Chapter 001

The Brook family, A name that carries a magnitude of wealth, elegance and family heritage in Aston Hills. 

  Decorative lights cast an enchanting glow right from the front view of the mansion down to the big and luxurious hall hosting family dinner.

The head of the family Lady Elizabeth is hosting the big dinner to celebrate the successful completion of the Brooks Enterprises Founders Day anniversary.

 The atmosphere was full of positive vibes as she was pleased by the outcome of the company's anniversary, and the pledges made by each individual to stay committed to supporting the company moving forward.

 Lady Elizabeth walked with grace even in her old age. It was the most celebrated event in the family, so everyone was expected to be in their best outfits. 

"Grandma, congratulations on the company's anniversary"

"All thanks to you, the company has been making a name in the business industry" 

“Live Long Grandma”

Lady Elizabeth smiled as everyone showered her with praises. Receiving gifts from her grandchildren, her joy knew no bounds. 

"Grandma, to mark this celebration, I got you this diamond necklace," Tyla said proudly as she walked towards Lady Elizabeth. 

"My husband, Martin got this for you" she added as she smiled shyly, obviously enjoying how people stared at her, envious of her husband's wealth. 

Lady Elizabeth gasped as she saw the million-dollar necklace. "How did you know I've always wanted this" she asked as laughed heartily, pleased by her granddaughter and her son-in-law. 

"Martin is the perfect son-in-law" 

"He's the best in taking care of women"

People whispered as they watched the interaction between Lady Elizabeth and Tyla, her granddaughter. 

Suddenly, Brian, Lady Elizabeth's eldest son-in-law said " Grandma, please can you lend me a million dollars?"

Everyone immediately throws a deadly gaze at him as they hear the unexpected. They've been hoping he would say something so he would be broke shamed and insult him as usual, they just didn't expect him to make it easier for them.

The entire Brooks family was shocked by how shameless he was.

After coming to the gathering late, with no single gift or commitment towards the company's growth he had the guts to beg for money. Where did he get his boldness from? 

A few years ago, when Mr Brooks was still healthy, he brought him in, always taking his side and he even approved of him marrying his granddaughter, Lyra Brooks. 

Brian was poor and wretched with no direction in life, but since Roman Brooks insisted, they had no choice but to agree. 

After Mr Brooks's death, everyone in the Brooks family tried to chase him out, as he was not the best fit for a son-in-law. He was simply too wretched. 

However, Brian ignored all their insults and focused on himself. He wouldn't have asked Lady Elizabeth for money if not for his mother, who's almost at the last stage of cancer. Although afraid of Lady Elizabeth's wrath, he was desperate as he couldn't afford to lose his mother.

As he walked closer to Lady Elizabeth, people glared at him, obviously displeased by what he wore. Dressed in a casual top and faded jeans, Brian seemed out of place with his scattered brown hair. 

"How could he come here dressed like this?" 

"He's the live-in-son-in law, what do you expect?" 

"Oh no! I can't believe he married the beautiful goddess of Brook's family" 

They whispered as they glared at him in disdain. Displease written all over their face. 

Unconcerned, Brian said again" Please, I need this money"

Lady Elizabeth's face changed at the sound of his voice. She glared at him and hit her hand on the table in front of her "How dare you come here to beg for money, you useless good for nothing!" 

Shaken by her outburst, he pleaded "I'm sorry, I just really need this" his face was desperate as he stared at Lady Elizabeth, hoping she would change her mind. 

About to continue, Brian's words were interrupted by Tyla: Lyra's elder sister.

       " If it isn't the only beggar in my family," She said aloud, obviously trying to humiliate him on purpose, swinging her waist as she walked in with her husband, she added "Why did you marry her when you won't make any necessary contributions to the company. Instead, you're trying to take from us" 

Martin, her husband then said "Try to be like me. You don't have to be like this all the time even if it's your true nature, I've never seen a more shameless son-in-law" 

Tyla laughed at the comment of her husband, as she enjoyed the look on Brian's face. 

Ignoring Tyla, Brian turned desperately to Lady Elizabeth, getting on his knees as he swallowed his pride "Please!" He choked, tears threatening to fall as the embarrassment was too much. 

Seeing him on his knees, Lyra's mother is furious as she can't bear the embarrassment he's bringing to her. “Since you're so useless and shameless why don't you just stay out of my daughter's life and go back to the streets you belong to”

Brian felt the air tighten around him and he Found it hard to breathe. His eyes had this look that would make anyone feel his pain, but no one cared about him. 

People laughed and pointed their fingers at him like he was a failure. "Well, maybe I'm a failure," he muttered. 

Lyra arrived to see her husband being bullied and her heart twisted in pain. She took confident steps as she swayed her sexy hips. Walking towards her sister, she asked "Why would you do that to him!"

Amazed by how Lyra defended him, Tyla arrogantly replied "And is he fit to be your husband?"

She moved closer to her sister and said "You don't deserve someone like this. Just look at him"

"This fool"

"This looser"

"He even has an ugly scar on his face" she pointed out. 

Lyra felt anger surge through her veins but she held it in. She turned towards her grandmother, lady Elizabeth and apologised for her husband asking her for money.

Lady Elizabeth glanced at Lyra and proposed "Will you divorce him and marry Harry? If you can do that for me, I'll give him the money" 

"No, I can't divorce my husband, " Lyra said softly. 

The Harry lady Elizabeth was talking about is Harry McDaniels. Heir of McDaniels empire, one of the most influential families in Ashton Hills. 

Speaking of the devil, there was a grand entry; Harry alighted from his sleek black Lamborghini Aventador, walking with pride as he made girls turn their heads just to have a glance. Clad in a red suit, Harry looked dashing as he moved with a calculated gaze, with his eyes locked on Lyra. 

At this moment, the butler said "Mr McDaniels brought this expensive gem for you worth 8 million dollars" 

There are only ten in the world

The gem was crystal clear, with no trace of impurity.

It was of the finest quality.  

Lady Elizabeth's eyes Shone at the sight of the gift "Oh my, thank you for this" she said, pleased with the gift. 

Martin, who gave her a diamond necklace, was green with envy as he watched how Lady Elizabeth showered praises on Harry. 

He wasn't expecting Harry, the prince of the McDaniels empire to be present in the gathering. He turned towards his wife, Tyla and asked "What's he doing there?" 

"He's here for my sister" she seethed in jealousy. 

Harry then walked towards Lyra, "Hello beauty" he said as an amusing smile curled up his lips. 

Even after she got married, he refused to give up on Lyra as he was obsessed with her. 

As Lady Elizabeth was trying to warm up to Harry, she then said "Lyra, why don't you give Harry a chance?" 

"I'll never divorce my husband!" Lyra replied as she looked at her husband lovingly. 

Touched by his wife's words, Brian smiled bitterly. 

Upon hearing Lyra's words, lady Elizabeth smashed her mug cup on the ground "You ungrateful thing! How can you reject such an outstanding being for your wretched husband " she yelled angrily. 

"You can as well follow him out of the Brooks family 'cause I don't want to see him around me. Get him out of here" she growled as she signaled to the guards. 

Lyra glanced at her husband being humiliated and dragged outside like an animal. With a newfound determination she said, "Brian, I'll go with you."

"Leave him this instant"

Brian smiled bitterly at his wife and said "Just stay back, I'll be fine"

Martin and Tyla laughed horribly at the scene. Thinking he would be stranded, Martin threw a $1 bill at him "Take care of yourself, that should do for your upkeep”

Harry stared at Lyra bewildered at how deep her feelings for Brian were. "Only if she would feel that way for me" he muttered in a barely audible voice, that only he could hear. 

.

As Brian walked out of the Brooks family mansion, ashamed, embarrassed and hopeless, his thoughts were interrupted by the notification sound on his phone. 

'Beep Beep'

Worried, Brian picked up his phone to check what the message might be. As he stared at his phone, he felt his heart shatter into a million pieces. 

"Just where am I going to get this money?" He whispered as he read the message over and over again. 

'Mr Brian, your mother will be discharged today as you've been unable to pay her bills. Without an operation, I'm afraid she wouldn't last a week before the cancer cells spread to all parts of her body, which could lead to her death

While he was thinking of where he could get one million dollars as soon as possible, he got another message. Scared of what the content might be, he pipped with a side-eye.

However, It was a message from his father's butler; Albert Moore, “Young master, sorry to inform you that your father is in a critical condition and his dying wish is for you to come take your place as the rightful heir to the Duke's empire, I am currently with your starter pack which includes the family business portfolio and a MasterCard containing 15billion dollars and you only need to accept”