The Bold Move

Dwight Cullen stepped out of his car with a sense of purpose he had never felt before. The weight of his newfound identity as Dwight Mendez, the heir to one of the greatest fortunes in California, sat heavily on his shoulders. He wasn’t the same man who had spent years as the Nortons’ humble cleaner. No, now he was someone entirely different—someone with power, influence, and the means to help Mandy exact the revenge she had long dreamed of.

From the cottage window, Mandy watched as her husband marched toward the grand entrance of the Norton mansion. She could sense that something was going to go wrong, something risky. Without thinking, she hurried after him, her heart racing with fear. But Dwight was already too far ahead, his strides full of determination. There was no stopping him now.

As Dwight entered the Norton mansion, he found the family gathered in the luxurious drawing room, engaged in a tense discussion. The atmosphere was heavy with anxiety. Grandpa Benson sat at the head of the table, his wrinkled face creased with worry. Uncle Mark was pacing the room, his hands gesticulating wildly as he spoke. Gerald, Dwight’s longtime tormentor, leaned back in his chair with a scowl on his face. Rachel and Elsa sat to the side, their expressions grim as they listened.

“They’re pulling out all their shares,” Gerald spat, slamming his fist on the table. “The Wendel's wants nothing to do with us anymore. If they go through with this, we’re finished!”

“We can’t let this happen,” Grandpa Benson replied, his voice shaky. “The Wendels are the backbone of our company. Without them, we’re nothing.”

Rachel shook her head, her lips pressed into a thin line. “Ramsey Wendel is a fool. He doesn’t realize the damage he’s doing by cutting ties with us. We have to find a way to stop him.”

Dwight stood there, unnoticed by the family, listening to their panicked conversation. A smile crept onto his face. They were vulnerable, desperate, and he was about to deliver the blow that would change everything.

“Would the Nortons mind becoming partners with the Mendez?” Dwight’s voice rang out, cutting through the room like a knife.

The room fell silent. All heads turned toward Dwight, and the shock on their faces was almost comical. Gerald was the first to recover, his expression twisting with fury.

“How dare you, Dwight!” Gerald growled, rising from his chair. “How dare you mention the Mendez name with that filthy mouth of yours!”

Grandpa Benson’s face turned beet red, his eyes bulging with anger. Even Uncle Mark, usually the calmest of the group, looked stunned. Rachel rolled her eyes and let out a disgusted huff, clearly offended by Dwight’s audacity.

Mandy, who had just caught up to Dwight, froze at the doorway. Her eyes widened in horror as she realized what her husband had just done. “Dwight, what are you doing?” she whispered, her voice trembling.

But Dwight remained calm, his gaze fixed on the Nortons. “I’m serious,” he said, his voice steady and confident. “I can make the Mendez family your partners.”

Gerald let out a harsh laugh, his face contorted with rage. “You? A lowly cleaner? You think you can speak for the Mendez family? Don’t make me laugh.”

Grandpa Benson shook his head, his hands trembling as he pointed at Dwight. “You’ve gone too far this time, boy. If you think you can throw around the Mendez name like that, I’ll see to it that you’re kicked out of that cottage too.”

Uncle Mark, however, held up a hand, signaling for silence. “Wait, let’s hear him out,” he said, his eyes narrowing as he studied Dwight. “He seems awfully confident for someone who’s supposedly out of his depth.”

Rachel scoffed and got up from her seat. “I’m not wasting my time listening to this nonsense,” she declared, storming out of the room. “Let me know when the delusions are over.”

Dwight watched her leave but remained undeterred. He turned back to the remaining Nortons, his expression unwavering. “I’m offering you a lifeline,” he said.

The room erupted in laughter. Grandpa Benson, Gerald, and even Elsa couldn’t contain themselves. To them, Dwight’s words were nothing more than a bad joke. But Dwight stood there, unflinching, waiting for the laughter to die down.

“I’ll tell you what,” Grandpa Benson finally said, wiping a tear from his eye. “If you can make the Mendez family partner with us, I’ll consider you a hero. But if you can’t, you’ll be out on the streets with no place to call home.”

Mandy’s heart sank as she heard Grandpa Benson’s words. She knew he was only looking for an excuse to get rid of Dwight once and for all. But Dwight remained calm, his confidence unshaken.

“Deal,” Dwight said, a small smile playing on his lips. they he walked away.

Mandy grabbed his arm, her voice filled with desperation. “Dwight, what are you doing? You can’t help them! They don’t deserve it.”

Dwight turned to her, his expression softening. “Don’t worry, Mandy,” he said, gently cupping her face in his hands. “I’m not helping them. I’m up to something, trust me.”

Mandy wanted to believe him, but the uncertainty gnawed at her. “But how are you going to link the Nortons and the Mendez together?”

Dwight chuckled and shook his head. “That’s for me to know and for them to find out,” he replied, giving her a reassuring wink.

***

The next morning, Dwight set his plan into motion. He called one of his CEOs, Pamela, and instructed her to reach out to the Wendel Sybarian Enterprise with a proposal for a partnership. Pamela, always sharp and efficient, wasted no time in making the call.

Serena, sought Ramsey’s approval for the deal, and it was quickly accepted. Ramsey, thrilled at the prospect of partnering with the most influential company in California, agreed without hesitation.

Dwight couldn’t help but laugh when he received the news. Everything was falling into place. The Nortons were desperate, and the Wendels were now under his control. He had both families right where he wanted them.

He woke up early the next morning and ordered Cane to deliver the Norton company’s papers to him. It was time to reveal his hand. Cane arrived at the cottage, discreetly handing over the documents that would change everything. Dwight tucked them under his arm and, with Mandy by his side, marched up to the Norton mansion.

He summoned the entire Norton family to the drawing room, their faces filled with curiosity and suspicion. Mandy stood beside Dwight, her heart pounding as she tried to make sense of what was happening.

Dwight placed the company papers on the table and looked each of the Nortons in the eye. “I’m the owner of your company now,” he announced, his voice filled with authority. “Your lives are in my hands.”

The room went silent. The shock on their faces was priceless. Mandy’s mouth fell open in disbelief. This was beyond anything she could have imagined.

Dwight smiled, enjoying the moment. “I’d like to remarry my wife, Mandy,” he continued, his voice calm and measured. “And this time, I’m not proposing with a thread. I’m going to buy the most expensive ring in California.”

Bella gasped. Mandy’s jaw dropped further, her mind struggling to catch up with everything that was happening.

“And with that being said,” Dwight added, his smile turning into a smirk. “I plan to sell the entire Norton company and use the money to buy that ring.”

The Nortons stared at him in shock, their faces pale with fear. Dwight had them cornered, and they knew it.

***

Meanwhile, across town, Serena burst into Ramsey Wendel’s office, a broad smile on her face. “We did it, Ramsey,” she exclaimed. “The Mendez company has bought all the shares in our company. We belong to the Mendez now!”

Ramsey’s heart soared with excitement. Partnering with the most powerful company in California was a dream come true. But his joy was short-lived. As he scrolled through the latest headlines, his face drained of color.

Lorenzo Mendez was dead, and he had willed everything to his lost but found son. But who was this mysterious son? Why was his identity hidden? And why was he so interested in the Wendels?

A sense of dread settled over Ramsey as the realization hit him—his entire fortune was now in the hands of this unknown person. His phone beeped with a new message, and as he reached for it, his heart pounded in his chest.