Rise of The Unknown Billionaire

Chapter 5

Andrew handed the phone over to Ethan. 

"He is ready to talk to you." He said. 

Ethan was still in disbelief after hearing that he had a father. His mind was racing through with thoughts on how such a thing was possible. If he hasd a father then why had he been living in an orphanage all his life? 

Why had his father never shown himself? If his father could afford a bodyguard like Andrew, then that meant he had to be rich. So why hadn't he been there for him all his life?

Ethan was beginning to fume with anger as he took the phone from Andrew. 

"Are you my father?" Ethan asked with a tone that contained a bit of ferocity. 

"Ethan? Oh my god, it's finally good to hear your voice. I'm so sorry Ethan." An old voice replied Ethan, the words took Ethan by a bit of surprise but he didn't change his expression. 

"Who are you? Are you my father?" He asked again. 

"Calm down Ethan. Yes, I'm your father." The man replied with a cough. 

"I know you must be angry and will have many questions in your mind but you just have to listen to me as I explain everything. I don't have much time left." The man said. 

Ethan's heart skipped a beat.

"You're dying?!" He blurted out.

"I finally get to talk with my father only to discover that he's dying?" Ethan didn't even know whether to feel angry or sad about the situation. 

"Yes, I'm sorry. I wanted to wait a little bit longer but my health isn't permitting me to. So just listen." His father said. 

Ethan suppressed the myriad of questions that wanted to burst through his chest as he listened to his father who was about to kick the bucket. 

He took a glance at Andrew who looked sad. It seemed as though Andrew was very downcast that the old man was about to die. It seemed like Andrew and his father had a very close relationship with each other. 

Ethan's father started explaining himself on the phone. "Son, I know you must have many questions. The truth is, our family comes from a long lineage of wealthy and influential people. However, due to certain circumstances, I had to go into hiding when you were just a baby."

Ethan listened silently, though anger simmered within him.

His father continued, "There were people after our family's wealth and power. For your safety, I had to disappear and make it seem like you had no living relatives. It pained me deeply to leave you at the orphanage, but it was the only way to protect you."

"All these years I have watched over you silently. Now that you have come of age, I can finally tell you the truth about your heritage." His father coughed violently before continuing.

Ethan's brows furrowed as he listened to his father, he wanted to interject but he knew he had to listen. Even with the unease he felt in his chest, he kept silent and listened. 

"Andrew has all the documents to prove our family's legacy. He will help you claim what is rightfully yours. I'm sorry I couldn't be there for you, my son. My only wish is that you live the life you deserve."

Ethan stayed quiet, letting the revelations sink in. He had so many emotions swirling within him - anger, betrayal, sadness.

Andrew handed him a thick file. "Here is all the proof, Young Master. Bank account details, property deeds, lineage charts. It's all yours now."

Ethan flipped through the pages with disbelief. It seemed too unreal, like he was living someone else's life.

His father spoke again on the phone, his voice weaker now. "Ethan, my boy, can you forgive this old man? I only did what I thought was best..."

Before Ethan could reply, the line went silent. 

"Dad?" Ethan said. "Are you there? You've not finished explaining everything..." 

Ethan clutched the phone in his hands as tears streamed down his cheeks. "I haven't even gotten to know you goddammit! 

This is not how you are supposed to show up in the life of your son!" Ethan lasked out in tears. 

Andrew's eyes grew moist as he realised what had just happened. He took out his handkerchief a d covered his face as he sobbed subtly. 

Ethan couldn't come to terms with what was happening. His father had passed on.

Ethan sank to his knees, the phone slipping from his hand. Andrew picked it up gently. "Master, it is time for you to take your rightful place. I will serve you loyally, as I served your father."

Looking up at Andrew's kind face, the anger and pain in Ethan's heart dissipated a bit. He saw that Andrew was also deeply affected by his father's death. The same man who had served his father was now pledging to serve him faithfully. Ethan's chest felt a little full and he felt as though a big burden was just lifted off his chest. 

Wiping his tears, Ethan stood up. He glanced at the file in his hands - the proof of his lineage and inheritance. It was time to uncover the mysteries of his past and reclaim what was his.

With Andrew's help, he would avenge his father's death and make his enemies pay. But it was something that he had to be very smart about. 

Ethan took a deep breath and looked at Andrew with determination. "Tell me everything I need to know."

"But before all that, let's get out of here."

Andrew was impressed at Ethan's composure. He saw how Ethan quickly adjusted in the face of new circumstance. It felt as though he was looking at a shadow of Ethan's father. 

Andrew politely bowed his head and gestured to the luxurious car he had come to pick Ethan with. 

The storm clouds in Ethan's heart made way for a quiet resolve. Ethan Astor would no longer be a no-name orphan. The sharks who destroyed his family would come to regret it bitterly.

He had just left his so called wife's house to go back to the orphanage but his life had suddenly changed before he could blink twice. 

Ethan was glad he was saved from doing something shameful.