From Zero To Trillions

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER FIVE

Austin was back inside the elevator, his chest heaving like he'd run a marathon. He knew he was walking a tightrope. What if the person on the thirtieth floor slammed the door in his face? What if they, too, called him a beggar? The thought made his stomach churn.

But right now, a bigger question looms. That massive amount of money... Where did it come from? Was it truly his? He desperately wanted to believe it, to feel the crispness of those bills between his fingers. Yet, a knot of fear tightened in his gut. What if this "gift" came with strings attached? What if it dragged him into a world of trouble he couldn't even imagine? He had to know for sure.

With a soft 'ding,' the elevator shuddered to a halt. The doors slid open, revealing the thirtieth floor. Austin hesitated, his feet glued to the floor. This was it. He had to step out. Taking a deep breath, he forced himself forward just before the doors could close again.

His eyes widened in disbelief. Before him stretched a single, enormous office. It was at least three times the size of his cramped apartment. The air hummed with quiet luxury. Plush carpets muffled his footsteps, and gleaming furniture reflected the breathtaking panorama of the city outside.

Suddenly, a man in a sharp, expensive suit rose from a sleek desk and strode towards him. A warm, respectful smile touched his lips. "Your Royal Highness Parker," the man said, his voice smooth and confident. "Finally, we meet."

Austin's frown deepened. "How do you even know me?" he asked, his voice laced with suspicion.

"All in good time, Your Royal Highness," the man replied, his smile unwavering. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Lieutenant Adam Davis Xavier, second in command of the LEDGER GROUP." He offered his hand.

Austin shook it, his mind racing. "Oh, I see," he murmured, his gaze sweeping over the opulent office. "So, you're the one who keeps calling about this... inheritance? How is that even possible? Inheritances are for people whose parents... well, you know..."

Lieutenant Xavier's kind face grew even gentler. "Please, Your Royal Highness," he began slowly, his voice calm and steady. "Allow me to share what happened. Many years ago, my master, His Highness Prince Peterson Andrew, was in a truly awful accident..."

But Austin's thoughts were spinning wildly. ‘A royal highness? Inheritance?’ It felt utterly unreal, like some strange storybook turning a page into his normal life. He could only stare at Lieutenant Xavier, his mind struggling to catch up. It was all just a hazy, unbelievable mess.

"Someone pulled him from danger that day," Xavier continued, his eyes searching Austin's face intently. "Do you recall ever helping anyone during an accident, many years ago?"

Austin stood frozen, his mind blank. The only person he could clearly remember saving was Sabrina, a long time ago. Had there been someone else?

"Saving someone...?" Austin repeated softly, a flicker of a memory trying to surface. Then, it hit him. The accident... There were three people. He remembered calling for help for all of them. One person, he vaguely recalled, had even insisted on giving him a large reward, but he had politely refused. It felt like a lifetime ago, the details completely lost in the fog of time. He shook his head slightly, still unsure.

Xavier sighed softly. "Your Royal Highness," he said, his voice now carrying a weight of importance. "Here is the truth of it. The Prince left his home many years ago, after facing some unfairness a long time ago. He built everything he had through his own hard work. Sadly, he passed away just four days ago. He left behind a will. Having no children or other family, all of his possessions, everything he built, is written in that will... to be yours.”

"What?" Austin gasped, the single word filled with utter disbelief. "He... I'm going to inherit all of his things?" His face mirrored the shock that jolted through him. Was this some kind of unbelievable dream he was about to wake up from?

Lieutenant Xavier nodded slowly, his gaze unwavering. "It is the truth, Your Royal Highness. The legal documents are all in order. Prince Peterson never forgot the kindness you showed him that day. He often spoke of the stranger who saved his life without asking for anything in return. When he realized he had no other family, he made you his sole heir."

Austin took a step back, his hand instinctively reaching for a nearby chair to steady himself. "But... but I don't understand. I just called for help. Anyone would have done that.”

"Perhaps," Xavier conceded gently. "But you were the one who acted. You were the one who offered assistance without hesitation. That meant a great deal to him, especially during a difficult time in his life. He believed your selfless act deserved recognition."

A whirlwind of emotions crashed over Austin. Confusion, disbelief, a strange sense of gratitude for a man he couldn't even clearly remember. "This is... this is a lot to take in," he stammered, running a hand through his hair. "I'm just... Austin. I work as a cleaner. How can I possibly own so much?”

Xavier offered a small, understanding smile. "Your life has taken an unexpected turn. It will take time to adjust but right now, let me brief you on Chairman Andrews estate. The publicly traded companies include the Ledger group. Delixer group and Fintex group. He owned so many buildings and properties all over the world.”

As the words tumbled from Lieutenant Xavier's lips, he gently lifted a crisp document from the polished surface of the desk. His voice, calm and measured, began to paint a picture of the vast inheritance that awaited Austin. At first, Austin leaned forward, his brow furrowed in concentration as Mr. Xavier meticulously detailed the estates, the businesses, the sheer scope of it all. But as the explanation continued, a strange, detached feeling washed over him, as if he were watching a movie unfold rather than hearing about his new life.

He held up a hand, a bewildered frown creasing his forehead. "Wait... just a moment," he stammered, his voice barely a whisper. "Are you absolutely certain about all of this? It... it feels like some unbelievable dream. Are you truly saying all of this... all of this belongs to me?"

Lieutenant Xavier offered a small, reassuring nod, his gaze steady and direct. "Absolutely, Mr. Parker. There is no mistake.”

A new question sprang to Austin's lips, his eyes wide with disbelief. "And... and what is the total worth of everything?"

Xavier paused, his expression thoughtful. He cleared his throat softly before delivering the staggering figure. "Well, Mr. Parker... Your Royal Highness," he corrected himself with a respectful inclination of his head, "my most conservative estimate would place the total revenue generated at ten trillion... every six years."

Austin recoiled as if struck. "Te-ten trillion?" he choked out, his voice thick with disbelief. "And in... in dollars?” How in the blazes did he... how did he possibly go from absolutely Zero in his account to... to trillions?

Xavier's eyes locked onto Austin's, a wide grin spreading across his face. "Yes! Every single penny."

Austin's jaw dropped. "All... all of this money? Mine?" He felt like the ground was swaying beneath his feet. Ten trillion dollars every six years? It was a number so huge, it felt like a joke, a dream. How could he, plain old Austin, suddenly be a trillionaire? It was beyond anything he had ever imagined.

"That's absolutely right!" Xavier affirmed, his voice ringing with cheerful certainty.

Austin shook his head so hard it felt like his brain was rattling. "This... this is just unbelievable," he stammered, his voice thick with disbelief. "You expect me to just swallow this? A man I helped years ago suddenly decides to hand over his entire fortune to me? If he's as rich as you say, why haven't I ever heard of him? Ten trillion dollars? That would make him the richest person on the entire planet!”

"Ah, I understand your confusion," Xavier said calmly, a knowing look in his eyes. "You must be thinking of those lists online... the Forbes list, perhaps?"

"Yes, exactly that list!" Austin exclaimed, throwing his hands up in exasperation. "If he had that kind of money, his name would be at the very top! Why isn't it there?"

Xavier leaned forward slightly, a hint of disdain in his voice. "Do you honestly believe that someone of His Royal Highness Andrew's stature would care to be on such a list?" he practically spat out.

"His Royal Highness?" Austin's eyebrows shot up, completely bewildered. "What are you talking about?"

"Let me put it this way," Xavier began, his tone becoming more serious. "The people you see clamoring for attention on those lists? They seek fame, influence. With fame comes access to certain social circles, certain advantages. But His Royal Highness long ago transcended such trivial pursuits. He values his privacy, his anonymity.”

Xavier paused, his gaze intense as he looked directly at Austin. "His Royal Highness believes that the burdens of immense wealth far outweigh any perceived benefits of public recognition. Therefore," he continued, his voice dropping slightly, "if you do indeed inherit this extraordinary fortune, my strongest advice to you is this: keep your identity a secret. Revealing it will bring you nothing but trouble.”

Austin stared at Xavier, his mind racing. Could this really be happening? He was a broke nobody. Why would anyone try to scam him with something this elaborate? And that money... the substantial amount that had already appeared in his account... that felt undeniably real. Plus, this office... the sheer opulence of it screamed wealth. A con artist wouldn't go to these lengths, would they?

He let out a long, shaky breath. "What... what do I need to do to actually get this inheritance?" Austin finally managed to ask, trying desperately to keep the tremor of excitement out of his voice.