The Blackwell villa in Zinland glowed like a palace in the night. Lights and chandeliers blazed in every corner, their lights spilling across silk gowns,tailored suits and the glitter of champagne glasses.
It was Elder Blackwell's sixty-fifth birthday, and the grand hall pulsed with laughter, chatter, and the weight of his status.
At the head of the table, the old man sat upright, his sharp gaze sweeping across children and grandchildren. Their voices rose in harmony as they offered blessings.
"Grandfather, may you live long and remain strong."
A satisfied smile touched his lips. Pride filled his chest, and he raised his hand for silence.
"Good, good. All of you are here tonight. My heart is full. For this joy, I shall grant each of you a wish. Tell me what you desire."
The younger ones didn't hesitate.
"Grandfather, I want the Blackwell luxurious tower in Coast Flair City."
"I want a Richard Mille wristwatch. It is not too costly, only about 2.5 million dollars."
"I want a yacht, grandpa.
"Grandfather, I also want the latest Rolls Royce Phantom car."
"Good. All your wishes will be granted." Elder Blackwell gave his word without hesitation.
The younger ones who had made the bold requests clapped and nearly dropped to their knees in excitement. Their faces beamed with joy, and the sight only widened Elder Blackwell's smile. He felt pride swell inside him, satisfied that he could shower them with such indulgence.
Then, without warning, a figure stepped forward from the edge of the gathering. It was the son-in-law of the Blackwells, Kyle. His voice, though calm, slice into the joyful air.
"Grandfather...could you buy me a scooter? Just something to help me when I go buy food stuff."
The entire hall froze.
Every head turned toward Kyle, eyes filled with disbelief. Stunned silence lingered before whispers began to rise. Had he lost his senses? On such a grand night, the Blackwell son-in-law dared to ask for something? And not just anything, but a scooter? He had not even brought a gift for Elder Blackwell, yet he stood there asking as if entitled. Did he mean to disgrace the old man in front of all these guests?
Three years ago, Grandmother Blackwell had forced Linda, her eldest granddaughter, into marrying this man she had picked up from nowhere. Kyle had been penniless back then, with no status, no name, and no power. And cruelly, on the very day of their wedding, Grandmother Blackwell had passed away.
Since that day, Kyle became the family's useless thing. They treated him as nothing more than a servant. He fetched water for their baths, scrubbed their floors, and cooked their meals. His days were filled with non-stop errands, his presence dismissed as pathetic and useless. He was just useless like the 'P' in Psychology.
Now, tonight, in front of every guest, he asked for a scooter. To the others it was laughable, pitiful even. Yet for Kyle it was all he could hope for. Their only scooter had been stolen when he went to buy bags of salt the day before, and with no money of his own, he thought perhaps Elder Blackwell would grant this small wish. After all, compared to yachts and towers, it was nothing.
But Elder Blackwell's face darkened, his joy collapsing in an instant. He hurled his wineglass to the marble floor, shattering it into countless shards, sharp echoes tearing through the hall.
His voice boomed with rage. "Bastard fool! Did you come to celebrate my birthday or to disgrace me in front of everyone?"
Linda rushed forward, panic flashing in her eyes. "Grandfather, Kyle spoke without thinking. Today is a happy day. Please do not be upset over him." She pulled Kyle by the arm, trying to drag him aside.
Her cousin Stacey smirked, her voice dripping with scorn. "Linda, look at your useless husband. Do you even see what day this is? Grandfather's sixty five birthday, a once in a lifetime celebration. And he dares ask for something? Who gave him the courage?"
"That is right. No manners at all. Couldn't he see how many guests are here? He has humiliated us all." The sharp voice came from Linda's cousin Natalie. She had always disliked her, and now she seized her chance to stab him deeper.
"What a worthless thrash. What right does he even have to live under our roof?"
"Yes, he disgraced us tonight."
"He must have done it deliberately, to ruin Grandfather's mood."
"We have servants to run errands. Who needs him to buy foodstuffs?"
"He contributes nothing. How disgraceful of him to even open his mouth."
"He should leave right now before I drag him out myself."
The voices piled one on top of another, stabbing Kyle's heart like knives. Kyle lowered his head. His chest tightened, yet he stayed silent.
Three years ago, had Grandmother not taken him in, he might have died on the streets. For that, he had borne every insult, every cruel command, every menial task without a single word of complaint. Tonight, though, the weight of their contempt pressed harder than ever.
Suddenly, someone at the door announced, "Grandfather, the manager from VALERI CONGLOMERATE, Tyler Ravenwood, has arrived to wish you on your birthday."
TYLER RAVENWOOD?!
The hall stirred as a tall, refined man entered with a smile that dazzled the crowd.
The VALERI CONGLOMERATE was the strongest empire in North Light, and Tyler Ravenwood was no ordinary figure. He was a Initiative Director whose influence could decide the fate of companies overnight. Even the wealthiest families in Zinland sought his favor, but he rarely gave anyone an audience. Yet here he was, stepping into the Blackwell Villa with effortless grace.
"Elder Blackwell," Tyler approached with a dazzling smile, presenting a box. "This is my gift to you." When he opened the lid, gasps spread through the hall. Inside lay a cheque worth $750,000.
That amount was no ordinary gift. In Zinland, it was the value of a marriage proposal.
"Miss Linda Blackwell," Tyler said smoothly, turning toward her. "I came tonight not just to wish Elder Blackwell well but to propose. I have admired you for a long time. Please, marry me."
The hall erupted in gasps.
Linda's hand trembled at her side. Kyle's face paled. Did he just called her legally married wife with a maiden's name? Miss?
Tyler had ignored his existence completely. To him, Kyle was invisible, a man unworthy of respect. And why would he respect a scorned son-in-law?
Tyler's voice rang again, steady and clear "I know my words may seem unexpected, but I cannot watch the woman I love trapped with a useless man with no glory. Elder Blackwell, I ask you to consider this." His smile lingered as he added, "Linda, divorce him. Leave this useless man behind, and let me take you to the life you deserve."
He never once glanced at Kyle. To Tyler, he did not matter.
The hall buzzed with enthusiasm.
"Mr Ravenwood is an Initiative Director of VALERI CONGLOMERATE. His status is terrifying."
"If Linda marries him, the Blackwells will reach heights never seen before!"
Natalie smirked and strode forward, her eyes sharp with a sneer. "Kyle, didn't you want a scooter? If you divorce my sister tonight, I'll buy you one tomorrow."
The others burst into laughter. "Nice. Give him what he wants. Let him agree to the divorce."
Elder Blackwell's eyes flickered. His tone was cold as he added, "Kyle, if you divorce Linda, I will give you much more than a scooter. I will give you 2.5 million dollars."
The hall waited. All eyes fixed on Kyle.
For a long moment, he kept his head bowed. Then, slowly, he raised his gaze. Pain twisted in his chest as he looked at Linda and he shook his head.
"Grandfather, I will never divorce Linda."
The hall plunged into silence, then Elder Blackwell's rage exploded again. His hand shook as he pointed at Kyle. "Useless fool! You dare reject such fortune? Get out! Get out this instant! I do not want a disgrace like you at my birthday."
Kyle's mind went blank. He had endured years of scorn, but the harshness of Elder Blackwell's voice tonight cut deeper than ever. He could only lower his head once more and step back.
"Kyle…" Linda's lips parted, her voice trembling. She looked as if she wanted to follow him.
But Elder Blackwell's words cut her down cold. "Linda, if you dare step out with him tonight, I will cut you off and erase you from this family forever."
Her feet froze. She had not expected such cruelty from her grandfather.
Kyle's chest burned as he forced a broken smile, "Stay. Don't come." He turned without waiting for her reply.
He turned and walked away, his figure shrinking under the glare of chandeliers. Behind him, Robin, his brother-in-law, threw a crumpled note at his back.
"Brother-in-law, how will you get home? Here's two dollars. Take the bus. Don't be ashamed to use it."
The hall exploded into wild laughter again.
Kyle clenched his jaw, but no sound escaped his lips. He left the Blackwell Villa with their laughter banging in his ears.
Just as he reached the gates, his old phone buzzed. He pulled it out, the cracked screen lighting up with a number that ended in triple digits of nine.
His brows drew together as he opened the message.
"Sir, VALERI CONGLOMERATE is in grave crisis. You must come home immediately."