Zachary was on the verge of madness, unaware of the grave mistake he had made. “Mom, the people I’ve offended are all from the underworld. If I don’t pay up, I’m done for! You have to help me!” he pleaded.
“You worthless thing, what do you expect me to use to help you out?” Genevieve wished she had never given birth to such a failure of a son. From childhood, Zachary had either been causing trouble, always leaving messes for her to clean up. But this time, the amount was over sixty million dollars-where could she possibly find such a huge sum?
“If your father finds out, he might die of anger. You know how much he and your grandfather despise gambling and loan sharks. Dream on about joining the company after this. All I ask is that you stop causing trouble, such a simple request, yet you can’t even fulfill that,” she lamented.
Genevieve’s biggest mistake in life was probably having two useless children, Ivy and Zachary, who did nothing but ask for money every day. She was exhausted. Now, they had created a huge mess and still expected her to clean it up. She wished she could shove him back into her womb.
Money was the least of their problems. If his grandfather found out what Zachary had done, he would never truly be a part of the Montgomery family. Without entering the family, they wouldn’t have access to shares or any real power. Did he plan to beg Magnus for money all his life?
If Magnus had only Zachary as a son, it wouldn’t be as bad since he would have no other choice. However, the Montgomery family had a legitimate heir, Aurora. Aurora was no longer the little girl they could manipulate. Now backed by Julian, and as she claimed, owning a publicly traded company, Ivy and Zachary couldn’t even compare to a strand of her hair.
With this incident, their grandfather might just hand over all authority to Aurora. The thought alone twisted Genevieve’s heart like a knife. She had not spent so many years in the Montgomery family just to live comfortably; she sought security, a guarantee of a worry-free and respectable life.
Originally, she had hoped to rise in status through her children’s recognition by the Montgomery family, but after so many years, she hadn’t even secured a position as his wife. Her children had a chance to shift from being illegitimate to recognized, and Zachary had ruined it. How could she not be furious after all her scheming?
“Mom, I know I was wrong. I won’t dare do it again. I’ll do whatever you say, but you have to help me this time. I really don’t want to die!” Zachary pleaded, his face tear-streaked.
“Get up first. A man shouldn’t be sobbing and kneeling on the ground. When is the money needed?” Genevieve was ultimately more composed and calm than Zachary.
“The money for the bar is due by noon today, and the fifty million has a three-day deadline,” Zachary quickly wiped his tears and answered.
“We must not let your father and grandfather find out about this unless absolutely necessary. I still have some private savings; I can use it to help you out for now,” Genevieve quickly devised a plan, as Zachary was already on the brink of disaster.
Zachary nodded repeatedly, “Okay, what about the remaining fifty million?”
“I’ll think of something. Remember my words, do not let them know about this, especially your father and grandfather!” Genevieve instructed him over and over again.
As long as the two of them remained unaware, there was still a glimmer of hope. “Mom, I’ll listen to you,” Zachary said, calming down significantly when he heard Genevieve speak. “Hurry and go wash up, look at the mess you’re in; it’s driving me crazy. You best keep your mouth shut about this, no one must know.”
“I understand, I’ll go take a shower now,” Zachary replied, his uneasy heart finally settling. He hadn’t slept all night and was exhausted; after his shower, he fell into a deep sleep.
Genevieve, on the other hand, couldn’t sleep at all. She could manage the $10 million for today, but what about the remaining $50 million? Asking Magnus for a small amount of money was normal, but anything substantial would surely raise his suspicions. Genevieve, with a cold gaze, wondered if there was only one way left.
Meanwhile, Aurora was feeling rejuvenated; it was her first day working at Montgomery Group.
Julian noticed she had been standing in front of the wardrobe for half an hour, clothes strewn all around. He had finished washing up and getting dressed, but she was still undecided. “Little Bunny, haven’t figured out what to wear yet?” Julian glanced over the heap of clothes. “Hmm, I usually dress as I like for my own company, but today I’m not going as an heir of the Montgomery family. Too flashy, and I’ll stand out too much; too plain, and I’ll be looked down upon.”
Aurora’s most beautiful trait was the independent aura she exuded, despite having the means to have an easy life through her family’s status. Yet, she refused, wanting to prove herself on her own merits. She believed that once others knew her identity, they wouldn’t treat her sincerely. They would always try to please her, and she wouldn’t be able to see the truth. She needed to fully understand the company she was to take over. Approaching this as an observer would simplify things, but complicate her work duties.
“This is fine, I think it looks great. Your radiance is so bright, nothing can hide it,” Julian sincerely said.
“Julian, I never noticed before how sweet you talk.”
Julian pulled her into his arms and kissed her unpainted lips, “Because I’ve gotten myself some honey last night.”
“Stop it,” Aurora playfully pushed him away, finally making up her mind. “Alright, this one it is.”
When her car pulled into the company, Julian dropped her off at the intersection, “I’ll pick you up at six.”
“Okay,” Aurora crisply turned and walked towards the company.
The clock was about to strike nine; people were hurriedly passing her by, a typical morning rush scene for office workers.
As Aurora walked calmly through the lobby, a woman’s voice yelled from behind, “Move out of the way!”
The woman ruthlessly pushed her aside, near the elevator-no one wanted to wait for the next one.
Aurora, in her high heels, was nearly knocked over but managed to keep her balance. Unfortunately, a little girl behind her wasn’t so lucky, falling down and scattering documents all over. The woman in the short skirt and high heels didn’t even look back as she kept walking.
“Stop!”