Hollywood Zenith

Darren Wintringham, the only son of the ruling couple, was a bright kid. Under his father's guidance, he was learning to become the next person to inherit the company. He was only fourteen, but from an early age, he showed exceptional talent; many considered him the best among the second generation.

" Don't mind him; he has been like that. After hearing your accomplishments recently, I think he became a little bit sensitive." Audrey said.

" Eh? Is that so? I don't think I did anything exceptional." Samuel replied.

" That is not true. Managing your own business with the support of your family, becoming an author at such a young age, staring in your very own movie and having beauty as your fiancée, even I, who had been around the world, didn't hear of anyone like that." Simon recalled his deeds, even though he acknowledged the younglings' success.

" Isn't that right, Darren? He is quite jealous of you, Samuel." Audrey looked toward his son, who was about to lose his temper.

" Mom! Why are you saying that to him?" Just as she expected, her son lashed out.

" Audrey? I think that is enough." Laura didn't like her attitude; she had known Audrey for the longest time and knew she was not one to torment someone.

" But I only told the truth," Audrey said plainly.

" I am leaving!" Darren, who had had enough of it, left angrily.

Samuel, whose question was the cause of the commotion, felt guilty. He also followed after Darren; it would be wrong if he got lost or picked a fight with someone else.

" I will go talk to him."

...

...

" Audrey, Don't you think you were a little mean to him," Robert said; he had been watching until now, but now that the kids were gone, he had to address it.

" Yes, It was so deliberate," Laura added. Simon stayed silent, about to say something, but Audrey interrupted him.

" I know. I am sorry you had to see it."

" Is there a problem? I feel like you guys are hiding something. You know there are no secrets between us, right?"

" How can you be so shameless? I just discovered that I have a nephew, and you say there are no secrets." Simon said while laughing, trying to decrease the tension.

" I know you too well to know you are trying to change the subject. Tell me, I can help." Robert was not letting him slide that easily.

" Che, sometimes I feel you know me too well." Simon looked toward his wife, who nodded, giving him approval. It was not a big issue, but they could burden Robert and Laura with their family problems.

" Darren has changed. Four years ago, right after my father's death, something definitely happened to him."

" He was such a cheerful child, but losing someone close at such a young age was devastating for my son."

Wintringham family was young money like most of the people at their level. It was true that they held a vast amount of wealth, but they started as a modest businessman. On the other hand, Rothschild was very influential from the beginning; much like their American counterpart, the Morgan and Rockefeller families, they had a rich history that spanned a couple of centuries.

Darren's grandfather was the only one who cared for him when his parents were busy. He is more of a parent than his biological parents.

" We were swamped expanding our business when Audrey got pregnant; even after his birth, we hardly had time to be with our son. It was never supposed to be like that; we worked hard for his future." Simon paused.

" You know what they say right, 'It's not money that makes us rich. It's the family that makes us wealthy'. I feel like I have let my son down." Simon said while gripping the tablecloth. He felt helpless whenever he thought about his son.

" Honey! It's not your fault." Audrey exclaimed.

" You are not making any sense. Stop running away from the topic and tell us straight." Although Robert wanted to comfort his friend, without knowing the reason, how would he be able to do that?

" We don't know fully because Darren had not said anything to us. Sometimes I feel he has no emotions; I could only bring something out of him by making him mad about something."

" He also never complains about anything to us and works super hard to make more money. I am happy, but how could I see my child suffer over earning wealth? At that age, he should be chasing girls or enjoying school." Simon was blunter.

Strangely, Robert and Laura sympathised with them. They felt like Simon was describing their Samuel. Although Samuel and Darren were similar, there was a striking difference between them. While Darren was neglecting his family's concerns, Samuel listened diligently to his elders.

While the couple was pouring their hearts out in front of Laura, she looked toward the direction kids went. Seeing Samuel talking casually to Darren, Laura was relieved. She knew both of them lacked friendship; if everything worked well, the situation would resolve itself.

" Don't worry. Look over there." Laura interrupted them and pointed her finger outside.

""Huh?"" They followed her finger, which made them visibly surprised.

" Doesn't that look like the blossoming of a great friendship?" She said.

...

...

" Do you really abandon your parents because you were jealous of me?"

" Hah!"

" Are you going to get mad now? I thought you were wiser than because you are older; guess that is wrong." Samuel was blatantly proving him. He could feel that Darren didn't have any ill will toward him but was acting childish.

" You-, don't talk to me like you know me!" Darren roared.

" Calm down; it's not right for you to get mad because you are envious of someone else's girl." Samuel was relentless.

" W-what a-are you t-talking about?" Darren was flustered.

" Hoho, look at you blushing like a kid! Do you have a crush on Iblis?"

" Arghh, stop talking!" Darren had enough; he began running while Samuel chased him with weird questions. Darren had never met Iblis, but he had heard about her beauty; in reality, he didn't even know her, but Samuel's way of saying things made him lose his mind.

It was the first time he had met someone so shameless what's more, it was a kid younger than him. Losing his grandfather made him realize the truth about this world; thus, he began to work hard to gain power.

Darren still vividly remembers what the doctors said; if only they could have known about the disease sooner, if only they had more money in the past, if only they could have detected the condition sooner, he would still be alive.

A boy who had everything but lost someone precious and a boy who had nothing but gain something priceless; destiny had a funny way of connecting people.