The Cartwrights

Author's pov:

About twenty eight years ago, only one company was dominating the business industry and that was the Cartwright group. They were the richest and the most worshipped conglomerate.

The name Cathwright was the most feared in the whole of America and it was that way till a problem ensued. One that was enough to bring a crack to the all powerful family.

Mr Carthwright was a single father with three sons; Vincent, Simone and William. They were the three aces of this great family. Vincent, being the first was the heir to the conglomerate.

Vincent and Simone were both married to two ladies from other great families so as to increase the conglomerates power and connections while William stayed unmarried.

The three brothers lived in harmony till they all fell for one particular lady name Nicole Jones, a bubbly girl that come from a middle class family. Even though they all had eyes for her, she loved only William, the last son of the Cartwrights.

As expected, this caused a rift between the three brothers but William didn't care as the love he had for Nicole was greater than the one he had for his brothers.

They got married despite all the challeges that came their way and decided to start their own family when Vincent, out of jealousy caused a scandal. He lied to a reporter about Nicole's fidelity and that caused a stir in the family.

William knew Nicole would never cheat on him but he was pressed into divorcing her by his father who never liked her in the first place. Admist all the pressure coming from his family, William decided to elope with Nicole so the can start a new life somewhere far away but tragedy struck.

He was involved in an accident left him in a coma while Nicole was sent out of the house. Nicole was sad about the news of her husband's tragedy but she had to move on as she was stopped from ever seeing him again by his father but a peaceful life was far from what she would face later on.

Vincent's and Simone's wives both knew about their husband's love for Nicole and that made them hate her to the core. They didn't want to let her go easily so they decided to make her life miserable.

They set off a fire in Nicole's house. The fire wiped out all her family but only she survived as she was not home at the time. Having no where to live, she moved to the slums but they didn't stop there.

They continued wrecking havoc in her life. Nicole was tired of everything and wanted to die when she found out that she was carrying William's babies, twins. She managed to give birth and wanted to take her children to their father's house but Mr. Cartwright wouldn't accept them.

He claimed she had them from her wayward ways and sent them away. She decided to raise them alone. It wasn't easy but she was able to live with her two children Nicholas and Theresa for many years.

Vincent and his wife had a son named Rafeal Cathwright and he's the heir to the conglomerate after his father while Simone and his wife had a son too, Richard Cartwright.

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Nicholas sat alone in his dimly lit study. The room was silent except for the clicking of the clock. His eyes pierced the night outside as his thoughts drifted back to his past trauma.

Even though they were broke, he lived happily with his mother and sister. Their happiness was cut short the moment his mother was diagnosed with a terminal illness.

Due to her illness, she lost their job plunging them into more hardship than they were facing before. Watching her suffer was the greatest pain her had ever faced but he couldn't do anything at that time as he was just a little boy.

At a tender age, he went out of his way to raise money for her treatment but it wasn't enough. Due to lack of funds, they were sent away from the hospital as the doctors couldn't keep treating her.

In her final days, Nicole expressed her wish to return back to her hometown. Determined to fulfil her last wish, Nicholas decided to take his mother and his sister back home but fate had other plans.

On the day they were set to leave, they were attacked by thugs. Nicholas, who was carrying his sick mother couldn't outrun them but he was quick enough to hide Theresa.

His mother was assaulted, brutally beaten and tortured. After they did a number on her, they left. Nicholas could only watch in anger and helplessness as his mother drew her last breath.

"Don't let the Cartwrights get you and your sister." Were her last words before she took her last breath.

Nicholas eyes burned with the fire of revenge as the thought of what he and his sister had to pass through before they got to where they were crossed his mind.

His mother wanted him to avoid the Cartwrights but he was going to do the opposite. He wanted them to pay for the pain they caused his mother even in her final days on earth.

Accepting Rafael's request for a meeting was the only chance for him to get close to the Cartwrights family and avenge his mother. His heart was filled with pure hatred as he sent his reply back to Rafael.

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The next day, Nicholas met with Rafael in his office.

"I didn't know you would come running this fast." Rafael muttered in mockery.

Nicholas maintained his calm demeanor as he spoke; "I figured you wanted a patnership, isn't that why you summoned me here?"

"Partnership.." Rafael muttered as he chuckled softly.

"It's quite the opposite. You see, I intend to acquire your company for a patent the Carthwright Group needs." He said in a rather arrogant manner.

A small smile appeared on Nicholas face and he rested his back elegantly on his chair. "Really??" He asked with an amused expression on his face.

Rafael stared at him in confusion. He definitely wasn't expecting that reaction from him. "Yes, now what do you say?" He asked.

Nicholas paused for a while like he was in deep thought before; "What do I get in return?" He asked.

"What do you want?" Rafael asked back.

"A position in the Carthwright group's management." Said Nicholas.

"What?? No way." Rafael rejected immediately.

Unfazed, Nicholas asked; "Your cousin, Richard already made me a tempting offer. What do you think I should do now??"

Rafael's eyes dilated in shock making Nicholas smile. He had fallen into his trap.

"I'll think it over and get back to you." Rafael said.

"Alright but just know that I can't wait too long. I'm a very busy man." Nicholas muttered as he stood up from his seat.

"Good day Mr. Carthwright." He muttered before taking his leave.

Nicholas had already made up his mind. He knew he must infiltrate the Carthwright Group, uncover their family’s crimes, and avenge his mother. His eyes reflected determination and resolve, as he steeled himself for the battle he must win.