Chapter 2 From Ashes to Power

As Desmond packed his few belongings, he opened his small shelf, letting everything spill onto the floor.

Distress weighed on him like a heavy chain, each link forged from shattered memories.

His heart clenched at the thought of leaving the only person who had once cared for him.

Not long after, the doorknob turned, and a woman in her 40s appeared, it was Helena Lancaster, Tatiana's mother.

"How did it go? Did he accept?" Helena asked her daughter.

"Why wouldn't he? He has no choice." Tatiana smirked.

Desmond paused his packing and turned. Helena stepped toward him.

"How's the compensation my daughter gave you? That should be enough for your entire life." She sneered.

"Compensation? You knew about the divorce? You supported it? I never did anything wrong to her." Desmond's voice was laced with disbelief.

"Ki ki... What do you think a trash like you can do?" Helena scoffed.

"You've been feeding under the Lancasters' roof for years, yet you think you can do something?"

"Is this what I get as payback?" Desmond asked.

"Payback?" Helena snorted, her eyes nearly bulging.

"Ungrateful trash."

Why wouldn't Helena call him ungrateful?

Desmond had lived in the Lancaster villa for eight years, of which he was married to her daughter for three years.

Throughout all those years, his living expenses had been covered by the Lancasters.

If anything, he was the one who owed them.

"Don't mind him, Mom. He just wants to stay here so he won't starve once he leaves." Tatiana added, rolling her eyes.

"Ki ki ki." Tatiana and Helena mocked him.

"Now listen," Helena continued smugly.

"My daughter has leveled up. She's now with Alexander Zack, the eldest son of the Zack Group, who controls the entire Zack empire in Halcyon City."

"Alexander?" Desmond's eyes darkened. "So he's the reason behind this?"

"Yes, and he's nothing compared to you," Tatiana smirked.

Desmond didn't bother arguing with the two clowns.

Without another word, he stopped packing, grabbed the one bag he had already filled, and walked out of the Lancaster villa.

As he stepped onto the street, a fleet of five sleek black cars pulled up in front of him, each worth no less than three million dollars.

One by one, a swarm of men emerged, all clad in sharp purple Armani suits and polished Oxford shoes, exuding power and precision.

They moved like trained soldiers, securing the perimeter while scanning the ever-busy red-light district.

A man stepped forward; he was Nicholas Everstone.

In a deep bow, he greeted Desmond. The others followed as he did.

"Welcome, Young Successor". We are honored to finally find you." Nicholas smiled his expression one of deep respect.

Desmond, still processing the situation, was escorted into the convoy.

His life was about to change forever.

Then, a sudden spark of realization hit him. He recollected long-forgotten memories.

"Olympus Falls. The Ashfords' mansion. Thirteen years ago".

"A car explosion, his mother, Victoria Ashford, was inside, and his brother- Dominic Atticus Ashford.

Flames swallowed the vehicle. The blast sent him flying.

When he came, he was in another city, Halcyon."

Who could have planned all this?

By sheer luck, patrolling officers had found him gasping for air, barely clinging to life, he was dying.

They rushed him to a hospital. Days later, he woke up with no memory of his past.

No mother, no brother, no clue why he was there. The only thing he remembered was his name.

Yet deep inside, he felt an overwhelming emptiness.

A sorrow he couldn't explain. Since he had no known family, he was transferred to an orphanage after his recovery.

"Young Successor...?"

Desmond snapped out of his thoughts. His hands curled into fists.

He thought of who could be behind all of this.

But only one person came to his mind, his Uncle, Spencer Ashford.

Victoria Ashford was nowhere to be found.

His brother, Dominic Atticus Ashford was back at home, but now? He can't tell.

Desmond wanted to reject Nicholas, he wanted to walk away, but before he could speak, Nicholas cut in.

"You are the heir of the Ashford family. We have searched for you for years. It is time for you to take full control of the family's wealth and assets."

Nicholas pulled out a sleek black card and extended it to Desmond.

"This is a Supreme Infinity Card, one of its kind in the entire country. It holds over 200 million dollars."

He continued,

"This is also a VIP pass for first-class and private lounge access, as well as elite shopping privileges at Luxoria Ventures (LV), the most exclusive boutique in the country."

"Zenith Lux is also under your name, Sir. You're the new president of Zenith Lux."

Desmond's eyes widened in disbelief.

All of these, together with being the president of Zenith Lux?

This was too much.

Wasn't it?

In a moment, he was being called "trash" and bullied for not being rich, and in another moment, riches surfaced.

But one thing was certain, he would find out who had been behind everything all those years ago. And when he did, there would be no mercy.

"Would you please follow me, so I can hand you all the necessary documents?" Nicholas asked.

Desmond exhaled sharply.

"Okay, no problem."

Nicholas quickly opened the backseat of the SUV.

"Please, Young Successor"

Desmond hesitated for a moment before stepping in.

As the car pulled away, he thought about the one thing he hadn't picked up-the gold pendant.

But then, he realized that it didn't matter anymore. The reason he once cherished it was gone.

His wife had divorced him.

At the Lancaster villa, the conversation between Helen and Tatiana was not over yet.

"How's your relationship with Alexander?" Helena asked.

Tatiana stood in front of her massive shoe rack, sorting through an array of luxury heels, searching for the perfect match for her outfit.

She was already preparing for an outing.

"You know this is the only opportunity we have to level up the Lancasters' business group and leave the second-class family. If you could marry the eldest son of Zack, then, no doubt, we've got the riches," Helena continued, her voice mixed with a deep smile.

"I know, Mum. We met yesterday. He invited me to an event hosted by Zenith Lux today. I have to catch up with him, we'll talk better about it later."

"Good. I'll leave you to get ready." Helena smiled.

Who would have heard or known someone who partners with the powerful Zenith Lux and does not want to be friends or something more with them?