Race For Fortune follows the captivating journey of Calhoun Dontonio, the heir of the prestigious Dontonio family, as he embarks on a tumultuous path to success. From poverty, Calhoun's life takes an unforeseen twist when he suddenly becomes immensely wealthy. However, his newfound riches come at a cost, as he must navigate a treacherous web of internal and external pressures that threaten to unravel his peaceful life. As Calhoun strives to maintain a delicate balance between his old life and his new reality, he finds himself entangled in a complex web of relationships fraught with betrayal, deceit, and even danger. With backstabbers lurking at every corner and killers on the prowl, Calhoun is thrust into a high-stakes game where the fate of the Dontonio family hangs in the balance. Bound by the weight of his responsibilities, Calhoun is left with no choice but to confront his destiny head-on. In a race for fortune, can he summon the courage and resourcefulness needed to rescue his family from an impending downfall? The gripping tale of Calhoun Dontonio's rise and fall will keep you on the edge of your seat, exploring the boundaries of loyalty, ambition, and the relentless pursuit of power.
Chapter 1 The urgent call
It was 8 am on a Friday morning when Calhoun received an urgent call that shook him to his core. Without a moment's hesitation, he rushed to the clinic, his heart pounding in his chest. His beloved wife, Bella Jose, had been involved in a terrible accident, and he feared the worst.
Bella, a woman known for her unparalleled beauty and intelligence in the Jose family, had been forced into marriage with Calhoun two years ago. The arrangement came after Calhoun had saved her grandfather's life, forever intertwining their fates.
Stepping out of the doctor's office, still grappling with the news about Bella's condition, Calhoun's path intersected with Lisa, his mother-in-law. However, instead of finding solace or support, he was met with a barrage of abuse and insults that left him reeling.
"You piece of trash, if only you were rich, my daughter wouldn't have to suffer like this," Lisa sneered, her words laced with venom. Her anger seemed to know no bounds. "I thought you'd grown up, but it seems you still live under a rock! You don't deserve any happiness. I hope you're happy knowing that she's going to die, and all these debts will fall on me."
Calhoun tried to maintain his composure and reason with her, "Mom, Bella will be fine. She didn't sustain any life-threatening injuries."
"How many times have I told you not to call me mom? You garbage!" Lisa spat on him, not even sparing a moment to consider Calhoun's feelings. She struck him with her hand, and the pain of her words cut deep.
Calhoun stood there, silently enduring the onslaught of insults from Lisa and the mockery of passersby. Some laughed openly, while others whispered cruel remarks behind his back. He felt utterly helpless, not knowing what else to say or do to quell the storm of hostility.
But Calhoun knew that they needed money to handle the mounting medical bills and other expenses. Being financially strapped, he saw no choice but to swallow his pride and visit the Jose family to seek their help.
With anxiety overwhelming him, Calhoun knelt before Grandma Jose, Bella's stern and unyielding matriarch. "Grandma Jose, please save my wife. I'll do anything to repay the debt. I'll wash your clothes, do all the house chores," he pleaded desperately.
Grandma Jose hit him with a cane. She was dissatisfied with him and had wanted to break him and Bella up long ago but Bella kept disobeying her. She saw this as an opportunity to break them apart. Seizing the moment, she cruelly demanded, "If you want my help, you'll have to eat your meal like a dog."
"I'll do it." Calhoun replied, not caring about the disdain they all gave him. He was desperate to save his wife was willingly to go through any demands made by the Jose family.
Going down on his kneels, he ate on all fours like an animal, the Jose family members mocked and tormented him, recording the degrading scene on their phones, adding to his humiliation.
"Come on, good dog, eat, be faster." One of the Jose family members said as he hit Calhoun with a cane.
Calhoun was wincing in pain but had no choice than to continue.
After finishing the last humiliating bite, Calhoun turned to Grandma Jose with a glimmer of hope, "Grandma, I've finished eating it. Can you give me the money now?"
Grandma Jose looked at him with disdain, "What money? Did I promise you any money? I don't give dogs money. Throw him out!"
Despite being treated like a mere pawn in their eyes, Calhoun's love for Bella burned brighter than ever. With his dignity in tatters, he knew he had to find another way to secure the funds to save his wife.
Calhoun had run out of options and felt utterly unsure about what to do next. Feeling overwhelmed, he decided to light a cigarette, even though he wasn't usually a smoker. All he wanted at that moment was to clear his head and find some relief. Tears started to fill his eyes as emotions began to well up inside him.
Suddenly, his phone rang, the number showed was just six 8's '888888'. Only the Dontonio family used such custom numbers. He picked up the call and heard a voice, "Young master, you have successfully completed the family trial. The master has organised a small family dinner to celebrate you tonight. I'll come pick you up."
Calhoun recognised the voice, it was his family's butler speaking. He was surprised and choked with words. He held back his tears and finally he replied, " I'll come over myself, but first can you send me 300,000."