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2024-10-29 19:42:56If there was one thing Arthur regretted in his life at the moment, that was crossing paths with Claire and falling head over heels in love with and dating her then marrying her.
The only thing he felt was pure hatred for the woman he had thought he would love for a lifetime till death.Before he met her, his regrets were being born to his parents. They abandoned him so he hated them. He had always wished he had different parents, parents who would be proud to have a child like him and show him to the world, not parents like his who were ashamed to show him to the entire world.Now the hatred had been transferred to Claire.As he limped home with his eyes almost closed shut from the stinging pain, a car sped past him making the pond of water on the street of his home splash on his already dirty trousers.He had only changed his shirt this morning while he was in a hurry to get home. He didn't change his pants which he had worn since the day before. Arthur stopped walking, and stared at his pants before shaking his head, feeling sorry for himself.If only he wasn't born this way. He continued his trip home. His house was just a few distance away. He struggled to hurry home so he could sleep it off, perhaps by the time he was awake, everything would turn into a nightmare.A distance away from his apartment, the same speeding car from earlier made its way back to him. At first, Arthur thought he was imagining things because of how small his eyes had become as a result of the pain he was feeling. But when he blinked once and twice and the car was truly coming towards him, Arthur instinctively turned back and began to race with all his strength.His heart was thumping wildly within his ribcage. When he looked back, the car was on his heels. Arthur tried to increase his pace all to no avail.He was too weak.His steps faltered and he almost fell to the ground. He continued to run, looking back at intervals to note the distance between him and the car.Terror fills his insides.Then dread gnawed at his stomach at the thought of death.He knew who was responsible for this. It was none other than Claire. He knew instantly that he married a devil, not an angel.Claire was a sheep in human clothing.This was a way of getting revenge for calling her a bitch. He knew that. He knew the kind of person she was but he was too mad to stop himself from calling her that.She deserved that but it was at the expense of his life.Arthur's foot hit something which got him crashing to the floor with a thud. When he remembered the car, he turned around, his strength failing him. He was unable to get back on his feet so he crawled.He noticed he was being watched by people but he didn't care. Nobody would save him. He needed to run for his dear life.When the car approached threatening again, he made an effort to shoot to his feet but nothing was working. He kept crawling backwards until the car increased its speed which got Arthur screaming out his lungs in extreme fear.As the car geared its head towards him, he continued screaming until he passed out.
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THE RISE OF THE SECRET HEIR CHAPTER 4
All he saw was white.White ceilings. White beddings. White human.His body was weak. His head was banging and his heart was broken. The emotion was enough to remind him that he was still among the living. However, he couldn't explain why the person looking over him looked so white like a fairy.He had a white beard too with white hair.Arthur shut his eyes and opened them right back to see the same man peering at him with curiosity. He closed his eyes again to be sure he wasn't really dead and he wasn't in heaven.“Arthur?” A voice reached out to him, making him flicker his eyes back open. It was the same man but his face wasn't white. His beard and hair were still white but his face wasn't. The old man was smiling down at him like a father would smile at a son who had made him so proud.“Wh…where…am..I?” He was surprised at his voice. It sounded weak and strange to his ears. The memories came rushing; he was beaten, forced to divorce his wife and fired from work. Then he was chas
THE RISE OF THE SECRET HEIR CHAPTER 5
He had no idea how long he had been asleep. The first thing he saw when he flickered his eyes open was the white beard of the man from earlier.He was peering down at him.He was still there even after Arthur had told him to leave.The guard too was present. Arthur could see him as soon as he turned his face to the side. He was standing outside now but Arthur could see him from the half-transparent door.“I see you are awake, your Father wants to talk to you”, he said eagerly, stretching a phone at him.Arthur glared at the phone for a while before shifting his gaze to the old man.His grand-uncle.Does this mean everything is true? Is that why this man is still here? He asked within him.A part of him wanted to grab the phone and glue it to his ear to hear the voice of the man who birthed him. Another part of him wanted to remain anonymous to the man he had hated all his life.He didn't know what to do. Whether to forgive and accept this new life or refuse to be used.That was what h
THE RISE OF THE SECRET HEIR CHAPTER 6
He stood before the tall mansion with his mouth agape. He was trying to let the reality of it all sink in deeply.Aside from how mighty it was from the outside, the outer decor was out of the world. It looked like those huge palaces from the Italian Renaissance, reminding him of the study of antiquities which he used to have an interest in.“Your father is waiting, Arthur. Let's go in”, Derrick nudged his arm, flashing him one of his regular smiles.Arthur closed his mouth and nodded in response before trudging behind his granduncle.Arthur was walking carefully, stepping on the ground one at a time until he was at the front door which was thrown open from inside by the butler.The butler, Henrico, bowed to them. “Welcome home, Prince Arthur.”Forgetting for a second that he was the Prince being referred to, he finally closed his agape mouth and nodded at the butler, completely clueless about how to respond.When he turned to his uncle for a clue, the old man just looked away with a b
THE RISE OF THE SECRET HEIR CHAPTER 7
It was Marianna. The boy-looking woman was also his sister. He was older than her but her physique made him scared. He thought she was the lady of the house.“What the hell are you doing? Arthur is your elder brother.”“So what? We don't know who he is for years and now he makes an appearance. Who knows if he is even an imposter!”“What?!” Diana walked in too standing right beside her sister. Graciela who was seated all along also stood up.“You were here all along yet you allowed him to touch our father? What if he was here to kill him?” Marianna shouted at his sister who jerked backwards in terror.“I am as good as dead. Arthur is my son. Can't you see the resemblance?” The father answered, forcing himself to keep up with the conversation. The three girls were his headache.“You don't look alike, Father. He must be an imposter. We should send him away”, Diana suggested, folding her arms around her bosom. Marianna was still glaring at Arthur.Trying to summon up enough courage, Ar
THE RISE OF THE SECRET HEIR CHAPTER 8
Claire batted her eyelashes in admiration of her new look. She stared down at her beautiful pink-colored manicured nails too. Then back at the mirror to stare at her half-made hair. She was beautiful and she knew it.Her friend, Cecilia was sitting beside her too. She was getting a pedicure while Claire was having her hair done.Cecilia was the one who introduced Claire to her new man, Mark Hendrick, the owner of the newest mine in town. Everyone considered him to be rich.“Where is Arthur now?” Cecilia decided to bring the topic up to ruin Claire’s mood. To her, Claire was becoming too pompous and full of herself and Cecilia wanted to remind her of her place.Claire scrunched her face up and in denial, muttered. “I don't know who the hell is that.”Cecilia couldn't help but chuckle. She knew there would be no good insisting on talking about him with her. She decided to change the topic. “Mark would barely let you be with this new look of yours.”That was the kind of topic Claire was
THE RISE OF THE SECRET HEIR CHAPTER 9
Everything happened so fast to Arthur. His situation. His father's funeral. And finally, the reading of the will happening in the large living room of the Craigs.Marianna was sitting on the Golden chair where their father used to sit when he was alive. She seemed to be passing information to everyone including Arthur.She was the first legitimate child of the Craigs. She ought to be the heiress to everything.Arthur was calm. He hadn't fully recovered from the blow of his father's death. He cried for weeks before reality finally kicked in that the man he had just gotten to know was indeed gone, never to be seen again.He was now an orphan just a few days after knowing he wasn't orphaned and his family was alive. He had accepted the bitter-sweet fruit fate had thrown at him.The door opened and the lawyer Arthur met at the funeral two days ago strode in wearing a black suit with a briefcase dangling beside him.Everyone adjusted in their seats in anticipation except Arthur. He was le
THE RISE OF THE SECRET HEIR CHAPTER 10
Marianna was boiling in rage as she shouted at her sister to apologize to Arthur who couldn't believe his ears.The defiant Diana had tears streaming down her eyes as she turned her sad eyes to Arthur who was directly opposite her before saying a loud “sorry” and storming away from the living room.Arthur saw Derrick smiling in pride at what Marianna had done but he didn't want to believe this was for his own good. I didn't want to believe Marianna would give up the fight just like that.She had shown him how fiercely she could be and he wouldn't be deceived by just a mere act like what just happened.There was more to her actions.There was heavy silence now. Everyone wanted to know what Marianna thinks of him coming in to take it all. Still standing, as though she was about to present a speech, she cleared her throat, trying so hard to look less intimidating.“Arthur isn't a stranger. Arthur is our brother and he is home. I won't allow anyone to treat him like a stranger. Our father
THE RISE OF THE SECRET HEIR CHAPTER 11
She burst into tears before Arthur knew it. She slumped into the chair, hugging her body to herself and crying out loudly.Perhaps, she thought it would get to him. She thought her tears would have him do her bidding. But she had no idea how much he had gotten to know of her in just a few days of being there and what he had in stock for every one of them.Anyone who trampled on him would be dealt with. Marianna had taught him to no longer be soft.She wanted to take advantage of him but I wouldn't allow it. Not only her but everyone else.“Arthur, please”, she raised her head and began to beg without shame. “Please take the cheque and leave. Leave and never come back again. We don't want you here. We don't need you here. If I don't put a good word for you before the elders, no one will support you. Just go away!”“No!” He remained in his stance. His reply was firm and full of confidence.She was surprised by the firmness.He was going nowhere. That was his home. The man who died days
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- THE RISE OF THE SECRET HEIR
CHAPTER 50
Maxine’s family was known to throw the biggest parties in society. They were the lords of the hospitality world, owning the biggest hotels and resorts in the country. No one dared to cross them, not even the Qing family. The Maxine’s were the usual Russian family who stuck together and defended their blood to their last breaths. They were respected, feared, accepted, and loved in society. Arthur ran his fingers across the invitation card and threw it into his drawer. He wouldn’t miss this for anything in the world. Maxine’s family was a close acquaintance to his father, but he hadn’t been able to officially see and introduce himself to them. He had gained a lot of enemies, but it would also be nice he had some friends apart from Jim and a few others.He picked up his glass of champagne, strode into his room, and in a few minutes, he was dressed. He dropped instructions with the bodyguard and warned him not to allow Marianna and her sisters into the house. She had been scarce after th
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CHAPTER 49
Mark woke up, feeling tired and hungry. He turned, looking into Claire’s sleepy face, and stroked it. She was even more beautiful asleep. He kissed her and stood up from the bed. He had a series of meetings and a dinner reservation with one of his father’s old clients. They were trying to complete a deal without going through the company’s normal processes.His father wouldn’t approve if he heard about it, but Mark wasn’t bothered. He was tired of eating from the hands of Arthur Craig. He stepped into the shower, thinking about how he was going to get the Qing’s siblings contact from his mother. One way or the other, he was going to get it.An hour later, he was settled at the dining table, watching the housekeeper as she arranged the table. He instructed her to leave and served himself. He wasn’t bothered when she muttered something underneath her breath and walked away. Once the deal was completed with the old client, he was going to move out of his father’s glorious mansion. The di
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CHAPTER 48
Arthur read through the report Uncle Derrick had sent via mail concerning the unknown number that had threatened him days ago. According to the report, it was from a burner phone, and the number couldn’t be traced to anybody living or alive. He threw the report into the trash can, lit a matchstick, and threw it in. He would have to be more careful next time he received such messages. He unlocked a drawer, pulled out a new phone, and switched it on. Uncle Derrick had advised he got a new device and changed his lines to a private one, which will only be reachable by a handful—Uncle Derrick, Jim, his secretary, and trusted contacts. So, if he received disturbing text messages, he could easily trace them.He scrolled through the phone contact list to review the numbers, and after a few minutes, he called a few people and discussed business and contracts. An hour later, he strolled out of the library for lunch. The housekeeper greeted him as he settled to enjoy a quiet lunch alone. He did
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CHAPTER 47
Mark ignored his father’s secretary's raised eyebrow as he barged into his father’s office. He was really angry. How could his father change his mind on Claire’s appointment? His father knew this was the only way he could watch the activities of Claire and ensure she didn’t run off to meet Arthur again. ‘Dad, I thought we agreed that Claire would resume here today? What happened?’ Mark asked, stifling his anger.His father sighed, dropping the tablet he had been engrossed with. ‘It’s not good for the business, Mark. She’s Arthur's ex-wife, and I am not sure Arthur would be happy to see her working here.’Mark chuckled, not believing what his father said. ‘You are afraid of Arthur, Dad? I can’t believe this. We are supposed to be figuring out ways on how to retrieve the company from Arthur, but here you are trying to destroy every plan I have made concerning the move.’‘I still don’t understand how employing Claire here will help your plans. Mark, don’t push this any further. We aren’
- THE RISE OF THE SECRET HEIR
CHAPTER 46
Arthur Craig walked into the conference room slowly, measuring his steps as he thought about the app the company was building to tackle the losses they were currently facing. If he hadn’t been carried away with the activities of his step sisters and the Qing family, he would have known his employees were doing everything to make the CEO’s job a difficult and frustrating one. He nodded at the few managers who could muster the courage to greet him and settled at the head of the table. He nodded at Uncle Derrick to start the meeting while he fell into his chair to listen. A few members were given termination letters, while others received severe warnings. Uncle Derrick also acknowledged the efforts of everyone and introduced the project plan we had created for the Venus Project. It was a digital project, and we were expected to build a loan app that worked almost like a bank app. Uncle Derrick explained everything, and Arthur chipped in one or two things to clarify certain terms. Some
- THE RISE OF THE SECRET HEIR
CHAPTER 45
Claire read the message again and screamed, resisting the urge to throw her phone. How could Arthur send this to her and block her number? He was literally laughing at her embarrassment at that pathetic fundraising ball. Her eyes burned with rage and hate when she remembered everything that happened. The manager of the store called her a thief when a celebrity modelling agent was about to recruit her to join his firm. She had been so upset that she lost control and called the middle-aged woman all sorts of names.Mark had tried to stop her, but she had lost her control. The manager insulted her family, Mark, and reminded her why Arthur had left her for beauties with brains and self-respect. That last statement had stinged so much, and she jumped on the manager, pulling her hair and giving her slaps. She didn’t care that the photographers, guests, and Mark’s parents were watching her.She adjusted on the couch and placed the ice bag properly on her swollen cheek, which hurt the more af
- THE RISE OF THE SECRET HEIR
CHAPTER 44
Arthur dragged the bag and her into the house. He couldn’t believe she would try again to disobey his orders and steal from him. Uncle Derrick was right after all. He shouldn’t have let his guards down. He pushed her to the chair and dropped the bag on the table. ‘Start talking. Why did you steal my money?’ She glared at him, her smooth hair in disarray. ‘I am not going to answer you, Arthur. It’s our money, not just yours, and I needed it to take care of my personal needs. You reduced my salary and demoted me from my position. My circle doesn’t give me the respect that I want because I am not as rich as I used to be because of you.’ He chuckled. ‘So, you would rather steal from me, huh? I am going to take that job from you so that you can learn a little lesson.’ ‘You wouldn’t do that, Arthur. I am barely able to meet up with my personal needs. I am sorry.’ she said, sniffing a bit. Her hard glare had fallen, but he knew she was lying. No matter how many times he forgave her, sh
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CHAPTER 43
‘Won’t you be attending the fundraising event? Claire and Mark would be there. I am sure you have one or two things to tell them.’ Uncle Derrick said, pouring wine into his almost filled glass.Arthur shook his head, taking his empty space near him. ‘I am not going. The Qing’s family will be coming. Also, the marbles. I can’t walk into a trap when I don’t have a plan. It would be a stupid move.’Uncle Derrick nodded. ‘Alright. Where are your sisters?’He shrugged. ‘Probably at the event. They have been on the low, and I think I like it. Their chaos is disturbing and not good for the company’s image.’‘Your sisters have accepted they can't bully you or make you drop your position as the Craig’s heir. However, you shouldn’t let your guard down. They also have their mother’s blood, and I remember their mother was someone who didn’t give up easily.Arthur looked up. ‘What happened between my dad and their mother? I know she brought an illegitimate son, but is that all to it?’Uncle Derric
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CHAPTER 42
Claire used her card again. It was still saying the same thing. Insufficient funds. How could Mark not fund her card when he knew she was supposed to buy an outfit for the fundraiser event in Washington, D.C.?She smiled at the patient sales attendant and promised to return the outfit later in the day. She wasn’t going to let Mark embarrass her. She boarded a taxi home, and all through the journey, she cursed and regretted ever leaving Arthur. If she had stayed, getting the $8,000 dress wouldn’t have been a problem, but thanks to her taste for a better life, she left him. Now, see where that got her? An unbearable lifestyle with Mark and his parents. It was annoying that they didn’t own Morgan Inc. fully anymore. It was more unfortunate that they had to sell Mark’s home and move into his parents home. Mark had justified his action by saying the money was needed for the new business his father was working on. She had given up on arguing with him. The taxi driver stopped in front of M
