"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
As Helen drove home, her thoughts were a jumbled mess as she reminisced on what had happened in the restaurant. Could Maxwell and her sister be right about Tony and how he had treated them in the hotel? Had he changed so much, or was he just putting on an act? All of these can't just be a coincidence and if it was then an awful one for her. Helen's caller's tone snapped her back to reality as she picked up her phone, The sound of the phone ringing snapped Helen out of her thoughts, and she reached for it, her heart still racing. "Hello?" she said, her voice a bit shaky."Hi, Helen!" the voice on the other end said. It was Susan, her best friend. "How's it going?""Oh, hi, Susan!" Helen said, trying to sound more upbeat than she felt. "I'm doing okay, just a little busy. What's up?""Not much," Susan replied. "Just wanted to check in and see how you were doing. Are you sure you're okay? "No, I'm not," Helen admitted. She felt a sense of relief at being able to tell someone the truth
Tony's sudden transformation became the topic of discussion in the lugard's mansion. While Maxwell and Cecilia felt Tony was more than just an employee in the hotel where they had met him, Lady Lugard and Helen stood their ground that Tony would always remain a nobody. "You look like the cat who ate the canary," Cecilia observed, with a sly smile, noticing Helen's satisfied expression as she sat down at the dining table. "What's going on?""Oh, it's nothing of importance," Helen said dismissively, though Cecilia could tell she was holding something back.Cecilia was not easily fooled, and she could tell when someone was trying to hide something from her. She narrowed her eyes, determined to get to the bottom of Helen's mysterious expression."Now, now, don't give me that coy little smile," Cecilia said, leaning forward and giving Helen a piercing look. "You're hiding something, and I want to know what it is. Come on, Helen, spill the beans."Helen shifted uncomfortably in her chair,
Grandma Nicole's eyes lit up as she saw Tony walk through the hospital door. It had been a long month of recuperation, and she couldn't wait to get out of the hospital and back to the comfort of her own home. Tony smiled at her, his eyes full of relief and happiness that she was finally getting discharged. He made his way to her bedside, gently taking her hand in his."You ready to go home, Grandma?" he asked."More than ready," she replied, a grin spreading across her face.Tony helped her out of bed and into a wheelchair, and the two of them made their way out of the hospital and into the car. As they drove home, Grandma Nicole couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for her grandson's care and concern. Tony had been there for her every step of the way, never once complaining or acting like it was a burden. She was so lucky to have him in her life."You've been so wonderful, Tony," she said, her voice full of emotion. "I don't know what I would have done without you."Grandma,"
Tony drove to the restaurant with a sense of nervous anticipation. He had called Helen earlier that day, requesting a meeting to discuss the state of their marriage. He still loved her, despite the abuse and mistreatment he had endured from her and her family. He had hope that they could work through their problems, but he knew it would be an uphill battle.He parked his car and took a deep breath, steeling himself for what was to come. As he walked through the doors of the restaurant, he couldn't help but wonder whether Helen would even show up. He approached the hostess and gave his name, then waited anxiously for Helen to arrive. As he stood there, his thoughts drifted back to the beginning of their relationship, when they had been so happy together. He remembered how much he had loved her, how he had thought they would be together forever. But now, he was questioning whether it was even possible. His worst mistake was agreeing to move with her to the Lugard's mansion, where Hele