A billion in disguise
1653 Words
“The Night Watch,” Drey muttered to himself.
The Night Watch antique oil painting was the family heirloom and has been passed down from generation to generation. It wasn't only that; it was worth over 700 million dollars, making it the most expensive and rare item in the world.
When he was younger, his grandfather was always very protective of the painting. He told Drey, being the eldest, of how important it was. Drey was supposed to protect it with his life.
Well, since the Great Four knew it was the most valuable item of the Redford family, that was why they took it with them.
Drey clenched his hand in anger. He couldn't believe that the Sterling family was really going to auction it out. Auctioning something like that out was enough to bring Sterling back to business.
He looked at Charles. “We will take action tonight. Be prepared for it.”
Charles bowed slightly. He was also filled with anger. He would help his boss get his family heirloom back.
It was afternoon and almost time for Betty to get off work. Drey took a quick shower and stepped out. Clad in grey trousers and a black t-shirt, he got on his motorcycle and rode over to the Odyssey Group to pick up Betty.
He has been doing that since she resumed work as the chairman. Betty enjoyed getting picked up by her husband.
Drey pulled off in the parking lot and waited for Betty.
Suddenly, a lady stepped out of the company. She was clad in a suit dress that hugged her body like a second skin, showing off her curves. Her curvy brown hair swept off half of her face, complimenting her brown eyes. She was carrying some files in her left hand while her right hand held her black bag that matched her black stilettos.
She stopped walking suddenly, and her gaze searched around. When she saw Drey, a wide smile appeared on her face, and she moved closer.
“Betty!” A deep voice called suddenly, and a tall man, clad in an Armani suit and carrying a large bouquet of flowers, got out of the car. “Let's have dinner. I have booked a VIP section in La Maison Royale.”
It's been over a month now that the incident with Chairman Damon had happened, but the video went on trend for several weeks on the Internet, and even some newsreaders published it in newspapers and magazines.
Betty became popular. Eventually, people were able to see how beautiful she was. As she bloomed, so did the Odyssey company. A lot of people came forward, some because they would like to partner with the company and the others because they would like to have Betty.
Betty slowly became the pumpkin of the city as all eligible men started to do things to get her attention. It wasn't as if they had no idea she was married, but the majority of them decided to overlook it.
Betty ignored the man and moved closer to Drey. She kissed him and then hugged him. She was always glad to see him after work. Drey was like the medicine she needed to take after a stressful day at work.
“Honey, that man over there wants to take me for dinner. He has even booked a VIP section in La Maison Royale.”
Drey smiled. “You should go! La Maison Royale is one of the luxurious restaurants in Orange Park. Perhaps you can even take me along; I heard their foods are so exceptional.”
The man walked closer to them and extended his hand out to Drey. “Hello Drey, I'm Zephan Marshall.”
Drey knew him. The Marshall family was one of the Great Four anyway.
Drey ignored it. “Yes, how may I help you?”
“Here, I'm willing to give you 50,000 dollars so you can leave Betty for me,” he muttered and stretched out a card to Drey.
Drey regarded it for a moment and looked at Betty, who had a smirk on her face. “Should I take it?”
Betty burst into laughter as if she could no longer suppress it. “I don't know. You decide, I mean, with the money, you can actually book a place at La Maison Royale.”
Drey inclined his head to a side as if thinking about it. “OK then, I will take it. What's the pin?”
Zephan had a smile on his face as Drey took the card. “It's zero in six places,” he revealed. “And leave Betty alone. It's money you want anyway, and I've given you that. So, divorce her this instant.”
“Of course,” Drey teased. “I will divorce her right away. Darling, hop on,” he muttered.
Betty laughed and got on the motorcycle, and Drey rode out of the parking lot and into the street.
It took Zephan a minute to realise he had just been fooled. He cursed after them until they were out of sight.
Betty and Drey got home in no time.
“Honey!” Betty called before they stepped inside the living room. They were just in the foyer. “The money?”
Drey stared for a moment. “The divorce money is mine, darling.”
“Not so,” Betty shook her head briefly. “It's for our family. Besides, you've earned so much from people who want you to divorce me. Three hundred thousand dollars from Maxwell, one hundred thousand from Justus, sixty thousand from Philip, and five hundred thousand dollars from Kris.”
“Yes! Look how I turned to a million.”
Betty laughed. “And that's why you have to give me all the money. I will keep it for us until we start having children. We need to save for them.”
Drey pulled out the card reluctantly and stretched it to him.
“What did you just say?” Ann said suddenly, interrupting them.
Betty shook her head briefly. “Nothing, Mum, right, Drey?”
Drey nodded quickly. “It's nothing, Mum.”
Ann glared at him. “And who asked you a question? When I'm talking to my daughter, you don't reply!” She yelled angrily. “Have you made dinner? What are you still doing here?”
Drey walked inside without another word. He made dinner, and the whole family had dinner.
Later on, after Drey and Betty had retired to their room, Betty pouted.
“Mum took the money from me,” she announced.
“What! All that money?”
Betty nodded once. “Everything. She said it was a payback for all she did to me when I was still very ugly and unemployed.
Drey released a ragged sigh. He barely had cash on him as well.
“Well, I'm sure more suitors will show up again. My wife is a beauty.”
Betty laughed.
“But I need some pocket money. I don't have any cash on me. Will you send me some money?”
Betty huffed. “You are always pretending to be poor, but I know better.”
Drey smiled softly. “Not so. I'm really poor.”
“What about the black card? I saw it on the table a while ago. Give me the black card; let me keep it for you.”
Drey took out the card and placed it in Betty's hand.
Betty took the card and observed it. It was a black card with a golden edge. It has just three numbers on it, “001,” and there was an image of a flying phoenix on it.
“Weird,” she muttered. “What type of card is this? I've not seen a card with this type of design.”
“Well, it's a symbol of one of the banks outside the city,” he explained. “
“And the numbers?”
“I have no idea,” he lied. “I guess it's because you can use it anywhere.”
That was right, though. The black card can be used anywhere.
The black card was mainly for Lord Phoenix; that's why it held the number. The ‘001’ there meant his position in the army.
He was the first and the leader. The image was his identity. No one else can own such a card except him. Even when a new commandant is announced, he would have to go for a new design. Each commandant with his design, and they are always very different.
“What's the pin? And how much is there?”
“Four seven.”
Betty nudged him slightly. “What are you saying? Card doesn't use four pins. It's six, forgotten?”
He nodded quickly. “Sorry, I made a mistake. It's six seven. And with the amount, it's not that much.”
Actually, the card doesn't require any PIN to set up. It, however, requires facial recognition for any transaction to take place. Drey has, however, added Betty’s face so she could withdraw anywhere.
Also, the black card was obtained for his merits in the military. So, it should hold a large sum of money, but Drey had no idea of the exact amount because he had never used it. He didn't need it anyway. The only thing he has always looked forward to was revenge.
So, based on the monthly allowance for the ten years he had served, he should have over ten billion dollars in his account.
Betty could have it. He would do anything to make her happy. Besides, he doesn't even need it. He has never needed it.
Moreover, if it hadn't been for Betty, he wouldn't have been alive. He wouldn't have joined the military and had such an amount of money.
If there was no Betty, there would be no Drey Redford.
- Writer
