Bright future:The Billionaire's Revenge

The Youngest Billionaire CEO

Two weeks after the kidnap, Chief Williams called a Board Meeting at Williams Tower, Victoria Island — the 30-storey headquarters of Williams Group.

All directors, 20 big men in suits, came with their files. They thought Chief was going to announce his retirement and give the company to Kola or Femi. They did not know Kola and Femi were now in prison awaiting trial.

Chief entered the boardroom with Damian. Damian was now 16 years old, wearing a navy blue three-piece suit, custom-made from London. He looked like a small man, not a boy. Sophie and Jayeola were sitting in the VIP gallery, watching proudly.

Chief stood up. "Gentlemen, for 40 years I built Williams Group from one petrol station to 50 billion naira empire. I have two sons in prison because they tried to kill my blood. Today, I will announce my successor."

The directors were whispering, "Who? Is it an outsider?"

Chief held Damian's hand. "This is Damian Williams, my grandson. The son of my daughter Jayeola. He is 16 years old. From today, he is the new Deputy CEO and Head of Operations of Williams Group. In one year, when he turns 17, he will become the CEO."

The boardroom exploded.

"What? A 16-year-old boy? Chief, with all due respect, this is a business, not a playground!"

"A village boy as CEO? Our investors will run away!"

"We cannot accept this!"

Damian was calm. He expected this. He stood up slowly, removed his blazer, and placed it on the chair. He walked to the whiteboard.

"Gentlemen, I know you think I am a small boy from the village. You are right. I am from the village. But I know business more than your sons who grew up in Banana Island."

He drew three circles on the board.

"Problem one: Williams Oil & Gas is losing 2 billion naira every year because of old trucks that break down on the road. Solution: I have already signed a deal with Innoson Motors to supply 100 new trucks at half price, because I met the Chairman's son in Greenfield School and negotiated with him. We will save 1.5 billion naira next year."

He drew second circle.

"Problem two: Williams Hotels have low customers because young people think it is for old men. Solution: I will turn the rooftop to a T****k and I*******m lounge, with young influencers. Sophie and her friends already have 2 million followers. They will bring young billionaires to our hotel."

He drew third circle.

"Problem three: Our CSR scholarship only goes to rich people's children. But my village people have no school. Solution: I will use my own foundation money to build 10 schools in 10 villages, and every child who graduates will work for Williams Group. We will have loyal workers for 20 years."

The boardroom was silent. The directors were shocked. This 16-year-old boy had done analysis that their MBA managers could not do in 6 months.

One old director, Otunba, stood up and clapped. "Chief, this boy is a genius! He is a real Williams! I support him!"

One by one, all directors stood up and clapped.

Chief Williams had tears in his eyes. "My grandson, my blood."

That day, Damian Williams was officially announced as the youngest billionaire Deputy CEO in Nigeria. News went viral again.

But the real joy was at home.

Jayeola, his mother, who was once slapped in the village and called a poor woman, was now called "Mama Williams Group" in Banana Island. She had her own office in Williams Tower as Director of Women's Affairs.

That night, Damian came to his mother's room. Jayeola was sitting, looking at the Lagos lights, still unable to believe she was now a billionaire's mother.

"Mama," Damian knelt down and held her feet, like he used to do in the village.

"Mama, do you remember the night I ran away? I wrote a note that I will come back as a billionaire and no one will slap you again?"

Jayeola cried, "I remember, my son."

Damian brought out a small box. Inside was a key.

"Mama, I have bought you a house. Not a rented hut. A real house. A 5-bedroom duplex in Banana Island, with a swimming pool. And I have employed two maids, so you will never fetch water again. You will never cook with firewood again."

Jayeola shouted and hugged him. She cried for one hour non-stop. 13 years of suffering, beating, shame, hunger — all wiped away by her son's success.

"Mama, this is just the beginning. Next year, I will become CEO. And I will make you the richest mother in Nigeria. Austin will see us on TV every day and bite his fingers."

Jayeola laughed through tears. "My son, my billionaire."

Upstairs, Sophie was waiting for Damian in the garden. She had a small gift.

"Congrats, Mr. CEO," she said and kissed him. "My boyfriend is now my boss's boss."

Damian laughed, "So you will now respect me?"

"Never," Sophie teased, "You are still my village billionaire."

They both laughed under the stars.

But Damian knew one thing — his revenge was not complete until he returned to the village one final time, not with 10 Jeeps, but with a helicopter, and built a mansion for his mother right in front of Austin's old hut, so that every day, Austin would see what he lost.

That final return would be his ultimate revenge.