James slammed his fist against the mantelpiece. "I can't believe it, Grandma! That worthless piece of trash, Aaron, making us kneel! Humiliating us in front of Sarah and that shrew Amanda!"
He whirled around to face Lady Eleanor, who sat calmly in her chair, untouched tea cooling beside her.
"I'll kill him," James continued, his voice rising. "I swear, I'll find a way to get back at both of them."
"Calm yourself, James." Lady Eleanor's voice cut through his rage like ice. "Anger is useless. It clouds judgment, and right now, we need to think clearly."
"Thinking?" James scoffed. "What is there to think about? We were blackmailed!"
"Were we?" Lady Eleanor stared past him, her mind working. "Aaron had leverage, yes, but the source of that leverage is the real question. And this mansion changes everything."
She leaned forward slightly. "I initially suspected the thirty million was a loan, or that Sarah had borrowed the money. I never considered it was a genuine gift. But after seeing that house... no one gives away sixty million dollars without a vested interest. Someone powerful has taken an interest in Sarah."
"It has to be Marcus Johnson," James declared. "He's been obsessed with her for years. He's the only one who makes sense."
"Marcus himself doesn't possess that kind of liquid wealth. He lives off his family's name. And even if he could access it, would he truly spend a fortune of that magnitude on a married woman he's not even courting?"
James stopped pacing. "Maybe not, but his father certainly has the money. And Marcus's desire for Sarah... it's not rational, Grandma. It's an obsession. He would do anything to have her."
He moved closer to her chair. "We should use that. If we can arrange a marriage between Sarah and Marcus, we ally ourselves with the Johnson family fortune. Aaron becomes irrelevant, and we gain a powerful new position."
For the first time that day, Lady Eleanor smiled. "An excellent thought, James. Arrange a meeting. It's time we had a formal discussion with young Marcus."
---
Aaron stood on the balcony of his bedroom, looking out over the grounds of The King's Castle. The morning light caught the fountains and manicured gardens below. Even after sleeping here, the reality of owning this place felt surreal. Without the Eternal Bank, he'd still be riding a scooter, still be the house husband everyone looked down on.
Downstairs in the kitchen, Amanda was already at the island, looking uncomfortable among the sleek appliances.
"Good morning," Aaron said, pouring himself coffee.
Amanda looked up, her fear from yesterday replaced by familiar contempt, though something wary lurked beneath it. "Well, look who it is. Enjoying the house your wife's secret admirer bought for her?"
Aaron said nothing, stirring his coffee.
"Tell me, Aaron, aren't you embarrassed? Another man is providing the roof over your head, the clothes on your wife's back. He's taking care of her in a way you never could."
Still, Aaron remained silent.
"You should listen to me for once in your pathetic life," Amanda continued, her voice gaining venom. "This man, whoever he is, is clearly powerful. He won't want you hanging around his new prize. If you don't leave Sarah on your own, he'll find a way to destroy you. Do yourself a favor. Divorce her. Preserve what little dignity you have left and crawl back to whatever hovel you came from."
Aaron finally looked at her. "My place is with my wife, Amanda. As long as Sarah doesn't ask me to leave, I'm not going anywhere."
His phone buzzed. Natalie's name appeared on the screen.
"Sir," Natalie's voice was crisp when he answered. "We need to begin consolidating your local assets. There are several companies within the city that require your immediate attention. We'll begin making site visits tomorrow morning."
Aaron walked to the living room where Sarah was reading.
"Sarah, I have to leave for a while."
She looked up, concerned. "Leave? Is everything okay?"
"It's an old friend of mine. From before I met you. I just got a call... he's very sick, and he doesn't have any family to look after him. I need to go and be with him."
"Oh, Aaron, I'm so sorry. Of course you have to go. How long will you be gone?"
"I'm not sure. It could be a few weeks, depending on how bad the situation is. I'll keep you updated."
Sarah nodded sympathetically. From the kitchen, Amanda scoffed audibly.
---
The next morning, Lady Eleanor greeted Marcus at the door with unusual warmth. "Marcus, my dear boy! It's so wonderful to see you. Please, come in."
She led him to the formal living room. "Please, sit. I've had the servants prepare our finest silver needle tea."
Once settled, she smiled at him. "Marcus, I won't beat around the bush. I've always been tremendously fond of you. And I know you've long held a deep affection for my granddaughter, Sarah."
Marcus straightened in his chair. "That's very true, Grandma. I've cared for Sarah for years. It's pained me to see her shackled to that... that freeloader, Aaron."
"A sentiment I share completely," Lady Eleanor sighed. "He's unworthy of her. If I had my way, you would have been my grandson-in-law from the very beginning."
She leaned forward. "Tell me, Marcus, if the opportunity arose... if Sarah were free... would you be interested in marrying her?"
Marcus's heart raced. "Yes! Absolutely, yes! There's nothing I want more."
"Excellent," Lady Eleanor said with satisfaction. "Then leave it to me. I'll arrange everything."
---
Marcus practically floated home, his mind filled with visions of Sarah finally being his. When he walked through the doors of his family's mansion, chaos greeted him. Servants were rushing about, polishing and dusting frantically.
His father, David Johnson, was in the center of it all, barking orders. "Dust everything! Polish the silver! I want this house to be spotless! Spotless, do you hear me?"
"Father, what's going on?" Marcus asked, bewildered. "You look like you're preparing for a state visit."
David turned, his face pale and sweating. "Worse. Someone very, very important is coming to see me today."
"Who could possibly be so important that they have you this worked up? The President?"
His father pulled him aside, sitting him down on a pristine sofa. "Marcus, you live a life of privilege, and you don't understand how fragile it all is. You need to listen to me carefully."
David lowered his voice. "Years ago, before you came back from university, my business was finished. I made a series of bad investments, and I was drowning in debt. Debt so deep it would have taken a lifetime to repay. I was ruined."
Marcus stared at him, having never heard this story.
"Then one day, two men in black suits came to see me. They knew everything about my situation. They offered me a deal. They would wipe out all my debts, and in exchange, I would work for them. I was to become a representative, a face for multiple companies they controlled. I agreed. I had no choice."
"And what happened?"
"My debts vanished overnight. And I didn't just recover; I became wealthier than I ever imagined. But it wasn't my money, not really. I was a puppet CEO, managing businesses for a hidden master. Those two men would check in regularly, giving me instructions, but I never found out who was truly behind them, who held all the power. Until today."
David grabbed Marcus's arm. "They contacted me this morning. The real boss is coming to visit. For the first time ever."
His grip tightened. "You must be on your absolute best behavior. Be respectful. Don't say or do anything to offend this person. We know nothing about him, but I know he has the power to wipe our entire family from existence as easily as he saved it. Do you understand me?"
Marcus, genuinely afraid for the first time in his life, nodded slowly. "Yes, Father. I understand."
---
Meanwhile, Aaron sat in the back of a black sedan with Natalie, who was scrolling through her tablet.
"We've completed two successful meetings today," she said without looking up. "Our final stop is the residence of David Johnson. He manages several of your domestic retail holdings. Mr. Williams installed him years ago after a leveraged buyout. He's a competent manager, but he needs to be reminded of the new ownership structure."
Aaron nodded. It would be another straightforward business meeting. The car turned into a grand, gated driveway leading to an impressive mansion.
David Johnson was waiting at the door, wringing his hands. He rushed forward as Aaron and Natalie stepped out.
"Welcome, welcome!" he gushed, bowing slightly. "Please, come in. We're so honored by your visit."
He led them into an immaculate living room, his eyes darting nervously toward Aaron. The man before him looked average, young, well-dressed but not ostentatiously so, with a calm demeanor. Not what he'd expected from some intimidating tycoon, but he was too terrified to question anything.
"Please, sit," David stammered. "Can I offer you some tea, coffee?"
"That won't be necessary, Mr. Johnson," Natalie said coolly. "Mr. Turner is here to—"
"Father, I'm ready for our guest."
A figure appeared in the doorway, dressed in a sharp suit, confidence radiating from his posture. Marcus stepped into the room, then stopped dead in his tracks.
His confident expression crumbled into disbelief and contempt as he stared at the man sitting on the sofa.
"Aaron?" he sneered. "What the hell are you doing here?"