Jefferson drove to the Adam’s mansion with a gloomy look on his face. He couldn’t stop thinking about his company and the possibility of bankruptcy. As he walked into the Adam mansion, everyone was already gathered in the sitting room. He scanned the looks on their faces and realized that no one was happy. Angela’s grandmother, Mrs Adam, who usually welcomed him with a smile on her face didn’t utter a word to him as he sat on one of the sofas. “Is everything ok?” He asked. “Nothing is ok.” Mrs Adam said almost immediately. “Our company is at the verge of bankruptcy. The Adam’s company is all we have to sustain this family and we cannot afford to lose it. We need your help to revive the company.” Jefferson swallowed. He didn’t know how he could tell them about his own company that was also on the verge of bankruptcy. “Why aren’t you saying anything?” Mrs Adam said when Jefferson didn’t say anything for minutes. “You promised to handle these things when you asked to marry Angela. You’re of no use to this family if you’re going to be another son-in-law who can’t contribute financially.” Jefferson was taken aback by her statement. His mind quickly darted to Charles warning that Angela would dump him if he was unable to provide for her financially. “Helping your company is going to be quite hard for me because I’m also dealing with issues of my own.” He finally said. Angela scoffed. “Unbelievable.” She shook her head. “What kind of men do I end up with? What happened to all the promises you made to us when Charles was kicked out of the mansion? Why are you suddenly going back on your words?” Angela’s sister chipped in after her. “You had enough money to go for that auction. Why don’t you use that to boost our company?” Mark cleared his throat. “Why don’t we take things slowly?” He turned to Jefferson. “How was the auction? Did you buy the headset? I believe that thing would help both our companies if we use it.” Jefferson sighed and lowered his head. “I lost the bid.” Mrs Adam hissed. “Why? How could you let someone outbid you? I thought you claimed you had enough money to purchase it. Who did you lose to?” “Charles.” Jefferson answered. “I lost the bid to that bastard.” “What?” Angela jumped to her feet. “That’s impossible.” Mark’s eyes almost popped out of their socket. “What are you saying, Jefferson?” Mrs Adam asked. “Or are you talking about another man? How can you say you lost a bid to a delivery man?” “Charles is no more a delivery man. In fact, he owns Golden State Hotel. I was more than shocked when he bought every single high-tech machine that was auctioned today. But don’t worry, I will soon find out where he is getting his money from. I’m very sure he is just a petty thief.” Angela didn’t wait to hear everything he was saying but dashed to her bedroom to get her MacBook. She quickly searched for Charles online and she froze in shock. “Hidden Billionaire In The City: The Story Of Charles Lincoln.” She read out the headline on one of the news site. They were writing about Charles as a billionaire. Charles? Her stupid, poor, ex-husband? “The New CEO of Golden State Hotel Has Left The Entire City Tongue-tied.” Another headline read. There were pictures of Charles on every site, calling him a billionaire and many more. Some even referred to him as the city’s biggest celebrity. Angela shut her MacBook in anger. “Jefferson is saying the truth.” She announced. “He is indeed the CEO of Golden State Hotel and his net worth is over 200 million dollars.” “Are you saying that your ex-husband is truly a billionaire now?” Mrs. Adam asked. Angela nodded. “He was seen driving the latest car model in the city today. Some blogs are calling him the star of the city. His pictures are all over the internet.” “Don’t worry, it’s just his five minutes of fame. I’m sure that he is posing as a rich man to draw attention to himself.” Jefferson was sweating profusely as he thought of a way out of his problems. “Really?” Mrs Adam was not impressed. “Do you think it’s just five minutes of fame? His company’s shares is becoming the highest in the city while ours is plummeting to the ground. And you think it’s a joke?” Jefferson shook his head nervously. “No, it’s not a joke. What I’m trying to say is that—” His phone rang at that moment. “Excuse me, I have to take this, it’s my personal assistant.” “Hello Sir, we have a problem.” His personal assistant said over the phone. “What’s wrong? What is the problem?” “All our investors have withdrawn their stocks and our shares has dropped with more than 90 percent. At this rate, we will be bankrupt by the end of the month.” Jefferson didn’t know what to say. The phone dropped from his hand and fell to the ground. The entire Adam’s family was staring at him with concern as he rose from the sofa with his hand on his head. “This can’t be happening!” He exclaimed. “What’s happening?” Angela asked, rushing to his side. “Tell me what’s happening.” After some minutes, she was able to calm him down. “All my investors have pulled their stocks out of my company.” He informed them, his eyes filled with tears. “I’m going to be bankrupt by the end of the month if nothing is done. I don’t have the money to boost my company and no one is willing to hold a partnership with a dying company.” Angela staggered back from him. “What are you saying? Are you trying to tell me that there’s nothing you can do for my family’s company? Why did I marry you then? I should have stayed with my husband who is now a billionaire!” Jefferson was shocked to hear her words. She sounded like a gold digger who only went after him for his money. “Try to be calm, Angela.” He uttered, completely shaken. “Things are beyond my control and the best way for us to deal with this is unity. We can merge our companies and try to boost it together.” Mrs Adam chuckled. “Merge two dying companies? That’s the most ridiculous idea I’ve heard from you. It’s very obvious that you can’t help us.” “No—No…” he stammered. “I know a way out of this situation.” “Tell us then.” “The CEO of Dreamstone Enterprise is sourcing for partners. As a matter of fact, he’s going to give 200 million dollars to any company that presents the best business idea to him. If we can get the contract, we will get the money and become partners with such a big company.” Mrs Adam’s eyes brightened at the mention of the money. “That is a great opportunity. Why haven’t you told us about this? Angela can prepare a great business idea and present it to him. I’m very sure he will select her because of her beauty.” “Angela and I can go together tomorrow. We will brainstorm ideas this night and document it. I’m sure we will come up with something unique. When we win the contract, we can split the 200 million dollars equally.” Mark rose to his feet. “And what if you don’t get the contract? Do we have any backup plan? We need to have a backup plan incase something doesn’t go according to plan.” “I’m sure we will get the contract.” Angela replied firmly. “And if we don’t, I’m sure I can get a man who can fund the company for us. Since Jefferson has proven to be useless like Charles, I can easily replace him with someone that will help us.” What felt like a knife went through Jefferson’s heart immediately. “Why are you speaking like this, Angela? Is our relationship just a money making scheme to you?” Angela chuckled. “Look, I have to find a way to survive and support my family’s business. The only thing that matters is saving our company from bankruptcy. And yes, if you fail to help us, I’ll have no choice but to be with a man that can do that. It’s that simple.” Jefferson turned to Mrs Adam, hoping she would come to his rescue but she threw her face away. To his dismay, he realized that he was all alone. Angela was only using him to fund her family’s company. Mrs Adam rose to her feet. “Jefferson, if you really want to remain in this family, you must help Angela get that contract. In fact, that is the only condition for you to step your feet back into this mansion. If you fail to do so, don’t ever come back here.” With that, she strolled out of the sitting room, followed by Angela and her sister, then Mark. Jefferson was left alone in the sitting room, in a puddle of his problems.