4. The Morning Awakening
Author: Beautypete
last update Last Updated: 2024-10-29 19:42:56

Chapter Four: The Morning Awakening

Chris was jolted awake by the sharp, loud voice of his mother-in-law, Eleanor.

"Is this not the man who was talking about helping to get the investment money yesterday?" Her tone was mocking, dripping with disdain.

"And here he is, still sleeping at ten in the morning. Lazy as ever."

He had been so excited the night before and didn’t get to sleep until the early morning hours.

He rubbed his eyes, the remnants of sleep quickly fading as he registered her words.

Eleanor stood at the foot of the bed, arms crossed, her expression one of stern impatience.

"Get up, Chris. I need you to take this document to Stephany at the office. Now, she needs it for a pitch.”

Without another word, Eleanor tossed a manila envelope onto the bed.

Chris sighed, dragging himself out of bed and quickly getting dressed. He grabbed the envelope, his mind still processing the events of the previous day.

He hurriedly made his way out of the house, catching a taxi to Luxury Flair.

As the taxi pulled up in front of Luxury Flair, Chris paid the driver and stepped out, just in time to see a sleek, new GLK pull up to the curb.

He watched as a young man, immaculately dressed, came out of the car. It was an all familiar face, Bradley, the first grandson of the West family, the second richest family in Chicago.

Chris knows who he was, and he’s well aware that all the wealth and money he flaunts was nothing more than his pocket money from the West family.

Only someone who has worked directly with the Bradley would know that he’s just the manager of West Enterprise by name and in paper, he does nothing in the company other than spending the profit.

“Was it not too early for West to be here?” He thought.

His stomach churned as he saw Stephany step out of the building and welcomed him with a warm hug, her demeanor lively and engaged, the two of them laughing and chatting easily.

Chris’s heart sank further when he saw the man brought out a bright blue jewelry box and handed to Stephany.

“Oh Bradley, you didn’t have to get me a gift.” She said as she opened the box to reveal a beautiful Blue Cartier bracelet.

“I know you’ve always wanted the Blue Emerald Cartier Diamond necklace,” he stated.

“I am unable to get that now as there’s only two of those created in the whole world, until I am able to set my get it for you, I hope this blue Cartier bracelet would gladden your heart.”

“Wow!”

“That’s so thoughtful of you, you’re such a man every woman dreams of.”

The other workers around hailed Bradley West for his thoughtful gesture. “Indeed, Mr. Bradley must like Stephany.”

The Blue Cartier Bracelet is a modest piece compared to the Blue Emerald diamond necklace she had always wanted.

However the Blue Cartier Bracelet is also an important limited edition piece. In the whole world, there’s only a 500 of it produced. Hence it was also priceless in her eyes.

Stephany’s face lit up with happiness, her eyes sparkling as he took her hand to put the bracelet for her.

Chris felt a pang of jealousy and frustration as he approached them, clutching the document tightly, he took his wife’s hand away from Mr. Bradley.

“Stephany” he said.

Bradly didn't like being interrupted, he didn’t recognize him and pushed him off so that he lost his balance and the coffee he had brought for his wife spilled directly on Bradley.

“You!” He shouted. Not only did the coffee soil his white sleeves, the coffee was hot and burned his body and also spilled on the bracelet that he’d spent five thousand dollar to purchase, all because he wanted to win Stephany over.

“Who is this man and how dare him do this to me.” He roared.

“I am so sorry Mr. West, this is Chris, he didn’t mean to, Chris hurry up and apologize” she said as she took a handkerchief to clean his cloth.

Chris however wasn’t sorry for what happened, after all, if he didn’t push him, the coffee wouldn’t have poured on him.

“I am sorry the coffee I brought for you spilled honey.” Chris apologized to his wife instead.

“You this imbalanced man, you spilled coffee on me but refused to apologize, at least apologize for soiling the bracelet I bought for Stephany.”

“Yes, yes” the onlookers agreed with him.

They all knew that Stephany was married to a lame man called Chris, seeing him here for the first time, they felt pity for Stephany.

He couldn’t help her, yet he makes things hard for her by annoying those willing to help her.

“My wife doesn't like this cheap bracelet, it’s a Blue Emerald Cartier necklace she wants, you can take your cheap bracelet with you, I’ll be the one to gift my wife what she wants.” Chris said, unapologetically.

“Chris, can you please keep quiet…” Stephany quietly called his attention, it’ll be better if he had kept quiet.

She had intended on asking Mr. Bradley West to invest he 10000 dollars in the company, but if Chris kept talking, there’s no doubt he’d annoy him away.

“I have something to tell you, please come.” Still holding her hand, he took her into the office building leaving an annoyed Bradley.

“What is it that can’t wait?” She asked as soon as they were inside.

“Your mother asked me to bring you these documents,” he said, handing her the envelope. His eyes flicked to Bradley, who was watching the exchange with a bemused expression.

“Is that it? You can go now.” Stephany collected the envelop, she was going to use it and pitch the investment to Bradley, now that he’s chased him away, what use is it?”

As he stepped out of the building, Bradley who felt insulted had already left, only the by standers still stood and gossiped about him.

“I can’t believe Mrs Stephany really married a lame man, what what a shame.”

They spoke out loud for Chris to hear. But he couldn’t be bothered by what others think of him.

“Such a burden, he doesn’t provide for her the money and the gifts, yet he acts so proud, how ridiculous..”

Chris could still faintly hear them as he he hailed a taxi to the Brown’s Company where his future was waiting for him.

Related Chapters

  • The Return Of The Lame Son In Law.    5. A New Bargain

    Chapter Five: A New Bargain Chris stood in front of the towering Brown Conglomerate building, its imposing facade reminding him of the days when he worked there. He had just started working and hadn’t spend half a year when he was asked to leave and asked never to set foot on the office building. Fortunately for him, time have turned and he was now invited back by the same people who sent him away. He took a deep breath, straightened his tee shirt and walked through the revolving doors. Inside, the lobby was a bustling hub of activity, with employees moving swiftly, their expressions focused on their various activities, no body seem to notice him. Chris approached the VIP elevator, an old habit he got used to from his days as a member of the Brown family. As he reached the elevator, a young receptionist, who was new to the building, ran from her desk to stop him. She was neatly dressed, her demeanor sharp and condescending. "Excuse me, Mr. Man," she said, her eyes scann

  • The Return Of The Lame Son In Law.    6. An Unexpected Encounter

    Chapter Six: An Unexpected Encounter Leaving the Brown Conglomerate building, Chris felt a sense of triumph and relief. He had signed the papers, secured his share of the profits, and received the Blue Emerald Diamond Cartier necklace for his dear wife. Now, it was time to celebrate in a different way, which was by attending his high school classmate’s wedding, which had turned into a mini-reunion since the entire class had been invited. The wedding venue wasn’t far from the Brown Conglomerates office building, so Chris decided to walk there. The fresh air and the chance to clear his mind were welcome after the intense morning. As he strolled through the bustling streets, his thoughts wandered back to the receptionist's condescending attitude and his uncle's swift defense. It was a bittersweet reminder of the respect he had lost and was now regaining. As he walked, Chris noticed an old man struggling with a heavy load. The man was hunched over, his face strained with ef

  • The Return Of The Lame Son In Law.    7. Old Friends and New Faces and miracles

    Chapter Seven: Old Friends and New Faces and miracles Chris entered the garden venue, its beauty somewhat dimmed by his lingering discomfort from the near-accident. He glanced around, noticing the elegant attire of his former classmates. The men wore tailored suits and the women donned stylish dresses, their laughter and conversations filled with the air of success and contentment. In stark contrast, Chris wore an old T-shirt and jeans, his limp more pronounced as he navigated the crowd. As he moved through the gathering, he greeted his class mates, but no one regarded him. Not even a “hi” did he get back. However not long after, the crowd roared in excitement looking him Chris towards the entrance, it was Turner coming in, he was dressed in sharp suit, he acted so high mighty, walking with confidence and immediately swooning the attention to himself. "Wow, Chris, didn't think you'd have the guts to show up looking like that. wearing those old rags, huh?" He said a

  • The Return Of The Lame Son In Law.    8. Pay For all their outfit

    Chapter Eight: Pay fir all their outfit Chris's phone buzzed with a message from Stephany as he left the wedding venue. "Hurry up! The Preston family emergency meeting is about to start." Panic surged through him as he realized the urgency. The distance between the hall and the main road where he could catch a taxi was significant. He usually struggled with such walks due to his limp. Determined not to be late, Chris picked up his pace. To his astonishment, he found himself walking much faster than usual. His leg, which always caused him pain, felt surprisingly strong. Each step was steadier than the last, and the familiar discomfort was absent. He quickened his pace further, a mix of disbelief and hope rising within him. By the time he reached the main road and flagged down a taxi, Chris was almost running. He couldn't believe how normal his walking had felt, but he didn’t have time to ponder it. He hopped into the taxi and gave the driver his address, his mind racin

  • The Return Of The Lame Son In Law.    9. A family Meeting Revelation

    Chapter Nine: A Family Meeting Revelation The Preston family settled down after the tense start to their emergency meeting. Chris could feel the weight of everyone's gaze, but his focus remained on Grandma Preston, who was clearly ready to reveal the purpose of their gathering. Grandma Preston cleared her throat, capturing everyone's attention. "I’ve gathered you all here today because I received some important intelligence about MTD Entertainment." Chris felt a jolt of recognition. MTD Entertainment, the crown jewel of the Browns' empire, where he was about to take the helm as president. He listened intently, curious about what Grandma Preston had to say. "MTD Entertainment is going to be appointing a new president soon," she continued, her eyes scanning the room. "And they're planning to sign a new actress. This presents a golden opportunity for us. If we can secure a partnership with MTD, it would be immensely beneficial for our family business." Murmurs of excitement

  • The Return Of The Lame Son In Law.    10. An Unexpected Intervention.

    Chapter Ten: An Unexpected Intervention The tension in the air was palpable as Henry continued his argument with the manager over the unreasonable bill as he claims. The room had fallen into a hushed silence, with all eyes fixed on the unfolding drama. Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows of the restaurant, striding confidently towards the scene. It was Mr. Dante, the owner of the restaurant, a man known for his wealth and influence. His presence immediately commanded respect, and a wave of whispers spread through the crowd. Everyone knew who he was and what he was capable of. "What's going on here?" Mr. Dante's voice cut through the murmurs like a knife. The manager stepped aside respectfully. "Sir, there's a dispute over the bill. This gentleman," he pointed to Henry, "is refusing to pay the amount owed." Mr. Dante's gaze swept over the gathered Preston family, then landed on Henry, who swallowed nervously. "The bill must be paid," Mr. Dante said firmly. "If not,

  • The Return Of The Lame Son In Law.    11. serving Chris a Drink

    Chapter Eleven: Serving Chris A Drink. As the last of the Preston family left the restaurant, Mr. Dante approached Chris with a contrite expression. "Chris, I apologize for nearly exposing your true identity. I had no idea you hadn’t revealed it to the Prestons." Chris smiled, appreciating the sentiment. "No harm done, Mr. Dante. Thank you for stepping in." Mr. Dante’s face brightened with a warm smile. "To make it up to you, allow me to show you my newest venture, it is a high-end, exclusive bar and lounge. It's more luxurious than the one we were just in. I think you'll like it." Chris considered the offer for a moment, then nodded. "Sure, I'd love to see it." They left the restaurant together, and Mr. Dante led the way to a sleek, modern building a few blocks away. The exterior exuded sophistication, and the discreet entrance signaled the exclusivity within. Chris was impressed by the mere exterior of the building as they stepped inside. The interior of the new bar was

  • The Return Of The Lame Son In Law.    12. Give Him A Chance

    Chapter Twelve: Give Him a chance The sun had barely risen when Chris walked through the front door of the Preston household. It was around 6 a.m., and he was greeted by the stern, unforgiving glare of his mother-in-law, Eleanor. She was already up, waiting for him, her eyes blazing with indignation. "Where have you been?" Eleanor's voice was sharp and condemning. “Deciding to create a scene last night by standing against Henry, Grandma's favorite child? You've made things worse for us, spiking the old woman's temper and favor.” “And then what? you have the nerve to stay out the whole night? Do you have any idea what you've done?" Chris opened his mouth to explain, but before he could say a word, Eleanor launched into a full-blown scolding. “You've jeopardized our standing in this family, and for what? To satisfy your ego? Do you know how hard we've worked to stay in Grandma's good graces?" “You know what; I’ve had enough, you’ll have to divorce my daughter and go before

Latest Chapter

  • The Return Of The Lame Son In Law.    

    324; Shadow in motion

    Chapter 324: Shadows in Motion Chris sat in his dimly lit study, the soft glow of his laptop illuminating his face. The files he had extracted from the Syndicate's mountain facility were spread across his desk. They were a treasure trove of information, bank transactions, coded messages, and the names of individuals in powerful positions. Despite the victory, Chris couldn’t shake the feeling that the Syndicate’s downfall had been too easy. Organizations like that didn’t crumble overnight. They regrouped, evolved, and returned stronger. He leaned back in his chair, his mind racing. It was time to decide the next move. The next morning, as Chris went about his usual routine, he received a message on an encrypted line he rarely used. It was from an unknown number: “You’ve made an enemy, but also an ally. Meet me at the old chapel on Birchwood Road. Midnight."Chris stared at the message, weighing his options. The old chapel had long been abandoned, a perfect location for an

  • The Return Of The Lame Son In Law.    

    323; Unraveling the syndicate

    Chapter 323: Unraveling the Syndicate The basement was quiet except for the faint hum of energy as Chris meditated. His focus was razor-sharp, the shadows around him responding to his command. The Syndicate had issued their challenge, and he was ready to strike back. Chris’s plan was simple yet dangerous. He would attend their so-called meeting, but not as a pawn in their game. He was going to dismantle the Syndicate from within, leaving them no chance to recover. Two days later, Chris arrived at an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the city. The building loomed like a monument to decay, its rusted metal doors creaking as Chris pushed them open. Inside, the air was thick with tension. A dozen figures sat around a long table, their faces hidden behind ornate masks representing animals—a lion, a snake, a crow, and others. At the head of the table sat the Syndicate leader, his mask a gleaming black dragon. Chris stood before them, his posture relaxed but his senses on

  • The Return Of The Lame Son In Law.    

    322: The web of shadows

    Chapter 322: The Web of Shadows Chris returned home late that night, the city lights fading behind him as he parked his car down the street from the Preston residence. He took a moment to collect his thoughts, reviewing Hector's confession.The meeting at the mansion was a significant lead, but it was also a potential trap. Walking into the house, Chris made sure to slip inside quietly. Stephany and her family were likely asleep, and the last thing he wanted was for anyone to see the grim determination on his face. Tonight wasn’t the time for explanations or slip-ups. Instead of heading to bed, he went straight to the small storage space in the basement, locking the door behind him. Inside, Chris knelt in the center of the room. With a flick of his wrist, a small, glowing orb of energy appeared in his palm, illuminating the space. This was his sanctuary, a place where he could channel his cultivation abilities without raising suspicion. The energy pulsed in his hands, and

  • The Return Of The Lame Son In Law.    

    322; Into the Lion’s den

    Chapter 321: Into the Lion’s Den The address on the note led Chris to an old, abandoned warehouse on the edge of the industrial district. The surrounding area was quiet, with most of the buildings boarded up or crumbling. The air smelled of rust and stale oil, a reminder of the district’s forgotten days of prosperity. Chris parked a few blocks away and approached on foot, keeping to the shadows. The closer he got, the more aware he became of the subtle signs of life. A flicker of movement in the upper windows. The faint crunch of gravel under boots. Hector wasn’t careless—he had guards watching every angle. Chris smirked faintly. “They’ll need more than that.”He stopped near a stack of old shipping containers and took a moment to assess the scene. Two men patrolled the front entrance, both armed with pistols. A third leaned against the side wall, smoking a cigarette and occasionally glancing at his watch. Chris’s fingers twitched, the energy within him stirring eagerly. T

  • The Return Of The Lame Son In Law.    

    321; lines inthe sand

    Chapter 320: Lines in the Sand The note clutched in Chris’s hand crumpled slightly as he stood on the porch, the cool night air biting against his skin. He stared at the words again—simple but direct. “You should have stayed in your small office job. The Syndicate always collects its debts.”Chris let out a slow breath, his eyes narrowing. Whoever had left the note wanted him rattled, but all it did was strengthen his resolve. He glanced at the dagger pinning it to the door—a cheap intimidation tactic. They were watching. They wanted him to know they were close. Without a word, Chris pulled the dagger free and slid it into his pocket. He folded the note, tucked it inside his jacket, and walked into the house, careful to keep his expression calm. Chris dropped his keys on the kitchen counter and poured himself a glass of water. His muscles were still humming from the trial earlier, a subtle reminder of the power now flowing within him. It wasn’t overwhelming anymore; it was

  • The Return Of The Lame Son In Law.    

    Chapter 320; Echoes of the Syndicate

    Chapter 319: Echoes of the Syndicate The stillness of Chris’s home was a sharp contrast to the chaos he had left behind at the warehouse. As he moved through the quiet halls, his senses remained heightened. The elixir’s effects still surged in his veins, sharpening his focus and amplifying his already formidable strength. He stopped briefly in his study, a small room filled with books, maps, and tools he used to piece together the web of the Syndicate’s influence. Tonight’s events had created a ripple, but he knew ripples had a way of turning into waves. Chris leaned against the desk, staring at the map pinned to the wall. Strings of red connected key locations in the city—places he knew were tied to the Syndicate. Victor Kane’s intel and tonight’s ambush had only solidified the reality: the Syndicate wasn’t just a threat to him but to the entire balance of power in the region. The faint vibration of his burner phone broke his concentration. He flipped it open to see a code

  • The Return Of The Lame Son In Law.    

    318; The Web

    Chapter 318: The Syndicate’s Web Chris moved with a predator’s grace as he navigated the labyrinthine streets of the Syndicate’s known territory. The new strength coursing through him was undeniable—every movement felt sharper, every sense more attuned. The elixir’s effects had not just enhanced his cultivation but had also honed his instincts, giving him an edge in the dangerous game he was about to play. His contact, a low-ranking Syndicate informant named Victor Kane, had agreed to meet him in a dimly lit tavern on the city’s outskirts. The place reeked of smoke and desperation, a fitting backdrop for the underworld dealings that occurred there nightly. Chris entered, his demeanor casual but his senses on high alert. Victor was seated at a corner table, nursing a drink and casting nervous glances at the room. “You’re late,” Victor muttered as Chris slid into the seat across from him. Chris smiled faintly, leaning back in his chair. “I’m never late, Victor. You’re just

  • The Return Of The Lame Son In Law.    

    318; Shadow cults call

    Chapter 317: The Shadow Cult’s Call Chris walked briskly through the darkened streets, his mind replaying the events at Ravenwood. His encounter with Armand Leto and the Syndicate’s inner circle had only intensified the stakes. For years, he had worked in the shadows, balancing his roles as a cultivator, a husband, and now, an unsuspecting adversary to one of the region’s most powerful clandestine organizations. But tonight, something lingered—a pull, faint but undeniable. It began as a whisper at the edge of his senses, a low hum vibrating in his chest. Chris stopped under a streetlamp, his breath visible in the chilly night air. He focused inward, reaching into the depths of his cultivation core. There it was again, the summons. A message from the Shadow Cult. The cult rarely called its members directly, preferring to operate in a web of subtlety and misdirection. When a summons came, it meant only one thing—something significant was unfolding. Chris took a dee

  • The Return Of The Lame Son In Law.    

    317; Flashback

    Chapter 317; the Flashback Chris had barely settled into his office when the door burst open. Georgina stormed in, her face a storm cloud of fury. He leaned back in his chair, his expression calm but his eyes sharp as they locked onto hers. “Good morning to you too, Georgina,” he said dryly. “Cut the pleasantries,” she snapped, slamming a folder onto his desk. “You’ve been meddling, haven’t you?” Chris glanced at the folder but didn’t bother opening it. “You’ll have to be more specific. I tend to be involved in a lot of things.” Her nostrils flared, and she took a step closer, her voice dropping to a hiss. “Don’t play coy with me. I know you’ve been digging into Sterling Horizon. Do you think you can outmaneuver me?” Chris smirked, folding his hands on his desk. “If I wanted to outmaneuver you, Georgina, you wouldn’t even see it coming.” Her eyes blazed with anger, and for a moment, she seemed to be holding herself back. Then she leaned over his desk, her voice dripping w