Rise and shine

Chapter 3.

Tom's POV:

Rushing down the staircase, my steps echoed with a sense of urgency as I eagerly reached for the car door, a tangible symbol of my current station.

With impeccable poise, he gracefully alighted from the vehicle, effortlessly gliding into his surroundings.

In a gesture of trust, he handed me a stack of files to hold, and together, we ventured into the company premises, my presence subtly shadowing his every move.

Whispers danced through the air as we made our entrance, their purposeful volume exposing their intention to be heard.

"Have you heard? He's been reduced to nothing more than a mere driver," one staff member declared, ensuring their words reached my ears.

The subsequent murmurs cascaded like a waterfall, each drop laden with judgments and opinions.

"Just a parasite," a voice sneered, venom dripping from each syllable.

The atmosphere grew heavy with disdain, suffocating the space we occupied.

"Stay nearby," he instructed, his voice laced with authority, and obediently, I positioned myself a step behind, silently accepting my role in this new dynamic.

As the morning greetings commenced, I turned around only to find Max unexpectedly before me.

"Good morning," he greeted, his words carrying a hint of familiarity.

My emotions betrayed me, and in a barely audible mutter, "You... how could you do that?" I stammered.

Max's response was sharp, a weapon honed with bitterness and condescension.

"Because you were never destined for that position. It was never meant for someone of your standing," he retorted, the weight of his words hanging heavily in the air.

Frustration and confusion mingled within me, and I dared to question the metamorphosis that had taken place within him.

"Why did you change? What has become of all those years?"

His scoff held a wealth of disillusionment, each note echoing with cynicism.

"All those years," he jeered, his tone dripping with derision, "have taught me that for one person to succeed, another must falter. How could you have invested in such a foolhardy venture?".

I stood my ground, fortified by the knowledge I had acquired.

"I conducted my research, and I know that the two of you are behind it," I asserted.

With a dismissive tap on my shoulder, he casually remarked, "Driving suits you well," before striding away, leaving me to digest his callous departure.

The intrusive ring of my phone disrupted the silent turmoil, and glancing at the caller ID, I saw Araina's name flashing on the screen.

Reluctantly, I answered the call, bracing myself for the tumultuous conversation that awaited.

"I wish you would just leave," Araina pleaded, her eyes brimming with a fiery mixture of pain and frustration.

"And go where? Where do you expect me and our son to seek accommodation? I have no other place to turn, Araina," I responded, my voice heavy with the weight of our circumstances.

A glimmer of hope flickered in her eyes as she offered, "I can provide you with enough financial support to purchase a house."

Rejecting her offer, I sighed deeply, my heart burdened by the remnants of shattered trust.

"No, I do not want that. And why must he be my friend, Araina? He was my closest confidant," I lamented, tears lingering on the precipice of my eyes.

"Because... he is simply better than you," she declared, her words like a lash, leaving a stinging imprint on my wounded pride.

"F*** you," I cursed, anger consuming me, the intensity of my emotions propelling me out of her car with forceful determination.

Seeking refuge in the sanctuary of the company's reception area, I became acutely aware of the lingering gazes and stifled laughter from the staff, their assumptions unfounded, yet gossip flourishing like wildfire.

They knew nothing of my struggles; they merely speculated and whispered, forming their own distorted narratives.

The weight of their judgment pressed heavily upon my shoulders.

After what seemed like an eternity, Mr. Ray emerged from his office, marking a momentary respite from the suffocating environment. Acting on instinct, I swiftly rose to my feet, eager to assist him, my hands reaching out to open the car door with a practiced grace.

"Where are we headed, sir?" I inquired, my tone polished with professionalism, though turmoil churned within me.

"Home, naturally," he replied nonchalantly, his noncommittal response sparking a blaze of frustration within me. In an impulsive surge of emotion,

I vented my suppressed feelings by kicking the car, an outburst that released a fraction of the pent-up turmoil within.

Perhaps this raw expression was an unmasking of my true self—a mere driver, a role I had been unexpectedly thrust into.

Eventually, we arrived at our destination, and with a casual command, Mr. Ray dismissed me, granting me the freedom to explore my surroundings.

Yet his words held a thread of warning, reminding me of the tenuous nature of my newfound position.

"Go wherever you please, but ensure your phone is always within reach. If I cannot reach you even once, consider yourself terminated," he cautioned, his words echoing in my ears as he disappeared into the depths of the house, leaving me alone at the entrance.

Aiden's voice pierced through the solitude, taunting me with his words.

"Look at where your choices have led you, Mr. Smart."

Summoning my courage, I confronted him, my accusation seething with the weight of betrayal. "I know you are the orchestrator of this chaos," I declared, my voice firm and resolute.

Without hesitation, Aiden confirmed his role in the intricately woven web of deceit.

"Yes, it was me, and rest assured, I have more in store. Did you honestly believe you could transform into an overnight billionaire with that investment? You only succeeded in making a mockery of yourself," he jeered, relishing in his perceived triumph.

Anguish and betrayal intertwined within me as I confronted him, my voice laced with a mix of anger and disbelief. "You knew about my partnership with Mr. Boyd, and you exploited his weaknesses to turn him against me."

He responded nonchalantly, "Yes, and I plan to take further actions." Intrigued by his motives, I shot him a sharp look and inquired, "What do you stand to gain from all of this?"

His response was unexpectedly straightforward, considering his villainous nature. "Because I despise the intensity of your gaze, and you possess a level of intelligence that threatens me," he retorted. It was clear that his straightforwardness was his own weakness.

I scoffed at his words, feeling triumphant. "I've caught you," I declared confidently.

Confused, he questioned, "What do you mean?"

With conviction, I revealed, "I have been aware of your true intentions all along. You deliberately caused me to lose my wealth, aiming to remove me from the family."

He challenged my assertion, arrogantly remarking, "And what difference does that make? No one will believe you."

I smirked and pulled out my phone, preparing to play a recorded conversation. He was taken aback, visibly shocked and attempting to snatch the phone from my grasp. Grinning in satisfaction, I asserted, "Your fate is sealed."

I left him to face Mr. Ray, striding 

 confidently ahead. However, he intercepted my path, halting my progress.

"Please don't tell him. I'll give you money... I'll give you anything you desire," he pleaded, revealing his desperation in this dire situation.

Amused by his vulnerability, I responded, "Anything I desire?" He nodded fervently.

"Very well then, I want you to become my brother-in-law, and I want to reclaim my rightful title," I declared.

He shot me a cold, disdainful look.

"You lack the power to accomplish that. The only one who can make it happen is your father, and I am meeting him."

"What the hell do you want?"

I dismissed his statement, pushing him aside.

"Tom, Tom!" he called after me, desperately chasing my retreating figure. I quickened my pace, heading towards the room where Mr. Ray sat, sipping his tea.

"Father—" I began, but he swiftly interrupted me. "Don't call me that again, as I've already told you," he sternly warned.

"Dad... don't believe him," Aiden, the betrayer, pleaded.

"I told you that I conducted thorough research before investing. I did my due diligence," I asserted.

"But you lost all the money," he pointed out.

"That happened because of Aiden, your son. He compromised me, he compromised the entire company," I explained, revealing the truth.

"Dad—" Aiden attempted to interject, only to be cut off as Mr. Ray raised his hand, silencing him.

"Any evidence to support your claims?" Mr. Ray inquired, prompting me to play the voice recording. The room fell into a heavy silence, even after the recording had ceased playing.

"You despicable scoundrel!" Mr. Ray erupted in anger, directing his rage at Aiden.

Overwhelmed by guilt, Aiden immediately dropped to his knees. "It's not what you think," he stammered.

"Then what is it?" Mr. Ray retorted, taking a step closer to his wayward son. His voice grew more menacing as he continued, "You have disappointed me, you insufferable brat!"

With an outstretched hand, he intended to deliver a punishing slap, but instead, his strike landed forcefully on my cheek.

"You conniving little shit! You seek to destroy this family," Mr. Ray seethed with rage. I held my stinging cheek in dismay, witnessing the horrifying turn of events unfold before me.

"Do you believe that such actions would make me reconsider? No, never. You pitiful excuse for a human being," Mr. Ray proclaimed, his words filled with disgust. All I could do was watch, horrified and powerless.

"Now, leave this house and ensure I never lay eyes on you and your son again," he commanded, leaving no room for negotiation. There was no room for begging this time; I had no choice but to depart, forced to leave behind the life I once knew.