Dylan left the villa and into the busy street, looking like his world has turned to complete nothingness. He still couldn't believe he ended up becoming a sad loser. He gritted his teeth cause the horns of every vehicle that pass by aggravated his anger.
Why did he have to be unfortunate? Why did his mom and dad die so pitifully leaving him in a wicked and unfair world?A world that he thought he had in his grasp but only to be whipped by it a thousand folds.And now, the only family he has is fighting for her life but he's got nothing that could save her. How more unfortunate can his sorry life become?Even his own beloved wife turned her back on him and is now planning to marry another man, his own cousin, under his watch. But it's not going to happen.Even with nothing, he'll die first before he agrees to any divorce.He let out a shaky and tired breath as the condition of his aunt absorbed his memory once again. What is he gonna do? He can't just let her die. He can't lose her.Agreeing to the divorce was one way, pawning his wedding ring was another. Should he just let go of them and his pride for his aunt's sake?He stopped walking and raised his hand up to stare at the designer silver ring on his ring finger. He remembered the wedding and the happiness of the whole hall that day but everything has completely changed.An annoying sound that kept sounding in his ears finally made him snap in anger and he turned. "What the hell is your problem, man? What's up with the horn?" His voice boomed at what seemed to be a blue-colored BMW but it wasn't clear since it was late at night and the front light of the car was blinding his eyes that he had to shield it using his hands. "And get that light off my face!"The car drove and stopped in front of him, then a man's face came out of the window. "You were completely absorbed in deep thought, master Dylan."Dylan frowned with a tilted head. "And how the hell do you know my name?"The man smiled and came out of the car. He was wearing a well-designed tailored blue suit. "Why wouldn't I? You were once a renowned CEO of one of the biggest companies in Melrovia. Your reputation precedes you.""And what the hell do you want from me? I assume you didn't almost burst my eardrums just to see the renowned and now poor CEO."The man chuckled at his choice of words and nodded. "You're exactly like your father said.""My father?" Dylan asked in surprise. "You personally knew my father?"The man nodded. "Of course. He was my - best friend or better yet business partner. It's unfortunate how he died and was falsely accused before that."Dylan rose a brow at him and scoffed. "Wow. You must know a lot then."The man smiled. "I know enough. But first, I haven't introduced myself. I'm Nigel Owens of - ""Apex conglomerate." He interrupted with eyes widened in shock. "You're the - Lord Owens everyone is scared of." He blinked, beginning to feel awkward. "What is this? Why are you right in front of me right now?""I remember telling you I was your dad's business partner. I found you because of that." Lord Owens told him.Dylan was still confused. Being his dad's partner was also a shocker. His dad was working with the almighty Lord Owens. A man who cares about no one. A man who is considered heartless? "I kinda want more elaboration on your statements, cause you're totally confusing me.""You must think I'm the real owner of Apex conglomerate but I honestly am not, master Dylan." He dropped.Okay, that was officially the second time the man called him master. Dylan gave him a blank look. 'Is this guy playing with me?' He thought to himself.Deciding to get straight to the point, Lord Owen sighed. "I'm just a manager, Mr. Clifford. But your dad was the real owner of the company."Dylan's jaw dropped."He created it from scratch a long time ago and made me his most trusted assistant. I honestly started as his trusted bodyguard then he slowly promoted me to his assistant and then when the company hit the apex, he decided to ghost himself and made me the face of it. I've been following his orders until after his death. He told me I'm gonna have to tell you this after you reached twenty-five years old which is today." He explained further.Dylan kept looking at him and blinked as he remembered the calendar date. It was truly his birthday and he forgot.Lord Owens sighed and handed Dylan a black ATM card. "I heard you are facing some difficulties and I apologize for not coming earlier, I've been out. The PIN is your birth date."Although still confused, Dylan took the card and stared at it like he has never seen a black card before. "How much is inside?""Not much. A measly ten billion dollars."Is he dreaming or did he just hear ten billion dollars? This isn't even the kind of prank someone should be pulling because it's way too expensive.Clifford cooperation was formidable in it's heyday with a market value of three hundred billion but most of them were fixed assets. From what he knew, his father doesn't even have up to ten billion dollar cash in his bank so everything Lord Owen was saying sounded impossible.How can his dad have such a wealth and he didn't know about it? It's hilarious.Apex conglomerate was out of Clifford Cooperation league. It was rumored to have trillions of dollars in assets and it even had a huge influence in the underground world. He couldn't believe his own father created such a behemoth and he didn't know about it.Lord Owen sensed he was still in disbelief and he spoke again to make him understand. "Mr. Clifford was a genius. You might not know this but your father initially founded C.C not your grandfather.""What?""Back then, after seeing his
Dylan knocked on the primary physician's office. It didn't take long for him to hear an approval to come in then he entered.Seeing him, the doctor immediately stood up in surprise. Putting her white jacket in order with a bright smile on her face. "Mr. Dylan. You're here."His aunt's primary doctor was Dr. Lydia Mayfair and she was only twenty-four years old. At that age, she was already a renowned doctor with a good track record. She was also very beautiful with short brown hair and hazel eyes.Dylan frowned at her, wondering why she was looking so flabbergasted at the sight of him, but business was more important. "I don't know how you train your employees in this hospital cause right now, I'm angry at the fact that one of them called Rita exited my aunt out of the ward because of my inability to pay. If anything happens to my aunt, I want her life."Her eyes widened at the information. "Oh, my God. That happened? That bitch! Doesn't she know her place?" She voiced out and left her
Dylan arrived at the Harper family's villa. Even though it was called a villa, it was just an unremarkable little three-story building. It was a far cry from a real villa.One of the guards in the villa walked toward him. "The madame will be angry if she sees you.""But you're gonna let me in, anyway, and besides what can she do?" He asked the guard. "I'm the man of the house, Romeo. I'm still part of this family so you can't stop me from visiting my wife, do you understand?"The guard nodded. "Of course."Dylan looked up and saw the light in Hermione's room was off so he wondered if she was already asleep. He didn't even know if he should believe any words coming out of madam Sharon's mouth. She was deceitful anyway. She likes to make things up just to fulfill the fantasies in her head.Rushing toward the door to the villa, he stopped in his tracks as he saw what made his heart suddenly become uneasy. His widened eyes stared at Hermione and Sean coming out of the living room, holding
The next day, Dylan just sat on a bench in the hospital as he patiently waited for the surgery to be over. He wasn't sure he has ever been so anxious or scared. He didn't feel this way when his parents died because their death was unexpected. It just happened so there was nothing to feel anxious or scared about. He only felt pain and that's it.But with his aunt, the fear in him pierced his heart like a sword. He could only wait and pray the surgery is successful like the doctor promised. She's the only family he's got. The only one who showed him love and took him in when everyone insulted him and turned their back on him.He looked and saw the door of the ward open making him stand up to see Dr. Lydia taking off the mask on her face, still wearing the blue scrubs. He gulped as he anxiously expected something good."How's she?" He asked her.Dr. Lydia smiled. "I told you it was going to be successful, so chill, Mr. Dylan. The surgery was successful."Dylan let out a breath of relief.
They arrived at the third floor where they needed to go to get the 'love in a city' necklace, found the counter, then he narrowed his eyes as he saw the person in charge of the necklace was an acquaintance.She was his wife's best friend, Martha. An opposite of Hermione. She was also one of the people who felt pity and he remembered how she apologized on behalf of Hermione.After Martha heard the reason they were there, she looked at Dylan with a frown on her face. "What is this, Dylan? What joke are you trying to play here? You, buy the 'love in the city' necklace?" She sighed and shook her head. "Just leave."Dylan sighed. "I'm serious.""Not too long ago you were looking for money to pay for your aunt's hospital expenses and now you're here to buy that expensive necklace? Do you think I'm an idiot?"Rita and fattie burst out laughing.Then Rita said, "Don't mind him, he's pretending to be rich. I don't understand what he's going to get out of it but enough of it before you disgrace
Martha looked at Dylan with mixed emotions. The night suddenly became a long one for her with different questions spiraling in her head but she was scared. She knew it was best to keep shut but how can she?Then finally she gained the courage and asked, "I don't understand, Dylan…"She gained Dylan and Mr. Grayson's attention."...how can you be able to casually buy a thirty million dollars worth of necklace? How can you be so rich? Have you been fooling everyone? Have you been deceiving Hermione and madame Sharon?"Dylan shook his head. "You won't understand.""Then make me understand! What is all this? You just waltz in here and dare to buy such an expensive necklace when long ago you were begging for alms? You're unbelievable, Dylan…""How dare you…"Dylan immediately stopped Mr. Grayson's hard from hitting Martha. "Don't hit her." He told her before looking at Martha who already flinched in fear with her face distorted."She dares insult you, master Dylan. She has no respect for y
Martha escorted Dylan out of Avant-garde and they stopped at the entrance before facing each other. Things were awkward between them as they walked because she wasn't sure she understood everything that had happened."So that necklace, I assume it belongs to Hermione." She decided to start their conversation from there.Dylan looked at the black little box and nodded. "Obviously. Who else is it for?"Martha sighed and said, "You know she will find it hard to believe the authenticity. You know how she is."Dylan shrugged and responded, "It doesn't matter. It will be her loss and she'll end up regretting it later on.""Why won't you tell her? You know that if she knows, she'll stop the nonsense she's doing with your cousin.""And you think I'm gonna openly accept her back?" He questioned with a poker face expression.She swallowed, then a frown formed on her face. "You want to divorce her?" She curiously asked.He shook his head. "Of course, not. She'll always be my wife and I won't let
The next day, Dylan woke up feeling so alive like he has never been. It's been long he has slept in a place so luxurious like Golden Relaxation Hotel. It was proof that confirms that his life was turning for the better and the only thing left is for his aunt to survive. He hasn't really thought of what to do when that happens.He's sure she wouldn't consent to his decision toward Hermione. She would want him to let her go and move on but how can he do that when he yearns to make that family suffer?Although, if his aunt tell him to give up, he knew he would adhere to it. She's the only one he'll ever listen to.He stood up and freshened up, putting on his normal worn-out cloth containing his jean trousers, faded black shirt, and shirt jacket. He smiled at himself in the mirror, wondering how the day was gonna be. He walked toward the bedside table and picked up the black box he placed on it. 'Will Hermione accept this or not?' He wondered.His eyes dropped to his small phone on the be
Dylan had endured a grueling day, and as he finally arrived home, a genuine smile spread across his face upon seeing Allison waiting for him. The moment he walked through the door, she rushed to him, enveloping him in a brief, warm hug. However, her smile quickly faded into a frown as she pulled away. “Why didn’t you tell me about this?” she asked, her voice tinged with frustration. “How could you keep this from me for so long?” Before Dylan could respond, Stephanie, who had been observing the exchange, interjected with a disapproving look. “He kept it from all of us, including me, his godmother.” Dylan responded with a gentle kiss on Allison’s forehead, his eyes filled with affection. “Well, you know now, don’t you? Sometimes, it’s best to leave certain things in the past and focus on moving forward.” At that moment, Madame Beth cleared her throat, drawing everyone’s attention. Maya, with a beaming smile, walked over to her father, who happily lifted her into his arms. Daddy
Hermione and Alison stood up simultaneously, their eyes fixed on the TV in shock. Hermione, holding her baby, quickly set the child down and moved closer to the screen. “Oh my God, Mom, what’s going on?! Dylan is on the screen! What’s happening?!” she shouted, turning to her mother for answers. Sharon, equally stunned, gulped and struggled to comprehend the situation. Her breaths came in short, heavy gasps as she shook her head. “I have no idea, Hermione! We’re both seeing the same thing!” Hermione took a shaky breath, her eyes wide as she turned back to the screen. There, Dylan stood, facing the crowd and the camera with a smirk that made him look impossibly handsome. She couldn’t tear her gaze away. “Surely… it can’t be his twin, right? This doesn’t make any sense,” she murmured, still fixated on the image. Sharon looked away briefly, blinking as she tried to make sense of the revelations. “Come to think of it, Dylan really was the one who made that contract possible, and he bo
Two months later The city buzzed with anticipation as the day everyone had been waiting for finally arrived. Streets were quiet, and businesses paused as people hurried home or went as invited guests to the event, eager to witness the news revealing the boss behind Apex Conglomerate. Television screens flickered to life in living rooms, bars, and cafes, broadcasting the event that had captivated public interest for months. The camera zoomed in on a poised reporter, standing in front of Apex Conglomerate’s sleek, imposing headquarters. Her voice carried a mix of excitement and suspense as she addressed the viewers. “Ladies and gentlemen, the moment has finally come. Today, we stand on the brink of discovering the identity of the elusive leader behind Apex Conglomerate, the mastermind who has remained a mystery for years. Speculations and rumors have run rampant, but the truth has been kept tightly under wraps—until now.” The screen transitioned to a live feed from within the co
"Stephanie! Oh my God, Stephanie, is that really you?!" Caroline exclaimed, her voice filled with astonishment as she saw Stephanie entering the ward, accompanied by Dylan and a young girl. Stephanie's reaction was immediate; she covered her face with her hands, overwhelmed by emotion. Tears welled up in her eyes as she recognized Caroline. "Oh my God, Caroline..." she choked out, rushing forward to embrace her. "You're alive! I can't believe you're really alive!" Caroline, her own eyes glistening with tears, nodded as they pulled away from their hug. "It's so good to see familiar faces," she said, her voice trembling with emotion. "I thought you had left the country." Stephanie shook her head, her expression serious. "I came back after everything happened. I realized that your children needed me, so I stayed. For them." Caroline looked puzzled. "Children?" Her eyes then fell on the little girl in Dylan's arms, her breath catching in her throat. "Oh my God, is this my granddaught
Dylan’s return to the hospital sparked a flurry of emotions within Alison, who dashed towards him with tears streaming down her face. “Where have you been?” she exclaimed, her voice trembling with worry.Dylan’s eyes widened in surprise, and he gently grasped her arm, pulling her away from him slightly. “Why? What’s wrong? Why are you so upset? Is everything alright? Is Jenna alright?”Alison nodded with a sigh. “Yes, Jenna is stable, thankfully. But I was so worried about you. You were saying something earlier, then suddenly disappeared. And when I tried calling you, there was no response. You can’t imagine how worried and anxious I’ve been, especially with my sister in the hospital.”Dylan let out a sigh of relief and enveloped her in a comforting embrace. “I’m sorry for causing you worry. I didn’t mean to add to your stress. But I’m back now, and everything’s under control. Those responsible for this situation are facing the consequences, and we’re safe now.”Alison gazed at him, a
Gunshots echoed through the air, causing Sean to gasp in shock and stumble backward in fear. Before anyone could fully grasp what was happening, a dozen men, led by Azure King, appeared behind Dylan, their presence intimidating and determined.Dylan sneered, his confidence unwavering. “You were right, Sean. I am the boss of Apex Conglomerate, which means I have people at my beck and call. Why should I be intimidated by mere threats from inconsequential people like you?”Romero’s hand began to tremble as he continued pointing the gun at Dylan’s mother. “Move an inch, and she’s dead. I’ll pull the trigger, and I promise you, Dylan, even if I die here, you’ll lose.”Dylan sighed, taking Adonis’s gun from behind him. In a split second, before anyone could react, he fired. The bullet pierced through Romero’s forehead, and he slumped to the floor, lifeless.Sean’s eyes widened in horror, his body beginning to tremble uncontrollably. He immediately raised his hands and fell to his knees. “Pl
Dylan did not hesitate for even a moment upon receiving the address from Romero. The urgency in his steps reflected the agitation in his mind, as he ensured his gun was securely tucked at his side. The possibility of seeing his mother alive, even if shackled and bound, overpowered all sense of reality. He couldn’t think straight. He needed to understand why he had seen his mother, who he had believed to be dead. Though he suspected it might be a trap, a flicker of hope kept him moving forward.As he approached the building described in the address, its dilapidated exterior did nothing to allay his fears. The structure looked abandoned from the outside, but as he steeled himself and ventured further inside, his eyes quickly fell upon a wooden door, flanked by two imposing men.One of the men, noticing Dylan’s arrival, smirked and spoke in a tone that was both welcoming and sinister, “The boss has been expecting you.” Without further ado, he swung the door open, inviting Dylan into in
Standing alone outside the hospital, Dylan dialed Azure King’s number, his fingers trembling slightly with the weight of the situation. As the call connected, he spoke urgently into the phone."He’s closing in on me, Adonis. I fear he’s not playing games anymore. I reckon he was aiming for Allison, but he ended up shooting her sister instead.""Damn it, this just escalated real fast. There's a good chance Romero Hermes is feeling the heat now. He's itching to wrap this up and he's not backing down. He's baiting you, and you can't afford to fall into his trap," Azure King cautioned over the phone.Dylan’s jaw clenched with determination. "I won't let that happen. But I want him taken down, and I want it done swiftly. I'm not interested in seeing him rot behind bars. I just want him out of the picture for good," Dylan declared firmly before hanging up.On edge and with a heart weighed down by concern, Dylan reached out to Stephanie, knowing she was anxiously awaiting updates on Julia’s
Dylan stormed out of the house, his heart racing with worry, his fingers frantically dialing Allison’s number, his mind praying fervently for her safety. The gunshots he heard sent a shiver down his spine, signaling that something had gone terribly wrong.“Dylan, where on earth are you rushing off to?” Stephanie’s concerned voice trailed after him as she hurried to catch up.Dylan came to an abrupt halt, his gaze locking with Stephanie’s as he struggled to contain his urgency. “Steph, listen to me. Stay put inside the house, alright? Don’t come out,” he instructed firmly, a sense of urgency lacing his words like a tight knot.Stephanie’s brow furrowed in confusion and worry. “But why? What’s going on out there? And where in the world are you off to in such a hurry? she demanded, her concern mounting with each passing second as she noticed how restless he was.Dylan’s lips pressed into a thin line as he struggled to find the right words. “Look, Steph, I… I was just talking to Allison o