Hated to Honored; Lucius Wilson's Rise to the Peak

It's 7am. The main hall of the Augustus manor, which belonged to the deceased Mathew Augustus and was inherited by his wife, Miranda Augustus, was teeming with several people related to the missus. Today was Miranda's 60th birthday and though she was quite advanced in age, she had done well to manage her appearance, causing her to have a rather healthy appearance. A few speculated on ways she had managed to keep herself so healthy, with some even bordering on nonsense, like she had sold her soul to the devil, but regardless, few took them seriously. She sat as the center of attraction today, adorned in an eye-catching attire that made several envious with some even wondering why such an old woman would bother with such opulence. The main hall was also decorated specially for the occasion, and after most had arrived, the first part of the party, which was the gifting section, quickly began. "Grandma, on your birthday today, I brought you this diamond necklace. It's said to be a rare treasure once won by an ambassador of the Mali Kingdom and given as a gift to the man who saved her life during an assassination attempt." A young man explained as he presented his gift, a proud smile on his lips. The young man's name was Jared and a member of the Augustus family. A woman, dressed in a suit and standing next to Miranda, collected the necklace from Jared and examined it calmly before quickly erupting in excitement. "Oh wow, Lady Augustus, this present is indeed an original with an astounding worth of $20,000." When Miranda heard this, she shifted her attention to Jared and slowly the corners of her lips curled up in a smile before she then nodded at him with a tender look. Jared could barely restrain his excitement at the gesture. After he stepped aside, a young girl with dark hair approached Miranda with a slightly larger box. Her name was Diana and she was also a member of the Augustus family. Going on one knee, she remarked. "Grandma, I got this for you. I hope you like it." The suited woman standing beside Miranda once again retrieved the gift and inspected it before gasping in delight. "Oh wow, Lady Augustus, your grandchildren seem to love you a great deal. This is a jade bangle set from the Enochic dynasty which was said to be owned by the last Empress of that period. The entire set is valued at a whopping $100,000. It's a national treasure." Most gasped at the astonishing amount Diana utilized to purchase the bangle set. Jared had no choice but to hide his face out of embarrassment. Miranda revealed a smile yet again and a tender nod before muttering softly. "Thank you." "I wish you a happy birthday, grandma," Diana said, a triumphant look on her face. Clearly, what she had done would be hard to beat and so she had no reason to worry about being embarrassed. Which gave her more impetus to glance at Gerald, egging him on to act if he had the mind. “Anyone else?” The lady standing next to Lady Augustus asked. Just then, Lucius Wilson, the eldest grandson-in-law of the family, spoke up. “Grandma, could you lend me some money?... I just got a call from the hospital and Miss Granger's condition has worsened. If I don't pay for her surgery soon, she won't be able to make it.” The silence that followed was deafening as everyone stared at Lucius with disgust in their eyes. To think that this bastard was so bold as to make such a request. He didn't even prepare a gift and instead, wished to ask for money from the celebrant. Was he so dull or was today just a special day to display his foolishness? Lady Augustus could only glare at Lucius, still wondering why she had allowed her husband to bring this good-for-nothing back home all those years ago. If she'd known he'd turn out so useless, she would have found a way to take him out instead of leaving him to become a constant thorn in her side. Despite the looks sent his way, Lucius remained steadfast as he knew that if he didn't get the money soon, Miss Granger would die and he couldn't allow that to happen. Before he joined the Augustus family, he had stayed with her and she'd taken care of him like he were her son, so he had to pay her back now. Even if he had to roll on the floor like a dog, he would do anything to get the money needed to save her. Unfortunately for him, Lady Augustus wasn't about to accept his request. “You bastard!... Why do you always have to be so mannerless?” Before she could curse him out more, Lucius' wife, Rachel, stepped forward to defend him. “Grandma, please calm down, no need to get worked up.” “Rachel, how can you even stand such a fool as a husband?... Don't you feel any shame watching him embarrass you like this?” Cynthia, Rachel's cousin remarked with another agreeing with her words. “And as for you, you are good for nothing, even if you don't care about your own face, at least save face for Rachel's sake. You are always humiliating her!” Others chimed in as well, with everyone saying the same thing; that Lucius was a disgrace to the family and that he was undeserving of Rachel's hand. Compared to a fool like him, Rachel was a famous beauty in Crystal Falls but somehow, she decided to remain married to an i***t like Lucius when better men were begging to be with her. As more insults rained on him, Lucius clenched his fists tightly, holding himself back from lashing out as he understood that if he didn't do so, Miss Granger would suffer. Dropping to his knees, he pressed his forehead to the ground and pleaded. “Grandma, please, find it in your heart to help me this once. I swear, I'll do anything you ask if you do this one thing for me.” “That's enough, Lucius. At least have some self-respect. You are a grown man asking an old lady for money. What is wrong with you?” Rachel's elder brother, Jason, remarked as he stepped out. Glancing down at her husband who only wished to save a life, Rachel was moved enough to speak up, even though she felt awkward doing so. “Grandma, I know it's your birthday and I sincerely apologize for making such a mess of things. But please, could you please help Lucius with the money?” “You want me to help him?” Lady Augustus snorted derisively. “Fine then, if you can divorce him right now, I'll give him half the money. Then, if you decide to marry the man I choose for you, I'd give him the other half. What do you say?” Rachel bit down on her lower lip as she had expected Lady Augustus to make such a demand of her. She'd always been looking for a way to break up her marriage with Lucius and this was clearly a good opportunity to make her intentions known. Just then, news arrived that yet another gift had been delivered, not by a family member but by one of the suitors interested in Rachel. “Oh my goodness, isn't that a painting by the great artist, Alexander Regulus. It's worth at least 10 million dollars!” Someone exclaimed. Lady Augustus grinned from ear to ear as she remarked. “You see, Rachel, this is how real men act, not that chicken you call your husband. A total disgrace to all men, I tell you!” Rachel said nothing, maintaining silence, and Lucius did the same. Lady Augustus grew irritated by this as she remarked. “So?... Will you do as I say?” “No,” Rachel said. “I won't.” “How dare you deny me this one thing I ask of you even after everything I've done for you?... Why do you insist on staying with that fool?... What can he offer you that the others outside can't?” “Grandma, please calm down…” “Get out of my sight!” Lady Augustus bellowed. “And take that useless thing with you.” Lucius got back on his feet, aware that there would be no help to be gotten from here today. Pursing his lips, he remarked. “I'll be heading to the hospital. You stay here.” “Lucius…” “Don't worry. I'll be fine.” Lucius assured with a weak smile before taking his leave.