FROM GRIT TO GRAND: A BILLIONAIRE IN GUISE

GRIT TO GRAND

Elijah's glances shifted between the Mr. Harland and the envelope which was given to him.

He was the most Confused human right now.

Is this some kind of prank? Grandfather?

He adjusted on his seat, his hands barely balancing on the armrest and cleared his throat. “I don't understand what is going on sir.” He said genuinely, his eyes filled with the eagerness for something to really make sense.

Mr. Harland smiled at him. “You understand, Mr. Brooke but you simply don't want to believe.” He said calmly.

“But my mother never told me I had a grandfather. Not even once.” Elijah denied sincerely.

Mr. Harland nodded his head gently as he now understood why Elijah was confused. He leaned forward, hands resting on the desk and he began.

“Your grandfather, Theodore Langston is a reclusive billionaire who disowned your mother because she refused to listen to him.”

Elijah raised his brow, curious to know more. “Refused to listen?"

“Yes, Mr. Brooke. ” Mr. Harland nodded gently and leaned back slightly while Elijah became more curious.

“She married someone beneath her class but before your grandfather died, he learned about you and made arrangements to leave everything for you.”

Mr. Harland paused there, allowing the gravity of the shocking revelation to settle.

Elijah opened his mouth to say something but his lips only twitched. Then he found his voice. It trembled with the weight of the shocking reality.

“But..my mum never–” He paused.

Now everything is clear– How she mother always avoids any discussion that has to do with her family. How her mood would shift to something gloomy and reluctance when he suddenly brings up any matter that relates with her family.

Elijah gulped down as the unbelievable reality began to settle in his mind like dust after hurricane.

Mr. Harland smiled at him. “You have to believe it Mr. Brooke. And your father told me he regrets everything he did. Rejecting your mother and extending the harshness to you.” As he was saying, he pulled out another file and handed it to Elijah.

Elijah's jaw dropped when his gaze settled on the file. His eyes widened, almost popping out of the socket.

It was not too detailed but written with precision.

$30 million dollars trust funds, active upon completion of verification.

Ownership of multiple properties including a secluded mansion outside the city.

Full ownership of Langston holdings.

Elijah gasped, his jaw hung open in the air.

Elijah opened the other envelope and he saw the details of the assets his grandfather left to him. A smaller paper fell from the envelope.

He picked it and opened it.

His grandfather's handwriting was written on the paper, legible and neat, each stroke expressing emotional apology.

His grandfather, Theodore Langston apologized for treating his mother wrongly and for the pain he caused her out of his pride.

He admits living a lonely life filled with regrets.

A sensational feeling pulsed through Elijah's nerves. His grandfather regretted his actions and he was sincere about it.

Elijah's eyes scanned the paper as he read the last lines of the letter.

“Stand tall even when the world spit on you... because one day, they'll knee before you.

And conclusively.

“Make the Langston name proud and not forgotten.”

The last made emotions rush through Elijah's body.

He nodded his head gently, processing everything and he looked at Mr. Harland.

“I understand now. Thank you for reaching out quickly, sir.” Even though he's still in disbelief.

Mr. Harland smiled at him and leaned backward. “Just tell me when you'll be ready to check the places out and as for the trust fund, you should be able to handle the verification.”

Elijah nodded and told Mr. Harland before leaving his office that he'll call him once he's really to check things out.

The firm was already filled with people moving in and out but Elijah was still dazed by the revelation in Mr. Harland's office but he was not broken. Except his lips.

As he stepped outside the office with the letter in his hand, something inside of him shifted.

Elijah had thought he's just a broke ass who has zero in his account but he never knew he's from a rich family. He's a Langston and his grandfather's words echoed in his head.

“The world might spit on you but stand tall because one day they kneel before you.

Elijah's fist tightened at his side, his knuckle cracking faintly. “Yes.. they'll knee before me.”

Clara's betrayal flashed before his eyes. It no longer hurt him. Not anymore but he felt something else. The pain of the betrayal shifted to anger. And Derek. That bastard who thinks he has the whole city at his grip. But a storm is about to hit him.

“I swear, they'll regret it.”