Bright future:The Billionaire's Revenge

Forever A Billionaire

Six months after the mansion was built in the village, Damian was sitting in his CEO office on the 30th floor of Williams Tower. He was now the most famous 17-year-old in Africa. Forbes Africa had listed him as "30 Under 30" youngest billionaire.

He was signing a 5 billion naira contract with a Chinese company when Sophie burst into his office without knocking, something only she could do.

"Damian! Damian! Big news!" Sophie was breathing fast, holding an envelope.

Damian smiled, "Mrs. Future CEO, you cannot enter like that, you will scare my investors."

Sophie dropped the envelope on his table. "Open it."

Damian opened it. It was an admission letter from Harvard University, USA. "Sophie Williams has been admitted to Harvard Business School, Early Admission Program for Young Leaders..."

Damian shouted, "Harvard? You got Harvard?"

Sophie nodded, tears in her eyes. "Yes! And you also applied? Check your email!"

Damian quickly opened his email. There it was — "Damian Williams, you have been admitted to Harvard University, Business Administration, Full Scholarship Sponsored by Williams Group..."

Both of them screamed and hugged in the office. The whole staff came to see.

For Damian, who was expelled from village primary school for not paying 3,000 naira, to enter Harvard University — the best university in the world — was the final proof that no one can stop what God has destined.

That night, Chief Williams organized a family dinner at his Banana Island mansion to celebrate.

At the dinner table were Chief Williams, Jayeola, Damian, and Sophie's parents — the Local Government Chairman and his wife.

Chief stood up with a glass of wine, though he was old and sick.

"My family, 18 years ago, I lost my daughter because I was a proud billionaire who wanted to control her marriage. I suffered for 13 years. Then God brought my grandson Damian, who was slapped, beaten, and chased away. He came back and taught me that a real billionaire is not one who has money, but one who has a good heart. Today, my grandson is going to Harvard, and my company is 10 times bigger than when I was CEO, because he brought young ideas."

He turned to Sophie's parents.

"Chairman, your daughter Sophie stood by my grandson when he had nothing, when other girls laughed at him. She loved him when he was still a village boy in my eyes. So I want to ask for her hand in marriage for my grandson. Not now, but after Harvard, when they are 21. I want to combine our families. What do you say?"

Sophie's father, the Chairman, stood up laughing, "Chief, I was waiting for you to say that! My daughter told me 2 years ago in the village that she will marry Damian. I approve! 100%!"

Sophie blushed and hid her face. Damian held her hand under the table.

Jayeola was crying again, but this time it was tears of pure joy. Her son, who was once called a bastard, was now engaged to a Chairman's daughter and going to Harvard.

Damian stood up and spoke.

"Grandfather, Mama, Sophie, everyone. One year and eleven months ago, I was a cleaner at Mama T's restaurant, sleeping behind the kitchen. Today I am a CEO and going to Harvard. If anyone in this world tells you that your background will stop you, tell them about Damian Williams."

He looked at his mother.

"Mama, you taught me to forgive. I forgave Austin. I forgave the proprietor. I forgave everyone who slapped us. Because revenge is sweet, but forgiveness makes you a billionaire forever. My revenge is complete not because I built a mansion, but because I am happy."

He looked at Sophie.

"Sophie, you are my first love and my last love. When I go to Harvard, I will come back and marry you and make you the queen of Williams Group."

Sophie kissed him in front of everyone. "And I will make you the happiest billionaire."

The whole family clapped.

Three weeks later, Damian and Sophie boarded a first-class flight to Boston, USA, to resume at Harvard. Jayeola and Chief went to the airport to see them off.

At the airport, many journalists came. They asked Damian, "Damian, what is your final message to all the poor boys in villages who are being slapped and laughed at?"

Damian removed his sunglasses and said into the camera, looking straight into the eyes of every poor boy watching:

"My name is Damian Williams. One year ago, I was slapped in the village because I was poor. My mother was beaten because she had no husband. We had no food. Today, I am a billionaire CEO going to Harvard. So if you are watching me from your village, from your small hut, and they are laughing at you, don't cry. Don't fight them. Run away, work hard, forgive them, and come back as a billionaire. Your slap today will become your palace tomorrow. That is the revenge of a billionaire."

The video went viral with 10 million views in one day.

On the plane, Damian opened his old notebook, the same notebook he carried when he ran away from the village. The last page still had the list of people who beat him. He tore the page and threw it in the dustbin.

"New beginning," he whispered.

Sophie held his hand. "Forever a billionaire."

And the plane took off, carrying the village boy who became a billionaire, to Harvard, to his future, to forever.