Chapter 2-Rodríguez's Heirs

Jacob was left gaping at the words of an old man who claimed to be named Ewald and that he was the Rodríguez family's trusted assistant. All this time, Jacob didn't know that his family had the last name Rodríguez. Jacob was silent, thinking hard. Had his parents been lying to him all this time?

“I'm sorry, Sir. I know you can't possibly believe what I just said. So, let me prove it,” Ewald said, and Jacob nodded firmly. He had to know the truth of all this.

The luxury car drove at a moderate speed across the asphalt in the rain. Jacob's eyes stared at Ewald's figure sharply from the center mirror, trying to find a lie from the look on his face. However, his logic said that what the man with black and a little gray hair said was honest. Until finally, the car entered an area far from civilian settlements. There was a magnificent house, like a three-story mansion. More elegant than the Kaye family residence. Jacob prepared himself because he didn't know what would happen next.

“Sir, come,” Ewald invited as the car pulled into an underground garage.

Jacob was surprised. Such a big house, why were there no servants? Even he was a servant and driver at the Kaye residence. Sometimes he was the cook and gardener. Why ... in such a big house was there only him and Ewald?

Jacob continued to follow Ewald down the long corridor with many doors on either side. It was undeniable that, despite the old interior, the house looked so charming with its charm. Ewald's steps stopped in front of a black door. Jacob saw the old man use a fingerprint from his right hand to open the door.

“Please, come in,” Ewald invited.

Jacob stepped in steadily. Until his eyes locked on the figure of the old woman he met on the road earlier, sitting in a chair like a boss.

“You tricked me!” shouted Jacob angrily and immediately glared at Ewald.

“Sit down, Mr. Wyatt. I apologize if our introduction was rude. I'm Emma Johanson,” the woman who had almost slapped him extended her hand.

Jacob paused for a moment and then accepted the handshake. There were no two of Emma's fierce-faced bodyguards at his side. The study-like room contained only Jacob, Emma, and Ewald. Jacob was invited to sit down, and Emma thrust many black folders in front of him on the table. Jacob's brow furrowed as he took one of them and opened it.

“Maybe the contents of the folder were too fast. What about this?” asked Ewald standing next to a black cloth like curtains.

Jacob turned his chair around. Instantly, his eyes widened. The picture of his mother and father was displayed there. They both stood with the figures of Ewald, Emma and several unknown people lined up neatly. Jacob's eyes narrowed as he recognized the ring he wore was exactly the same as his father's. Jacob glanced at Emma, and she showed him the same ring. Jacob was stunned.

“Your parents, are the lords of the town of Rowbon, Jacob Wyatt Rodríguez. They were very wealthy. Almost all the tall buildings in this town belong to them,” Emma explained. Jacob was stunned.

“You are too young to know that, Mr. Wyatt. I believe that you were kidnapped while Mr. and Mrs. Rodriguez were away on business at the time. Yet, I searched all over the city and beyond, but … you just seemed to vanish. I kept waiting until fate finally brought you back to us,” Ewald said happily.

Jacob was silent. He tried to remember past events. However, the memories of his past didn't seem to dig any deeper. He only recognized his parents, but couldn't remember if he was from a rich family. His memories with his parents were also vague. Only the memories of Mr. Kaye and his family were so imprinted. Even the place where he grew up in an orphanage was faint in his mind. Jacob felt this was unnatural and odd.

Emma then glanced at Ewald. The old man pulled up a black cloth on the floor. Jacob's eyes looked at the retractable floor. Who would have thought, there were many gold bars in it. Jacob was even more speechless when Emma opened the 10 folders in front of him and saw the building assets of Rodríguez's business.

“Restaurant, hotel, hospital, apartment building, office building, and the rest you read for yourself, belong to your parents. Unfortunately, this is all that Ewald managed to secure. For the rest, we suspect that there are many parties claiming your family's assets. We are also still investigating how they came to have them,” Emma said, looking furious.

“If I may, Mr. Wyatt. Where have you been all this time? And ... why are you such a ... sorry, vagabond?” asked Ewald looking pitying.

Jacob smiled sarcastically. "Maybe that's why I couldn't be found. I don't know what happened because when I woke up, I was already in an orphanage, and I don't know which city. I lived there until I was 14 years old. After that, I was picked up by someone who said that they would give me a new family. As it turned out, I was locked up by the Kaye family. They made me their daughter-in-law by marrying Carol when she was 24 years old. However, my marriage only lasted one year. The rest of the time, I was a servant in that family until last night," Jacob replied angrily.

“Outrageous! I knew it, Ewald! Kaye must be involved! No wonder, their position has risen dramatically over the past ten years, and they're trying to compete with me!” Emma shouted angrily, her eyes bulging.

“I'm sorry, you mean ... Kaye took my family's assets?” asked Jacob with bated breath.

“You should know, Mr. Wyatt. Mr. Kaye, used to be one of your mother's lawyers. The problem is, when your mother and Mr. Kaye met in Horizon City, I didn't go along. I don't know what they talked about. Mr. Rodríguez was also silent about it. Then ... a month later, tragedy struck. Your parents had a sudden accident and died. You disappeared that day and none of the servants found you. There was something wrong and awkward about it, Sir,” Ewald replied, causing Jacob to lose his temper.

“Get a hold of yourself, Mr. Wyatt. I see you're like a street thug who gets things done with hands. We will teach you how to repay the Kaye family with elegance. You, must not tarnish the name of your parents and our group,” Emma emphasized.

“Our group?” Jacob repeated.

"Let me be clear. Rodriguez is a member of the island nation's top ten wealthiest businessmen. Your snake ring is proof of that,” Emma emphasized. Jacob clenched his fist even tighter as the ring was wrapped around one of his fingers. “Your parents are the rulers of Rowbon. I, on the other hand, rule the town of Cliffmon. However, I am now stranded in this place because I am trying to secure your parents' assets. Several times, I saw many rich people trying to take your family's assets by deceitfully forging letters and so on. However, now you have returned. It's time to get back at those ignorant people and show them who you really are,” Emma said.

Jacob nodded in agreement, but then raised his index finger. Emma and Ewald's brows furrowed.

“How about ... let them know that the Rodríguez descendants are still alive, but ... don't show my figure. I want to repay the Kaye family elegantly, just like you said, Mrs. Emma,” Jacob said, which made the old woman laugh happily.

“Look, Ewald! Jacob understands the situation! He's smart!” cried Emma happily.

“Oh, I'm so excited, Mrs. Emma. So ... when do we start?” asked Ewald impatiently.

“Tomorrow,” Jacob replied firmly, and the two Rodríguez family confidants nodded.