2024-12-18 02:51:57The small box was a pitch-black, old-looking cracked wooden box that looked cheap. Had Simon given that gift in front of all the guests at the birthday celebration, it would have been a huge embarrassment to the Katherine family. That’s why Mrs. Katherine refused the gift.
Simon was silent when Mrs. Katherine rejected the gift he was about to present. Simon felt so embarrassed that he had to put his head down as he held his gift in his hands. “Keep the gift. What kind of gift can a poor man like yourself give me?” Mrs. Katherine looked at Simon with disgust. “I’ll only accept that gift of yours if it’s expensive, but obviously, it isn’t. If it isn’t as expensive as Kev’s gift, hold it and don’t embarrass me and the Katherine family, you poor idiot.” Mrs. Katherine’s perfectly doe-like eyes gleamed as she spat out her harsh words at him. “Hahaha!” Everyone present at the event burst into a serious fit of laughter after Mrs. Katherine spoke. Simon was annoyed and furious at all their words because he had spent three weeks without getting much sleep carving this wooden Buddha statue for the matriarch of the Katherine family. But alas, the matriarch didn’t even bother to check what was in the gift box. Simon held back because he was already used to all this. It’s fine, as long as he still has Ash. The love of his life. The best thing that has happened to him since he lost his parents was meeting Ash. After the birthday celebrations were over, Simon and Ash went back to their room. “Ash, it’s a new week already, and you haven’t given me my allowance for the week. Don’t forget about it because I really need it to pay for my foster mother’s hospital bills at the old people’s shed,” Simon said to Ash as she was wiping off her makeup. Ash looked up and stopped applying her night care routine. She added, “I really thought you would be really downcast and in a bad mood for a long while after all that had happened with my family earlier. But then, this is not your first time. "You’ve really grown a tough skin. I hope you don’t take those words to heart. They were said for your own benefit. Everyone wants the best for you.” Regarding the allowance, Ash chuckled and continued, “Just because of $100, you couldn’t even let me finish my night care routine.” Ash reached into her purse, opened it, and gave Simon a $100 bill. But as she was about to give it to him, her hands suddenly shook, and the money fell to the ground. Ash then said in a fake sympathetic voice, “I’m so sorry that the money slipped off my hands.” Simon said, “It’s fine.” He then picked up the money and headed to the living room where he slept. The next morning, Simon hurriedly went to his foster mother’s hospital. On arriving at the hospital, the middle-aged receptionist, Ms. Vee, greeted him with a warm smile. “Hi, Mr. Simon. Here to see your mother?” Simon nodded, his voice low. “Yeah, and I came to settle her hospital bills. I really appreciate you not… ousting her yet, Ms. Vee. Thank you for being patient with me while I raised the money.” Ms. Vee’s smile softened, her eyes filled with sympathy. “It’s no issue. You have a wonderful mother, Mr. Simon. But…” Her tone shifted, becoming more serious. “There’s something important we need to discuss.” Simon felt a cold dread creeping up his spine as Ms. Vee continued. “Your mother is suffering from chronic kidney failure,” she said gently. “She needs a new kidney transplant as soon as possible, along with continuous medication. The insurance doesn’t cover everything, and the procedure costs $100,000.” Simon inhaled sharply, his hands clutching his head. He felt the familiar sting of helplessness, but he forced himself to stay composed. “I understand. I’ll try my best to raise the money. She’s still doing okay with the medication, right?” Ms. Vee nodded. “Yes, she is. But time is running out.” Simon thanked her quietly and asked, “Can I see her now?” “She’s resting,” Ms. Vee replied, her voice soft. “Better to let her sleep.” With a heavy sigh, Simon said a silent farewell to his mother and walked out of the hospital, lost in thought. His mind was still on the news—how would he ever come up with that kind of money? He barely had enough to get by as it was. As he stepped outside, his eyes landed on a bouquet of lilac lilies in a flower shop across the street—Ash’s favorite. A reckless thought crossed his mind. Maybe, just maybe, the flowers could serve as a peace offering after the humiliating incident at her grandmother’s birthday. After all, she also got humiliated for being his wife. It didn’t matter that it would cost him the last of his weekly allowance. His feet moved before his brain could stop him, and he crossed the street toward the shop. “Hi,” he greeted the shop assistant. “How much for those lilac lilies?” The shop assistant smiled warmly. “Those are $30, sir.” Simon sighed inwardly. That was it—his last $30. But he nodded, determined. “I’ll take them,” he said. He needed Ash to see him as a husband that’s really worth her. As the shop assistant packed the flowers, she smiled again. “Your lover will surely love them, sir.” “I hope so,” Simon replied with a tight smile. When he arrived home, he decided he would prepare a romantic dinner. He got to work, making her favorite—stir-fry pasta and chicken with cheese. Music played softly in the background as he set the table with lit candles, the fresh lilies placed in the center to set the mood. Everything was perfect, and yet, he felt uneasy. As the hours dragged on, Simon was starting to get tired. Midnight came and went, and still, no sign of Ash. When he heard the doorknob turn, he hurriedly stood up and went to the door, only to see Ash in a drunken state, reeking of alcohol. “Where have you been?” Simon asked, his voice tight with concern. Ash barely glanced at him, waving him off. “Did I ask you to do this?” she snapped, her eyes cold as she walked past the untouched dinner. “I’m going to bed. I’ve had a long day.” Simon’s heart twisted painfully as the realization hit him—his efforts meant nothing to her. She hadn’t even noticed. But just as he was about to let the silence swallow him, Ash stopped. Her eyes lingered on the burned-out candles and the uneaten food. Guilt flickered across her face, so fleeting Simon almost missed it. “What’s all this?” she muttered, her voice trembling slightly. “Did I ask for any of this?” For a moment, Simon felt the sting of rejection, but then Ash’s shoulders slumped, and a quiet sob escaped her lips. Simon’s anger wavered. Even though Simon was annoyed with her, he loved her too much to ignore her suffering, even for a second. He asked in a sharp yet gentle tone, “What’s wrong, Ash? You don’t have to feel guilty about the dinner. I did it out of goodwill, not because you forced me. It’s fine. Please stop crying. I don’t like seeing you like this.” Ash stopped crying, her eyes bloodshot and swollen. She turned to Simon, a small, bittersweet smile forming on her lips. “You’re too good for me, Simon,” she whispered. “I don’t deserve you.” Then, as if a decision had been made, she added, “But I need your help with something.” Simon was shocked at her words because this was the first time she had ever spoken like this. He decided to smile at his excitement and said in a low voice, “It’s fine. Being able to be with you is the best thing that has ever happened to me.” Simon smiled sadly. He knew she wasn’t praising him for nothing. She wanted something in return. But he still nodded with a kind smile, saying, “Of course, I’m willing to help you with anything you need!” What she said next shocked him to the core of his bones. In a shaking and vulnerable voice, with streaks of tears on her face, she said, “Simon, my brother Chris was involved in an accident.” Simon was shocked and asked if Chris was safe. “I hope he isn’t injured,” he said. Ash nodded and said in a demure tone, “No, the thing is that he hit someone while driving in a drunken state, and the person died on the spot. The police are on the lookout to arrest him. Simon, please help me. You know Chris is my only younger brother, and he’s still a child.” This was the first time Ash had said so much to him in one breath. He understood how important this matter was to her. Simon exhaled the breath he had been holding and said, “I understand you perfectly, but you know, with my record as a former prisoner, it would be very difficult to find a high-paying job.”
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Ash’s voice rose in pitch, sharp with urgency. “You don’t need to worry about that, Simon. My grandmother will handle everything.”Simon’s brows furrowed. “How?”“ She will offer you a high-paying job in one of our family’s companies. She’ll even take care of your foster mother—improve her living conditions, cover her medical bills. Whatever you need. Just please, Simon. Do this for me—for us.”Her tone softened, pleading. But Simon knew Ash too well. The sudden shift in her demeanor—her rare vulnerability—felt calculated. Yet, as she spoke about her brother, he felt the familiar pull of wanting to believe her. Maybe this time it was different. Maybe this time she really meant it.And his foster mother—her well-being was very important to him. Hundred thousand dollars was an impossible dream, but if the Katherine family stepped in...He took a shaky breath. Ash leaned closer, her voice barely above a whisper, sweet yet insistent. “This won’t last forever, Simon. The lawyers will smoot
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“So, what do you have to say in support of your client, the plaintiff, Mr. Henderson?” the judge inquired.Henderson came forward with steady footsteps and said, “My lord, my client was out that night, chilling with his friends. As you know, youthful exuberance can lead to unfortunate situations. His friends laced his non-alcoholic cocktail with alcohol because they wanted him to be drunk, just like they were.My client, unaware of this, continued to drive himself home. As he was on his way, he started to feel lightheaded and saw things in twos. He realized this and was about to park his car and order an Uber just before the unfortunate incident occurred, my lord. As my client is a law-abiding citizen, he decided to report himself to the police the next morning, once he was clear-headed.”The judge nodded solemnly and asked, “Mr. Simon, do you plead guilty or innocent?”Simon answered in a low, shaky voice, “I plead guilty, my lord.”After hearing from the defendant's lawyer and the c
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As Simon heard the news, he broke into tears and wept like a baby. Finally, his prayers had been answered, and he would soon see his loved ones.Just as he was about to leave, the inspector said one more thing. “You can actually leave right now if you’re ready. Also, your jail time won’t be on your record anymore because you did an exemplary job in prison. Now you are free for life. Congratulations, Mr. Simon.” The inspector stretched out his hand to congratulate Simon.Simon accepted the handshake and tightened his grip and said, “Thank you, sir.”He hurriedly left the inspector’s office, changed into his clothes, and boarded the next available taxi. He quickly gave his house address to the driver.Upon arriving at his destination, he couldn’t imagine the expression on Ash’s face. Would she be shocked, surprised, or happy?He just couldn’t wait. As he turned the door knob, he breathed in the scent of his little abode. But before he could fully appreciate the scent, he saw clothes sca
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In just 15 minutes, Simon arrived at a modest apartment building. He quickly scanned the directory for Apartment 45 and found it. By the time he reached the door, he was panting heavily.He knocked twice. A gentle voice called from inside, “Who’s there?”“It’s Simon,” he hurriedly answered.A svelte, light-skinned woman opened the door and asked, “Simon from where?”Simon scanned the nurse and said, “I’m Mrs. Helen’s son. Is my mother with you?”The nurse’s facial expression shifted instantly as she processed his words. “So, you’re the son who abandoned his terminally ill mother for six months,” she said, her voice dripping with disdain. “Do you even know what your mother went through? She couldn’t access a kidney transplant or surgery and had to survive on drugs that I managed to obtain with my meager salary. These drugs only alleviated her pain, not her illness.”She continued, her voice growing more bitter, “Do you have any idea of the sleepless nights she endured? The emotional pa
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As soon as Simon had finalized everything, he went back inside and sat down with his mother to watch TV. But deep down, he wasn’t focusing on the show; his mind was preoccupied with how his life had changed suddenly overnight.It all felt like a dream. In just 24 hours, he had gone from having nothing to becoming a multimillionaire.He couldn’t wait for his mother’s surgery to be over so he could show Ash and her family the same way they had treated him badly.Noticing that his mother was yawning, Simon helped her to bed, bade goodnight to Ms. Cass, and then settled onto his makeshift bed in the sitting room.After tossing and turning for hours, Simon realized that his excitement and enthusiasm was preventing him from sleeping.The following morning arrived in a blur. Before he knew it, his mother was being wheeled into the operating room.After what felt like an eternity later, the doctors emerged with good news. “Congratulations, Mr. Simon. Your mother is safe and sound, but she’s s
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"Please come soon so you can apprehend this criminal," Ash urged into the phone.The police officer on the other end of the line responded with "Thank you for the tip, ma'am. We'll be there shortly." In less than two minutes, the police arrived. The lead officer scanned the room, his voice clear and firm as he asked, "Who's the one who filed a report against a thief here?"All eyes gravitated toward Ash. She stepped forward, a satisfied smirk playing on her lips. "I'm the one, Inspector," she declared. She shot a withering glance at Simon."This man," Ash continued, pointing accusingly at Simon, "came into this mall and splurged $500,000 on some flimsy dresses in this boutique." The shopkeeper stepped forward, "Ma'am, with all due respect, we don't sell flimsy dresses here.""Whatever," she snapped. "The point is, Inspector, he spent all that money using the black card in his hand. I know this guy—he's broke. And as you can see, he doesn’t exactly look like someone who could afford
The Betrayed Son in Law Rise to Influence Chapter 9
The person who stepped out of the car was none other than Ash's lover and childhood best friend, Liam.Simon swiftly looked away, hoping to avoid a confrontation. But luck wasn't on his side today. Liam turned and spotted him, a smirk spreading across his face."Well, if it isn't beggar Simon," Liam called out.Simon turned, meeting Liam's gaze directly."Oh yes, I wasn't mistaken," Liam continued. "What are you doing in a luxurious neighborhood like this? Wait... don't tell me. You're working here as a cleaner? Or maybe—just maybe—you're trying to steal from the people here?"Simon chuckled and was about to walk away when Liam stepped in front of him, blocking his path."Where do you think you're going?" Liam demanded. "I'm not done speaking with you. Don't you dare leave, or you know what will happen. I run this city."Simon burst into laughter. "Is this arrogance because you now have my leftover, Ash? Or because you're still living off your father?"Liam snorted. "At least I have a
The Betrayed Son in Law Rise to Influence Chapter 10
In the news on the internet, the Eastery family was a scene of chaos. They all tried to hide their faces, shouting at the top of their lungs that they didn’t evade any taxes, that they were lawful citizens.But amidst the chaos, Liam’s father collapsed and was rushed to the hospital. The best thing that made Simon smile about the whole shenanigans was when Liam’s face appeared on screen with streaks of tears, his bloodshot, tired eyes, and his rough, unshaven beard. He looked like someone who belonged in a psychiatric ward.Simon couldn’t help but smirk. This was just the starting point.The satisfaction he felt ran deep—Liam and Ash could never repay him for what they had done to him. No matter what happened, they would always owe him. As he scrolled through more articles, the news only got better. The Eastery family's share prices were plummeting, bankruptcy loomed, and investors were fleeing. The authorities had begun investigating their illegal activities. It was the kind of downf
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Chapter 44
The Grandiose Hotel glimmered like a monument to wealth and status. Its glass façade reflected the skyline like a mirror—clean, cold, and unbothered. Luxury cars lined the front entrance, and bellhops in white gloves flitted between guests like well-trained dancers. Inside, the lobby was all marble and murmurs—fountains whispering, jazz playing low, the perfume of old money lingering in the air.Simon stepped out of his matte black SUV with the quiet confidence of a man who’d earned every inch of his success. No entourage. No need for theatrics. Just a tailored charcoal blazer, black trousers, leather duffel in hand. He walked with purpose, but not urgency—each step echoing across the polished stone like it belonged there.He had a reservation. Penthouse suite. Paid in full. Arranged weeks in advance.But Manager Thornton didn’t see any of that.Thornton stood behind the check-in counter like a gatekeeper to some sacred temple—immaculately dressed, thin-rimmed glasses perched on a nar
Chapter 43
The moment the tabloid published their final blow against Simon, they thought they had won.Their headline, plastered across every social media feed, screamed scandal."INSIDER REVEALS THE TRUTH ABOUT SIMON—THE DARK SECRETS HE’S HIDING!"The article detailed fabricated accusations, complete with a fake whistleblower who claimed to have worked closely with Simon. It was their smoking gun—the final piece to destroy his reputation.For a few hours, they celebrated.For a few hours, the internet lost its mind.For a few hours, Simon let them believe they had won.Then, at precisely 9:00 PM the following day, Simon set the trap off.His post was simple, yet devastating."Well, that was easy. Let me show you something interesting."Attached was a video.The internet froze as they clicked.The first clip was security footage—the so-called whistleblower, caught on camera in a private meeting with the tabloid’s editor, receiving a hefty cash envelope. The audio was crisp, undeniable.Editor: "
Chapter 42
Later that day, Simon sat at the head of the long glass conference table, the city skyline stretching behind him like a kingdom under his control. But tonight, it wasn’t control he was interested in. It was revenge.The room was dim, the only source of light coming from the glow of multiple laptop screens and the sleek, high-tech dashboard displayed on the massive wall monitor. His team—handpicked, ruthless, and the best in their fields—were locked in, fingers flying across keyboards, scanning through data, tracking digital footprints.The source of the attack had to be found. And it had to be done fast.Rachel stood at his right, arms crossed. “We’ve confirmed the tabloid was paid to run the story.”Simon raised an eyebrow. “Paid?”She nodded, pulling up a financial record on her tablet. “A large anonymous deposit hit their accounts three weeks ago. Offshore. Routed through multiple shell companies.”Simon’s lips curved into a small smirk. “Someone’s playing dirty.”Rachel sighed. “T
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Simon Heathrow had built his mornings around discipline. No distractions before 7 AM. No unnecessary noise. Just a strong espresso, a workout, and time to strategize for the day ahead. But that morning, something was off. The silence of his penthouse felt too heavy, like a storm waiting to break. Then his phone buzzed. Once. Twice. Then non-stop. At first, he ignored it, brushing off the urgency as just another business deal needing his approval. But when the vibrations continued, stacking one notification over another, he reached for the device with a slight frown. Simon barely had time to unlock his screen before the first headline burned into his vision: “EXCLUSIVE: Billionaire Simon Heathrow’s Shocking Double Life—Fraud, Scandals, and Secret Affairs” His brows lifted, the words almost amusing in their audacity. Fraud? Scandals? Affairs? The hell was this? Another notification appeared. Then another. “Simon, what is going on?” — A well-respected invest
Chapter 40
Ash leaned back in her leather chair, the glow of her laptop screen illuminating the smirk playing on her lips. Outside, the cityscape of their new home stretched endlessly, a world away from the place where Simon had humiliated her. But distance wasn’t enough—she wanted more. She wanted revenge.The tabloid's editor sat across from her, sweating under the weight of the offer she had just presented. He was a wiry man with sunken eyes, his desperation barely concealed beneath a thin layer of professionalism. The publication he ran was on its last legs—circulation had plummeted, lawsuits were stacking up, and advertisers were fleeing.But now? Now, he had a lifeline. A golden opportunity.“You’re telling me,” he said, voice low, calculating, “you want us to run an exposé on Simon Heathrow?”Ash swirled the wine in her glass, enjoying his hesitation. “Not just any exposé, Jonathan. I want something that will bury him. A full-blown scandal. Something so devastating, so irrefutable, that t
Chapter 39
Kingston exhaled sharply and rolled his shoulders back, forcing his expression into something resembling indifference.“Alright, so the guy lifts,” he muttered, forcing out a dry chuckle. “Doesn’t mean anything.”Derek scoffed, shaking his head. “Doesn’t mean anything? Dude, did you see that? That wasn’t just lifting. That was Navarro-level lifting.”Kingston’s stomach twisted at the name.Navarro.The world-class athlete. The legend.Simon wasn’t just training with a pro—he was training with the pro.And that wasn’t something money alone could buy.Derek crossed his arms. “When the hell did Simon even start training? Last I checked, the guy wasn’t exactly living in luxury.”Jordan nodded. “Yeah, man. Something’s up.”Kingston swallowed back his frustration, but it was boiling over.He needed to know.How had Simon changed so much?And, more importantly—how had he kept it hidden from them for so long?Just then, a low murmur rippled through the gym.Kingston turned, his frown deepenin
Chapter 38
Kingston refused to believe it.Simon might have gotten lucky—a sponsorship, an inheritance, a favor from someone powerful.That was the only explanation.And Kingston was going to prove it.He forced a smirk and called out, “You’ve really stepped it up, huh, Simon?”Simon finished his last rep, then turned to face them.His face was calm. Measured. Like he already knew what Kingston was trying to do.“I have.”His voice was even. Unshaken.Kingston crossed his arms, raising a brow. “What, finally got some extra cash? Who’s funding this little glow-up?”Derek and Jordan exchanged glances, sensing the tension.Simon, however, just tilted his head slightly. “And why does that matter to you?”Kingston felt his smirk falter for a split second.Simon’s response wasn’t defensive. It wasn’t angry.It was genuinely indifferent.Like he couldn’t care less what Kingston thought.That—that was new.Jordan cleared his throat, trying to lighten the mood. “Man, we’re just surprised. Last time we sa
Chapter 37
Kingston and his gang made their way into the private training area.The private training area was sleek and cutting-edge—a space reserved for the wealthiest members who had their own personal trainers. It was quieter than the main gym, designed for those who actually took fitness seriously instead of just posing for social media.And there, standing in front of a mirror-lined weight rack, was Simon.He wasn’t posing.He wasn’t scrolling through his phone.He was training.Kingston barely recognized him.This wasn’t the skinny, exhausted guy that was Ash’s husband, begging for a weekly allowance and jobless fellow.This Simon was built.His form was precise, his muscles flexing as he moved from one exercise to the next with calculated efficiency. No wasted movements. No unnecessary breaks.Like a man who had done this a thousand times before.And then, as if sensing them, Simon turned.For the first time that day, their eyes met.There was no surprise on Simon’s face. No awkward hesit
Chapter 36
The Aurum Elite Sports Club wasn’t just a gym—it was a sanctuary for the ultra-wealthy. It was where CEOs, celebrities, and heirs to billion-dollar fortunes came to sculpt their bodies while subtly reminding everyone else that they belonged to a different world.Even the air smelled expensive—a blend of fresh eucalyptus, imported leather, and the faintest trace of arrogance.In the private lounge, a group of young men lounged in plush chairs, dressed in custom club robes embroidered with their initials. They weren’t here to train. They were here to be seen.At the center of the group was Kingston, one of Ash’s friends when she was still rich, a trust-fund golden boy with a jawline sharp enough to cut glass and an ego even sharper. He leaned back, swirling a protein shake like it was a glass of aged whiskey."Man," Jordan sighed, stretching lazily. "I love this place. You don’t even have to lift a weight, and people still respect you."Kingston smirked. "That’s because they know we be
