PROLOGUE 1

Great misfortune had befallen Zach Garrett. After the expulsion of his father from the Garrett family and subsequent death, nothing in his life had gone right. His business slowly went under, he lost all his friends and confidants, and eventually became the laughing stock of Creedmoor City. He had been forced to become a live-in son-in-law after his reputation as a failed businessman had ruined any chances of him getting a job anywhere in the city or other neighbouring towns.

His only consolation was the love of his life, Rachel Kent. She was from the Kent family, one of the top families in Creedmoor City. She was one of the top beauties in all of Creedmoor City. Many men had tried pursuing her but she loved and was loyal to Zach. From their university days, they had been inseparable. She loved him despite his woes and had stuck by him even though she was shunned by her entire family.

Her parents had died while she was young and had been raised by Grandma Grace Kent. Grace Kent was a devout Buddhist who believed in tough love. Rachel was a girl therefore her grandmother did not like her as much. Her grandmother preferred James Kent as the family, being her firstborn grandson. He was quite mischievous and had caused so much trouble for the family yet Grandma Kent continued doting on him.

That particular day was the annual Kent family meeting to discuss the performance of the business as well as to celebrate Grandma Kent’s birthday. She was approaching 80 and was planning to announce the family heir, therefore all the family members were all trying to endear themselves to her. Her birthday was usually held at the Kent Family mansion, a sprawling estate in the leafy suburbs of Creedmoor City.

At the Kent family mansion, two conspirators were busy whispered to one another. ‘Today we much get rid of Rachel from the family. Her and that useless husband. We thought they would enrich the family with his business but he has ended being a parasite to our family resources. His bad luck has even spread to our company.’ The father and son duo continued discussing. ‘I have a plan in motion but I will need your support to convince grandma to kick them out. You must support me no matter what. You know that Rachel is the only competition I have to become the heir therefore we must get rid of her as quickly as possible.’ As Zach and Rachel drove to the mansion, they had no idea the troubles awaiting them.

As the family meeting began, all the family members began presenting their gifts to grandma Kent. “Grandma, here’s a diamond broach worth one million dollars,” “Grandma, I have brought some expensive clothes from Paris worth five million dollars,” “Grandma the mayor has sent you gifts worth three million dollars,” everyone was in a hurry to present their gift to Grandma. The last two people to present their gifts were her oldest grandchildren, Rachel and James.

James went first, “Grandma, here a Buddha statue made of gold and diamond-dust infused platinum. It is the most expensive platinum statue in the world. It helps improve one’s energy. I bought it at five million using my savings.” He was trying to sell the statue even if he knew it was a fake. He did not want to disappoint Grandma if she discovered the truth.

Rachel went next to present a gift from herself and her husband. “Grandma, I bought you this dragon jade bracelet. It has special properties to keep one calm and in control of life. It may not be very expensive but I give it with love and appreciation.” She could not afford a gift worth more than one hundred thousand dollars as she could not compete with James who was in charge of the family business. She was in charge of the business’ finance but was too honest to steal from her family even if the money would solve many problems for her.

After the presentation of gifts, came the business meeting on the family’s finances. “I must commend all of you for your efforts. This year our profits grew close to a hundred million thanks to all your hard work. Despite this good performance, there are some very important issues I need to address. Some of you have truly disappointed me with your performance and conduct, but one person’s conduct makes me the saddest. Rachel Kent, stand up.”

Rachel could not understand why she was being called upon yet she had done nothing wrong. Her entire work for the year was exemplary. She had even saved a lot of money for the company on some very shady deals. “I had an external auditor go through the business’ finances and they had found some discrepancies. Someone has embezzled more than fifty million from the company’s account. So, Rachel, what do you have to say for yourself?”

Rachel was in shock. So was the entire family.

“Grandma..... I......... I .....” She could not believe the accusations. Why would she steal from her own family? “Grandma, I....... I did not steal the money. You know am very hard working and would never do this.”

“You and James are the account signatories and I believe that my James would never steal from me, so tell me what have you done with my money?”

Zach stood up to defend her, “Grandma, you know Rachel; you know that she would never do that. If she did, then why would she still live such a poor life and give you such a humble gift?”

“Shut up! You useless man! You dare talk to me when you have no job or livelihood? You are an embarrassment to the entire family and all of manhood. You should know your place in the family. You have no right to talk back at grandma. You and your wife are a pair of useless and shameless nobodies, so shut up...”

A loud slap echoed throughout the mansion.

Zach had slapped James so hard that he lost balance and fell to the ground.