Chapter 29
When the phone rang, Nicholas Smith’s expression shifted from anger to surprise, and then to fear. On the other end was Alessandro Lowe’s unmistakable voice.
“Mr. Smith, I suggest you release Andrew and his mother-in-law immediately, or I will make sure your entire family of twenty is buried alive tonight,” Alessandro said coldly.
Nicholas, visibly shaken, stammered, “But… why?”
Alessandro’s tone was stern. “Because Andrew is under the protection of the Blackwood family. Are you out of your mind? How dare you provoke my young master? If you harm him, you’ll face serious consequences.”
As Alessandro’s words resonated, Nicholas quickly realized that the man he had been trying to curry favor with was actually the spokesperson for the Blackwood family in Beverly Hills. The Blackwood family’s influence and power were immense, and offending their young master could lead to his and his family’s downfall.
Nicholas’s legs went weak from fear as he listened to Alessandro’s angry voice. “Mr. Lowe, I didn’t know, it was just a misunderstanding. I… I’m so sorry!”
“Shut up!” Alessandro shouted. “Our young master’s identity is highly confidential. If you leak it, I swear I will erase you and your family from existence!”
Nicholas trembled uncontrollably, his fear almost paralyzing him. “I’m deeply sorry, Mr. Lowe! I’ll fix this right away!”
The realization that he had directly offended the young master of the Blackwood family filled Nicholas with dread. He focused his gaze on Andrew and stammered, “Mr. Blackwood, I’m so sorry! I didn’t know she’s your mother-in-law. It was my mistake. Please forgive me!”
He quickly dropped to his knees before Andrew, begging for forgiveness. The entire scene was met with shock by those present as they watched Nicholas Smith kneel before Andrew and apologize.
Even Kelly Kane, who had been humiliated earlier, was stunned. How could Andrew, the family’s supposed failure, make the formidable Nicholas Smith kneel before him?
Nicholas’s men were equally astonished. Nicholas Smith was a powerful figure in the underworld, and here was a young man making him submit.
Andrew, however, had no intention of taking Nicholas’s life. His concern was to ensure that his mother-in-law’s grievances were addressed. In fact, Andrew found a twisted satisfaction in seeing Margaret face the consequences of her own arrogance.
He addressed Nicholas with a calm but firm tone. “I will forgive you, but only if you return every penny of the money you scammed from my mother-in-law, including the interest.”
Nicholas, surprised by Andrew’s leniency, quickly bowed his head. “Of course, I’ll arrange the full repayment right away!”
He turned to Steven and shouted, “What are you waiting for? Get moving! If you don’t handle this immediately, you’ll regret it!”
Margaret watched in disbelief. Was this truly her previously worthless son-in-law? Andrew had made Nicholas Smith kneel before him. For a moment, it seemed like Andrew had undergone a miraculous transformation, becoming a figure of strength and authority.
Kelly, who had been humiliated earlier, was similarly dumbfounded. He couldn’t believe that Andrew, the family’s disgrace, had managed to intimidate Nicholas Smith.
In the midst of the commotion, Steven Harper, who had been standing by, was shocked by Andrew’s boldness. He had never expected Andrew to challenge Nicholas Smith and win. The scene was a complete reversal of what he had anticipated.
As the crowd observed the unexpected turn of events, Andrew’s actions made a profound impact. Nicholas’s former dominance was diminished, and Andrew’s stature among the onlookers was elevated.
Steven, now fully grasping the situation, approached Andrew with a black suitcase. His face was drained of color, and his anxiety was evident as he addressed Margaret. “Aunt Margaret,” Steven said nervously, “Here is the total amount you are owed. Your capital fund was 1.5 million dollars, and we’ve added the 400 thousand dollars in dividends, making a total of 1.9 million dollars. We’re also adding an extra 500 thousand dollars as a token of our apology. Please accept it.”
Margaret took the suitcase, her hands trembling as she processed the amount of money. Not only was she receiving her original investment and the promised dividends, but there was also an extra sum as an apology. She was in awe of Andrew’s influence and the situation’s outcome.
She glanced at Andrew, who stood beside her with a look of quiet satisfaction. The dynamic between them had shifted dramatically. Margaret, who had always seen Andrew as a failure, now saw him as someone capable of confronting the most formidable figures in their city. Her respect for him had grown immensely, and she was confronted with the reality of her past misjudgments.
Andrew’s victory was not just a personal achievement but a statement of his strength and resolve. The respect he earned from Margaret, Kelly's astonishment, and the crowd’s awe affirmed his newfound stature.
As they prepared to leave, Andrew turned to Margaret. “It’s over now. Let’s go home.”
Margaret nodded, still processing the day’s extraordinary events. She could hardly believe that her son-in-law had become such a figure of authority and courage.
As they walked away, the story of Andrew’s confrontation with Nicholas Smith began to spread through Beverly Hills. It became a tale of how even those who seem insignificant can rise to greatness when faced with challenges.
Back at home, Clara greeted them with relief and concern. “Are you both okay? What happened out there?”
Andrew reassured her. “We’re fine, Clara. Everything worked out in the end.”
Margaret, still emotional, hugged Clara tightly. “Your husband showed immense bravery today. I’m truly grateful.”
Clara looked at Andrew with admiration and love. “I always knew he had it in him,” she said softly.
Back at home, Margaret was still elated, her mind barely able to grasp the reality of the day’s events. She remembered Steven’s statement and the staggering amount of money she was receiving. Her excitement was palpable as she clutched the suitcase that contained the funds.
“Are you really giving me two million dollars?” Margaret asked, her voice trembling with a mix of disbelief and joy.
Steven nodded vigorously, trying to reassure her. “Yes, that’s correct! It’s all yours. The amount includes the original investment of 1.5 million dollars, the 400 thousand dollars in dividends, and an extra 500 thousand dollars as an apology.”
Margaret could hardly believe her ears. “Wow, that’s incredible!” she exclaimed, her face beaming with exhilaration. Her joy was boundless as she realized that not only had she recovered her initial investment and received the agreed-upon dividend, but she was also being given an extra sum of five hundred thousand dollars as a gesture of goodwill. It was a windfall beyond her wildest dreams.
The rest of the elders present, who had been observing the situation with a mix of anxiety and curiosity, now watched with wide eyes. They had seen Margaret not only regain her money but also receive an additional reward. Their own nerves were on edge as they realized that the same opportunity might not come for them.
“Mr. Harper,” one of the elders spoke up hesitantly, “what about the money that we invested? Will we be compensated too?”
Steven turned to Nicholas Smith, frustration evident on his face. He had hoped to avoid further complications, but now he was faced with the uncomfortable task of addressing the demands of the other investors.
Nicholas, though reluctant, knew he had no choice but to comply. He was well aware of the Blackwood family’s formidable power and the consequences of defying them. With a heavy heart, he prepared to surrender the money he had wrongfully taken.
Despite his reluctance, Nicholas knew that challenging the Blackwood family was not an option. He took a deep breath and turned to the group of investors. “I apologize for the inconvenience,” he said, trying to sound sincere despite his obvious discomfort. “We will process your refunds as well. Please give us a moment to arrange everything.”
The elders nodded, their apprehension easing slightly at the promise of getting their money back. They had hoped for a resolution, and it seemed that their patience was about to be rewarded.