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Chapter 1 The dining room was too beautiful for the tension that it held Crystal Chandler shimmered above the dinner table, long enough to keep enemies at a polite distance, yet tonight even the distance felt suffocating Kelvin Hale sat at the far end, his posture effortless, his expression unreadable. Across from him, his stepmom sat; she wore elegance like armor, her smile thin and deliberate. Everyone knows how much she despises Kelvin; he was a child of her husband's mistress, and yet he had taken the love and position meant for her son Beside her, her son Frank Frank was in his late 30s; he leaned back in his chair, his finger drumming lightly against the table, his eyes fixed on Kelvin At the end of the table sat his family, Dominic Hale, the only man in the room who looked at Kelvin without calculating, just love "Since the announcement of your engagement has been made and your wedding is coming close," Dominic said warmly,y breaking the silence Vivian smiled at Kelvin. " I'm the only one who finds it weird that Kelvin is getting married in two weeks and we, his family, have never met her" Kelvin's gaze shifted to her sharp "family" "You are my stepson," Vivian answer Frank sat lazily in his chair, playing with his table knife " It's funny how an illegitimate child get to have things that don't belong to him, firstly the Coo of Hale limited and now getting married to the youngest daughter to the man who once had the biggest hotel, I am the first son....the real, you are just a child out of my father mistake" Frank said with so much anger in his eyes and voice "And so," Kelvin answered with a smile, you forgot to add something: I'm also the most famous man in the whole of Los Angeles and a f*****g billionaire," Kelvin added, mocking Frank One thing about kelvin he never backs down from a fight "Whatever game you are playing at, I will make sure it won't work. This marriage is a scam, a strategy," Frank fired back at his brother Kelvin set his wine glass down with care, his eyes still on his brother "Funny," Kelvin replied, Someone who has never accomplished anything in his whole life has the nerve to talk in my life " "Kelvin," vibii calls his name "Tell me, dear brother, you are eight years older than me, what have you achieved? "Let me think. Nothing. No one wants their daughter to be with you, even if it is just for a mere alliance. No one wants that. No one wants to do business with you. You are as good as worthless goods," Kelvin said with a mocking smile "Kelvin, don't forget your place," Vivian said "I know my place. I am Kelvin Hale, son of Dominic Hale and the future heir to Hale Limited. You should be more concerned if your son knows his place," Kelvin fired back "Kelvin," Vivian shouted, losing her composure. Frank is your elder brother, and I'm still your mother," she said angrily Kelvin leaned back slightly, studying her like a puzzle he had already solved "Stepmother, not mother. Know the difference " Dominic dropped his fork down "That's enough. " Dominic voice was firm No one moved. Dominic looked at Frank "Your brother worked for every title, everything he has. You had the same opportunity as him; don't blame your incompetence on him," Dominic said, defending Kelvin "Go ahead and defend your favorite son; he does nothing wrong in your eyes," Frank said "That's enough, " Dominic said Frank let out a bitter laugh and leaned forward "Come to think about it, dear brother, you were single until you were photographed once in a hotel lobby with the Royal Crown at the global award ceremony, and I know the press knows how to sell a story, and one month later you are announcing to your family and the world you are engaged to Royalty Crown. What are you playing at, little bro"? Frank said, trying so hard to read kelvin reaction "You can never know," Kelvin repliedd "Didn't I say that's enough?"Dominic shouted "Kelvin's wedding is just for an alliance, it's none it's your business, " Dominic said " Frank laughed "You are just going to let him be" Vivian asked "I'd rather him have an alliance wedding than for him to actually be in love. Love is weakness, and I won't let my son have any form of weakness," Dominic said Frank hit the table angrily "All you care about is him, I'm still your son, your first born" he shouted angrily Dominic looked directly to frank "I don't give a damn" "Father" he call out to him Kelvin stand up he slowly walk over to his father "Thanks for dinner, I will take my leave now" he planted a peck on Dominic cheek he couldn't help but smile The city lights shone on Kelvins luxury car, he was at back seat while his driver drives. He couldn't help but admire the normal people he sees going on with their lives, no extra security, no cameras, no flashing lights on them or being followed they were free, and that was something he could trade his life for Hale Mansion The pool area was bigger than anything you would imagine, Frank sat at the poolside, a glass of whiskey on one hand and his phone on another hand looking at his brother picture with so much hate, if given a chance, he would kill Kelvin without hesitation "Do you know what I hate most about him?" Vivian said while walking in "What?" Frank answered "He doesn't struggle, everything bends to him, money, influence, people" Her lips tightening. "Even fate seems to favour him A sharp breath escaped her, full of bitter and hate "He walks through life wearing a crown that should be yours " "I don't have time for your talk, Mom," Frank said rudely. "All you ever do is complain. He should be dead. If you love, you will kill that son of a b***h " "And you think I haven't tried to get rid of him..... permanently, but nothing; He is protected, and your father made sure of that, " Vivian said "How nice, he holds his bastard child on high. I should have all that Kelvin has, the post and everything, but instead the bastard son has it all." Frank emptied his glass of alcohol "And you will get everything, everything will be yours, it's your birthright." Vivian held Frank's head to hers. "We will take down Kelvin" "How?" Frank asked. " You just said you have been trying to get rid of him since he was little, but nothing; he is still living and still growing powerful " Vivian took a deep breath " You made mention of Kelvin being single, and the marriage was an alliance; how sure are you?" Vivian asked curious "Do the math mom, I might be dumb, but it's very obvious," Frank said "Speak, Royalty Crown is the CEO of CK Beauty. Why does she need an alliance?" Vivian asked, thinking "There is a rumor they are coming from her company ' "Who" "Her late father's brother, the one who now controls her father's hotel; rumour has it he intends to give her company to his daughter Anna," Frank said while pouring himself a drink "How is that possible? That's her company," Vivian said "It's just life. After losing both parents two years ago in a helicopter crash, she and her sister lost their inheritance, Crown Hotel, one of the biggest hotels in LA, to their father's brother, and now they are coming for her company because it was her father who opened it for her", Frank took a sip of his drink "Her elder sister is not married to someone powerful, and that's where Kelvin comes in. If she marries someone as powerful as Kelvin, her company will be safe, and she can get their inheritance back," Vivian said nodally "What's in it for Kelvin? Because all this benefits her, and Kelvin is our father's son; nothing ever comes free," Frank asked "It's easy when the time comes for Kelvin to take over, even with your father; some shareholder will question his legitimacy, but with someone with a clean name by his side, nothing can stop him. We need to expose Kelvin's scam marriage before it happens," Vivian said "And what difference does it make?" Frank said, drinking directly from the alcohol bottle "He will be known as a fraud, the golden boy tricking his family and the whole city into a fraudulent marriage. He will get hate, and this will affect stock," Vivian said, smiling "And once stock starts falling, his role as the coo will be shaken," Frank said, smiling "I need you to be sure about your information, son" "I'm sure. I spent all my time stalking Kelvin. The only connection they had was that they went to the same boarding school in the UK. How are we going to expose what we know?" Frank asked Vivian took the bottle of alcohol from his hand " Social media has so much power. We give the story to a blogger; it involves Kelvin Hale, and they will release it," Vivian said with a satisfied smile "What about the old man? He will do anything to kill the story; it involves his favorite child " Frank asked "As much as Dominic is powerful, the Internet has more power. Get some rest, son, because the downfall of the bastard child begins tonight. Let's see how he tries to dig his way out of this." Vivian smiled as she walked away Frank let out a wicked smile ' I can't wait to take all that belongs to me" Next day The morning light shone brightly into Kelvin Hale's mansion, but for some reason the headlines seemed busier than the breaking day. Kelvin Hale sat lazily in his living room, which was way too big for him. For some reason, he was trending, but for the wrong reason. The silence in his mansion was loud, but the headline was louder Billionaire Heir's wedding exposed as multi-billion-dollar alliance The screen of his phone glowed on his face as comments came in; he remained calm, composed, and unbothered "Knew it, there was no way a man like that would marry for love " "This is cold. Not a marriage, just business in a tux" "So shameful that Royalty Crown and Kelvin Hale could go this far" Kelvin scoffs under his breath; he gripped his phone, tightening his grip His best friend Chase entered "You have seen the news?" Chase asked "Hard to miss when the entire world is suddenly interested in your personal life," Kelvin said, scrolling on his phone "The articles are everywhere, and the comments are unkind Kelvin dropped his phone, letting out a dry laugh "How did they find out, this marriage was a fake" chase asked "They don't " kelvin corrected "they are trying to see how we react then they will know if is true or not " "That make more sense, what are we going to do, what angle are we going to play out, let's go with the engagement have been called off two weeks ago that you two wanted to keep it private" Chase said "You know I'm not the type of back down when the fight get tough" "Kelvin business is on line, very soon the stock might start falling and this affect your post, this whole fraud marriage is not worth it, we won't be in this situation if she didn't black mail you " Chase said Kelvin pick up his phone while dialing a number "As your best friend this is the way out I'm not going to allow you to fall because of her " "She didn't force me to do anything " kelvin reply while tapping his phone "She did stalk you, for two years kelvin with a relationship proposal" chase said "And I was the one who gave her the marriage proposal' "Kelvin" chase called his name seriously " Wait" Royalty crown stood barefoot her attention was fixed on her phone "I knew it was too good to be true" Royalty let out a laugh as she wear her shoes "Did you see the comments saying it's not, this is real" Royalty face her best friend and manager Rachel "Royalty " Rachel call her name softly "I didn't spend all those years of my life stalking him for nothing " "We should be more worried about the outcome what will kelvin do, will he stick with you or bail himself out " Rachel said "Kelvin won't do that, he won't bail on me" Rachel answer "Are you forgetting something he is an Hale, if this affect him his team is going to do what best for him, we should be thinking of how to protect you and your company" Rachel said Royalty crown is known as one of the best in the beauty world some might call her rude but one thing is for sure she doesn't give a damn about what people will say "Royalty " a voice beside her "Sister " "Have you talked to Kelvin " Lydia asked "He texted me , I'm going to meet him" Royalty answer " We need kelvin, you know that, we can't mess this up, this is our only shot we have those people won't rest till they have taken everything from us " Lydia said "I know " A young lady about kelvin age enter "How did you get in" Lydia asked her angrily "The front door " "What are you doing here Anna" Lydia asked "It's so a shame that Royalty will go this far, your eyes have been exposed and you will lose your company soon, it will be going to me" Anna said smiling "Have you and your greedy parents not take enough enough for us already, you took our legacy and now coming for my sister company, she built this" Lydia fire back " And so, how is it my fault that your parents are dead, the dead can't fight" Anna answer " I would love to stay and go on with you Anna but we all know you are bitter, and have nothing to do" Royalty said "Said the girl that try to deceive the whole country, all thanks to what you did we are talking everything, I knew there was no way is true, why will someone like Kelvin Hale go for someone like you when I'm there" Anna said smiling "my father have one of the biggest hotel " "That belongs to my father, he worked for it" Royalty fire back "Well it belongs to my father now" "Enjoy your day and for your information kelvin and I are as real as it gets and I'm going to take back everything that belongs to us, you and I know no one can go against my fiance" Royalty smile "Kelvin will never settle for someone like you " Anna said " And yet you can see the diamond on my finger given to me by him which cost more than you and your miserable family fortune, just watch and see" Royalty hit Anna as she walk away Rachel followed her "Royalty " Rachel call out to her "you shouldn't have said that, we are trying to get you out not to dig you more into" Rachel said " She is flaunting my parents wealth, I'm not going to let them win, kelvin promise he will help me " Royalty said "You believe so much kelvin won't bail, is it because of the agreement or the fact you are in love with him, you can't be thinking with your heart now" Rachel said "Let's go, kelvin is waiting " Royalty leave Hale Mansion Dominic was focus on the article "It's funny how the favorite son it's all over the headline " frank said while making himself a cup of tea Dominic take a deep breath "It's just press trying to make a story " Dominic said as he drop his iPad "Can't you see it dad are you blinded to see what Kelvin is really playing out, this marriage was an alliance to take it all, he is greedy bastard " Frank said with so much anger "Enough" Dominic yelled "I know my son , he's not the first to go into an alliance this marriage will go as scheduled, this is LA where the press are in your business looking for their next headline" Dominic said softly "Even with the evidence you still believe in what he say, are you brainwashed by him or you are just been stupid" frank shouted with so much anger "You better watch your mouth boy or I will kick you out of this house, you don't disrespect me you i***t " Dominic said Frank eye darkened With so much anger and Hate. "I'm your son Dad " "And I won't hesitate to cut you off if you continue this " Dominic reply while picking up his iPad going through the news about Kelvin "He was the one who played the family and yet I'm the one getting attacked by you, that snake Kelvin should be here answering to you explaining all of this " Dominic look at him straight into his eyes "And he will " " you should be worried of yourself than your brother who got his life already settle, there is no different between a useless unachieved child and a dead child, your time is ticking Frank, I don't have the luxury of keeping you around for long and you keeping my name" Dominic said with a smile "You are going to take your name from your only son" Frank asked walking closer to where Dominic was sitting " You are not my only blood line remember that" Dominic said "He is a fake, an illegitimate blood, you should be ashamed of your mistake, Kelvin will never be an hale" Frank said while standing so close to Dominic with their face not more than one inch from each other "Fake " Dominic let out a dry laugh " Between you and your brother who do you think it's fake among you two " "Father " frank said softly " You said I should be ashamed of my mistake but I wear my mistake as a crown do you know why because he was never a mistake, the Hale name have been for him before he was born, he was chosen before he was born, if there is anyone who don't deserve the name is you because my son Kelvin is more legitimate than you will ever be" Dominic said Frank push away all the drink on the table to the floor as it all broke into pieces, he walk away angrily Dominic let out a laugh Kelvin's Penthouse Kelvin look at his phone as it ring, the caller show dad "You need to answer that " chase said "I need to get the situation under control, I don't know what I'm going to tell him, they carefully plan this so I don't have an escape " Kelvin said softly Chase jump up " Are you trying to say it's is all your stepmother and step brother hand work " "I know it's them, looks like Frank have been on to me" "No this is bad, there is no escape out " chase said while panicking around "Who said there is no escape " Royalty smile while she enter "You, we are in this mess because of you, he only agree to it because he was tired of you stalking you" "Oh mine, it's that a way to talk to the wife of your best friend" Royalty said "Wi... wife" Chase said stammering "Yes wife" royalty smile at him as she sit close to Kelvin " hey hubby" Kelvin look at her speechless "You are coming with me " Kelvin said "No Kelvin, we should call this off you didn't want to do this, this physopath stalk you into agreeing" chase said Royalty gasp "physopath not fair" "Enough you two, chase you don't like the idea I also don't like it but I have come this far with her to pull back now" Kelvin said standing up "Where are you going " chase asked calmly "To see pops and she is coming with me" Royalty jump up in excitement "And how are you going to explain everything to your father we need evidence not like you two even have a picture together and what about the public " chase asked "Oh I have handle that already, you can check a link I posted on my page" Royalty said feeling relaxed "What are you talking about " chase asked while bringing out his phone His expression change immediately "What " Kelvin asked Chase gave Kelvin his phone "You have a whole fake i********: page full of our picture and videos, I never did any of this with you " Kelvin said "Well, I spent two years stalking you with a relationship proposal" Royalty said arranging her hair "So you took pictures and videos together anytime you are stalking him you are truly a physopath" chase said " Yes I'm a big physopath and a girl that knows what she wants, I know a day like this will come, so I had all of this in a ghost i********: account created two years ago, there are photo and video from when we were young in school since I always find a way to close to you " Royalty said smiling " Meaning this account was created two years ago, video and pictures of Kelvin that the public have never seen" chase look at Kelvin "she just give another verse of the story with proof that you two have been together for years, a low-key secret relationship and you two have loved each other since when you were young" Royalty smile " I'm smart ain't I?" "And the comment are blowing up, no more hate, this is amazing " chase said happily "We go with this story because I still need Kelvin " Royalty said "Chase call the team and go with this, nice one royalty " kelvin said looking at her Royalty smiles "Alright boss, but I just might have one idea for a final blow but you might not like it" "What's that " Kelvin asked Royalty and chase look at each other smiling Hale Mansion Crashing sound was heard as Frank was destroying things "Son, son, Frank what's going on " Vivian asked trying to hold him "Take a look at " Frank hand over his phone to Vivian The headline of Kelvin have change, taking a good turn, she scrolled through the i********: page seeing the their videos together Vivian drop the phone angrily "That little bastard"