Being Wealthy is my birthright

9

She turned and saw her mother standing at the foot of the stairs.

With a soft smile, Ella walked toward her.

"What is it, my love? You look a bit off," her mother asked, gently brushing a strand of hair from Ella's face.

Ella forced a small smile. "It's nothing... I was just looking for Allen. Have you seen him?"

At the mention of his name, her mother’s cheerful expression vanished, replaced by a scowl.

"Why on earth are you looking for that freeloader? When I came back this morning, he was nowhere to be found. I'm sure he left last night, probably in tears."

Ella exhaled, not saying anything.

Her mother narrowed her eyes "Wait... he didn’t sign the divorce papers, did he?"

When Ella handed the letter to her mother, she took one glance at it and didn’t look the least bit surprised.

“He signed it?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Yes,” Ella replied quietly. “And that’s what’s strange… The Allen I know would never give up so easily. He’d be here, on his knees, begging.”

Her mother scoffed. “Does it matter? The important thing is that he’s finally out of your life.”

She placed the letter on the table and looked at Ella with a satisfied smile.

“I think it’s time you stop looking back. You have Rodney now. That’s a man worth your time. I suggest you let that relationship bloom.”

Her mother’s lips curled into a smile. “Good. Finally. That freeloader knows his place.”

But Ella didn’t smile back. Instead, she looked down at the floor.

Her mother narrowed her eyes. “Don’t tell me you’re feeling guilty now.”

“I’m not,” Ella rushed.

“You better not,” Mrs Flora snapped. “After everything we did for him, he still brought shame to this family. Do you think he’d ever fit into this family?”

Ella didn’t answer.

Her mother was right.

She should feel relieved. She should be happy. After all, Allen was finally out of her life.

“I made your favorite dish,” her mother said gently, brushing a strand of hair behind Ella’s ear. “You’ve had a long day. Go freshen up and come downstairs to eat.”

“Okay, Mom,” Ella said with a small smile before turning to leave.

As she walked away, her mother’s smile slowly widened

She picked up the letter again, eyes glinting with pride.

Allen hadn’t signed anything. She had forged his signature.

There was no way she would allow her daughter to miss a good man because of that trash.

And by sheer luck, Allen had left before she returned home that morning.

But she wasn’t stupid. She knew the boy too well. He’d come back soon, begging and she's prepared to chase him away before he gets a chance to talk.

*

*

It was getting dark by the time Allen returned to the Floral Ville Estate.

The estate’s roads were quiet, lined with neatly trimmed lawn and soft-glowing streetlights that gave the area an almost dreamlike feel. It took him a few turns and a double-check of the GPS before he finally located the mansion.

As he pulled up in front of the tall, imposing gate, a discreet camera on the side swiveled toward his car, scanning it before allowing him to drive in.

Allen blinked.

He slowly drove in, his eyes widening as he took in the security layout. Cameras were mounted at every corner, hidden between vines. It didn’t look like a mansion. Rather, it looked like a private vault disguised as a home.

The house itself was massive white walls, tall windows, and a minimalist modern design that screamed luxury.

He wasn’t the only one there.

Two exotic cars were already parked in the front lot,one a deep blue McLaren, the other a sleek black Maybach.

Allen quietly eased his car between them.

He stepped out of the car slowly, eyes scanning the place.

Before he could approach the door, it opened.

A man stood there.

Mid-forties.

He wore a crisp charcoal suit.

His face held no smile and his eyes scanned Allen like a hawk.

He was sure this is the person Sir Edward said he'll meet.

“Mr. Allen,” he said smoothly, extending his hand. “I’m Victor Halden. I'm the manager of Vital Corps, one of the companies under your name.”

Allen blinked, " really?"

Victor smiled faintly, as though he understood the disbelief. “I’ve worked with your father and Sir Edward for years. I handle acquisitions, partnerships, investments, anything that falls under the consortium’s umbrella."

Allen swallowed, unsure whether to feel overwhelmed or flattered. “So, you work for me?”

“In a manner of speaking, yes. Though I prefer to think we serve the same legacy but I'm sure that's not what your father would call me since he was a very good friend of mine,"

“I came as soon as I heard you’d been found,” the man said with a slight bow. “And I would gladly offer my loyalty to you. You can count on me, anytime from now. I hope to receive your kindness in the future.”

Allen studied him for a moment.

It was strange, almost surreal, to hear someone pledge loyalty to him with such certainty.

Without waiting for a response, the man gestured toward the mansion. “Come. There’s someone you need to meet.”

They stepped inside.

The inside was spacious and beautiful.

There, seated on the couch was a young woman, working on a laptop, placed on her lap.

She was stunning and pretty. Her dark hair was pulled into a low bun, and she wore a cream-colored blouse tucked into high-waisted slacks.

She didn’t look up.

“You’re late,” she said flatly, fingers still moving across the keyboard.

Allen stopped in his tracks.

He didn't know how to answer.

Who was this?

Before he could speak, the man beside him smiled and patted him lightly on the back.

“I’ll take my leave now,” he said. “We’ll talk again soon.” Then he turned toward the woman.

“Be kind to him, Mira,” he said warmly. “He’s got a lot to catch up on.”

Immediately the man left, she shot him a stare that kept him on edge.

" Do you mind telling me who you are?" Allen asked softly.

She leaned back in her chair, crossed one leg over the other, and finally gave him her full attention.

" I'm Mira Luciein, I'm the executive director of the Valemont Consortium. I’ve been managing your holdings since Sir Edward placed them under your name years back. ”

Allen blinked. “Ohh, the companies! You mean you control everything?”Allen said, trying not to seem off.

She let out a slow sigh, then narrowed her eyes at him, feigning irritation.

“Just your first day, and you’re already causing trouble?”

“What?” Allen frowned, confused. She looked as if she held a personal grudge with him

She shook her head in disappointment and pointed to her screen.

" Enough of that. Come here and explain this!"

Allen hesitated, then walked over to her. What he saw on the laptop screen made his stomach drop.

It was security footage from the hotel.

The exact moment he was escorted out by highly trained men. Grey crying and begging. The scene now looked like an action movie online.

He unconsciously gasped.

The clip had racked up sixty-nine million views. Comments were flooding in by the second. Some were praising him. Some speculated wildly, wondering who this new tycoon was. Others were digging into his past like digital vultures.

The numbers were climbing by the minute.

Allen stepped back slightly, stunned.

“Do you mind explaining this?” Mira asked again, arms folded tightly across her chest.

Allen looked away. He had no words.

He hadn't even known someone was recording.

He had no idea how it went viral.

And he wondered how it would affect the empire suddenly tied to his name.

“I… I didn’t know,” he murmured.

Mira scoffed, then stood. She was shorter than Allen, but her presence made her feel ten feet tall.

“Well, now you do,” she said. “Welcome to the top. Around here, even your silence makes noise.”