Decorative lights adorned the opulent Wilson family mansion, illuminating the festivities for Lady Wilson’s 70th birthday celebration. Surrounded by her grandchildren and their spouses, she was showered with extravagant gifts.

“Grandma, I heard you have a passion for Chinese tea. I searched high and low to find this century-old pu’er tea, valued at half a million dollars, just for you,” one grandchild proudly presented.

“And since you’re a devoted Buddhist, I brought you this exquisite Buddha statue, carved from beautiful hetian jade, worth seven hundred thousand dollars,” another added.

Lady Wilson chuckled joyfully, her eyes sparkling at the thoughtfully wrapped gifts before her. The atmosphere was filled with warmth and happiness.

Suddenly, Charlie Wade, Lady Wilson’s eldest grandson-in-law, broke the cheerful mood with a bold request. “Grandma, could you lend me a million dollars? Mrs. Lewis from the welfare home is suffering from uremia, and I need the funds for her treatment…”

A wave of shock swept through the Wilson family. All eyes turned to Charlie, astonished by his audacity. Not only had he come empty-handed to Lady Wilson’s birthday, but he also had the nerve to ask her for a million dollars!

Three years prior, Lord Wilson had brought Charlie home, insisting on marrying him to their granddaughter, Claire Wilson. At that time, Charlie was destitute and struggling.

After Lord Wilson’s passing post-marriage, the rest of the Wilson family sought to expel him from their midst. Yet, Charlie remained unfazed by their disdain, living quietly as a live-in son-in-law.

Today, in desperation, he turned to Lady Wilson for help.

Mrs. Lewis, who had cared for him and saved his life, needed at least a million dollars for dialysis and a kidney transplant. Hoping for her compassion on her special day, Charlie took a chance. However, just as he expected sympathy, Lady Wilson’s laughter faded, replaced by a frown of indignation.

She threw her teacup to the floor and exclaimed, “Bastard! Are you here to celebrate my birthday or to ask for money?”

Claire rushed to her grandmother’s side, pleading, “Grandma, Charlie isn’t thinking clearly. Please forgive him.” She pulled her husband aside, anxious.

At that moment, Wendy, Claire’s cousin, scoffed. “Claire, look at the worthless husband you’ve got! Gerald, my fiancé, is only my fiancé and he still managed to gift Grandma the Jade Buddha. Your husband comes here empty-handed and has the nerve to ask for money!”

“Exactly! Charlie, we’re both grandchildren-in-law of the Wilson family, but you’re the disgrace!”

Gerald White, Wendy’s fiancé and a scion of a wealthy family, chimed in. Although he was set to marry Wendy, he couldn’t help but feel frustrated that someone as stunning as Claire Wilson—a renowned beauty in Aurous Hill—had married a “loser.”

“It’s best if this useless loser leaves the Wilson family now!”

“Yes! He’s a disgrace to our family!”

“Maybe he’s not looking to borrow money but to ruin Grandma’s birthday celebration!”

Charlie clenched his fists, enduring the humiliation from the entire Wilson family. If it weren’t for the pressing situation, he would have walked out without a second thought.

Yet, his father’s words echoed in his mind, reminding him to be grateful for help received and to repay it tenfold. So, suppressing his rising anger and shame, he addressed Lady Wilson, “Grandma, whoever saves a life saves the world entirely. Please, I beg you for mercy.”

A mocking voice interrupted. “Mr. Wade, stop trying to feed Grandma some platitudes. If you want to save someone, figure it out yourself. Who do you think you are, asking for money from Grandma?”

It was Harold Wilson, Wendy’s brother, who had always held a grudge against Claire for her superiority.

Claire, feeling awkward, began, “Grandma, Charlie lost his father when he was eight. Mrs. Lewis from the welfare home raised him. He is incredibly grateful to her and wants to help her. Could you please assist him…”

Lady Wilson scowled fiercely, “You want me to help him? Fine! Divorce him and marry Mr. Jones! If you do that, I’ll give him one million dollars right away!”

Mr. Jones, whom Lady Wilson mentioned, was Wendell Jones, a suitor of Claire’s who had his eyes set on her despite her marriage. The Jones family was influential in Aurous Hill, far more so than the Wilsons, and Lady Wilson had long desired to ally with them.

Just then, the butler rushed in with exciting news. “Mr. Jones sent a birthday gift for Lady Wilson! It’s a Buddha talisman carved from jadeite, worth three million dollars!”

Lady Wilson’s face lit up with joy. “Bring it to me! Let me see!”

The butler presented the stunning emerald green talisman, which drew gasps of admiration from the guests. It was flawless, a masterpiece of the finest jade quality.

Gerald frowned, feeling overshadowed by Wendell’s unexpected generosity.

Lady Wilson lovingly admired the talisman. “Oh, Mr. Jones is so thoughtful! It would be a dream come true if he were my grandson-in-law!”

She then turned to Claire, asking, “So, how about it? Will you consider my proposition?”

Claire shook her head firmly. “No, Grandma. I will never divorce Charlie.”

Anger flashed in Lady Wilson’s eyes. “You ungrateful girl! What is that loser good for? Why waste your time with him? Kick him out of my house! I don’t want to see his face at my birthday banquet!”

Charlie sighed, filled with disappointment. He no longer wanted to be part of the Wilson family. Turning to Claire, he said, “Claire, I’m going to visit Mrs. Lewis in the hospital.”

“I’ll go with you,” Claire replied quickly.

Lady Wilson erupted once more, “If you leave now, you’re no longer my granddaughter! You can take your mom, your dad, and that loser and leave the Wilson family!”

Claire stared at her grandmother, shocked by her harshness.

Charlie interjected, “Stay here; don’t worry about me.”

Before Claire could gather her thoughts, he turned and walked away.

Harold laughed mockingly. “Hey, dear Charlie, if you leave with nothing, will you beg for food on the streets? If you do, you’ll embarrass our family name! Here, I have a dollar; maybe you can buy a bun!”

He tossed a dollar bill at Charlie’s feet, and the room erupted in laughter. Charlie gritted his teeth in frustration but left without looking back.

***

Upon arriving at the hospital, Charlie headed straight to the cashier’s office, hoping to negotiate a two-day extension for payment.

However, he learned that Mrs. Lewis had been transferred overnight to Fairview Hospital, the top medical facility in Eastcliff, for treatment.

“How much does it cost?” Charlie asked, alarmed. “I’ll find a way to cover it!”

The nurse replied, “The total bill is three million dollars. One million has already been paid, but the remaining two million needs to be settled within a week.”

“Who paid the one million?” Charlie inquired.

The nurse shrugged. “I have no idea.”

Confused, Charlie turned to leave when a man in a black suit with gray hair approached him.

They exchanged glances, and the man bowed. “Young Master! We’ve finally found you! I apologize for all the hardships you’ve endured over the years!”

Charlie narrowed his eyes, coldly responding, “Are you Stephen Thompson?”

Stephen looked surprised. “Young Master, you remember me!”

Charlie replied, “Of course! I remember all of you! You drove my parents and me out of Eastcliff, leading to their deaths and leaving me an orphan. What do you want from me now?”

Stephen’s face fell. “Young Master, Lord Wade was heartbroken to learn of your father’s death. He has been searching for you. Come, let’s go home and see him!”

Charlie retorted coldly, “No thanks. I don’t want to see him.”

“Are you still angry with your grandfather?” Stephen asked.

“Absolutely!” Charlie replied vehemently.