The Dumb Heir

Rudy walked into Simon's room, a card containing a million dollars in her hand. She approached Simon, her eyes filled with concern. "Brother, I know things have been tough between you and the family lately," she said, her voice soft. "Here, take this," she offered, holding out the card. "A million dollars. Sort yourself out. You can use it to get back on your feet or invest in something new."

Simon looked at the card, a hint of a smile on his face. "I'm okay, Rudy," he said, his voice calm and gentle. He didn't take the card, his hands remaining by his sides.

Rudy's hands hung in the air, uncertainty etched on her face. She looked at Simon, searching for answers. "Are you in grudges with me too?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern. "Is that why you're not taking the money?"

Simon's gaze softened as he looked at his sister. "No, sister," he replied, his voice reassuring. "I'm not holding anything against you. You're always looking out for me, and I appreciate that."

Rudy's confusion deepened. "Then why are you rejecting it?" she pressed, her brow furrowed in concern. "I know you've been having some financial issues, and this money could really help you out."

Simon's response left Rudy perplexed. "I've sold my car and have lots of money," he said, a smile still playing on his lips. "I'm good, Rudy. Don't worry about me."

Rudy's eyes widened in surprise. "You've sold your car?" she repeated, incredulous. "But why? You loved that car."

Simon nodded, his smile growing wider. "Yeah, I did. But I've got a bike now, and it's all I need. Besides, I'm not really into material things. I'm more about simplicity and freedom."

Rudy's face fell, and she looked at the card in her hand, unsure of what to do next. She had been so sure that Simon would accept the money and use it to get back on his feet. But now, she realized that her brother was more independent than she had given him credit for.

Rudy's face fell as Simon rejected her offer, but his gentle smile and reassuring words lifted her spirits. "You keep it, sis," he said, his voice soft and encouraging. "When I'm in need, I'll let you know."

Rudy's embarrassment was palpable, and Simon could tell she felt awkward about the whole situation. He wanted to reassure her, so he added a reassuring tone to his voice. "Don't worry about it, Rudy. I'm good."

After Rudy left, Simon quickly pulled out his phone and dialed his company director's number. As soon as the director answered, Simon got straight to the point. "I need you to order decorative materials immediately," he instructed. "Get your assistant to find good decorators, and I'll go register for the decoration addition. We need to make this event perfect."

The director's response was prompt and reassuring. "Consider it done, boss. We'll take care of everything. I'll get the team on it right away."

Simon nodded, even though the director couldn't see him. "Good. Keep me updated on the progress."

As he hung up the phone, Simon couldn't help but think about his family's extravagant spending. He shook his head, wondering how his brother was misusing the family's wealth, which had been accumulated over decades and centuries.

"Three billion dollars just for a single portrait?" Simon thought to himself, his mind boggling at the sheer amount. "It's outrageous. What a waste of resources."

Despite his frustration, Simon refocused on his business. "Anyway, let me focus on my business," he told himself. His mind began racing with plans and strategies to ensure the decoration event would be a success. He was determined to make it happen, despite the family's excesses.

The Legacy Minerals team presented the three billion dollar portrait to Jerry with great fanfare. As the velvet-covered box was opened, Mrs. Johnson's eyes widened in awe. The diamond and gold combination portrait sparkled and shone, radiating an otherworldly glow.

"Woow, this is gorgeous!" Mrs. Johnson exclaimed, her voice filled with admiration. She reached out a trembling hand to touch the portrait, as if mesmerized by its beauty.

Jerry smiled, clearly pleased with himself. "I told you it would be worth it," he said, his voice dripping with satisfaction. "This portrait is a masterpiece, a true work of art."

Rudy, who was standing nearby, looked on with a mixture of dismay and disapproval. She couldn't believe her brother was spending such an enormous amount of money on a single portrait.

Meanwhile, Simon, who was observing from a distance, raised an eyebrow. "Three billion dollars for a portrait?" he thought to himself. "Jerry's really outdone himself this time."

As the family admired the portrait, the room was filled with oohs and aahs. But Simon's expression remained skeptical, his mind racing with thoughts of the portrait's true value and purpose.

As the family gathered for photos and selfies, Rudy made a conscious effort to walk towards Simon, who was standing apart from the group. Her intention was to grab his hand and bring him over to join the family picture. However, Simon seemed to anticipate her move and quickly slipped away, walking into his room without a word.

Jerry and Mrs. Johnson noticed Simon's departure, but they didn't seem too concerned. Instead, they focused on gathering the rest of the family for the photo shoot. Jerry called out, "Come on, let's take a family picture!" Mrs. Johnson chimed in, her voice dripping with disapproval, "A respected outsider is better than a rebellious blood." Her words were laced with a subtle jab at Simon's independent nature.

Rudy's face fell, and she looked sullen, her eyes gazing longingly towards Simon's room. She felt a pang of sadness, knowing that her brother was being excluded, not just from the photo, but from the family's inner circle. As the group photo was taken, Rudy's gaze lingered on the empty space where Simon would have stood, her heart heavy with concern for her brother.

Meanwhile, Simon was lost in thought, a faint smile playing on his lips as he recalled his late father's words of wisdom. "Remain focused, an upright person is like a rejected stone, but remember no matter what it will become a conner stone,i mean a base." His father's words had always been a source of comfort and strength for Simon, and he repeated them to himself like a mantra.

As he reflected on these words, Simon's thoughts turned inward, and he couldn't help but feel a deep sense of emotional pain. He thought to himself, "I haven't been rejected, I've been replaced." The realization stung, and for a moment, Simon's mask of calm slipped, revealing the hurt and vulnerability beneath. But he quickly regained his composure, his expression smoothing out as he continued to ponder his place within the family.

Just as Simon was lost in thought, his phone rang, breaking the silence. "Hi, Mr. Simon, I brought your motorbike and I'm ready to pick up the car. Please, I'm outside," an agent's voice said.

Simon, who was wearing a singlet, replied, "Okay, just a minute." He held the phone with his shoulder and arm while he quickly grabbed a shirt and put it on, buttoning it up as he spoke.

As he finished getting dressed, Simon closed the door to his room and headed outside. But as he walked towards the hall, he was surprised to see an array of expensive wines on the tables, being enjoyed by the family and their guests. They were laughing and mimicking each other, completely carefree.

Simon's eyes scanned the scene briefly, but he quickly averted his gaze, not wanting to get drawn into their revelry. Instead, he made a beeline for the door, his mind focused on the motorbike and the business at hand. He walked outside. 

The agent stood beside the motorbike, a hesitant look on his face. "Boss, please, here is your bike," he said, handing Simon the keys.

Simon smiled, his eyes lighting up with excitement. "That's nice," he said, running his hand over the bike's sleek surface.

But the agent's expression was serious. "Do you really want to do this?" he asked, his voice laced with concern.

Simon's curiosity was piqued. "What have you seen?" he asked, his eyes narrowing slightly.

The agent took a deep breath before speaking. "Your family is filthy rich. They have money in abundance. Recently, Jerry bought a high-rise apartment for Maybel, and all the company staff are worth billions. I've seen the expensive cars they're using, and you want to use this cheap bike?"

Simon's eyes widened in shock, his mind reeling with the revelation. But he quickly composed himself. "I'll only use it to roam with my friends," he said, his voice calm.

As the agent prepared to take away the car, he told Simon . "Thank your mother for me. She did well at the funeral durbar last weekend," he said, a hint of a smile on his face.

Simon expression changed, and he looked at the agent with a mixture of amusement and curiosity. "You mean Mrs. Johnson's stunt at the funeral?" he asked, a chuckle in his voice.

Simon nodded, his eyes sparkling with interest. "Explain, please."

The agent grinned. "Well, Mrs. Johnson came to a funeral invite and gave a whooping donation. But before she left, she threw a bundle of a hundred dollar notes on the crowd. Even though she desecrated the funeral ground, some people got crowded to pick them up. I managed to get five hundred dollars myself."

Simon's eyes widened in surprise, and he let out a low whistle. "Wow," he said, shaking his head in amazement.

The agent nodded, a smile still on his face. "Yeah, she's quite the character."

Simon nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Okay, thanks. I'll send your gratitude to her. Safe journey," he said, dismissing the agent.

The agent nodded, got into the car, and drove off. 

Simon pushed his bike into the parking area, but Maybel spotted him from the window and whispered to Mrs. Johnson, "Come and see Simon's new ride." Mrs. Johnson's eyes lit up with curiosity, and she called out to Jerry, "Come and see what your good-for-nothing brother has brought home?"

The entire family stumbled out of the house, still reeling from their drinking session. Rudy walked halfway towards Simon, but before she could speak, Simon slapped her across the face. "Would you marry with this bad behavior?" he growled.

Rudy fell to the ground, unable to control herself. Jerry's face twisted in anger. "If you don't take that scrap from here, you'll be banned from entering this house as well," he threatened.

Simon shrugged nonchalantly. "Let everyone be on their lane," he said, his voice calm.

Mrs. Johnson's voice rose in indignation. "Then remove that thing from our parking ground and never even have a smell of our expensive engine heat!"

Maybel, leaning on Jerry's chest, spoke up. "Do you want me to lend you money?" she asked, her voice dripping with condescension.

Simon laughed, pointing to himself. "You want to lend me money?" he asked, incredulous.

Maybel smiled sweetly. "Yes, I have five different cards, each with not less than two million dollars. I can give you one."

Simon's mind raced as he thought to himself, "How can Maybel have such money? Someone who used to wear second-hand clothes?" But outwardly, he smiled and said, "I'd love to ride this bike. Use your money to sort yourself out."

Maybel laughed, her voice mocking. "Can't you throw away your pride? I've never seen a proud broke guy like you in my life before."

Jerry and Mrs. Johnson joined in, laughing and teasing Simon. But Simon didn't want family grudges again. He pulled out his bike and pushed it towards the security post. Jerry sneered, "Yes, that's where it belongs. Better, because your bike doesn't suit here."

Maybel added, "After all, that push me to spark car had left this parking space as well." Mrs. Johnson laughed, her eyes gleaming with malice as she watched Simon like a stranger.

But Simon ignored them, his focus turned to Rudy his sister. He fetched water and poured it on her face, trying to help her regain her footing. Once she was stable, he sent her to her bed, his expression softening for a moment before he turned back to his bike.