"If not this idiot, who else would piss me off this much?" Diane hissed heavily as she faced her senior brother, Logan, who just came in.
"I have told you several times, Diane, you still believe in your foolish husband." Logan paused.
"If it were me, I would have served him a divorce papers immediately after the showcase of his nonsensity." Logan added curtly.
"Honestly I want to but maybe I should wait until our parents make a final decision about him. He is doing nothing but eating our food and other necessities. I can't afford to take in burdens like him." She batted her lashes at him as she spoke.
"Well, I'm not here for him though. There are more important things to discuss." Logan scoffed.
"That's true."
"So, have you gotten any gifts for Grandma's birthday? It's tomorrow." Logan reminded her with a smile on her face and she nodded instantly.
"Of course, I wouldn't slack even a bit." She rushed to a corner where she had dropped her gift while Logan placed his gifts on the vanity table.
Meanwhile, Drew watched them while twisting his hands against each other.
The birthday was tomorrow? Cold sweat gathered on his face.
He hadn't even breath from Mr. Stewart threats, now he had to face the entire household and pay his debt his wife caused.
"You!" Logan called him nonchalantly.
"What do you have to give tomorrow?" Logan asked, staring at him slyly because he knew nothing good could come out of Drew.
"A lot has happened this week, and I'm not really on funds. I haven't gotten a gift yet." He informed Logan, feeling embarrassed.
"Seriously? You have fallen from grace, shouldn't you be trying to sugarcoat our Grandma into keeping you in the family?" Logan asked in a displeasing tone.
"I… I …" He was still stuttering when Diane returned with her gift box.
"What do you think a jobless man like him could give? Besides, he still has to pay Dad's $100 million else his punishment might take his life." Diane scoffed.
"That's bad. You can't even afford your wife's need and now you are even owing your in-laws. That's terrible for a man, joke." Logan shook his head while clicking his tongue.
"I… somehow I'm expecting contract maybe next week, I might…" He hadn't finished his statement when Logan cut him off.
"I don't know about the $100 million but grandma's birthday won't wait for you." Logan surfed through his shopping bag and brought out a gift.
He gave it a long look before handing it over to Drew. "Well, you can make do with this tomorrow so you won't embarrass my sister even more." He added and a big smile formed on Drew's face.
"Really?" He gasped in shock and excitement.
This was the first time Logan was being all nice to him and he couldn't believe it, to him, it was a big change and who knows, things might begin to work between them in future.
"Thank you so much, Logan. I promise to repay your kindness in future." As he spoke; he bowed his head. He didn't even check the content since it was sealed but he believed Logan wouldn't act funny since they all respected Madam Stewart, the elder of the Stewart family.
The day of Madam Stewart 70th birthday came and the entire luxurious court was filled with expensive cars and limos, including dignitaries. The hall was extremely extraordinary and extravagantly organized, there were multiple chandeliers hanging in the roof, classic chairs and clothed tables. The servants walked around the lanes with a tray containing fruits, food and drinks.
The hall was filled with invited guests and because they were family, they weren't embarrassed by the security personnel but Drew somewhat felt shy because he wasn't looking as luxurious as his in-law and wife were looking.
They had given all his clothes to the orphanage, now he was barely left with three pairs of trousers and shirts, even at that, he tried not to look "too unpleasant."
In the first roll, the round table held the names of each seater, so the Stewarts' walked over to the table.
Everyone had settled on the table, and it was only then Drew noticed that his name wasn't there. Rather, it was the name of his old colleague and friend, Richard.
"What are you doing here? Back off, the show is about to start." His mother-in-law growled at him as he stepped backward.
Just then, Richard showed up and didn't bother to greet him. Richard shoved him aside and took his seat beside Diane.
"What am I seeing?" This was the only statement he could say as he staggered to a free seat.
He couldn't afford to make a scene in front of everyone but as the occasion proceeded , he didn't stop looking at Diane and Richard. His wife looked so comfortable and laughed cheerfully when she was around Richard but if he was the one, it would only cause her to frown.
As Madam Stewart climbed on the stage, everyone settled and the noise reduced.
"Thank you so much for taking out your time to celebrate with me. It is indeed a milestone, and believe me, I won't just stop here. My journey continues till later days…" She said fluently and the crowd uproared in cheers.
After her statement, the Mcee took over the microphone and merriment began to filter in the air.
"Alright, it is time for guests to present their gifts." The Mcee informed everyone and stepped away.
One after the other, based on their timing, they approached Madam Stewart with their gift, lauding at her for their own favors. Drew was nervous as he held his gift tighter, it was almost his turn.
He tried to stay courageous just like the others so as not to sell himself off.
"Granny!" Diane cried out in excitement as she sat beside Madam Stewart, passing her the gift she had brought.
"Oh my darling. Thank you." Madam Stewart smiled as she beckoned at her servant who slowly unwrapped the gift.
"I know how much you have always wanted this piece of the Ming dynasty." Diane cringed.
"Thank you so much." They kept smiling between themselves as Logan also passed his gift.
"What about you? Did your husband not bring any gift?" Madam Stewart asked Diane sweetly but turning to Drew, her facial expression was deadly.
"Of… of course, I brought something for you." Drew said confidently with a smile, handing the box over to the servant.
The servant unwrapped it and sent it over to Madam Stewart, she slowly unboxed the package.
"What is this?" She whispered in anxiety.
"I wonder." Diane shrugged.
After opening the luxurious paper box, it turned out to be an empty box with a little note in it.
Drew lost his smile as his eyes widened in confusion. He quickly turned to Logan, and Diane couldn't tell what was happening.
By this time, all eyes were on them since they were standing in the limelight.
"What the hell is this? Instead of giving me a birthday package, you are asking me for some million dollar bills - seriously?" Madam Stewart hissed in disgust, staring at him as he frequently shook his head.
"No. No. No." This was the only word he could profess from his mouth as others couldn't help but find merry in his humiliation.