The Charismatic Lucas Armani!

One

"We need you back at home, young master, please come back with me." The tall man before Lucas said with a determined face. He used to be Lucas' family butler. "Your brother is in prison and your mother is very ill. You're the only one who can support--"

Lucas cut him off with a frustrated groan. "Listen, Mando, you can't just walk in here and block my path to go in. What is all this you're telling me? I was casted out, wasn't I? Wasn't Derek always the most favored child?"

Mando's face was smooth and calm. "Your Grandpa has promised a grand return for you. He's offering shares in the investment company, and is about to make you the number one top shareholder in the oil company too."

"Plus, you are the new heir for the family now. It is proven in the affidavit of heirship submitted to the family lawyer by your grandpa. Here, I brought a copy of the document." He stretched his hand forward to pass the file but Lucas slapped it away.

"I was kicked out of the family like trash. Why need me now, huh? Grandpa always hated me the most, favoring Derek all the time. Same with my mother. You know, I have been married into the Smith family for three years now, facing humiliation left and right.

"And yet, where were my families to help me then? For three whole years! But now I'm suddenly important that they need me? With this stupid command like I'm some cheap dog? I don't care about your sob story or all these bribes so leave right now." Lucas stormed off, leaving Mando and his entourage stunned.

Lucas had been married to Chloe Smith, the beautiful and youngest daughter of the Smith family. And they were number two richest and influential families in the whole of Mayville city, so when it was rumored three years ago that she would be getting married to an ordinary loser like Lucas, the whole town made her a laughing stock.

However, Mr. Thomas, the family head was the only one to know of Lucas real identity, so he has arranged for the wedding to happen. Sadly, he passed away in a car accident barely three months after the wedding, so Lucas' reputation has been downgraded into a useless son in law.

For three years, he endured all the insults he received being married to that family. But it never really hurt as the pain he felt being kicked out by his own family.

The matriarch of the Smith family, Mrs Smith, was celebrating her birthday today. Lucas wished he had the luxury of buying her an expensive gift but he was too poor to afford anything nice. He knew he would be the laughing stock again for his cheap gift, but he felt it would be better than going empty handed.

His mind was still filled with thoughts of the Armani family, his own family asking him to come back. He found it laughable even. His brother was alway known to like trouble and his mother supported him always, even when Lucas try to advise him. Now they wanted him back? Maybe the family was doomed to fall.

Right now, he didn't want to think about that at all! He was determined to cut off all ties from his family.

By the stairway, Lucas found Chloe standing there as she looked at her environment as if searching for someone.

Chloe was beautiful with her long black hair and pale brown eyes with pretty lashes and nice brows, making her appear sexy even. Her body curves was accentuated in all the right places, making her appear like a goddess even!

No wonder their wedding has been a joke three years ago!

He hurried to go meet her, ignoring some faces that began to look at him with disgust. "Hey Chloe? Looking for someone?"

Chloe's expression softened instantly. "Hi!" She said with a smile. "Did you manage and get any gift for grandma?"

Lucas flaunted a nylon bag in his hand proudly to show Chloe. "Yes. I chose it very carefully."

"Oh that's great then." She was always so angry now every time she saw Lucas. She always wondered what prompted her grandfather to marry her off to Lucas. But over the years, even though he isn't rich, he still took care of her better than anyone else!

"Many of our important families and friends will be around, and they will obviously try to mock you. Just endure it, let's endure it together, huh?" She commanded and Lucas could only nod.

"It's fine. I won't embarrass your parents." Lucas winced. He didn't mean to sound like that, but he only wanted to explain he understood where Chloe was coming from. Her parents were very dramatic people.

They made their way to the life of the party where the families were all gathered, the atmosphere was lively too.

"Hey come sit down already. Why are you even late?"

"And the beauty of our family is here."

They all welcomed her ignoring Lucas. Suddenly, he heard his name and saw it was Bruce, Chloe's cousin. He always gave Lucas a hard time.

"Don't tell me that a cheap looking nylon bag like garbage is for grandma?" Bruce asked.

"It is," Lucas managed to say.

Bruce snickered. "That's so pathetic. Our garbage nylon is fancier than that nonsense in your hand. I bought her a complete set of the newest edition of clothes from Zara house of fashion! It came with a 24 karat jewelries as well!"

"Just one of the ear rings is worth more than your life! Ha! Don't you think so, you moron." Immediately, the room was filled with laughter of people mocking Lucas.

"Enough, Bruce! No one cares about your money so stop showing off right now." Chloe scolded.

Bruce scoffed. "Why would I need to show off for this loser? If you think it's alright to bring this trash of a gift for grandma, then you're a joke!"

"Bruce!" Chloe raged out. Her family were the least rich ones in the whole Smith household so she couldn't brag like Bruce, since he was clearly richer.

While they were arguing, Lucas walked forward to meet Bruce and he began to examine the jewelry.

Bruce's nose crunched in disgust. "What the hell?? Why will you think you've got the nerves to come closer to grandma's gift and reel it with your stench!"

Lucas was calm to respond, "the thing is this, Tara house of fashion closed down since last year October. This gift must be fake."

This caused an uproar among the crowd. Everyone stared at Bruce silently and he felt so embarrassed.

He yelled at Lucas. "You're a liar! You moron!" He launched an attack by intending to throw a punch at Lucas but he dodged it easily, making Bruce miss and fall flat on his face, his cheeks coloring from embarrassment.

"You have such confidence don't you? An ordinary filthy rag, what would you know about Zara house of fashion!" Mara, Bruce's girlfriend, rushed to help him get up.

"What is the meaning of all of this?" A voice came from behind. Mrs Smith, an old but agile lady walked in with a confident pose.

"Grandma, Bruce brought you some fake jewelry. Can you check if it's fake??" Chloe said instantly. She didn't know why but a part of her wanted to believe Lucas claims.

Bruce swallowed, fear engulfing him. He knew his grandma was an expert on jewelry and would be able to tell if it was fake or not!

"Hmm, let me take a look then." Mrs Smith said, walking over to where the gift was placed. Bruce stepped apart for her to check, gritting his teeth in fear.

Chloe wanted to give Lucas some credit, so she quickly added. "Lucas noticed it."

Mrs Smith gave it a thorough stare, observing each and every piece from the necklace to the earrings and bracelet.

Then before Lucas could even blink, a hot slap landed across his cheeks, burning him instantly.

She said with a disgusted look planted on her face. "How dare you try to lie against Bruce?? Of course these are authentic!"