Only Heir of Lawrence's Asset and Investment

Chapter 3

Anthony was taken aback by the mention of his name. How did this man get to know his name? And who is he? His mind was a whirlwind of thoughts.

But he found himself nodding slowly, even though the man couldn't see him. “Yes, I'm Anthony,” he accepted and added, “and please if you don't mind, may I know how you know my name and who you are?” He asked.

The man from the other end chuckled softly, barely audible as he spoke with deep emotions, “Just like the way his mother talks—calm and respectful. Ah, my dear, Anthony! I can't believe I'm talking to you right now. I wish I could see your child-like face and touch it.”

Anthony wasn't moved by the emotional words. Instead, a deep frown etched on his face. What was this man talking about—calling him dear?

And why was he also talking about his mother? His eyebrows furrowed with surprise, yet a slight annoyance.

He was pretty sure he had no parents. He was trained and brought up in the orphanage until Harold Westley, Charlotte's father, adopted him.

As a result of his good and rare gem behavior, Harold had him get married to Charlotte before he finally died years later.

“Hey, old man. What do you mean by ‘dear?’ Do you know me from anywhere? And also, I don't have any parents, I'm an orphan.” Anthony corrected.

“No, dear,” Lawrence argued, “you aren't an orphan. Your parents are alive.” His voice was firm.

Anthony felt a cold shiver run down his spine after the words. His grip tightened against his phone. He had grown up in the orphanage without anybody coming there to claim he was their child, and this man was saying that both his parents were alive.

His heart raced as he asked, his voice laced with anger, but he still kept his voice in check, not to sound rude. He knew the man was older than him, probably at the age of fifty-five, from the sound of his voice.

“Please, stop joking here, old man. I ain't in the mood for that. There's time for everything. Tell me, what do you want? Or I'll hang up now!”

“No, no, please, don't. I'll tell you everything, please, stay on the line.” There was a brief silence over the phone before Lawrence continued, “Anthony, the truth is you're not an orphan as you think. I'm your fat…father, the founder of Almighty Anthony's Empire.”

Boom! It was as if something struck Anthony right there as he stood.

First, the man just introduced himself as his father, who was believed to have no parents at all.

Lastly, he also said he's the owner of Almighty Anthony's Empire, well-known in the town. This same company is what Charlotte is dying to collaborate with.

This means if this man is his father, there's only one possibility that the heir would be him! However, nothing was clear to Anthony.

Anthony cleaned his ear in disbelief, glancing at the number again. Shaking his head with disbelief, he said, “What the hell are you talking about? Do you know how dangerous this can be to a poor orphan like me?” He asked.

He continued sharply, tears forming in his eyes, and his voice was adorned with emotions, “If you have a slight idea about how I'd crave to be in my parents' arms, you wouldn't be saying all of this. I yearned so badly for it, but it was all a vivid imagination that never happened.

And here you are saying you're my father when I don't even know you. Do you know how this hurts?” He couldn't control it anymore, and he burst into tears.

He didn't, at this moment, think about the man claiming to be the owner of Almighty Anthony's Empire.

Lawrence was moved by emotions from the other end of the call as he heard Anthony cry, “Please, stop crying, son. I know this hurts, but your mother and I are pleading for your forgiveness.”

“Mother?”

“Yes, you also have a mother. She's right here with me.” Lawrence said, “I know it'll be difficult for you to forgive us after letting you go through all the struggles of life. But we're ready to pay for it in millions of fold.”

Anthony managed to wipe his tears, listening as the man who had just introduced himself as his father continued.

“Like I said, earlier….” His words paused as he began to cough audibly and uncontrollably.

“Dad, Dad, are you sure you are ok?” Anthony didn't know when he called him ‘Dad’ and hurriedly asked with worry and concern. “Someone there, please, give him water to drink.”

He pulled the phone from his ear, looking at it with panic as if he could just switch to FaceTime to see the man's face. But it wasn't possible.

“Hello, Dad? Are you still there?” He asked when he could no longer hear anything again.

Just then, a voice came through, “Indeed, blood speaks better than water. Look at how worried you're just now.”

Anthony frowned as he recognized it was a female voice, no longer the voice of a male.

Before Anthony could say something, the voice spoke again, “It’s Samantha Lawrence, your mother speaking. Don't worry, son, your father is perfectly fine now.”

Anthony exhaled with relief. At least, the man who couldn't see was fine now. Then he raised an eyebrow, “Mom?”

Samantha nodded, “Yes, it's your mother. On behalf of your Dad, I will deeply apologize for everything—for letting you grow as if you're an orphan.”

Anthony's lips pressed together, letting reality dawn well on him. He had accepted his fate now because no one would accept taking responsibility for a child to whom they had never given birth to.

“We are deeply sorry for everything. As a mother, I can feel your pain, but please, find a place in your heart to forgive us.” Her voice came out apologetic and filled with emotion.

Anthony hissed, “If truly you guys are my parents, then I have forgiven you both. No grudges anymore.” Anthony felt like a heavy weight had been lifted off his shoulders after he said that.

“Can we at least switch to FaceTime so I can see your faces? I can't even tell what you both look like.”

“I'm sorry, but that can't be possible because of where we are at the moment,” Samantha said,

“Hmm….okay. Something seemed to creep into Anthony's head, and he then asked, “Yes, Mom. Dad said he's the owner of Almighty Anthony's Empire. How true is that?”

“Very true, my son,” Samantha replied, clearly addressing Anthony's skepticism. “Was about to tell you that just now.”

Anthony staggered backward, stunned. Is this what his fate has become now? Unbelievable.

He pressed the phone closer to his ear to pay maximum attention as Samantha continued.

“As the name implies, ‘Almighty Anthony's Empire’ was a company built in courtesy of your name when we couldn't get in touch with you. We used the name in remembrance of your name.”

Anthony's eyes flashed with disbelief, and his mouth flew open, “Really?”

“Yes. That's why your name is included in it. You're a Mighty Anthony to have passed through all the harshness of life.”

Anthony couldn't believe what he was hearing. Everything felt surreal, but it was indeed happening!

“That's why me and your Dad are handing everything to you as the heir of it.”

Gasp! Anthony perceived his leg going jelly and his hand vibrating heavily against his phone. He tried to speak but couldn't. Everything sounded like a joke, but the voice saying it was so firm.

“Are you still there?” Samantha asked when she couldn't hear a single thing.

“Yes, yes, yes.” Anthony's voice wavered as he hurriedly gave a curt nod.

“Okay,” Samantha exhaled, “I'll contact the manager right away to inform him. All you have to do now is go there and you'll be welcome grandly.”

Anthony only nodded his head continuously, unsure of what to say.

“And please, send me your account details if you have any, and let me send you some money. And if you have any problems in the future, don't hesitate to reach out to us. We are always here to help. Don't think much, everything you need to know will be discussed with you very soon.”