New York City.
In a mid-range apartment.
"Auntie, didn't we agree that I could give you $100,000 as a gift for marrying Anna? Why are you suddenly raising the price and demanding a mansion, a sports car, and a yacht? I'm just a recent graduate, and that $100,000 is money my family left for me."
Larry's face turned red as he suppressed his anger and asked in a low voice.
Today, he had brought the $100,000 requested by his girlfriend's family to her house, intending to finalize the wedding date.
But to his surprise, after handing the money to his girlfriend's mother, Bella, she demanded that he buy a mansion and a sports car as well.
The $100,000 was partly his savings from working for a few years, while the rest was almost all his family's savings, with some borrowed from his foster father.
Where could he find more money to buy a mansion and a sports car?
"Larry, there's no other way. My son Kevin is about to graduate from college and get married. If you want to marry Anna, you must buy a car and a house for her brother, and they have to be top-notch."
Bella smiled, looking somewhat troubled.
Hearing this, Larry glanced at Kevin, who was playing with his phone nearby.
Larry had been dating Anna since college. During this time, at Anna's request, he had bought many things for Kevin, spending almost half of his living expenses on him.
Now, he was being asked to buy him a house and a car, and they had to be the best. Why?
However, remembering his father's hopeful look when he handed him the money before passing away, Larry suppressed his anger again and said, "Auntie, how about we set the wedding date first, and after we get married, I'll buy those things for you slowly? Kevin still has some time before he graduates, right?"
"No way! Only after you buy the car and house will I allow my daughter to marry you!"
Before Larry could finish his sentence, Bella firmly denied his request.
"Anna, you know our situation. The $100,000 is almost all we have."
Larry looked at his girlfriend, Anna, hoping she would speak up for him.
Anna hesitated, her lips moved as if she wanted to say something, but seeing Bella's fierce gaze, she remained silent.
"I've raised her for so many years, and you think $100,000 is enough to marry her? Not a chance! There are plenty of people who like my daughter. If you don't have money, how can you get married?"
Bella's face turned cold as she bluntly stated.
"A broke guy wanting to get married?"
At this moment, Kevin, who had been playing with his phone, looked up and glanced at Larry with disdain.
Larry was instantly enraged.
He had always treated Kevin like his own brother, even buying the clothes he was wearing and the iPhone 15 Pro Max he was playing with.
And now he dared to speak to him like this!
"Anna, tell me, do you want to marry me or not?"
Larry could no longer hold back and directly asked Anna.
"Larry, I…" Anna hesitated, clearly struggling, but finally gritted her teeth and said, "My brother is our family's hope. I can't let him get married without a house and a car."
Hearing this, Larry trembled.
He finally understood that this family was just like vampires.
He had been with Anna for five years, carefully nurturing the relationship, cherishing it deeply.
He had fulfilled every request she made, thinking that would lead them to marriage.
But now, they were making demands he couldn't meet, threatening to call off the wedding otherwise.
Was their five-year relationship so fragile?
"I won't get married. Give me back the money!"
Larry shouted angrily.
"Want the money back? Now that you can't marry my daughter, consider the money as compensation for her youth. She's been with you for five years. Is $100,000 too much to ask?"
Bella sneered.
Hearing this, Larry felt a surge of anger.
Not only did they cancel the wedding, but they also wanted to keep his money. How could anyone be so shameless?
"That's all we have!"
Larry said each word with a heavy tone.
"I don't care! You're not taking the money back!"
Bella crossed her arms, her attitude arrogant.
"What? Thinking of hitting someone? Get out!"
Kevin lifted his head again, impatiently.
"Give me the money, and I'll leave immediately!"
Larry stood his ground, refusing to leave without his money.
"Not leaving, huh? Fine, wait here!"
Kevin, as if prepared, dialed a number on his phone.
A few minutes later, two burly men covered in tattoos walked in.
"It's him! Throw him out!"
Kevin pointed at Larry, speaking as if he were looking at trash.
The two men, without a word, dragged Larry out despite his struggles.
Outside, they beat him up before leaving.
After a long while, Larry stood up, enduring the pain. A gentle spring breeze blew, warm and soothing, yet he felt it was cold and piercing. He suddenly laughed.
He had always known that his girlfriend was weak-willed and that she, like her mother, doted on her brother excessively.
He hadn't thought much of it before, but now he realized how terrifying it was.
Ha, five years of feelings...
Now he understood their real intention. They knew he couldn't come up with more money, so they found an excuse to break up with him and keep the $100,000.
The two thugs were prepared beforehand, or how else could they have arrived so quickly?
How heartless!
…
On his way home, Larry walked in a daze.
"Are you Larry?"
In front of him stood a middle-aged man in a suit, exuding a noble aura.
Two burly men in sunglasses stood behind him, clearly his bodyguards.
A luxury car parked behind them, with a magnificent exterior, the little golden figure on the hood particularly eye-catching.
A Rolls-Royce Phantom! At least a million dollars!
Who was this tycoon?
"And you are?"
"My name is William, a servant of your biological father! I am also your servant!"
The middle-aged man bowed to Larry and smiled.
Biological father?
What was going on?
Larry was confused.
"You must be puzzled. Let me explain it to you."
William noticed Larry's confusion and quickly said.
"The parents you have now are not your biological parents. Your father encountered enemies and, to protect you, sent you to an orphanage. He had no choice."
"Your father is the head of the world's top consortium, controlling 50% of the world's wealth, wealthier than nations. Now, both he and the eldest son are missing, making you the only legitimate heir."
Hearing this, Larry instinctively touched the dragon-shaped jade pendant on his neck.
Could it be true?
"Young master, this card contains your pocket money!"
Seeing Larry's shocked expression, William handed him a black card.
"Ha!" Larry laughed upon seeing the card. "Uncle, are you kidding me?"
He assumed the card was a fake, just for show.
Was there any point in acting out such a scene in front of him?
He didn't believe a word of it.
At that moment, an argument broke out inside the house, followed by the sound of something breaking.
Larry's face changed. "Uncle, if there's nothing else, I'll go now!"
"Young master, check the card's balance, and you'll know if I'm lying."
Seeing Larry was about to leave, William hurriedly said.
Larry showed a hint of impatience. To avoid further harassment, he took the card and quickly went inside.
Watching Larry's back, William smiled meaningfully, murmuring, "Young master, I look forward to seeing you, like your father, make the whole world tremble!"