Chapter 26 She stared at Michael with suspicion in her eyes and her jaw clenched. “Where did you steal the dress from? And if you claim that you bought it, then who gave you the money? Or where did you steal the money from?” Her voice was filled with contempt as she asked. The gown she was seeing was an expensive one, so there was nothing anyone was going to say that would convince her. “Didn't you hear what my Mom asked? Where did you steal it from?” Joseph's holler chimed in. He was very sure this worthless brother-in-law of his might have done some mischief just to please his sister. So she could love him as he had wanted. Michael nervously scratched the back of his head, thinking of possible lies to tell them. Straightaway, one seemed to come running into his head. He hardly told lies, but at this point, he knew he had no choice but to lie. Because if he doesn't, the whole family will find out everything about him and he didn't want to reveal himself that way. “No,
Chapter 27 He was shocked to hear that the biggest company had already invited this poor lady in front of him. A lady that wasn't even able to pay their $4,000 loan. He was very sure that the company wasn't for wretched people like the Stephens, and it was certain that people like them wouldn't be allowed in there. But the reverse is the case now because this lady in front of him was telling him the opposite of his thoughts. Being eager to know the place for the first time because of the rumors that he does hear. He asked, “Can I please go with you to the party?” “What do you mean by that?” Michael, who had been standing, couldn't hold himself from asking sharply. Why should another man ask his wife such a question when he knows she has a husband? And it was in his very presence. “You can't go with her, she received nothing but just one invite, right?” He turned his gaze and asked Rose. However, she didn't answer him but she could see true love and jealousy in his eye
Chapter 28 Just as they drove out, Michael sighed before scrutinizing the whole place to make sure no one was coming or seeing him. He brought out his phone and dialed a number and it immediately connected. “Hello, come and pick me up right away.” He said silently and quickly disconnected the call. **** It was 7 pm in the Golden Hall and waiters and waitresses were seen parading around with several kinds of drinks as they fastly and carefully were distributing them to tables. They were all putting on white and black uniforms as it was strictly stated. The aroma of the wines thrived throughout the entire environment. And there were a whole lot of security men that were striding around, making sure everywhere was safe and void of violence. They were also checking the people's invitation letters to make sure a plus one wouldn't enter. The whole hall was filled with different kinds of people who were all dressed in their hundredaires’, thousandaires’, millionaires’, a
Chapter 29She giggled and then added. “He even complimented me. Rose, is this happening?” Her cup of happiness was overflowing at what dawned on her as a dream but it was truly a reality. Suddenly, a deep male voice shouted to her, snapping her out of her thoughts. “Hey, you wife of a wretched man, what are you doing here?”The voice caused her to frown annoyedly. Why would someone have to address her in such a way?She turned and could tell who they were even though they were also wearing masks. She stood up on her feet. While the man, who seemed to be in his early thirties, approached her. And there was a woman beside her. She was his wife. They got closer to her and pulled off the masks on their faces. And Rose did the same. “You? Why are you here and what are you doing here?” Rose asked after seeing Cordelia's and her husband's face.Cordelia burst into laughter. “I should be the one asking you that. What are you doing here? Because I don't see this place being for people lik
Chapter 30 “Alright, sure.” Her tone was sharp as she replied to him. “Please follow me.” He gave her his hand, she hesitated for a while before giving him hers. He held it and they walked away. She was his wife so he didn't see anything wrong with him holding her hand. Her hand was so soft and smooth that made him feel like he was on top of the world. This was his first time touching and holding his wife's hand after being married for years now. She had never allowed him to touch her because of how disgusted she had always seen him to be. The last time he had tried to even her, a tight slap was what he got as a reply. However, Rose didn't feel any bit of connection as Michael held her hand. But all she could notice was the nature and manner he was walking and talking. They finally came to a halt at a particular door entrance and Michael respectfully said. “You first.” He twisted the door open for her to enter inside but she hesitated, feeling uneasy. She was slowly
Chapter 31Instantly, her phone lit up for a message and she brought out her phone and checked. Her mouth opened wide so it became difficult for her to close it back.“$300,000?” Fear instantly gripped her and tears of joy and appreciation began to drop down from her eyes. Remembering how her family had been suffering for years made her son. Before Michael could open his mouth to talk she fell on her knees. Her eyes formed with tears. “Thank you so much, sir. May God bless you abundantly. Thank you, thank you…” Her head was bowed to the ground at his glittered shoes, thanking him endlessly.“That's enough, stop bowing to me as if I'm a God.” Michael glanced down at her and smiled.“No, no, no. Allow me to keep kneeling.” She shook her head. “You don't know how you have changed my life and that of my family's life for good…”“That's enough for now. Please get out.” He extended his hand to her; she hesitated but later gave him her hand, and he helped her to get on her feet.Michael s
Chapter 32Her eyes darted into his’ and she could swear that it was the same eyes of the CEO she had met with a few hours ago, but she quickly waved it off as the thought came.“Where did you get the money that you used in purchasing this dress from?” Her voice sounded serious as she asked.She had expected to be looked down on when she went to the party, but rather, she was highly regarded by prominent women. Adding to it all, the CEO even complimented the dress which then convinced her that it wasn't a replica as she had thought. Michael looked at her and saw the seriousness in her eyes. He knew there would be no kinds of lies that he would give her now that would convince her. He scratched the back of his head nervously as he tried to think of a possible lie to give to her for him to get out of this mess. “Michael, I asked you a question. Where did you get the money from and is this dress truly a replica like you have said?” Rose asked him in a calm and lofty tone. She wanted
Chapter 33“Where did you go last night and why are these things still here?” He yelled at him and walked to where he was, giving him a sound slap.Michael screamed hard and held onto where he was slapped. This was the hardest slap he had ever received in his entire life.His face was faced to the ground after the slap landed on his face. His face reddened in rage as he painfully lifted it and looked at Stephen. He wanted to hit this man back if not because he was his father-in-law and also because he was advanced in age.Slowly, his eyes landed on Rose who shook her head in pity. Then to Joseph, Fred, and his mother-in-law, who were all nodding their heads in satisfaction as they let out a light giggle.The last person his eyes met with was Grandma Isabella and he saw the angry look on her face at what her son did to him.“Don't you know that it's your duty to pack the dirty plates to wash them once we're done eating?” Stephen continued in a seethed voice.However, Michael became fu