Montediore's Legacy: The Forgotten Son's Return

Chapter 5: Wealth is Health

“I thought that he was just a fraud… but it turns out he really is that brat…”

Annoyed by the fact that she learned, Margarett drinks another glass of wine in one go. Even though her husband told her to stop it since she had enough, just as what Anton thought, his wife won’t listen to him no matter what he says.

“You are upset, I know that. But you are flooding the room with that scent. You know how I hate liquor”

With a frown on his face, he continued to read the book he was holding. But that just made Margarett scowl.

“Can’t you see how he is a hindrance in my plan? Ashton is twenty six already and yet he still can’t pass that damn challenge to be the heir?! When will that challenge start anyway?? I really can’t understand Father. That old man… he should just give it to my son!”

“You are pushing him too much. Aren’t you being greedy? Isn’t your allowance and theirs more than enough?”

Laughing at the response of her husband, Margarett slams the glass. Almost breaking it. But luckily it isn’t some normal delicate glass. The one she specifically designs to her liking since Anton hates it when maids come in to clean up his wife’s mess so late in the evening.

“That’s it! Because of that twisted thinking that you had, even our son adapts to your wants. Can’t you be greedy even just for once?? Anton, that wealth is less than what we deserve but that is more than what those rascals… hah, they don’t deserve those things. It should be mine…”

Closing the book that he hasn’t finished reading, Anton then walks to where his wife was. Margarett still has a frown on her face but soon as Anton caresses her cheeks, she turns into a different person. As if all her anger subsides. 

“Margarett, I am greedy. Can you not see how I want you to be mine alone? How dare a guy like me… make Margarett Montediore my wife? She is even the mother of my two sons… just that is more than what I deserve. But still, I won’t give them up no matter what”

“Then just like you, I am also not giving up on that wealth”

There was a small chuckle escaping his lips before he kisses her forehead. 

“But being too greedy isn’t good my dear, aren’t you afraid the heaven would punish you for that?”

Giggling with his remarks, she knew that it was his way of telling her to stop. But such a thing is so impossible for Margarett.

“But didn’t you promise you would stay by my side no matter what?”

“Of course… even if you are punished by the heavens, I will take any strike of lightning for you”

“Silly, as if I would let you do that”

And before Margarett even knows it, all her anger finally vanished. But somewhere on the other side of the mansion they owned, their youngest doesn’t seem to find a way to relieve his anger. 

“More!!”

He shouted as held the gun aiming for the targets. Continuous shots of bullets can be heard filling the wide room but even after his gun ran out of bullets, he just refills it with a new one. 

“More!!”

Wiping the sweat he had soon as he aimed for the last given target, he did not even hit a single point in those marks he was aiming for. 

“Young master, you are improving. You did better than the last time”

‘Lies’

But even if he knew that, what else can he do? All the things he did are failures for them. 

‘I can’t even find anything decent for me… fucking talent that shit’

Removing the headphones he had, he can’t help but let his body lie on the wooden floor. 

“I don’t even know what I am good at”

‘I am this old and yet… ahh!!!’

“I am sure you will figure it out soon, young master”

Greeting him with his gentle tone, Vanzar Linns is one of the trusted people of his father. He was the one assisting him and Ashton in their growth. Some years older than Anton. 

“Vanzar, be honest. Am I a trash?”

“Who told you such a thing? Young master?”

Letting out a deep sigh, he knew full well how annoying he may seem. He is not as good as his brother. And even after some stranger who claimed to be his cousin appeared, he can’t even defeat him. 

“Aren’t I a trash? Don’t you think Grandpa would find me annoying if he can see me?”

“You are indeed better than what you are yesterday, young master”

“What do you mean?”

“Those who seek growth are those who will gain it. And those who close their eyes to their failures will find it hard to correct it”

Putting a wet towel on his face, Miguel let out a big smile as he hid his face from anyone who can see him. 

“You can go now… Vanzar”

“Shall I ask them to prepare a good bath for you? Young Master?”

“Yeah that would be nice”

“Then I shall head out now, young master”

As soon as he heard how the footsteps of the old man can barely be heard, he let out words he didn’t know Vanzar hears so clearly after he leaves the room.

“And thanks…”

Vanzar then stopped in his steps as he then noticed how the other young master was there looking at him.

“What can I help you? Young master?”

It was Ashton.

“How is he?”

Even the old man knew how Ashton resembles Anton so much. Not just his face but also his characteristics…

“Why not ask for yourself? Young master Miguel, he would be glad to know you are concerned about him”

Slightly shaking his head, Ashton thought to himself. ‘As if he would’

“Thank you for taking care of him, Vanzar”

“It is my duty, young master”

The next day

The result finally arrived, and just like what all expected… Clark is indeed the missing son of Claret and Henry. The paternity test shows a 99.9999% and with no doubt, he is a real Montediore.

“Once again, Clark, welcome to the family”

And with just his thumbmark pressed on the paper, Clark is now officially recognized as the only son of Henry and Claret, the fourth grandchild of Ofiello Montediore.

“And this is your bank account. All the money you weren’t able to use since the day you lost is there. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me”

Looking at the banknote that Claret gave him, there are also papers that show the data of the money spent on him. 

‘Billions was allotted for the use of the materials in looking for me… yet they didn’t even find where I was’

“I have a question”

“Yes? What is it?”

“I think there is something wrong with this. I computed the allowance that my grandfather annually give me just now but there are some zeroes missing. And also those that he would give in every occasion. I think there seems to be a problem. Would you care to tell me why?”

“That…”

Eyes widening, Claret didn’t know that Clark was able to notice something like that. For a normal person, that amount of money is a big fortune already. She knew for sure that even with some digits missing, he won’t notice it. But to think that Clark also knows about the other gift that Ofiello would give… she was in pure shock.

‘Where did he learn that?’

“Claret?”

Henry asked soon as he saw what happened. 

“I- I will ask who did this computation right away. Rest assured it will be fixed by tomorrow”

“But, does Montediore’s people that lacking to do such simple matter for a day?”

Gulping, Claret finds it hard to get any excuse as she was aware that the fault lies with her. 

“Clark is right, this matter can be solved easily. Why not, since it was your mother doing the investigation… she’ll give you the lacking amount?”

“But that!”

Slamming the table, Henry knows too well that it was her doing. And they might be married and is living for so many years but right now, Henry was aware that he must get Clark’s trust.

With the fight in Ofiello’s wealth, Clark is the only weapon he had. He can do anything just to keep his weapon by his side. After all, the remarkable performance that Clark did back then is enough to tell how he stands a chance in competing with Ashton and Leo.

“Is there a problem? Claret?”

“Since it was your idea, why not you provide that lacking amount on his notes?”

Sitting calmly, one can see the twitching eyebrows of hers. But as calm as he tried to be, Henry sip on the tea he was enjoying.

“It would just make things complicated with many people involved, don’t you think so? Clark?”

“I agree with Father, Thank you for your guidance, Mother, Father”

A satisfied smile can be seen forming on his lips as he heard how Clark called him father. It was the first time he ever did so. He can’t help but be proud of it somehow.

“And one thing, can I choose my own butler and personal maid? I read the papers that Criss gave me last time. I heard you asked him to give that to me, Father. Thank you”

“Sure thing, but until you find one, Calliss and Maurisia’s son would be your butler for the time being. He is quite handy if I may say. But feel free to ask him to leave if you don’t find his company good. You know, that kid seems to be a bit picky in people”

Nodding his head, Clark holds the black card that is exclusively used by Montediore. No one can dare imagine how much money it may have.

“Use that well. Even if you lose it, no one can use that card other than you. Isn’t that great?”

“Yes, I will surely use it well”

…

[Clark? Why did you call?]

“Idiot, what do you think I called you for? The bills… I paid it already. How long will the surgery take?”

With a smile on his lips, he didn’t know that it would be this easy to get that money.

‘Just like what I learned before, Montefiore surely has lots of wealth’

Riding the car he just bought, no one can tell that it was Montediore who was driving that car. After all, it looks normal compared to the luxurious cars that the other Montediore use.

[You- you already got money?]

“Yup, a whole bunch of it. Who would think that family of mine would be this wealthy? So it is not just rumors… If there is something I am thankful for, it would be how wealthy they are”

A grin can be seen forming on his lips as he made turns in the long expressway. 

[I still can’t believe it. Did you tell Uncle already?]

“Yup, I give him an email”

His eyes then look at the mirror of his car. And somehow, a strange white car has been behind him for some time now.

‘Is it following me?’

[This is great, I hope Grandpa Holmet recovers soon! If his condition was fine then we can proceed with the surgery already!]

Soon as he leaves the lane, not to his surprise, that car is surely following him.

[But, will you be all right in that place? I mean, don’t you hate rich people? Because no one tried to sponsor Grandpa no matter what the conditions are?]

‘Who the hell would-‘

[Clark? Are you still there? Clark?]

Even though he heard Simon’s question, he wasn’t able to answer him right away as he was busy to confirm whether that car is following him.

“As if I would stay in that place- Shit! I am just gonna rip them off. It is my money anyway! Ah damn!”

[Hey! Are you all right?!]

“Gonna call you later, someone is following me. I’m just gonna fly this car off his sight”

[Clark! Wai-]

And the call ended. Fastening his pace, Clark can see how it still tried to be a bit near him. With a grin on his lips, he slightly chuckles. 

“Let’s see what you got. I am quite good at driving too, after all, if I am not, then I would be a dead meat swallowed by those mamathogoths”

Clark is not that good in driving a car since the times he drives one is lesser than his hand’s fingers. But one can’t dare deny how oddly annoying genius people can be. Especially when you are betting your life on it. It is like a cheat for you would be able to do something you never did when your life is at stake.

But are genius born? Or are they made?

Not wanting to give up, the white car continued to pursue him. Being bold, it did not even try to deny the fact that he was following Clark’s vehicle. 

“Is he a race car driver? That damn guy surely is great”

Having a bit of a hard time catching up on how to properly drive the vehicle, he may not have lots of practice but he remembers in his mind pretty well how things must be. He can see each page of letters and figure he read like the back of his hand.

Swish

Soon as a number of trees can be seen, he saw just what he was looking for. A path he can use to get that person out of his way.

Bump bump

Bouncing for a couple of times, it was worth the price it had. It may not be as catchy looking as the cars he has seen in Montediore, but the quality of his car surely isn’t half bad.

That is when he suddenly saw a trash can falling on the side. A cat was on top of it. The main culprit on why that bin is falling down.

Bang bam

He did manage to lose that person’s sight of him but there is something he failed to avoid. That is how to hold a sudden break without bumping his head on the window of the car.

‘Shit…’

And as he pulls out just in time to not hit a cat who jumps in front of his car, Clark can’t help but see a white light for a moment.