Rags To Riches: The Rise Of Mr. Nobody.

Chapter 3: The History Surrounding The Fortune.

****

“That's what you get. Do you know who he is?” The vice chairman snapped.

Jayden exhaled, rubbing his neck. His heart pounded.

“Who am I?” he asked, facing Mr Rodriguez.

“Listen everyone, Mr. Hart is the sole heir to Apexium Conglomerate.” He announced.

“The… what?”

Gasp erupted in the air. Hands flew to chests. Jayden tilted his head, staring at Mr

Rodriguez.

“That's impossible. My parents were not rich neither were they poor. Our life were simple.” he mumbled. Rodriguez smiled.

“Let's talk in my office,” Mr Rodriguez offered, gesturing to the elevator. Jayden hesitated, then followed him.

‘Is he messing with me?’ he thought.

Jayden's eyes darted around the room then stopped at him.

“Mr. Vice chairman, I appreciate the fact that you wanted to cover my ass in front of your workers, but still, you shouldn't have lied. That's huge.” Jayden uttered.

“Sit, Mr Hart. Juice or wine?” Mr Rodriguez asked, ignoring what he said. Jayden's nose flared and his jaw clenched.

“Water,” he deadpanned.

Mr. Rodriguez chuckled and approached his dispenser. He went back to his seat and sighed while Jayden's glare didn't leave him.

“Mr. Hart, what I said earlier is the truth. And I didn't lie to cover you up,” Mr Rodriguez said.

“Wait… what?” his voice cracked, the grip on glass cup faltering. Mr Rodriguez nodded.

“This company is founded by Chairman Albert Valdez. Your dad's father. Your grandfather.”

Jayden's eyes widened like it was going to remove from its socket.

“My grandfather?” his voice flattered.

Mr. Rodriguez nodded,“Yes.”

Is this man joking with me? Where the fuck did he come from? And telling me I have a grandfather. Now? he wondered.

“I don't have a grandfather. My dad's father died before I was born,” he raised his voice.

“I guess, that was what your father told you,” he said calmly.

“Huh? What d-did y-you… just say?” Jayden stuttered. Mr Rodriguez smiled, then replied,”Your father and your grandfather had a quarrel and cut ties with your grandfather. So, he made you believe that.”

'What is going on? How come? What is this man spouting?'

“Why are you telling me this now? For the fact that my dad cut ties with that so called grandfather means…. I have nothing to do with him as well.” He stood up.

Did my dad really quarrel with his father? What caused the quarrel? Why would he cut ties with his father?

Thousand of questions rattled his mind, occupying and not willing to leave.

“You're such an obedient son. You stood by your father's wish. But remember, he is your grandfather. He tried everything to be with you. To cherish you. To have this grandpa and grandson relationship but your father was good— he blocked every way to get close to you.”

Jayden froze. Something flash through his brain.

He remembered how he pestered his father about meeting his grandparents, but always replied with, “Son, stop pestering me. You have no grandparents. Me and your mother are enough to be your family.”

Till one day, when he was still in elementary school. A man in his early-fifties approached him with smiles. He had a cologne that screamed extreme wealth. From his wristwatch. To the scent he carried. He looked like the older version of his father. And he had the brown curly hair just like him and his father. The man scotch to his height and said, “My champ, how are you doing?”

Jayden looked at the man as if he was speaking a foreign language and replied, “I'm doing fine sir. And I don't think I have seen you before. Hope you aren't mistaken, sir?”

The man's smile brightened than before then uttered, “Yes you don't know me. But I know you. You're my little man.”

Jayden eyes widened childishly, “Where did you know me? How?”

“He's cute. So inquisitive just like his father,” the man mumbled but Jayden caught it.

“Did you know my father? And why did you look like him?”

“Yes I know your father. He is my son. You're my grandson,” the man responded.

His eyes widened.

“You're my grandpa?” he asked and then suddenly hugged the man, “Grandpa!”

The man chuckled, wrap him in his embrace. They spoke. Laughed. And gisted till when the man was ready to leave after he promised to come often. Jayden got home and told his father who flarred up instantly.

“Don't mind him, my dear. He's not your grandfather. I don't have a father because he died long time ago before you were born.”

Jayden nodded slowly and wanted to say more but refrained himself. His dad left and he followed him, only to hear his conversation with someone on phone.

“I cut ties with you already. Do you want to endanger his life? He's too young to be in the power struggle. If you love him like you claimed and want him alive, then please, don't come close to him.”

----

“So, that was it?” he mumbled, remembering that the man didn't come to him afterward.

“W-what made them cut ties?” Jayden turned to Mr Rodriguez and asked.

“I'm not in the right place to answer. You can only get your answer from your grandfather.”

“Where's he?” Jayden inquired.

“I'll take you to him when we finish the discussion. I know you have questions to ask him but trust me, after the discussion, you'll have more than a thousand question to ask.”

Jayden frowned.

“Is there more?” he mumbled under his breath and held his head.

“There is. You have to inherit his fortune.” He dropped the bomb.

Inherit?

“Why?”

“Because you're family. His only grandson. His only living seed.”

Jayden's gaze softened and asked,“What do I need to do to inherit his fortune?”

“According to the will, you have to win the board directors.”

Jayden's jaw dropped.

Jayden opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out. Every word stood hanging.

“Win them over? Do I have to?” he inquired, brows knitted.

“Yes. This isn't about inheritance. But war. And struggle. The board members are divided into two interests. The first are willing to accept and bound by the chairman's suggestions while the other had their selfish act railing in the room. Those that you manage to win over will help you.” Mr Rodriguez remarked. Jayden shifted in his chair, grip tightened on the handle of the chair.

“This isn't simple…”

Mr Rodriguez cut in, “Exactly. Your grandfather had a lot of enemies. Extended family. Board members. Rivals. And they won't want to make things easy for you.”

“I don't want to be involved. Let me go.”

“Please, you have to. For the sake of your life. Your grandfather. And the hidden secret.”

What the hell is… going on?

“W-what? Who knows about me?” His voice trembled.

“Your extended family. Everyone who wants this fortune. You are their target, right now. They've been watching you since your existence,” he dropped the bomb.

He froze, something chill ran through his spine.

“W-why? Why did you come to find me? I was living my simple poor life with peace. I don't want to be a part of this,” Jayden snapped.

“Mr Hart, aren't you curious about how a huge amount of money could get into your account without a call from the bank management?” Mr Rodriguez stopped while Jayden's brow knitted.

“They did it.”

His knuckles cracked.