From Prison To Billion-Dollar Empire

Chapter Three Sebastian Kingsley’s Villa

 

Liam walked behind Edward into the inner room of the most beautiful Villa he’s ever seen. But he didn’t make a scene about it. 

Stepping into the room, he saw Sebastian in the sick bed. His face was pale. Medical tubes were connected to him, a ventilator rhythmically forcing air into his failing lungs.

“He is here, Master.” Edward bowed from a distance.

“Poor Liam,” Sebastian said faintly, his voice struggling to rise.

“Come closer, sit. We have a lot to talk about.”

“A lot to talk about?” Liam muttered. But he walked closer and sat in the chair next to Sebastian. Seeing that he had his seat, “You may leave us, Edward.” Sebastian waved.

Edward bowed one last time. Then he walked backwards until he closed the door behind him.

“I know you are shocked that I invited you.” Sebastian began, his hand stretched toward Liam. He held him firmly.

“I’ve been watching you for a long time. Berry, my good friend, told me about you and told me how you wrongfully went to prison.”

"Berry was the brother I never had," Sebastian whispered. "We built our empires together, but while I found more gold, he found a heart of gold in you."

“Berry told me how much of a good man you are. This made me take interest in you...”

Five years ago, Sebastian instructed Edward to always monitor Liam even when he was in prison. Edward looked into his files, collected every footage of him in the cell, prison gardens, and the mess hall.

“You are poor, yet you are kind and also a beast when maltreated.” Sebastian coughed. But then he continued as he wiped his mouth with a cloth. 

“I saw the way you easily beat up that clown who wanted to mess with you in the prison garden. Nice combat skill. Hehe,” Sebastian coughed again. Blood spilling.

“How can I help?” Liam drew closer, stretching his hands, wanting to do anything, something to help Sebastian not spill blood or suppress his ache. But Sebastian held his hand, stopping him.

“My doctor said I am in my end stage of respiratory failure secondary to advanced pulmonary fibrosis.” Sebastian coughed again. His heart ached terribly.

“He says I have three days to live, and this is the third day.” He paused, allowing himself to catch some breath before he continued.

“I’ve been hopeful that you’d be released on time before I die. Today is the third day. I will not be able to live for another night, so hear me out.”

Liam opened his eyes widely. He didn’t know Sebastian personally. But with what he’d been saying, his eyes streamed with tears. The worst that could ever happen to a man was to know exactly when he was going to die.

“Don’t be so sad, Liam.” Sebastian cut in, seeing Liam’s reddish eyes. He smiled briefly.

“I’ve enjoyed all that life has to offer. I’m over 80. I am at peace with myself. My concern is you. So listen.”

“I don’t have an heir. And you are a good man. But I didn’t choose you because you are good and kind.”

“You reminded me of me back in those days of my struggles. Haha…”

“I chose you because you were wronged… and yet, you survived.”

“I already passed down all my wealth to you. Edward will facilitate everything when I die tonight. Don’t refuse it.”

“Use it!”

“I don’t care what you do with the money, but if you ever forgive the people who broke you…”

“You don’t deserve it.”

“Here, take.” Sebastian stretched his right hand to the side and lifted a white envelope. “This is a letter from Berry before he passed. Read it and, and—”

The letter dropped from his hand before he could complete his words.

“Mr Kingsley…” Liam called gently, following the sudden drop of his hand. The sudden drop of it pushed a thought into him, but he wished that it was not the case.

“Mr Kingsley?” he called again, drawing closer. But all he heard back was silence.

He lifted his hand. “Mr Kingsley, you were saying something?” he said.

But all that followed was total silence.

Liam opened his eyes widely once more. The realization hit him more than a bullet.

“Mr Kingsley!!!!!” he screamed.

***

Sebastian was laid to rest the next morning following what was written in his will. Every important person was in attendance at his burial, even the president of Greenfield nation.

After the burial, Edward walked to Liam on the balcony. He couldn’t go to the burial site. His hands were shaky throughout watching the whole rite done from a distance.

“Please come back,” he continued to mutter unknowingly, a river of tears drying up on his face.

“Don’t be too hard on yourself, Master Liam.” Edward bowed.

“Grandmaster Sebastian lived a long, satisfying life. His major concern was you.” Edward bowed again.

“What’s it with this Master Liam of a thing?" Liam stepped back, his heart hammering. "I am just a nobody. I have fifty dollars in my pocket and the smell of a prison cell on my skin."

“You were that man yesterday, sir," Edward said, his voice as steady as stone. 

"But as of midnight, you are the sole owner of the Kingsley estate. You are now the wealthiest man in this nation. The world is waiting for your first command.” Edward stretched his hand to him, holding an envelope.

Liam recognized it immediately. It was the same envelope Sebastian stretched towards him yesterday.

He couldn’t take it after it dropped from Sebastian’s hand because he was frightened by how fickle life was. One moment, Sebastian was alive, and the next moment, he was dead?

“Read it, sir. You will fully understand everything happening right now.” Edward bowed again.

Liam received the letter gently. He slowly opened it,

“Dear Liam, if you are reading this, then it is certain that I am dead. I failed you. I couldn’t vindicate you from prison because of my health condition. This is why I wrote this and gave it to my dear friend Sebastian to pass to you upon my demise.

You were wronged even by my own family. You are a kind man and honest man, and you deserve every good thing life has to offer.

My friend Sebastian needs an heir to continue his legacy; however, unfortunately, he couldn’t have a child of his own. This is why we have chosen you.

A good man who would, by the wealth passed to him, make the world a better place.

Help me correct the mistake I left behind in my family. Help me make them see the light. Teach them a lesson to put humanity first and power and money after.

Please do not refuse this. This is the only way I know to correct my mistakes. To correct the injustice done to you.

Yours faithfully,

Berry Kingston.”

A tear dropped onto the paper. When Berry was alive, he was very good to him. And now, even when he was dead, he has made his friend transform his life forever.

He inhaled deeply. Reading the letter, he understood it perfectly. He cannot continue to be a weak man. If Berry and Sebastian had put their faith in him, he could not let them down. Instead, he must rise to power.

He folded the letter and tucked it into his jacket, right against his heart. He looked out at the city of Greenfield, the lights twinkling like cold diamonds.

For the first time in five years, the shaking in his hands stopped.

He turned to Edward, his eyes no longer red with tears, but sharp with purpose.

"Edward."

"Yes, Master Liam?"

"Get the car ready. We’re going to the Kingston Villa. I have a debt to settle."