Chapter 1: Chapter 1

"I've had enough! I'll pay you eventually, damn it!" I shouted at my investors.

They'd been hounding me for weeks, demanding payment, and I had no idea where I would get the money to pay them.

It wasn't just them who got scammed; I got scammed too.

"If you don't pay us by next week, we'll have you thrown in jail!" he shouted back at me.

I glared at him as he walked away from me.

Damn it all!

It has been a month since they started demanding payment, and I have no clue where I'll get the money.

The substantial amount they invested in me was taken by my associates. I had a partner who established an investment company, but I was deceived.

I don't know how I can repay those who invested in me. I don't know how I can return their money.

I've already sold my belongings, but it's not enough.

I need a significant amount of money, and I must repay their investments.

It would be a tremendous disgrace if I end up in jail.

I know that people who know me will laugh at me if I don't resolve this problem.

I need 350 million, but where will I get it?

"Damn it! How will you pay off your debts?! Azaria, what the hell are you doing?! Why did your business turn out like this?" my friend scolded me.

I was at his place, sitting on the sofa, while he stood in front of me, looking disappointed.

I would be mortified if my parents found out about this.

I don't want to be laughed at by others, and it would be a great shame if I ended up in jail.

"Please help me," I pleaded with him.

"It wasn't a scam, you know," I added.

The news spread that I created an investment company scam.

Everyone believes that I scammed them, but I didn't.

They labeled my business as an investing scam company.

"I developed a system that would generate more money quickly and easily. I had no idea that my partners would betray me. They stole from me, and I have no clue where to find them. They stole from me, the ones who created Az Coins. Damn it! I had no idea this would happen! I can't repay the money because those damn thieves stole the investments from me," I explained while tears welled up in my eyes.

I couldn't eat because I was preoccupied with finding a solution.

Hailey tried to help me, but our powers alone couldn't fix everything.

"Why did you decide to start that kind of business?!" she asked irritably.

She was stressed because of me.

I lowered my head.

"Well, I needed money for my indulgences. And I wanted to prove to my parents that I'm wealthy and capable of establishing a business without anyone's help."

I looked at her as I explained the reason behind my decision to venture into that investment.

"And then our company ended up in Nikolai's hands. That arrogant man is running our company! I'm their real child too! I'm the rightful heir! Why didn't they entrust the company to me?!" I yelled at my friend.

Hailey seemed annoyed by what I said.

"How can your parents trust you with what you're doing?! You stole money from them to support your lavish lifestyle. You're always at the bar. My goodness, you hardly even go home anymore. And you sold one of your family's estates just to buy a bag worth millions! Damn it! It's a good thing your parents haven't disowned you because of your foolishness!"

I looked at Hailey, pleading for understanding.

There are still many worse things I've done.

I didn’t spend my money rights.

Because of my frustration, I ended up creating an investment company, but it didn't turn out well.

"I want to prove to everyone that I'm capable. And my parents made a mistake by not entrusting the company to me."

I'm a competitive person.

"Ugh! It's because of your twisted mindset!"

"It's your fault!" she said irritably, sitting in front of me.

I'm starting to lose control.

I don't want to go to jail.

"Hailey," I pleaded, my voice becoming desperate and frantic.

"Just borrow money from your grandfather! I don't know how else to help you; I already sold my condo just so you'd have something to pay with."

I felt like crying.

I no longer have a condo or a car because I sold them.

"I don't want to borrow from him! If I ask for his help, he'll just say that his adoptive child is better. Why don't I emulate his adoptive child!" I angrily retorted.

I don't know if his adoptive child has returned home. He sent him abroad for education, while I remained here.

They favor that boy more compared to me.

But from what I heard from the household staff, that wretched adoptive child has indeed returned. But I haven't seen him yet, and I don't want to see his ugly face!

That boy shouldn't have come back!

"You're so full of pride! What do you want? To end up in jail?! Fine! I can't help you anymore, Azaria!"

We were yelling at each other.

"Hailey," I sobbed.

Those people are so stupid. Do they think I can find such a large sum of money in just one week?!

What do they think of me? That I can magically produce money?!

In frustration, I stomped my feet.

"He's such a spoiled brat," she whispered.

A week passed, and I couldn't find any money, not even a single cent.

Even my food was provided by Hailey.

"Hailey! Call my grandfather!" I shouted at her as the police were escorting me out of her house.

"Let go of me!" I yelled as the police held onto me, leading me into the precinct.

"Fill those out," one of the officers instructed me, handing me a piece of paper and a pen.

I couldn't believe that I was going to be imprisoned.

"If you can't afford a lawyer, the government will provide one for you."

"Wait, can we just wait for my friend? She's with my grandfather, and I will pay those people," I pleaded with the police.

I gave them pleading looks.

I couldn't hold back my tears anymore.

Why is all of this happening to me?

Because of my desire for money and to buy what I want, everything has turned out like this.

"Can I make a call too?"

I wanted an update on whether Hailey reached my grandfather.

I don't want to go to jail.

I don't want to be laughed at.

In less than thirty minutes, Hailey and my grandfather were already there.

Hailey came to me and hugged me.

My grandfather saw, and I saw the disappointment in his eyes.

"Grandpa, please, let me out of here," I begged him.

"Can you give us privacy to talk?" He spoke calmly to people.

"Why are you here?" He asked me seriously.

“Help me get out of here. Bail me out," I cried to him.

"Did you do drugs that's why you went to jail?"

I shook my head at him in response.

"I need money," I began.

"Because my business partners chased me. He invested in mine but he can't fund my business anymore. Then I became a business partner who loaned me a lot of money to fund my business. Until I can't pay for everything anymore," I told him.

"Ask your parents for help. I'm tired of helping you."

I sat up straighter because of his answer.

He has no intention of helping me.

I cried even more.

"Help me," I begged him.

"Let me out now. I promise you that I will do what you want. Whatever you say I will follow," I said desperately.

“How can you pay me? You sold your parents' businesses. You also sold a hacienda of mine. Do you think I'll still trust you? I'm tired of preaching to you, Azaria."

"I can't stand you anymore," he added.

"Go ahead. Get me out of here. Promise, this is the last," I raise my hand to make a promise.

"You are the stubborn one of all. Your mother wasn't like that when I raised her -” he couldn't finish what he was going to say when I stopped him.

"Let me out of here, and let's talk about what you want at home. If I don't comply, you will put me in jail,"

I don't like the many mosquitoes here and the heat.

I don't belong in these places.

"Go ahead! It stinks here, I want to go home!” I said like a child.

"Promise, when I recover I will pay you,"

He just shook his head and said nothing.

I know he will help and he can't stand me. I just cry to him and he gives in.

He is also the one who defends me when my mommy fights with me because of what I do.

He bailed me out and also talked to my investors that he will pay them today.

"Come with me to the mansion and we'll talk."

I didn't answer him.

Hailey is no longer with us because she will take care of her library spa.

I looked at the road.

I'm debt free, but I'm still not happy. I'm sad because I sold everything I had.

I only have clothes. I don't have any money either.

I think I will be picked up on the road.

I have another condo, but it's not mine because my parents took it.

They took back the condo they gifted to me.

"I'll live here first, ah," I told him when we were inside his mansion.

“Sir Nikolai!” I heard a maid scream but I didn't pay attention.