The Ariston Mansion was glowing with bright lights that night. It was Leon Ariston's seventieth birthday, and almost everyone in the city wanted to be there.
The huge hall was filled with laughter, music, and the sound of glasses clinking together.
At the center sat Mr. Leon, the proud head of the family. His children and grandchildren surrounded him, each carrying a gift and a smile.
"Grandpa, I bought you a beach house in Florida!"
"Grandpa, here's a limited-edition Rolex!"
"Grandpa, I got you a new BMW convertible!"
Leon laughed happily. "Good! Good! You've all made me proud. Tonight, I'll return the favor. Each of you can make one wish—whatever you want!"
The room came alive again.
"I want a new car!"
"I want a diamond necklace!"
"I want my own company!"
Leon nodded and said, "Done! I'll give you all what you wish for."
Everyone clapped and cheered—until a quiet voice came from the back.
"Grandpa Leon," said Elias Ward, his voice unsure but steady, "if it's possible… could I get a used motorbike? Mine got stolen yesterday. It would help me get to the market faster."
The room fell silent.
All eyes turned toward him. Some guests looked shocked, others disgusted. Elias stood awkwardly, his hands in his pockets, wearing a simple shirt that looked out of place among all the tuxedos.
"Did he just say motorbike?" someone whispered.
"At a millionaire's birthday party?" another muttered.
Elias wasn't a real Ariston. Three years ago, the late Madam Ariston, Leon's wife, had found him and forced their granddaughter Serena to marry him.
Back then, Elias had nothing. He was just a delivery worker with no family and no money.
When Madam Ariston died soon after, Elias lost the only person who treated him kindly. Since then, he had become the family's errand boy—cooking, cleaning, and doing every small job they didn't want to do.
Now, at this grand party, he had dared to speak.
Leon's happy face turned cold. He slammed his glass onto the table. "Are you trying to embarrass me, Elias? A bike? At my birthday party?"
"I… I didn't mean to upset anyone," Elias said quietly. "It's just—"
"Enough!" Leon shouted. "Get out of my sight!"
Serena rushed forward, her face pale. "Grandpa, please don't be angry. Elias didn't mean any harm."
Her cousin Clara sneered. "Serena, look at your husband. Everyone's giving gifts worth millions, and he's asking for a bike. How embarrassing."
"Yeah," another relative added, "he's lucky we even let him stay here."
Elias lowered his head. He said nothing. He had heard it all before.
Suddenly, a voice from the door called out,
"Mr. Leon, Mr. Damien Ross from Ross Industries is here!"
Gasps filled the hall. Ross Industries was one of the biggest companies in the country.
A tall man in a sharp suit entered, carrying a black box. "Mr. Ariston," he said with a smile, "happy birthday. Here's a small gift."
Leon opened the box and froze. Inside was a check for $880,000.
But then Damien said something that made everyone stop breathing.
"I came for another reason too. I'd like to ask for Serena's hand in marriage. I've admired her for a long time."
The hall erupted.
Serena was already married—to Elias.
But Damien didn't even look at him.
He went on calmly, "I can't stand seeing Serena waste her life with someone who doesn't deserve her. Mr. Leon, please think about my offer."
Then he smiled at Serena and walked out, leaving whispers behind.
"Damien Ross! He's a millionaire!"
"If Serena marries him, the Ariston family will rise even higher!"
"Elias should just leave quietly."
Serena's younger sister, Lydia, smirked. "Elias, you want a motorbike, right? I'll buy you one tomorrow if you agree to divorce my sister."
The crowd laughed.
Leon's sharp eyes turned to Elias. "If you divorce Serena now, I'll give you not just a bike—but one million dollars. Think carefully."
Elias looked at Serena. Her eyes were full of confusion and pain. After a long pause, he said softly,
"Grandpa, I won't leave her."
Leon's face turned red with anger. "Get out! Right now! You're no longer welcome here!"
Elias nodded slowly. "As you wish."
He turned to leave. Serena took a step after him, but Leon's voice stopped her.
"If you walk out with him, Serena, you're no longer part of this family!"
Serena froze. Tears filled her eyes.
Elias gave her a small, sad smile. "It's okay. Stay."
As he walked toward the door, Zack, one of the grandsons, threw a dollar at his feet.
"Here! So you can pay for the bus ride home!"
Everyone laughed loudly. Elias didn't respond. He simply walked out into the cold night.
Outside the mansion, his old phone buzzed.
The screen showed a strange number ending with 888888.
He opened the message.
> "Sir, Ross Industries is in serious trouble. Please return immediately. The board is waiting for your orders."
Elias stared at the screen for a long moment, his expression calm but his eyes sharp.
Then he slid the phone into his pocket and walked away into the night.