Prologue

"Dave and Vivianne McBride, the owners of the multimillion McBride Foods passed away early this morning. The couple were said to have been returning from a business summit when they got into an accident. Chief of Police, Bruce Dickinson, says that there were skid marks found on the road. Based on that, he believes that the accident had happened while they were trying to avoid a collision with an incoming vehicle.

"The couple is survived by their son, Drew McBride, the famous game developer…"

Maddie Taylor switched off the TV and collapsed on the couch, exhausted and a tad irritated.

She pushed out a breath and shut her eyes.

The rich never ceased to set the country in an uproar. Even in their death.

                                   *****

Dave and Viviane McBride of the multibillion McBride Foods died and the whole earth wept.

 Listening to the reading of his parents' will, Drew McBride was overcomed with deep hatred. Hatred for the popularity that his parents' company had cast on him. Hatred that he couldn't simply grieve without having his face splashed on every magazine in the city. Hatred for — yes! — McBride Foods, for it stole his parents from him.

How did he get here? Orphaned and made a billionaire in the same vein.

"...if upon his 30th birthday, he is not married, all our company's shares will go to my brother, Rich McBride…"

"Excuse me, what?" He sputtered. So maybe becoming a billionaire wasn't exactly in the same vein.

Tim Hives, his parents' lawyer, reread the words, but they stayed unchanged. 

He had to marry to inherit.

Were his parents out of their minds?

Ignoring his uncle and cousin who sat mouth agape, Drew stood up and marched to the door. He paused to throw only one sentence across his shoulder:

"McBride Foods can burn for all I care."