Mendez family villa in Star Haven City, the Christmas tree was decked out to the nines.
"Mrs. Mendez, Merry Christmas! I got you this cross blessed by the Catholic Church, worth a cool three hundred grand. May God bless you with good health."
"Mrs. Mendez, Merry Christmas! Here's a bottle of Lafite wine I picked out for you."
Mary Jane, Jude Mendez's wife and the matriarch of the Mendez family, couldn't stop grinning at the pile of gifts in front of her.
Then, her grandson-in-law, William Duane, piped up, "Mrs. Mendez, I heard you set up a foundation. Could you give me a special grant? The orphanage I grew up in got demolished, and the director had a stroke from the stress and is now in the hospital. I really need funds to relocate the kids and cover the director's medical bills!"
The festive mood in the room came to a screeching halt, and everyone turned to stare at William. His behavior was outrageous! Not only did he show up without a gift for Mary Jane, but he also had the nerve to ask her for money to help someone else! On Christmas, of all days!
William had been brought into the family by Jude two years ago before Jude passed away. Despite everyone's objections, Jude insisted that his eldest granddaughter, Selena Mendez, marry William. Back then, William was dirt poor, worse off than a beggar. But Jude's word was law, so the two got hitched.
Less than a year after their wedding, Jude passed away. Since then, the Mendez family had been plotting to get rid of William.
But William was a gentle soul, and no matter how much they provoked or humiliated him, he stayed calm.
Today, though, he had no choice but to ask for help. The orphanage director, Peter, who had once saved his life, had a stroke, and the orphanage was demolished. Relocating the orphans would cost a fortune, and the medical bills were sky-high. William didn't have that kind of money.
So he turned to Mary Jane's foundation, hoping that the Christmas spirit might make her more generous. But Mary Jane's smile vanished, and her face darkened. She stood up abruptly and slammed her cane on the ground, "You shameless bastard, how dare you bring this up today!"
William's wife, Selena, quickly stepped forward, "Grandma, William is just desperate. Please don't be mad at him!" She tried to pull William away.
Selena's cousin, Emily Mendez, sneered, "Selena, look at your husband! John gave Grandma a cross worth three hundred thousand dollars, and William came empty-handed and still has the nerve to ask for a favor!"
"Yeah, William. We're all sons-in-law of the Mendez family, and you're supposed to set an example. Even if you don't, you shouldn't be so disgraceful!" John Williams, Emily's fiancé and the son of the Williams family, chimed in. Though he was set to marry Emily the next year, he still had a soft spot for Selena's pretty face. After all, Selena was the beauty of the Mendez family, much more stunning than Emily.
Selena was considered the number one beauty in Blue Ridge City, but now she was stuck with William, a guy who couldn't even hold his own, which made John pretty bitter.
"I'd have the grace to go now if I were this fool, William."
"How did he end up with the Mendez family? He is such a disgrace!"
"I think he's just trying to ruin everyone's good mood and spoil our Christmas!"
Hearing the Mendez family members tear into him, William clenched his fists. If it weren't for his benefactor, he wouldn't have asked for help, nor would he have stayed here!
He looked at Mary Jane with a hint of desperation. "Mrs. Mendez, you're a believer and donate money every year. Please, consider this an act of kindness."
Someone scoffed. "William, stop with the excuses! Your benefactor has nothing to do with Mrs. Mendez. Instead of raising money yourself, you come here and try to guilt-trip her?"
It was Emily's brother, Mike Mendez, who spoke. He and Emily had always had issues with Selena, but since Selena was practically perfect, they targeted William instead.
Selena awkwardly chimed in, "Grandma, William lost his father when he was ten. If it weren't for Peter, he might not be alive today. He's just trying to repay a debt of gratitude. Why not help him this time?"
Mary Jane's face darkened. "I didn't say I wouldn't help him. But if he wants my help, you must divorce William and marry Mr. Richmond! Do that, and I'll call the foundation right now and allocate five hundred thousand dollars!"
Mr. Richmond, Solomon Richmond, had been after Selena since college. The Richmond family was one of the top families in Blue Ridge City, way above the Mendezs. Mary Jane had always wanted to connect with them, and now she saw her chance.
Just then, the butler rushed in, panting, and announced, "Mr. Richmond sent a rare red coral worth two million dollars to Mrs. Mendez."
Mary Jane's eyes lit up. "Bring it over, let me see!"
The butler brought in a beautifully preserved coral. It was a vibrant red, symbolizing good luck.
Seeing such an expensive gift, John, who had given the cross, felt a bit embarrassed. He hadn't expected Solomon, who had no ties to the Mendez family, to send such a valuable Christmas gift.
Mary Jane, delighted, circled the coral several times, beaming with joy. "Mr. Richmond's gift is truly wonderful. I only regret not having the luck to make him my grandson-in-law!"
She turned to William and continued, "How about accepting my condition? After all, if you miss this opportunity, there won't be another like it!"
Before William could respond, Selena firmly said, "Grandma, I won't agree to divorce William and marry Solomon!"
Mary Jane's face twisted with anger. "I'm trying to make your life better, and you're being so stubborn."
She suddenly shouted, "Security! Are you all just standing around? Get this eyesore out of here!"
William, deeply disappointed with the Mendez family, no longer had any desire to stay. He turned to Selena and said, "Selena, I'll go to the hospital to check on Peter."
Selena quickly replied, "I'll go with you. Two heads are better than one!"
But before she could leave, Mary Jane angrily shouted, "Selena, if you dare leave the Mendez family today, I'll disown you as my granddaughter! If you love this worthless man so much, then take your parents and leave the Mendez family with him!"