The Billionaire's Rival

Chapter 3

The feud between the two families had been brewing for decades, stemming from a bitter rivalry in the oil industry. Maya's grandfather started his oil business in the 1950s, while Alex's grandfather started his in the 1960s. The two had always been in fierce competition, each trying to outdo the other in terms of profits and influence.

In the summer of 1965, Sheffield hosted a business summit that brought together the most influential businessmen in the country. Among them were Maya's and Alex's grandfathers.

Maya's grandfather, James, was a shrewd oil tycoon who had built his fortune on a series of risky investments in the oil industry. Alex's grandfather, Robert, was a rival businessman who had made a name for himself in the steel industry before diverting into the oil business.

During the summit, tensions were high as various business executives jostled for power and influence. James and Robert were both eyeing the same piece of land, which they believed contained vast reserves of oil. Both men were determined to monopolize the oil market and outdo the other.

The room was filled with tension as the business executives took their seats around the large, round table. Maya's grandfather, James, sat on one end while Alex's grandfather, Robert, sat on the other.

As the meeting progressed, the arguments between James and Robert became more heated, and the other business executives began to take sides. The dispute soon turned into a full-blown feud, with both men refusing to back down.

"I believe it's time we discuss the oil industry in this country," Robert spoke up, breaking the uneasy silence.

"And what makes you think you have the right to monopolize it?" James shot back, his voice filled with anger.

"I have just as much right as you do, James," Robert replied coolly.

The other executives shifted uncomfortably in their seats, some siding with Robert while others sided with James. It didn't take long for the conversation to turn into a heated argument, with both men refusing to back down.

"You're just jealous that my company has more resources than yours," James snarled.

"That's not true, and you know it!" Robert countered.

The argument escalated quickly, with other executives chiming in and taking sides. Soon, chairs were being knocked over and fists were being thrown as the tension reached its breaking point.

It took several security personnel to break up the fight, and the two men were asked to leave the summit immediately. But the damage had already been done, and the feud between the two families had been born.

Eventually, the other business executives intervened and a compromise was reached. The land would be divided between James and Robert, with each man having exclusive rights to their own section of the land. However, the rivalry and bitterness between the two men continued to fester, and their feud would be passed down to their families for generations to come.

Things had taken a turn for the worse in the 1980s when Maya's father, Marcus, and Alex's father, Richard, became the heads of their respective companies. Marcus had accused Richard of stealing trade secrets and undercutting his prices, while Richard had accused Marcus of bribing government officials to secure favorable contracts.

The accusations led to a public scandal that rocked the industry, with both families taking legal action against each other. The case had dragged on for years, with neither side willing to back down. Eventually, a settlement had been reached, but the damage had already been done, and the families' relationship had been irreparably damaged.

Maya's father, Marcus, had always been a shrewd businessman. He knew how to navigate the tricky waters of politics and make deals that would benefit his family's steel and oil business. One day, he had a meeting with some politicians to secure exclusive rights to supply the country with steel and oil.

However, little did he know that Alex's father, Richard, had also been working hard to secure the same rights for his own company. When he found out about Marcus' dealings, he was furious.

Richard stormed into Marcus' office, slamming the door behind him. "How dare you try to monopolize the market for your own selfish gain?" he bellowed.

Marcus remained calm, knowing that he had the upper hand. "I'm simply trying to secure the future of my family's business," he replied. "I suggest you do the same for yours."

Alex's father stared at Maya's father with a cold, hard look. "You are nothing but a selfish, fraudulent man," he sneered. "You care only for your own interests, not the well-being of this country."

Maya's father bristled at the insult. "I am simply doing what any businessman would do," he retorted. "I am trying to secure the future of my company and my family."

"But at what cost?" Alex's father shot back. "You are willing to exploit this country's resources and its people for your own gain. That is not what a true businessman does."

Maya's father's face turned red with anger. "I will not be lectured by you," he spat. "You are just angry because you couldn't get your way in Sheffield. You and your family have been trying to sabotage my business for years."

"That is not true," Alex's father replied evenly. "We have always been fair and honest in our dealings. It is your family that has a reputation for underhanded tactics and corruption."

The tension in the room was palpable as the two men glared at each other. Suddenly, Richard lunged at Marcus, causing a fight to break out. The sound of furniture crashing and papers rustling filled the air as the men grappled with each other.

It took several minutes for the chaos to subside, with both men nursing bruises and cuts. As they glared at each other from opposite ends of the room, it was clear that the feud between their families was far from over.

Maya and Alex's families had been at odds ever since that day, with neither side willing to forgive or forget the past.

Maya and Alex grew up hearing stories about the feud, but neither of them knew the full extent of it. They were both sent to the same private school, but their families had made it clear that they were not to associate with each other.

Despite this, Maya and Alex couldn't help but feel a sense of competition between them. They both excelled academically and in sports, and they were often pitted against each other in various school competitions.

Maya would always try her best to outdo Alex, and he would do the same. But there was always a lingering sense of animosity between them, fueled by the years of bitterness and hatred that their families had harbored towards each other.

As they grew older, Maya and Alex began to question the reasons behind their families' feud. They couldn't understand why two successful business men would allow a decades-long grudge to come between their children.

But despite their curiosity, neither of them dared to ask their parents about it. The feud had become such an integral part of their family history that it was almost taboo to talk about.

And so, Maya and Alex continued to avoid each other, each one determined to prove that they were better than the other. But deep down, they couldn't ignore the nagging feeling that there was more to their rivalry than just a friendly competition.

As fate would have it, their paths would cross once again in the most unexpected way. Maya was walking home from the library one evening when she heard footsteps approaching quickly from behind her. She turned around to see a group of menacing-looking guys running in her direction. She panicked and started running too, but the guys were closing in on her.

Just when she thought it was all over, she felt a strong arm wrap around her waist, pulling her out of harm's way. She turned around to see who her savior was, and her heart skipped a beat when she saw that it was Alex.

He looked at her with concern in his eyes, "Are you okay?"

Maya could only nod, still in shock at the close call.

Alex's voice broke through her daze, "Let's get you home safely."

Maya was too shaken up to object, and so they walked in silence, the only sounds the echo of their footsteps on the pavement. As they reached Maya's doorstep, she turned to thank Alex, but he was already walking away, disappearing into the night.

Maya was left standing there, wondering if this was a sign of something more.