Chapter Forty-ThreeAs the group of wealthy socialites sat in the lavish café, sipping their expensive teas, one of them eyed Henry curiously. She leaned in toward Henry’s mother-in-law, her voice dripping with skepticism."Stop lying," she said, smirking. "Everyone knows your first and only son-in-law is an orphan and a poor nobody. How can he be anything more?"Henry’s mother-in-law’s face flushed with embarrassment. Her mouth opened, and for a second, she was lost for words. The socialite had hit a nerve, and she could feel the weight of the women’s judgmental stares pressing down on her."I am not lying!" she said, her voice rising in defense. She shifted uncomfortably in her seat, trying to maintain her composure. "Actually, Henry can be considered my *ex* son-in-law. My beautiful daughter has found a new match, someone much more worthy."The group leaned in closer, their eyes gleaming with curiosity. One of them, a woman with diamond-studded sunglasses perched on her head, laugh
Chapter Forty-FourThe ride back from the mall had been quiet until Henry’s mother-in-law’s phone rang. She picked it up with a quick, irritated motion, glancing at the screen. When she saw the caller ID, her eyes narrowed."What is it now?" she muttered before pressing the phone to her ear. Her face quickly shifted from annoyance to shock as she listened."You’re telling me all of it is gone?" Her voice cracked. "How could this happen?"Henry kept his eyes on the road, pretending not to listen, but it was impossible to ignore. His mother-in-law’s face drained of color as she continued the conversation, her fingers gripping the phone so tightly her knuckles turned white.It seemed the elite women’s association had just discovered that their overseas investments, which they had poured their money into, had been part of a scam. This was their prized "get-rich-quick" scheme, a way to fund their lavish lifestyles, designer bags, and shoes. The news hit her like a freight train."Turn the
Chapter Forty-FiveThe hum of the luxury car engine announced his arrival before anyone saw it. The Prince of Dubai’s limousine pulled up in front of the bank, its glossy black surface gleaming under the sunlight. It was the kind of vehicle that made people stop and stare—long, sleek, and extravagant, as if it were a mobile palace. The length alone made it look more like a moving apartment than a car. As the doors opened, his chauffeur stepped out with precision, quickly rolling out a long red carpet across the sidewalk. His voice boomed across the entrance as he called out, “The Prince of Dubai is here!”Heads turned in unison, gasps escaping the crowd of women gathered outside. Henry stood silently in the background, watching the spectacle unfold with mild amusement. But the women, especially his mother-in-law and her elite friends, were almost vibrating with excitement. Their eyes were wide with anticipation.The Prince emerged gracefully, his pristine white gown flowing with e
Chapter Forty-SixAs the black limousine returned, the crowd of women perked up, hoping for another chance to be graced by the presence of the Prince of Dubai. But when the door opened, a chubby, middle-aged Arabian man stepped out. His face was round and flushed, and he appeared uncomfortable in his ill-fitting suit. His eyes darted nervously around the crowd, but he tried his best to maintain composure."Good afternoon, ladies," he began, his voice shaky. "The Prince of Dubai sends his deepest apologies. A national issue arose that required his immediate attention, but he has sent me in his place to assist with your concerns."The women exchanged disappointed glances, sighing in unison. One of them muttered, "He’s too nice for that silly behavior, running off like that."Henry’s mother-in-law, however, didn’t miss a beat. Her face morphed back into its usual arrogant expression. She puffed out her chest, standing a little taller, and said with pride, "I told you all! The Prince wi
Chapter Forty-SevenDon Volko’s towering presence seemed to darken the room, his menacing grin spreading as he approached Henry’s mother-in-law. His thick fingers gripped the pliers, and with a lazy flick of his wrist, he motioned for his men to grab her. Two burly guards moved forward without hesitation, grabbing her arms roughly, forcing her to kneel in front of the Don. “You think you can demand your money back?” Don Volko sneered, his voice a low growl. He gripped her hand with the pliers, tightening the jaws of the metal tool just inches away from her fingers. “I didn’t steal your money—I took it. And now I’m going to use it to buy myself a new yacht. And guess what? There’s nothing you or any of your little friends here can do about it.”His words sent shivers down the spines of everyone present, the terror in the room thick and suffocating. He leaned down, his eyes cold and full of malice. “I think it’s time I leave a mark on you all, a reminder. Let this serve as a warning
Chapter Forty-EightThe room had fallen into a tense, frozen silence the moment Mr. Anderson walked in. His presence alone had commanded the kind of respect that even Don Volko couldn’t ignore. Henry immediately understood the signal from Mr. Anderson, glancing toward him for just a second before averting his gaze, pretending not to know him.Don Volko, on the other hand, was visibly rattled. He knew who Mr. Anderson was—everyone in the business world knew. Mr. Anderson was the right-hand man of the most powerful and mysterious figure on the continent, a man whose mere whisper could change the course of a nation’s fate. The man behind the prestigious HEXAGON CONSORTIUM, a multi-billionaire so powerful, rumors swirled that he could pick and choose who became the president of the country with just a phone call. Volko, who considered himself a big player, suddenly realized he was nothing more than a speck of dirt in front of someone like Anderson. His hands began to tremble, and sweat
Chapter Forty-NineDon Volko, the once-feared tycoon, was on his knees, his hands trembling as he clutched Henry’s leg. His voice cracked as he shouted at his men, “Get the first aid kit! Bring the best doctors—now!” Tears streamed down his face as he begged Henry for mercy. His desperation was palpable, his voice shaky and pitiful.The men rushed around frantically, their former arrogance replaced with panic. They couldn’t believe what they were seeing—their fearless leader, groveling at the feet of a man they had once ignored. The tension in the room was so thick, it was hard to breathe. Even the women, who had just moments ago insulted Henry, stood frozen, wide-eyed and stunned by the turn of events.Don Volko’s voice wavered. “Please, forgive me! I didn’t know who you were! I didn’t realize… I didn’t understand!” His words tumbled out in a frantic rush. He clung to Henry’s leg as if his life depended on it. In truth, it probably did. Everyone in the room watched in disbelief.
Chapter FiftyJasmine buried herself in her work, her mind racing as she flipped through countless documents and reports. The company wasn’t doing well—not by a long shot. Whoever had been managing it before her had done a terrible job. The financial records were a mess, deals had fallen through, and the reputation of the company was slipping. She was determined to make things right, even if it meant working long, grueling hours. She spent her day on her feet, running from one department to the next, trying to get a grip on the situation. Every meeting, every report, seemed to reveal more damage. She didn’t understand how things had spiraled so badly out of control. There was no sense of order, no accountability. And as she sifted through the accounts and finance documents, her frustration grew.That’s when she saw it—a huge, unaccounted million dollars sum of money missing from the company's reserves. Her heart sank as she read through the reports. Jasper. Her brother. He had ta