The events of the last few minutes had left Tony feeling dazed and confused, and he struggled to make sense of it all. His uncle's words brought him back to the present moment.
"Your mother would love to meet you, Tony," he said. "She misses you." Tony felt a jumble of emotions swirling through him. He took a deep breath, struggling to regain his composure.The confusion on Tony's face gave way to fierce anger as he considered his uncle's words. "You mean to tell me that my mother is alive and well, and she never bothered to reach out to me all these years?" he demanded furiously."All those years I thought she was dead, and now you're telling me she's been alive the whole time?" He felt the rage building inside him, "How could she do that to me?" he asked, his voice trembling with emotion."That's a question only your mother can answer," Robert said calmly. "But I think it's important that you take some time to process everything you're feeling right now," Robert added and Tony nodded,"I don't think I can face her right now," he said, "If I do see her, it will be after I've had some time to think." "That's a perfectly reasonable request," he said. "Take all the time you need.""Young master, here is my business card," Robert said with a respectful bow. "If you need anything, please do not hesitate to contact me. I am at your service." He handed the card to Tony and, with another bow, walked away. Tony tucked the card into his pocket, For a few seconds, he watched Robert and the bodyguard walk away. He found himself holding his breath, half-expecting them to turn around and tell him it was all a prank. But as the seconds ticked by, and they reached the end of the corridor without turning back, he knew that this was no joke.As Tony made his way to the hospital reception to pay for his grandmother's treatment, he reached into his bag to retrieve the ATM card he had found. He also intended to test the card to see if it worked. But to his surprise, the receptionist informed him that the bill had already been settled by an unknown individual and issued him a receipt as proof. Tony knew it was no other than Robert.As he entered his grandmother's Ward, Tony breathed a sigh of relief. She was fast asleep, looking more peaceful than he had seen her in a long time. Seeing her rest so soundly brought him a sense of comfort. He decided not to disturb her slumber; everything she needed had already been provided.As Tony walked out of the hospital, the reality of his situation hit him like a ton of bricks. The thought of going back to the Lugard mansion, where he would be subjected to more humiliation and ridicule, was unbearable. What's more, his wife Helen had always taken sides with her family. Helen cared less about their marriage and didn't shun the talk of them being separated. The pain and betrayal he felt were almost too much to bear.As he pondered his next move, He knew his absence would not be noticed at home. His in-laws would probably be relieved that he was not sharing their roof that night. Since they considered him a bad omen, and his presence was never welcomed. The Lugards have always made him feel like an outcast, unwanted and unloved.He resolved to find a hotel where he could get some rest. After the day's events, he needed some time to gather his thoughts and figure out his next move in a serene environment far from the Lugard family.The hotels in the area were all fully booked, except for one - a five-star establishment that exuded luxury and class. The decor was lavish, and the furnishings were top-of-the-line. The lobby was opulent, with marble floors and crystal chandeliers. It was clear that this was a hotel for the elite, not for the average person. With a heavy sigh, he made his way to the front desk to inquire about a room."Hello, I'd like to see what rooms are available, please," Tony said in a tired voice. He was met with a critical gaze from the receptionist, who took in his appearance from head to toe.She sniffed disdainfully and cleared her throat, "I'm afraid our rooms are a bit above your pay grade," she said dismissively, her eyes lingering on his unkempt appearance. Tony held his tongue, suppressing the urge to lash out at her, and forced a polite smile."I'll decide for myself what I can afford, thank you very much," Tony said firmly, trying to maintain his composure. The receptionist gave a fake smile, clearly amused by his response. "As you wish," she said, pulling up the hotel's inventory."We have two executive suites available, but I must warn you that they are quite expensive," she said, clearly enjoying the moment. "I'd still like to see them," Tony said, maintaining his calm demeanor."They cost one million dollars per night," she said, her tone dripping with condescension."I'll go with one of them," he said, his voice steady."You misheard me, Mr. I didn't say one dollar," the receptionist said, a trace of smugness in her voice. Tony's brow furrowed slightly, but he remained calm. "I assure you that I did not," he said, his tone polite but firm. The receptionist seemed taken aback by his response, clearly not expecting him to stand his ground.As the receptionist eyed Tony suspiciously, he reached into his pocket and pulled out his ATM card. "I'd like to pay with this card, please," he said, a small smile playing on his lips. The receptionist's eyes widened in surprise, clearly not expecting him to be able to pay for such an expensive room."I... I need to verify that the card is valid," she stammered, her voice wavering slightly."Please go ahead," He replied politely as he watched the receptionist pick up the phone and dial a number. Her voice was quiet as she spoke to someone on the other end of the line. After a moment, she hung up and turned back to Tony. "My boss will be with us shortly," she said, a hint of irritation in her voice. Tony smiled politely, pretending not to notice her annoyance.A few minutes later, a stunning lady in her late twenties entered the Reception hall, her heels clicking against the floor as she walked. She was dressed in a fitted suit and pencil heels. Her hair was swept up into a bun, and she wore a bold shade of red lipstick. It was clear from her demeanor and the deferential way the receptionist treated her that she was the hotel manager.The manager turned to the receptionist and asked, "Where is the customer?" without even glancing in Tony's direction. The receptionist pointed to Tony, and the manager's gaze finally fell on him."Is he the one?" She questioned. Her expression was one of disdain as if he was unworthy of her time or attention.The manager regarded Tony with a skeptical gaze, her eyes scanning his disheveled appearance from head to toe. She didn't think much of him, judging from the condescending look on her face. He could feel her doubt and disdain radiating from her like a palpable force. "We're not hiring a driver or a Bartender at the moment," the manager said, her tone carefully controlled. But Tony could hear the disdain in her voice, the skepticism that she had considered him nothing more than an errand boy. He held back a sigh, trying to keep his cool."I'll let that pass since we just met," he replied, not quite managing to hide his irritation. "Now, can we get down to business? I've had a long day, and I'd like to get this over with, " He said bluntly. "My apologies for any misunderstanding," the hotel manager said, her voice dripping with feigned sincerity. "Our only available room is the presidential suite, which may be out of your budget. Are you sure you wish to proceed?"Tony could feel his p
The soft bed and quiet surroundings of the hotel room lulled Tony into a deep and restful sleep, something he hadn't experienced in ages at the Lugard mansion. When he awoke the next morning, he felt refreshed and invigorated, ready to take on whatever the day had in store for him. He had never felt so well-rested and energized in a long time. Tony sprang out of bed, eager to get ready for the day ahead. He showered and dressed quickly in the casual clothes he had brought from the mansion the previous day. He had planned to spend the night in the hospital with his grandmother and get an early start on his job search the next day, his plans changed when he encountered his uncle at the hospital. "Greetings, young master," said the two men who were standing in front of the hotel door, bowing deeply as Tony emerged from his room. Tony looked at them in surprise, not recognizing them. "Who are you?" he asked, a note of surprise in his voice."We are your bodyguards, sir," they said in un
Just as Tony was finishing his meal, Maxwell and his wife entered the hotel lobby, their presence exuding wealth and power. It was clear from their regal bearing that they were the prominent clients who wanted to partner with the hotel. Maxwell's family was a prominent force in the city's real estate market, and the lugard had always been keen to maintain a strong relationship with them. Maxwell's marriage to their daughter had been a key part of that strategy. As Tony emerged from the dining area, he was met with snickers and jeers from Maxwell and Cecilia who had just entered the hotel. their faces twisted in mockery as they looked him up and down. "Look who's here," Maxwell said with a mocking tone. "The great job hunter himself," he added, the words dripping with sarcasm. His wife chimed in, her voice dripping with disdain. "I'm sure he's here looking for one low-income job as usual," she said, a smirk playing on her lips and they both burst into laughter. "Greetings, Maxwell a
The last thing Tony wanted was to return to the Lugard's mansion so soon. He hoped that the memory of what Maxwell and Cecilia witnessed in the hotel would haunt them, leaving them wondering if it was all a dream. He knew that Lady Lugard and Helen would continue to mock and belittle Maxwell and Cecilia's story when they told them, confident that they would never be believed. In Lady Lugard's eyes, Tony was a worthless individual, and no matter how hard he tried, he could never accomplish anything of significance, there was no way her view would change because of a petty story from her daughter and son-in-law. As Tony sat on the hotel bed, he pondered the best way to acquire new clothes. Even though he intended to keep his new identity a secret, he did not want people to view him with disdain because of his shabby appearance. It was clear to him that he needed to acquire some fresh attire. When the cab he had booked online arrived, he got into the back seat. "Good day, sir," the c
"How do I possibly entertain someone of your stature?" Uncle Robert asked as they entered his office. "I apologize if the refreshments seem a bit humble." Tony nodded without saying a word for a few seconds. "Why has it taken you all this time to reach out to me?" Tony asked, his voice betraying a hint of suspicion. He couldn't help but wonder if Uncle Robert had known about him all along, and had only chosen to make contact now. Perhaps there was more to the story than he knew."Nephew," Uncle Robert said warmly, "before we begin our conversation, perhaps we should enjoy a glass of wine together?" He nodded at his bodyguard, who quickly disappeared into the adjoining room. Moments later, he reappeared with two glasses and a bottle of the finest vintage wine. "My nephew deserves only the best," Uncle Robert said, pouring the crimson liquid into their glasses. "That won't be necessary, Uncle," Tony said gently, not wanting to appear ungrateful. "I'm not here to be lavished with expens
As Tony sauntered up to Collins, who was standing by the entrance of the fancy restaurant, a mischievous grin on his face. Collins' eyes widened in surprise as he took in Tony's dapper appearance, his brows furrowed in confusion."Whoa, you look different! Did something happen this week?" Collins exclaimed, his head tilted in curiosity."Nothing much, let's just head in and grab a drink," Tony replied, his tone lighthearted as he tried to deflect Collins' question. But Collins wasn't about to let it go that easily."Oh no, no, no, not so fast," Collins said, stepping in front of Tony and blocking his path to the door. "There's definitely something different about you, and I'm not leaving this spot until you tell me what it is," he said, crossing his arms and staring Tony down. Tony knew he was caught, and there was no point in trying to hide it."Fine, fine," he said, throwing his hands up in defeat. "If you must know, then I'll tell you in there while we chill," Tony said pointing at
Collins found himself bemused and incensed by Tony's placid reaction to observing his wife in the company of another man. While Collins would have happily made a scene, he would not do so at the risk of disregarding Tony's wishes. Helen had never been a fan of Collins, regularly deriding their friendship as a union of poverty and failure. Collins yearned to confront her and make her realize that her infidelity was far worse than any financial hardship he had ever faced."Excuse me," Collins inquired, his voice tinged with incredulity, "Are you two divorced?" He directed the question at Tony, who seemed wholly unmoved by the scene unfolding before him.Tony merely grinned at Collins, raising his hands to show him the gleaming wedding band that adorned his left ring finger. "If we were," Tony stated, "I wouldn't be wearing our wedding band.""I'm sorry to ask," Collins implored, disbelief coloring his words, "but why aren't you more concerned about your wife having an affair? This isn't
Helen couldn't recognize Tony at first glance because he looked different in his new outfit. She was unsure if he was the one but then she saw Collins behind him and with no doubt knew it was Tony. "What are you doing here?" Helen questioned rudely the moment Henry got to the table. She chuckled when she got no reply. "Oh, why should I be asking that? I'm sure you are one of their new employee or probably running errands for one of your menial Job bosses," She said but still got no reply from Henry. "How much is the bill?" Tony asked the manager, not minding Helen or Philips's shocked look. "The bill comes to five thousand dollars, sir," the manager said in a polite tone."Just add it to my total bill, there's no need for a scene," Tony replied. Helen laughed at this."What bill are you talking about?" Helen asked sarcastically. "Are you trying to steal from your new boss? He's giving you a chance for a new look and you're already spending his money?" Helen laughed again. "We can re