for their treatment," he said arrogantly. Alex felt a surge of frustration and despair as he pleaded with the Chief Doctor for more time to come up with the money for Leah's operation. He explained how he had been attacked by robbers and had lost the money he had saved for her treatment, but his words fell on deaf ears. "We can't make exceptions. I'm sorry, but your sister will have to wait," the Chief Doctor said as he turned to leave. Tears welled up in Alex's eyes as he furiously pointed at the doctor. “ You are a very heartless man. Don't you have a daughter? No, I don't think you are capable of raising a child, because you don't have any compassion.” He yelled out. “I think it's time for you to leave before I ask my security to throw you out.” The doctor said in a threatening tone. He clearly looked pissed by Alex's words. Alex went out of the hospital, his heart filled with sorrow. He sat beside Leah, holding his head in frustration as he wondered what he would do next. He could only hope for a miracle. All of a sudden, the moment was changed by the distant rumble of engines, growing louder as they approached. a long convoy of black SUVs parked in front of the hospital, and the doors swung open in unison. A man in a crisp suit stepped out, his movements precise and practiced. He scanned the area until his gaze landed on Alex. The gentleman, around his late forties, took slow and majestic steps towards Alex, before stopping in front of him. He bowed his head and said, “Young Master, we have finally found you…” Alex recognized the man instantly. “Pete?” He stood up, a mix of disbelief and irritation flickering across his face. “What are you doing here?” Pete straightened, a faint smile breaking the tension. “It’s good to see you, Alex. I've been searching for you since you and Leah disappeared from Italy years ago.” Leah shot Alex a curious glance, feeling the tension in the air shift. “What’s going on big brother?” “Your father,” Pete said, his tone grave, “still wants you back.” “Why now?” Alex crossed his arms, defensiveness mixing with his voice. “I left all that behind.” “We saw the video, Alex,” Pete said, his eyes narrowing slightly. “The one of your fight with Blake. It went viral. Your father had concerns—” “Concerns?” Alex scoffed. “About what? That I was actually happy?” “About your safety,” Pete corrected, his voice firm. “He doesn’t understand why you left, but he hasn’t stopped looking for you. He’s worried.” “Worried? After everything?” Alex’s voice raised in anger. “I’m not some lost puppy for him to come looking for. I’m not going back.” “Please listen,” Pete continued, stepping closer. “It’s not just your safety. Your father has transferred everything in the Hawthorne empire to your name. All you need to do is sign the papers.” Alex blinked, the weight of those words settling on his shoulders like a lead blanket. “What? Why would he do that?” “Because he believes you’re the only one capable of turning things around,” Pete explained, his eyes earnest. “He wants to ensure the legacy continues, and he believes you can do it.” Leah’s brow furrowed, glancing between the two men in confusion, but she was too weak to act. As Alex was thinking about everything, Pete noticed Leah's condition. “What about your sister, Alex? Is she okay?” The mention of his sister brought a sharp pang to Alex’s heart. “Her condition… it’s getting worse,” he admitted quietly, his courage slipping away. “But I can’t just go back and take over something I despise.” “Sometimes, we do things we don’t want for the people we love,” Pete said gently. “If signing means you can secure her future or get her the help she needs, wouldn’t that matter more?” Alex turned away, running a hand through his hair in frustration. “But it’s his empire! I hate that world. The politics, the backstabbing and the death… it’s everything I wanted to escape!” “And yet,” Pete pressed, “you might be able to change it from the inside. You can decide how you want to run things. You have the power now.” “That’s if I even want the power,” Alex shot back, pacing like a caged animal. “What if I ruin everything? What if I become like him?” “Then you learn, and change.” Pete countered. “But you can’t do it out here. You have to go back to face it.” “Why did you even come after me?” Alex demanded, stopping in front of Pete, frustration etched on his face. “Why not just let me be?” “Because I promised your father I’d bring you back. I gave him my word,” Pete replied. “And because I know who you are beneath all this anger. You care about your sister. You care about what’s right.” “I care about not being suffocated by a legacy I don’t want! I don't want to end up like my father!” Alex shouted, his voice breaking slightly. “Alex, this is not the time to think about yourself, if signing those papers will help get your sister the best medical care, wouldn’t it be worth it? You could still be… you, even in that world.” Alex turned and looked at Leah, his heart sinking at the thought. There was silence for a while, filled with unspoken thoughts, as the reality of the situation washed over Alex, and he felt the suffocating weight of responsibility stir within him. “Look,” Pete continued, breaking the silence. “The decision is yours at the end of the day. I’m just here to help facilitate, to ensure you have what you need and understand the implications.” “I don’t want to make this choice,” Alex said finally, his voice nearly a whisper. “I want to live my own life.” “I understand,” Pete nodded slowly, his expression softening. “But life sometimes thrusts these choices upon us. If you decide to sign, it’s your way of taking control of a situation rather than letting it control you.” Alex closed his eyes for a moment, battling the storm of emotions within him. At last, he exhaled deeply. “Let me see the papers.” “Are you sure big brother?” Leah asked softly, her voice filled with concern. “I’m doing this for you, Leah,” Alex replied, a fierce look in his eye. “For your future. I’ll always fight for you.” As Pete produced the documents, Alex felt heavy yet determined. He was stepping into a world that threatened to consume him, but with Leah’s future hanging in the balance, he knew he had to face whatever came next. “Let’s get this over with and go treat my sister,” Alex said, his voice steadier now. little did he know what the doctor would do.After Alex had signed the papers, he asked Peter to get the Chief Doctor of the hospital, and instruct him to start the operation on Leah immediately.“Excuse me! Where’s the Chief Doctor?” Pete called out to a passing nurse, who gave him a bewildered look before pointing him toward the doctor's office.Pete rushed to the Chief Doctor's office, one of his men following behind him with a suitcase filled with three million dollars for the operation, and Alex followed closely with Leah on his back.They stepped into the Chief doctor’s office, where the man himself was poring over charts with his assistant. He glanced up, his brow furrowing as he noticed the tension in the room.“Greetings Mr Chief Doctor. I understand that three million is needed to begin the operation for Leah here. We have the money here in cash. Pete said, nodding to his man to open the case filled with the money.“I will appreciate it if you commence with the operation immediately.” Pete added.The Chief doctor leane
“Is she okay?” Was the first question which Alex asked the moment his gaze fell upon the nurse. The nurse remained silent and kept a straight face as she kept walking towards Alex and Pete. When she was close enough, she halted and looked at the two men. “ Which one of you is closely related to the girl?” She asked. “Me!” Alex replied. “Please come with me.” She said as she turned to leave. “What's going on?” Pete asked trying to follow the duo. “Not you, him only!” The nurse said to Pete as she led Alex away into another room. “Well… at least tell me what's going on!” Pete shouted to deaf ears. When Alex was seated, the nurse stared at him with eyes that seemed as if she could see his soul. “Your sister…” she started, but paused. “Yes, what about my sister?” Alex anxiously asked. “ Well…Your sister is fine… she is now resting. You'll be able to meet her after 60 minutes.” The nurse disclosed. Alex breathe a sigh of relief, “ oh thank God.” He smiled with joy. “But you,
After a brief drive, Alex and Pete reached the Emrand Enterprise. Alex had explained everything that happened, and Pete was looking really pissed.As they entered the giant building, they stepped into the lobby, where the reception desk was empty apart from an anxious intern who glanced up nervously. “Where’s your manager?” Pete asked her.“Uh, he’s in his office… I think?” she stuttered.They both strode towards the office, where the manager, Mr Rogers, sat behind his desk, a smug smile plastered across his face.“Well, well. If it isn’t my little part-timer. What do you want, Alex? I’m a little busy.” “Oh, I’m sure you are. Busy plotting another heist, I assume?” Rogers couldn't help but laugh out loudly. “Plotting a heist? Have you lost your brain?” “Oh, don't play dumb with me, I know what you did. You gave me a loan, and collected My ring as collateral, then you went ahead to send your men to steal back the money despite the fact that I told you about my sister's condition.
“I thought I was being paranoid when I noticed them flirting, but—” Alex shook his head in grief.“ Hmm… I can’t believe you got kicked out for such a reason, I sense foul play here.” Pete said, while adjusting his glasses.His brow furrowed. “So what about Blake? He’s the one who instigated everything!”“I know!” Alex sighed. “But his dad is a third class rich man. His family has money and connections. I believe all these aspects helped the dean to make such a biased decision.” “Well, that’s absurd!” Pete exclaimed. “You can’t let them get away with this. You are a Hawthorne, and you deserve some respect. I’ll take care of it.” he reassured Alex.Alex looked at him, appreciation in his eyes. “You don’t have to do anything too rash Pete. I am just tired of fighting. That is the reason I left Italy. All I've ever wanted was a simple and peaceful life for Leah and I.”“As you say, Young Master. I will try my best not to make any rash decision, but rest assured, you will be reinstated i
Alexander raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes."Who's the thief between us, Blake?" he countered. "A thief is someone who takes something that doesn't belong to him."Blake's expression darkened. "What are you talking about?""You know exactly what I'm talking about," Alexander replied, his voice low and even. "You took Bianca from me.”“ Or should I say, she left you for me?" Blake asked mockingly.Alexander stood there unaffected.Blake snorted. "She made her decision to leave trash like you for someone better."Alexander's eyes narrowed, but he kept his cool."You think Bianca won't leave you for someone richer, more powerful?" Alexander asked, his tone laced with sarcasm. "You're not exactly the catch of the century, Blake."Blake's face reddened. "I'll marry Bianca, no matter what. And as for you, you're no longer welcome here. You're expelled. I'll make sure the administration knows you're trespassing."Alexander chuckled. "Go ahead, call them. I dare you.
Alex was running against time as he rushed towards the boys’s dormitory. The doctor made it clear that his lil sister's condition had gotten critical, and at least a million was needed to begin with the operation. Alex couldn't come up with such an amount of money, on such a notice. Even the salary from his part-time job couldn't pay that amount, even if he worked for two years. He believed that the only person that could assist him with some funds was his best friend, Blake,who was from a third class rich family. He had been trying to reach Blake through the phone, but Blake wasn't picking up his calls, nor replying to his messages, so Alex had no choice but to run as fast as he could, to school, and then to Blake's personal dorm apartment. He quickly passed by the first dorm building which was made up of large single rooms which contained at least two students with poor backgrounds, per room. Then he headed to the second building which was more fancier, and made up of several a
The two followed Mr Ambrose to his office. As they entered nervously, Mr. Ambrose motioned for them to take a seat.Mr Ambrose stared at both of them for a while, “ Okay, Alexander and Blake. I've brought you here to listen to both sides of the story. Blake, would you like to start and explain what happened?" He said, Breaking the silence.Blake, with a look of determination, launched into his version of events, detailing how Alex had allegedly caused harm to him for a minor issue.After Blake was done, Mr. Ambrose, with a thoughtful expression, nodded and turned towards Alex. “ Alex, it's your turn now. Please share your side of the story."Alex, with a mixture of nervousness and sincerity, recounted the events from his perspective, emphasizing that it was a moment of misunderstanding and unintended consequences. "Mr. Ambrose, I deeply regret my actions and I am willing to accept any consequences." He said sincerely.“Hmm I see,” Mr Ambrose nodded thoughtfully, he noticed that Alex
Out of all the options, Alex could only think of one place to go, and that was his boss, Mr Rogers, who was the general manager of Emrand Enterprise. He couldn't go to the bank because he didn't possess any property that was valuable enough to serve as loan collateral. He had been working hard as a part time worker, under the supervision of Mr Rogers, so he was hoping that Mr Rogers would be kind enough to lend him the money.As he arrived at the enormous building of the Emrand Enterprise, he headed straight to Mr Roger's office.The closer he got to the office, the more nervous he became. He finally stopped in front of the closed door, and paused.He glanced at his watch, anxiety taking over his insides as he realized how every passing second was crucial. Finally mustering up the courage, Alex knocked on the door and entered as soon as he heard Mr. Rogers' commanding voice granting him permission.As soon as he got inside, he laid out his plea. "Mr. Rogers, I need to talk to you a