Nicklaus Channing was the last heir of the Chan empire, which happened to be the best design company in the world and the second child of the most powerful family in Bettavile city. People didn't know a second son ever existed as he was overshadowed by his elder brother, Myles. After the death of his parents, Myles took over the Chan empire but ended up squandering the company's funds and disappearing. Now the company was about to take its last breath and only Nicklaus could revive it, but he refused to return after being cast out by them. He is now living with a worthless son-in-law, and he isn't bothered by it. He is willing to live the way he is as long as his wife is by his side and all he is waiting for is for her to reach out a hand to him, and he would raise her to the very top of the world. When a golden opportunity comes, after his wife told him she never wanted to be looked down upon ever again, Nicklaus is ready and more than willing to do all in his power to give her all she wants from the world, even if it is the very world itself.
Chapter 1 The Changing Family
Nancy's was a little less crowded, like always. Only a few people purchased things from the shop since all she sold were second-hand products. But she had one customer who patronized her almost all the time. Nicklaus was her number one customer, and she appreciated him every single time he walked through her doors.
"So, what can I get you today, Klaus?" She asked with a smile.
"I'll just have a look around and see what I can find." He responded with a brief smile.
She nodded and walked away to attend to her other few customers. Whenever he needed something, he knew he could depend on Nancy's, as the things there were for a very low price, which was perfect for Nicklaus' budget.
While taking a look around, he found a pretty necklace that would be perfect for his wife, so he picked it. It wasn't in his budget to get her a present, but he wanted to put a smile on her face.
He picked up a few more things and went straight to the cash register to make payments and hurry back home on time, but there was a short line.
A stranger came and stood next to him. The man was dressed in all black and even had dark shades inside the confined shop. He gently nudged Nicklaus with his shoulder, trying to get his attention.
"My answer is no." Nicklaus replied before the man even asked anything.
"Sir, please don't say that! " We need you; the Chinese empire needs you. " The family is in desperate need of a head again," the stranger pleaded.
"Then find my brother!"
"With all due respect, sir, Mr. Myles is nothing but a thief and wrecker! He has wrecked the family and the empire. We are afraid that Chan only has a few years left to live."
"A few years? That's a long way to go."
"Mr Klaus--"
"Listen to me; no matter what you say to me here, I will not change my mind; my answer is no, forever, okay? " I am perfectly okay with my new life with my wife," Nicklaus snapped.
"Is everything okay?" Nancy asked. "You're next, Klaus."
The line in front of him dissipated, and he was able to finally make payments for his purchase. He left the shop with his goods, and the suitor followed and kept pleading with Nicklaus to return.
The truth was, this man was no stranger to Nicklaus. Sure, he didn't know the man personally, but he knew who sent him and why they did.
Nicklaus hailed from the most powerful family in the whole of the city, the Channing. They were rich, influential, and popular, known worldwide for their brand, Chan Designer. But he had moved on with his life, living with his wife, even though he was always insulted for being poor.
They all regarded him as the useless son-in-law in the Archer family he married into.
Why would he refuse to return to his family and claim his wealth, even with all the insults he received for being broke? Nicklaus had seen through his elder brother, Myles, and he knew his brother didn't have one single good intention towards the Chan empire.
The empire was the family's heirloom passed down from their ancestors to their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Channing, but upon their sudden and mysterious disappearance, it was passed down to Myles.
Nicklaus had caught him squandering time without a number, and he tried to report it to his grandmother, who was supposed to lead the company until either he or his brother proved worthy, but she selfishly gave it to Myles because he was her favorite child.
She despised Nicklaus and believed he was jealous of his brother, so she convinced the Channing family to cast him out without handing him a penny, and they did so without thinking twice.
Living on the streets and begging for alms, he was lucky enough to meet a nice man who helped him. Desmond Archer, who happened to be a friend of his family, knew his identity and took him in. He arranged a marriage between Nicklaus and his granddaughter, Bree Archer.
Bree was beyond furious that her grandfather had brought home a beggar for her to marry, but she couldn't go against his words.
Shortly after their union, Desmond passed away. Ever since then, Nicklaus has become a slave to his wife's family. A useless live-in son-in-law.
But he didn't mind. He loved his wife and didn't want to return to the hassles of living with Channing.
"Sir, please be kind enough to reconsider. " The family needs you," he pleaded, looking sober.
Nicklaus didn't say anything. I just took one last look at the young man and walked away.
He hurried to his wife, Bree. Today was her grandmother's birthday, and she sent Nicklaus to get a nice-looking present. He didn't have much, so all he could buy was a cheap figurine, but its patterns were very beautiful.
"Did you find something nice?" Bree questioned.
"Yes." He showed her the figurine with a contented smile on his face.
"It's not much, but I guess it looks attractive." She said this as she collected it from him.
"Thanks. I got you something nice too.
"Who let a rat into the estate?" James' voice interrupted Nicklaus as he was about to remove the necklace he got Bree from the bag he was carrying.
James was Bree's older brother, and he never missed out on an opportunity to taunt Nicklaus. "Ah! Good morning, James." Nicklaus put on a smile.
"What is that?" He stole the figurine from Bree's hand. "What is this cheap crap?" He laughed as he shook it and threatened to break it.
"James, enough of this nonsense!" Bree snapped angrily. "When will you stop acting so childish and leave Klaus alone?"
"Are you really taking his side? " Have you forgotten that this rat has nothing and feeds off us like he is our responsibility? "James spat out.
"You think I don't know that? But still, leave him alone. You should at least have a little self-respect! Now give it back!" She stretched her hand out.
"Why am I not surprised? You've become like him-poor, worthless, and stupid! It is incomprehensible that my sister would ever adopt the position of a filthy pig. You were something; you used to be, but now you are nothing."
James' words hit her like a knife, straight to the chest. She felt rage engulf her as her blood began boiling. She wanted to defend herself with a comeback that would put James in tears, but she had nothing. She felt defeated, and Nicklaus had nothing to say about it.
She got so angry that she was married to a loser like Nicklaus.
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