Kyle ended the call without giving the man on the other end a chance to argue. His voice had been sharp and cold. "Do as I said, or I'll crush the entire VALERI CONGLOMERATE."
In the River Spine Villa district, every villa was a masterpiece crafted by world-renowned designers. From the tiles beneath one's feet to the trees lined along the paths, every detail screamed luxury. Even the wealthy struggled to claim a home here.
Kyle sat on a wide sofa on the balcony, his posture calm, his expression unreadable. Across from him sat Isaac Valeri, the patriarch of the Valeri family. Earlier, Isaac had sent a driver to pick Kyle up and bring him here, a sign of how desperate things had become.
The older man smiled stiffly. "Kyle, it's been so many years. You've grown into a confident and impressive man."
"Let's not waste time, Isaac." Kyle's eyes did not waver. His tone was flat, merciless. "Tell me straight. How do you want me to save the Valeris? What do you expect me to do?"
Isaac cleared his throat, his composure faltering. "You've always been direct. Then I'll be blunt. Back then, you were chosen as heir. You had the power to influence Zinland itself. But now…" He sighed. The arrogance the Valeris once carried had been broken. "We placed everything on oil futures, and the losses were devastating. The Valeris funds have collapsed."
Kyle cut him short. "How much?"
Isaac's voice tightened. "Around one billion dollars."
Kyle's jaw tensed, his eyes narrowing. A billion. The number rattled through him like an insult. "Are you insane? Why not rob a bank instead?" He pushed himself from his seat, ready to leave.
"Kyle, wait!" Isaac's face grew desperate. His voice cracked. "If we cannot get the funds, the entire family business empire collapses. Our name will crumble. But if you help us, I'll grant you whatever you want."
Kyle turned back, his gaze piercing through Isaac. "I can see you're serious. But where do you expect me to find a billion dollars just like that?"
"You have offshore accounts. More than enough to save us. All we ask is a fraction." Isaac's eyes grew bloodshot with desperation. "Don't forget your bloodline. Don't forget where you come from!"
The words snapped something inside Kyle. His lips curled into a bitter smile that quickly faded into ice. "Where I came from? Do you really dare say that to me?" His voice deepened with every word, each one cutting like glass. "I remember clearly how the Valeris treated me. You all stood against me. Hundreds of relatives united to cast me out. I was branded useless, mocked, condemned, and finally exiled like garbage. Now, after years of silence, you suddenly remember I was once heir? Don't you find that ridiculous?"
His fists clenched, his tone trembling with rage. "All those years I slaved for the family, bringing in profits, carrying burdens. You enjoyed every coin I earned, yet you denied me at the end. You tossed me aside like I was nothing. And in the years since, when I was beaten down and living as a son-in-law to another family, did any of you lift a hand to help? Not once."
His eyes burned with scorn. "Be honest with yourself, Isaac. If you weren't drowning in this crisis, would you even remember my name today?"
Isaac flinched. Sweat formed at his temples. His lips trembled as he lowered his pride. "Kyle, we were wrong. I was wrong. Let us admit our sins and beg your forgiveness. But save us first. I can promise you this, and I have the authority to make it real."
He took a deep breath and forced out the words. "From this moment, you are the CEO of VALERI CONGLOMERATE."
Kyle froze, studying him in silence.
Though it was not the largest company under the Valeri family, the conglomerate held enormous potential. It specialized in big investments and owned shares in countless businesses throughout Zinland, from real estate developments to firms about to go public. Until now, Isaac's daughter, Florida Valeri, had been managing it. To strip it from her and hand it to Kyle was no small matter.
Kyle's eyes lowered in thought. He had no intention of helping the Valeris before, but the humiliation he had endured earlier that day still echoed in his chest. If he walked away, he would remain a target for ridicule. If he took control of the VALERI CONGLOMERATE, he would finally have power to crush those who spat on him.
"Fine," he said after a pause. "It's a deal. I'll fix your mess. And I want those roses from Skycity delivered to the Blackwell Marketing Firm today. Do it right."
Isaac let out a long breath of relief. The threat of collapse eased from his shoulders.
Kyle stood, his eyes catching a new Ralph Lauren suit draped neatly across the sofa. He paused. "Lend me this suit."
Isaac waved his hand. "Take it. It's a gift from Ralph Lauren. The tag is still there." To a man begging for a billion dollars, an expensive suit was nothing.
Kyle slipped into the suit, straightened it, and then glanced at his worn shoes. His lip curled at the thought of borrowing Isaac's shoes. He'd rather walk in slippers.
He was heading to his college reunion that night, and he remembered Lily Cortez, the former beauty of their class, would be there. For once, he wanted to face them with dignity.
Leaving the villa, Kyle whistled, mounted his battered electric scooter, and set off for the Five star hotel where the reunion was held.
Halfway there, a sleek Mercedes Benz pulled up beside him. The tinted window slid down. He froze.
Inside sat Rose, his mother-in-law. Her sunglasses rested in her hand, her eyes sharp as daggers as they scanned him from head to toe.
Kyle felt his throat tighten. Among everyone in Linda's family, Rose was the one he feared most. Even in her fifties, her skin glowed, her beauty well-kept, her figure elegant. The resemblance to Linda was undeniable. She was the kind of woman who carried herself like royalty.
Her lips curled into a cold smile. "Where did you get that suit?"
Kyle's voice was low, timid. "Mom, I borrowed it from a friend."
"Oh?" She laughed bitterly. "Since when do you even have friends?"
Her words cut deep. Her eyes hardened, laced with contempt . "I heard about what happened today at the company. You've proven, once again, how worthless you are. Go home tonight, pack your things, and sign the divorce papers tomorrow. Don't worry. We'll give you alimony."
The words stabbed straight through his chest. His heart shuddered. "Mom… please. I love Linda. I can't live without her."
Rose's laughter was colder than ice. "Don't you dare call me that. You are no son of mine, and never will be. If my ancestors knew I allowed this marriage, they'd curse me from the grave."
Her words grew sharper, merciless. "You dare speak of love? How can a man like you love my daughter? You are nothing but a servant, doing chores and wasting her youth. Do you even realize the damage you've caused her life in the last three years?"
Her voice lowered with contempt. "Tyler Ravenwood called me earlier. He offered Eight million dollars as a bride price if I let him marry Linda. Do you know what that means? That is how much my daughter is truly worth. And you? You aren't qualified to breathe the same air as her."