Chapter 4

Gregory's gambling habits worsened. He met a leader of a syndicate who agreed to lend him money without any collateral. He didn't even think of what could happen if he couldn't pay him back. All he cared about was that he could gamble. He felt that after so many losses, he would finally win to regain the vast amount of money he lost. But luck won't side with Gregory no matter how much he asked for it. And Gregory's time to pay has come. But he couldn't come up with the money he owed.

"Mr. Rothschild, I'm sure we don't have to tell why we are here." A large man with a gun holstered in his pocket stepped out of the car when Gregory went out of the mansion.

"Yes, i—please tell him that I need more. Just a little bit more." Gregory pleaded.

"The boss won't be happy in this kind of excuse, Mr. Rothschild." He warned.

"I know, I'm sorry. Please tell him that I will pay. Just a little more time." Gregory felt like any moment; he would piss himself.

"I will give your message. But I can't guarantee you will receive a good response." The man threatened him. "So, If I were you, come up with the payment."

As soon as the goons left, Gregory collapsed on his knees. He doesn't know where he could find the money for them. No one would lend him money anymore. Because of his scandalous photo, many more of their friends and associates knew that about their situation. He needs to think about the fasted way.

"Who are those guys, Dad?" Ava asked suspiciously.

"A group of people that owed some money." He answered coldly.

"What? Didn't you see how they looked like?" Ava asked her father, disappointed. "They could kill of us if you wouldn't be able to pay them!" Ava tried her best not to be too harsh to her father.

"Don't you think I know that?" Gregory answered angrily. "If you and your sister helped me! All of these could have been avoided."

"Wow! And you blame us for not marrying those boys?" Ava could not believe what his father was saying. "You're the one throwing away our wealth for gambling, and now you're blaming us? How could you?"

"I just my daughters' help! What's so hard with that!" Gregory forcefully said?

"What's hard is you want us to sacrifice our life and happiness for your capricious lifestyle and gambling addiction!" Ava can no longer hold her anger. "You're selling your daughters so you can continue to gamble!"

"And now what? You're going to leave me alone to be killed by mobs!" Gregory shouted back at Ava.

Gregory walked away from her daughter. He went back to the mansion and picked up his phone. Trying to ask for help from people he had business with before. One particular name caught his attention. He immediately dialed his number and waited for someone to answer on the line.

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Faye Tiamzon is a beautiful young woman with a trim physique. At the age of twenty-eight, Faye still looks like an eighteen-year-old young lady. She's been working as a secretary for Marionne Castello for three years. And in the entire duration of her stay with the company, he never saw or heard her boss laughed. He smiles from time to time but only because he has to. Not because he's pleased.

"Good afternoon, sir." Faye greeted her boss as she entered his office.

"Yes?" Marionne shortly replied.

"There's certain Mr. Lauren io on the line who wants to set a dinner appointment with you," Faye replied.

"Sure, transfer him over."

"Mr. Antonio Laurencio. It's been a while; how have you been?

After Marionne talked to him, he realized that the reason he wanted to meet is because of a friend who needs help. Marionne owes a favor. Antonio helped him when he was starting. He taught him everything he knew about and so many more. But what picked his interest was the name of the person Antonio wanted to be introduced to Marionne.

Gregory Rothschild

The name alone made him curious enough, so he said to the meeting. He doesn't know if he would recognize him. But he thought, maybe it's time for him to face the main reason why he pushed himself to the limit and succeed. It was that night that Marionne promised he would do everything to make it on top.

- Flashback-

By eight in the evening, Marionne was already drunk. They've been drinking since they arrived home after graduation. Cheap gin and powered juice were enough for them to celebrate. As they liked to say, they'd drink expensive drinks when they are rich. Then for some reason, Marionne just left to attend Ava's party. He didn't even manage to fix himself because he was too drunk.

"Oh, my, God!" One of the rich kids exclaimed. "Who is that?"

"Gate crasher!" Another one roared.

"Can someone call security?" The others suggested.

"Don't worry, ladies. I'll handle this." They all looked satisfied when a man walked towards Marionne. He looked like in his mid-40s, yet still, look formidable and elegant. "I know you, Marionne, right?"

Marianne felt like he was showered with ice-cold water. The man in front of him was the father of Ava. "Uhm—yes—yes, sir." He struggled to answer.

"Look around, Marionne. Do you think your fit this life?" Marionne gulped. He felt insulted. "The kind of my daughter was born into? You're not the right man for my daughter, so leave her alone. I will not allow my daughter to associate herself with worthless people like you." He bowed out of shame.

"Maybe your rich, but you are far worthless than poor people like me." Marionne held his ground. "You just have the money. But you are not worth anything."

- End of Flashback.-

Since then, Marionne never stopped hating them. He was consumed by it that he no longer remembers who love?

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Marionne arrived at the restaurant they agreed upon fifteen minutes later than their agreed time. As he entered, the familiar face of a man who almost caused his father's death greeted him.

"I'm so sorry for being late, Mr. Laurencio, and you are?" Marionne was half expecting an insult, but Gregory looks like he didn't even recognize Marionne.

"No, Hijo. It's fine. I'm Gregory Rothschild. Nice to meet you." He hasn't lost his sense of self-worth. Marionne thought to himself. He looked at Gregory's extended hand.

"So, Mr. Laurencio, you called me here?" Marionne went straight to business and blatantly disregarded Gregory's offer fo a handshake.

"My friend here, Gregory, is looking for worthy husbands for her daughters," Antonio explained. "And my first thought was you."

"Well, what are we still doing here? Why don't you introduce me to your daughters?" Marionne said to Gregory as if he's offering a product.

Antonio let Marionne come with Gregory alone. He wanted to let him decide if he would marry Gregory's daughter seeing them. On the way to the Rothschild mansion, Marionne felt all kinds of nostalgia. But he did his best to hid his emotions. Gregory doesn't remember him. Of course, why would he? He was just a nobody the last time they saw each other. He's certain she wouldn't recognize him too.

"Ava, Sophia, I'm glad you're both here. I'd like you to meet Marionne Castello." Gregory introduced him to his daughters.

Marionne looked at them blankly. But he stared at Ava longer. It's as she saw a ghost. She recognized him. The shocked look on her face was enough proof.