Chapter 1
The lavish Wilson family mansion was brightly lit.
Tonight, it was the 70th birthday feast of the family matriarch, Mrs Wilson.
Numerous grandchildren and their spouses presented extravagant gifts.
"Grandma, I heard you love tea. This century-old Pu'er tea brick is worth half a million. It's my gift for your birthday."
"Grandma, I heard you're a devout Buddhist. This jade Buddha is carved from Hetian jade and is worth seven hundred thousand..."
Mrs Wilson, surrounded by all these gifts, laughed heartily, with the entire family in high spirits.
Suddenly, Charlie, Mrs Wilson's eldest grandson-in-law, spoke up, "Grandma, could I borrow a million from you? Auntie Elen from the orphanage has uremia and needs money for her treatment..."
The entire Wilson family was stunned.
Everyone looked at Charlie in disbelief.
This son-in-law had some nerve! Not only did he not bring any gift for Grandma's birthday, but he also had the audacity to ask her for a million?
Three years ago, the late Elder Wilson had somehow found Charlie and insisted on marrying his eldest granddaughter, Claire Wison, to him. At that time, Charlie was penniless, practically a beggar.
After their marriage and the passing of Elder Wilson, the Wilson family had been scheming to drive Charlie away.
But Charlie always remained calm, no matter the insults. So, he continued to live with the Wilson family as their son-in-law.
His plea for money today was born out of desperation.
Auntie Elen from the orphanage, who had taken him in and saved his life when he was young, was now suffering from uremia. The dialysis and kidney transplant would cost at least a million. Left with no choice, he approached Mrs Wilson.
He thought, given it was her birthday, she might be in a generous mood.
However, a moment ago, she was laughing, but now her face turned stern.
She slammed her tea cup on the floor, shouting, "You insolent fool! Did you come here to celebrate or to borrow money?"
Claire hurriedly stepped forward, "Grandma, please forgive Charlie. He didn't know better."
As she tried to pull Charlie away, Wendy, Claire's cousin, sneered, "Look at the trash you married! My fiancé, Gerald, gave Grandma a Hetian jade Buddha even before our wedding. And your husband? He brought nothing and even dares to ask for money!"
Another voice chimed in, "Charlie, as sons-in-law of the Wilson family, you're truly disappointing."
The speaker was Gerald White, Wendy's fiancé, and the heir to a local prominent family.
Gerald had always envied Charlie for marrying Claire, the renowned beauty of Aurous Hill.
Hearing the whispers, Charlie clenched his fists. If it weren't for the medical fees he needed, he would've left long ago.
But remembering his father's teachings of repaying kindness, he suppressed his feelings and said, "Grandma, saving a life is the greatest virtue. Please help."
Someone scoffed, "Charlie, stop trying to sway Grandma with your words. If you want to save her, find your own way. Why should Grandma foot the bill?"
The critic was Harold, Wendy's brother. They always looked for opportunities to mock Charlie.
Claire interjected, "Grandma, Charlie lost his father at eight. Auntie Elen from the orphanage raised him. He wants to repay her kindness. Please help him."
Mrs Wilson darkly replied, "Help him? Fine. Divorce him and marry Mr Jones. If you do, I'll give him a million right away."
The "Mr Jones" she referred to was Wendell Jones, who had been pursuing Claire. Jones' family was more influential than the Wilson's, and Mrs Wilson always wanted to establish ties with them.
Just then, the butler announced, "Mr Wendell Jones has sent a gift! A jade Buddha pendant worth three million!"
Mrs Wilson was ecstatic, "Let me see!"
She admired the exquisite jade pendant, and Gerald, who had gifted a jade Buddha himself, looked a bit embarrassed by Jones' generosity.
Mrs Wilson, thrilled, remarked, "If Jones could be my grandson-in-law, I'd be over the moon!"
Turning to Claire, she pressed, "So, will you consider my offer?"
Claire firmly replied, "Grandma, I won't divorce Charlie."
Mrs Wilson's face darkened. "You're throwing your lot in with this loser? Get out of my house!"
Charlie whispered to Claire, "I'll go to the hospital to see Auntie Elen."
Claire wanted to accompany him, but Mrs Wilson threatened to disown her if she left.
As Charlie exited, Harold mockingly tossed a coin at his feet, implying he was a beggar.
Charlie, filled with determination, headed to the hospital to arrange for Auntie Elen's treatment. However, he was informed she had been transferred to a top Eastcliff hospital. The treatment would cost three million, one million of which had already been paid.
Wondering who paid, Charlie turned to find an older man in a black suit behind him. Their eyes met, and the man bowed, "Young Master, it's been tough on you all these years."
Charlie, with a changed demeanor, coldly inquired, "Are you Stephen Thompson?"
Stephen Thompson exclaimed, "You remember me!"
Charlie retorted, "Of course! You and your men were the reason my parents and I had to flee Eastcliff. They died during that escape, and I was left an orphan. Why are you here now?"
Stephen Thompson sorrowfully explained that Charlie's grandfather had been searching for him for years. He handed Charlie a premium black card from Citibank, explaining there were only five such cards in the country.
Charlie was reluctant, but when Stephen Thompson mentioned the remaining medical bills, he hesitated.
Sensing his doubt, Stephen Thompson pressed, "The card contains a small allowance from your grandfather. Just ten billion."
Charlie's world spun as he processed the information.