“You scrape by, taking me to cheap dinners, wearing the same old clothes, living like you're stuck in some broke college life. It’s embarrassing. You’re embarrassing!” Claire scoffed at Julian,“We’re done, Julian. Take your pathetic cheap gift and get out of my life. This is over.” -- Julian, a young man, barely getting by as a janitor, had always been belittled and looked down upon by society. He was constantly treated like he was worthless. Not caring what the world thought of him, he never stopped trying to make his fiance Claire happy, pouring every ounce of himself into their relationship. However,Julian uncovers the painful trut, that Claire has been cheating on him with his boss, leaving him broken hearted. That same night, he’s left homeless. Faced with the harsh reality, he was forced to reclaim his estranged family empire, to teach those who looked down on him, and treated him like dirt a lesson.
View More"Hello, is this Julian Blackwood?" a smooth, feminine voice inquired.
Furrowing his brows, Julian Blackwood replied, "Yes, it is." Standing just outside the mansion’s front door, he paused and asked in a curious voice, "Who’s this?" The feminine and professional voice on the other end of the line, sounded relieved to hear his confirmation. "Hi, Master Julian, I'm Vera Turner. Our firm has been trying to reach you for a while now," the woman explained. "I'm calling to remind you that you don't have much time left to claim your inheritance. If you don't act soon, the government will step in and seize everything." Julian frowned, realizing who was calling him. "Oh, it's you people again. I thought I made it clear the last time that I have no interest in inheriting anything. Let the government take it." His frustration was understandable. He’d changed his number to avoid these persistent calls, yet they’d somehow managed to track him down again. "Master Blackwood," Vera continued, her voice sounding very insistent , "You can't ignore your responsibilities forever. Surely you must reconsider…" "I thought I made it clear numerous times before that, I'm not interested!" Julian cut her off, his voice rising in frustration. “Please don't call me again about this?” Without waiting for a response from her, he quickly jabbed at the screen to end the call, shoving the phone back in his pocket. He couldn’t understand why they found it so difficult to understand that he wanted nothing to do with his past. Julian let out a deep breath, running a hand through his hair as he looked at the mansion's towering entrance in front of him. The noise of the party grew louder as he stepped inside. The place was stunning, with shiny marble floors and bright chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. Everything about it screamed wealth and luxury, a world far from anything Julian was used to. It was Julian's girlfriend Birthday today, Claire. The mansion was filled with people dressed in expensive suits and designer outfits, their polished appearances matching the luxurious surroundings. Carrying a small birthday gift in his hands, Julian couldn’t help but feel out of place. Someone like him didn't belong here. Unlike the well-dressed guests, he was wearing old clothes, a faded t-shirt with a peeling logo, black pants that looked worse than his shirt, and worn-out sneakers. He looked like a beggar, his appearance shabby compared to the elegance around him. But Julian tried not to pay attention to that, since it was all he had. He had initially planned to buy himself a nice suit, however all his money went to his girlfriend's gift. Julian walked further into the mansion, and the first thing he noticed was Sharon, one of Claire's friends, she was standing near a corner with a guy, whom Julian immediately recognized: Gabe, his supervisor at work. Sharon immediately wrinkled her nose as she saw him pass by, raising her other hand to her mouth as she imitated throwing up."Ugh, blegh! Oh dear I think this party just got ruined.” She said, loud enough for others nearby to overhear her. Gabe, standing beside her, laughed at her joke, and then he looked at Julian. “You look like you got lost on the way to a shelter. What are you even wearing? Did you pull those from a dumpster? Maybe you fought a homeless man for them, huh?” Sharon, never one to miss an opportunity to cause drama, clapped her hands together, her voice too loud to not be heard throughout the mansion. "Ladies and gentlemen!" she announced in a sarcastic voice. "May I have your attention, please? It appears our entertainment for the evening has arrived!" She gestured towards Julian, her eyes lighting with malice. "The janitor, the clown, the pauper, whatever you want to call him , has graced us with his presence!" A collective laugh echoed around the room, and everyone turned to stare at Julian, openly laughing at him. Stopping on his tracks, Julian turned around and faced Sharon with a cold look. He could see everyone near him staring, some with surprise, and some with looks of disdain for his outfit. He knew Sharon was being over dramatic, he didn’t actually smell. It was his shabby clothes that made him appear like a stinky homeless man. But Sharon and Gabe were all too happy to ridicule him. However despite their remarks, Julian didn't respond to them, he decided to ignore them and let slide. It was nothing new, he had always been the target of jokes from Sharon and many others. Sharon smirked as she gave him a dismissive look, “What a dirtbag, Do you have any class at all? Showing up to your girlfriend's Birthday party like this. I bet she is embarrassed and will dump you soon.” Julian’s gaze turned icy, this time he had enough of her remarks already, and he was not going to stay quiet anymore and look weak. Sharon was one of those who seemed to take pleasure in putting him down, always acting like he was beneath her. “Funny, you talk about class when you’ve spent all this time pretending to be someone you're not.” Sharon’s smirk disappeared for a moment as she heard his comment. Of course the smirk was wiped from her smug face. After all, he was right about her. It felt like Julian had just exposed her for what she truly was. Her face twisted into a frown. How dare a mere janitor like him speak to her like that? And in front of all these people? However, Sharon's frown didn't last for long. She grinned arrogantly again, and without a second thought, she grabbed her glass, an exquisite wine goblet filled with red liquid, and suddenly she poured it over Julian's head. “Here’s a reality check for you,” she said coldly, her gaze never leaving him. “Now you’re a real mess, just like your life.” She then leaned over towards him,”You should be cleaning the floors, not messing with me.” The nearby crowd gasped in shock, followed by a burst of laughter again, watching as Sharon emptied her glass over Julian's head. His humiliation was now complete, and there was nothing he could do about it it seemed. One of the onlookers, still chuckling, called out, “Oh my god, Sharon, that’s rude. Take it easy on the poor janitor, will you?” Laughter filled the premises, growing louder as the comments continued. Julian’s hands formed into a first. But not wanting to cause a scene and give people a reason to kick him out before he saw his fiance, he took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm inside him. He then decided to walk off from Sharon and Gabe. If he listened to them any longer he might do something bad. But before he could start leaving, he heard Gabe speaking from behind him,“Seriously, why would they even let a janitor into a party like this?” Gabe’s voice cut through the laughter, loud and mocking. “Did you come to clean up after us? Don’t tell me you actually think you belong here.” Julian heard Gabe's comment loud and clear. Instead of letting his anger take over, he turned, clenching his teeth as he locked eyes with Gabe. Struggling to hold back, Julian focused on the wine soaking into his clothes, the damp fabric sticking to his skin as he awkwardly wiped at it. He knew if he said anything, Gabe would take offense and fire him, but the real reason he stayed quiet was Claire. She had asked him not to engage with Gabe, especially not over something as trivial as this, so he wouldn’t risk losing his job. Not seeing the reaction he was hoping for, Gabe smirked and took another step toward Julian. "Honestly, I’m surprised you even managed to scrape up enough for that cheap gift," he taunted, eyeing the small package in Julian’s hand. "Are you hoping to impress your girlfriend with that?" “Speaking of your girlfriend; you know, she's been pretty busy lately. I wonder who’s keeping her... occupied?” Sharon joined in, standing behind Gabe. “Hmm... Must be someone who can actually afford to take her somewhere nice,” she added, her voice dripping with mockery. “I think you should keep an eye on your girlfriend, Julian. She’s been spending a lot of time with Brandon lately.” “Well, who can blame her for leaving such a bum. I bet it won’t be long until she leaves you for him,” Gabe added, his smirk widening. Julian’s stomach twisted as he heard their words. He knew exactly what Gabe and Sharon were insinuating. They were insinuating that his girlfriend was having an affair with Brandon. The thought of Claire cheating on him sent a wave of emotions through Julian. Despite that, he refused to believe them. They were liars. Sure, there had been rumors at work that Claire might be secretly involved with his boss but Julian had dismissed them as just rumors. Claire was loyal, he told himself. She wouldn’t betray him like that. Julian convinced himself that the only reason there were even these rumors was because Gabe had started them a few months back. Julian fixed Gabe with an icy stare, ready to warn him once and for all against spreading these lies. But just as he was about to speak, faint laughter reached his ears. He froze, recognizing the laugh. His eyes darted toward the sound, and he saw a couple disappearing into the hallway. Julian’s gut twisted as he realized who one of them was: Claire, his girlfriend.After leaving the chairman's office, Julian headed to the grand meeting room, with Nyx and Celeste by his side. He walked in with confidence and authority, his presence commanding attention.The meeting room was filled with the most influential figures in the consortium from board members to other key executives, including the President. Blackwood consortium's president was Damien Emerson, a man in his fifties, known for his strategic mind and loyalty to the company. Julian remembered him, because he used to work very close to Julian's family back then.All eyes turned to Julian as he walked around the table and took a seat reserved for the head of the consortium, making it clear who was in charge now. But, his action caught some in the room off guard. They didn't know who he was, so they exchanged puzzled glances, some whispering among themselves, questioning who he was and why he dared to sit in the seat meant for the most powerful person in the room. That seat was reserved for Da
Tate was very calculative, and Julian knew he had to be careful around him. Julian’s expression remained unreadable, but inside, his irritation sharpened. “Redistribute?” he asked, as if he didn't hear him the first time.Dave nodded, “A small adjustment. Nothing drastic. But by allowing select board members to increase their stakes, you’d be demonstrating your commitment to the stability.” His tone was smooth and practiced. “A show of trust, Julian.”A show of trust huh? Julian thought to himself. At this moment, he couldn't trust Dave Tate. A tense silence settled between them.Julian let the silence go on for a little bit longer, he studied Dave, trying to figure out what he was thinking. What was he planning?Well, he didn't need to think too much about it, he could already see the game Dave was playing, disguising a power grab as an act of goodwill. If Julian had to guess, Dave Tate was the one who wanted the shares for himself, so that he can have even more influence in the co
Only when Julian spoke did Dave Tate finally look up from his documents.He had heard Julian walk in, of course. But being the man that he was, he had deliberately chosen to ignore him and make him wait. It was a silent display of power from him, a reminder that when it came to the Blackwood consortium, time moved at his pace and not Julian’s. He might be the heir to the consortium, but that hardly mattered here, especially when he had been away for so long.Slowly moving his gaze away from the documents and looking at Julian, Dave Tate finally acknowledged him, setting the document aside. His expression was casual, unreadable, yet there was an undeniable weight behind his eyes, one that spoke of experience, calculation, and quiet authority."Mr. Blackwood," he said, his tone cool and controlled. "I was wondering when we'd finally meet.”Dave Tate leaned back in his chair, studying Julian for a moment before gesturing to the seat across from him. "Take a seat."Julian gave a little n
Meanwhile, Julian arrived at the headquarters of the Blackwood Consortium.It was a luxurious skyscraper, towering over the city with its sleek glass exterior reflecting the afternoon sun. The structure had an impressive modern design, with its dark tinted windows. It was a very tall building. Julian took a moment to admire the view. A faint smile made its way to his lips, a part of him was glad he was back here again after being away for so long. The building was one of the tallest and most luxurious buildings, with more than 200 floors and a design that stood as a testament to the sheer power and influence of the Blackwood Consortium. From the moment he stepped foot here, Julian felt a strange sense of belonging, maybe it was because he was stepping back into a world that had always been his. But at the same time, there was also an unease at the pit of his stomach. It scared him, knowing that he wasn’t just returning as an heir. He was stepping into a battlefield. His enemies
Julian stood over the captive, his cold gaze locked onto him, as he was lying on his back, still tied to the chair. There wasn’t a trace of mercy in his expression, only a chilling look and unrelenting determination.Without needing a command, one of the guards stepped forward, gripping the chair and hauling both it and the captive upright. The man gasped, his breathing ragged, his earlier smugness shattered and nowhere to be seen.When the captive realized that his earlier answer didn’t satisfy Julian, he was even more afraid. “That’s all I know!” the captive blurted, shaking his head violently. “I swear! I never met the guy who paid me. Got the job through a middleman. No names, no details, just a target and a payout!” The same person who was acting all tough earlier and claiming he would never break, was now revealing every thing before Julian, hoping that by the end of this, he would he able to save his skin.Julian stood still, his gaze cold as he studied the captive. He wonder
The shooter had a fearful look for half a second after he heard Julian’s words, but then he chuckled dryly, shaking his head. “Yeah? And what are you gonna do, tough guy? Older you lackeys to beat me until I pass out again?” He tilted his chin up, his smirk resembling that of someone filled with arrogance, despite the fact that he had no control here,“You’re wasting your time. I’m not saying a damn thing. So do what you gotta do.”Julian exhaled audibly, a hint of irritation flashing across his face. He was already getting fed up with this person. He was playing tough, but that wouldn’t last, not with what Julian had planned out for him. One way or another, Julian had to make him speak, and so he needed to shift tactics. Julian’s expression darkened as he shot a look at Nyx. No words were needed from Julian, Nyx already understood the assignment.Without hesitation, she stepped forward and grabbed the man’s hand, twisting it at an unnatural angle. A loud crack echoed through the holdi
Julian laid down on his bed, thinking about his and Scarlett’s relationship, eventually sleep overtook him before he even knew it.The following day in the morning, Julian arrived at a warehouse where he was keeping the person who had shot the mayor. He walked through the warehouse entrance with Nyx and a bunch of armed security personnel following behind him.He made his way into the holding area with Nyx, while the armed men remained outside, securing the perimeter for any danger. If the shooter’s associates, or anyone else, tried to interfere, they’d be ready. Inside there were about five guys dressed in tactical gear, watching over the shooter to make sure he didn't escape.Julian gave a small signal with his fingers, and one of the guards yanked the blindfold off the captives head. The man blinked rapidly, his eyes adjusting to the dim light, before they shifted slowly to stare at Julian and Nyx who stood before him. His eyes lingered longer on Nyx, remembering that she was the
After leaving the hotel, Julian returned home. In the evening around 10 pm as he lay on his bed, scrolling through his phone, trying to find some public Information about his enemies . His eyebrows arched when it suddenly vibrated. Seeing that Scarlett was calling, he paused for a moment.He had forgotten that Scarlett was in the hotel ballroom during the shooting. He wondered if she had made it out safely amidst all the chaos and panic.He answered the call and pressed the phone to his ear.“Hey, Julian,” Scarlett’s voice came through, soft but concerned.“Are you okay?” she asked. “How are you feeling?”Julian couldn’t help but grin, leaning back on his bed. She asked how he was doing. Was she worried about him now? He didn’t expect that. Honestly, Scarlett had always been aloof and cold toward him at first. It was hard to believe that now she could tolerate him like this. It was almost as if… she cared about him all of a sudden.“Aw, look at that,” he couldn’t stop himself from te
“Where is he?” the mayor demanded as Julian approached him and Helen. He rose from the stretcher, his face was a mask of anger and determination. “Where is the son of a bitch who dared to shoot me? Bring him to me.”Julian was taken aback by the mayors sudden behavior. All of a sudden he was acting like this? Julian expression remained calm, almost indifferent. “He’s in my custody,” he replied, his voice showing how much he couldn’t care less about the mayor's outburst, “I’ll interrogate him and let you know what I find out.”But Mayor Sullivan frowned after hearing Julian’s words. He glared deep into Julian’s eyes as if trying to scare him into giving up custody of the shooter. The mayor didn’t agree with Julian because he wanted to do the interrogation himself. Actually, he didn’t need to interrogate the shooter because he already knew who had sent him and why. But that wasn’t the point. He wanted to use the shooter to send a message to the organization, letting them know that the
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