Rise of the Sovereign: Wayne Stark

Chapter Three

After a while, Wayne finally stood up from David’s bedside. He’d been staring at him the whole time, not realizing that his phone—set to silent—had been ringing nonstop.

There were several missed calls from Lena. She was worried after he left the house in such a hurry, but Wayne had been too preoccupied to notice.

He walked toward the doctor’s office, a nervous smile playing on his lips.

“Sir, please… how much do I have to pay back for the surgery?” he asked, anxiety crawling in his chest.

He didn’t understand why or how they had gone ahead with such a costly surgery—or why David had been moved to the VIP section. It didn’t make sense.

“Oh, you don’t have to worry,” the doctor replied as he stepped out, heading to attend another patient. “The bill has been fully settled.”

Wayne stood there, speechless. The unease in his heart only grew stronger. He needed answers.

He walked over to the beautiful nurse he’d spoken to earlier.

“Hi… please, can you tell me who the man was—the one you said paid for everything?”

The nurse smiled brightly. “Someone’s actually been waiting for you. He told us not to disturb you, that he’d be outside until you were done.”

Just then, a passerby walking down the hall muttered under her breath, “Those men with the Rolls-Royce and expensive suits… whoever they’re waiting for must be a god.”

Wayne turned sharply at the comment. His breath caught in his throat. Still, it didn’t occur to him that he could be the one they were waiting for.

He was just an orphan. No powerful friends, no ties to such wealth.

Maybe they’re David’s family, he thought.

But as he stepped outside, everything shifted.

Four sharply dressed men in suits immediately bowed their heads as he approached.

He froze, glancing around to make sure they weren’t mistaken. But everyone’s eyes were on him.

“Hello… sorry, how may I help you?” Wayne asked, hesitantly stepping down the hospital stairs.

“Master, my name is Zack, and this is—” the man began.

“Wait, are you here for David? I heard you paid the bill, but… I don’t think it’s right. If he had such a wealthy family, why did he have to suffer like that? You owe him an apology,” Wayne snapped.

David never talked about his family. He always kept things vague. Wayne never pushed. So naturally, he assumed these men were here for David.

“No sir,” Zack replied calmly. “You’re mistaken.”

Wayne paused, confused. “Then… who are you guys?”

Zack cleared his throat, then said something that made Wayne’s heart skip a beat.

“Sir, I’ve been your servant since decades ago. I took you to the orphanage when you were just three. There was an attack on your family, and your father’s last words were for me to protect you. To keep you safe, I brought you to this country and left you at the orphanage. I’m sorry for being late in finding you.”

Wayne blinked.

His ears heard the words, but his brain couldn’t process them. It felt like a movie—no, a prank.

Rich family? Second-generation wealth? From another country? Me?

He laughed awkwardly and shook his head. “You must be mistaken, sir. I think you’ve got the wrong guy.”

“Mr. Stark was your father,” Zack said softly.

That name struck something inside him.

“I asked the orphanage to tell you only your name and nothing about who brought you there. It was for your safety.”

Zack signaled behind him, and another man handed him a photograph.

“Please take a look, sir. We’re not mistaken.”

Wayne hesitated, but when he looked at the photo… he froze.

“I don’t know why… but deep down, I know he was telling the truth. The photo didn’t lie—nor did the ache in my chest,” Wayne muttered to himself.

He remembered the moment clearly. It was his twelfth birthday when a woman at the orphanage had handed him the photo.

“This is you as a child,” she had said with a warm smile.

He had kept the picture ever since, treating it as the only connection he had to a past he could barely remember. He had always believed his family was gone—dead—and never expected anything more from them.

Tears welled in Wayne’s eyes—his first tears in a long time. He had always believed that real men don’t cry. But now, he couldn’t hold them back.

Zack spoke again, gently, “It was your third birthday. Your parents and older sister were with you on the beach.”

Wayne’s voice cracked, filled with emotion. “So… why now? Why are you here? What do you want from me?”

Zack dropped to his knees.

“Master, I’m sorry. I let you suffer for too long. Please forgive me.”

People nearby began to whisper.

“Why is that man kneeling before him? Doesn’t he look homeless?”

“Could he be his boss?”

Wayne quickly helped Zack up, uneasy with the attention. “Please stand. I don’t like people staring at me…”

Zack bowed his head again. “I’ll accept any punishment. I’ve failed you.”

Wayne sighed, still processing everything. “So now that you’re here… you must be doing well for yourself, huh?”

Zack smiled faintly. “No, Master. You are still my boss. I swore to serve and protect you till my last breath. I’m just here to fulfill that oath.”

Wayne chuckled weakly. “Makes sense.”

Zack nodded. “Would you please come with us so we can discuss how to proceed?”

“Okay,” Wayne said. “I just don’t like all these eyes on me.”

Zack signaled to the others, and they opened the car doors for Wayne—two white Rolls-Royces gleaming in the sunlight.

As Wayne was about to enter, a familiar face caught his eye.

Lena.

She was getting out of her car and walking toward him.

“Oh no…” Wayne muttered.

Zack noticed his hesitation. “Is everything alright, Master?”

“Please, just a moment. Let me speak with my wife,” Wayne said.

Zack bowed slightly. “Understood.”

Wayne added quickly, “Don’t let her see you. I don’t want her asking too many questions.”

He walked over to Lena.

“Lena, what are you doing here?” Wayne asked, his expression unreadable.

Her curious gaze met his. “I was just worried. You left without saying a word… Is David okay?” she asked, trying not to sound too direct. She had been worried he was ignoring her calls on purpose.

“Yes. David is fine,” he replied flatly.

He wasn’t sure how to handle the situation, but he instinctively felt that she shouldn’t know the truth—that he was related to a wealthy family, now long gone.

It’s not even necessary, he thought. They’re all gone now. No point giving her more reasons to start asking questions.

“How about you just head home? I’ll be back once I’m done here, okay?” he said, trying gently to get her to leave.

The last thing he needed was her questioning how he managed to afford David’s surgery—or worse, finding out he had been in a VIP room. That alone would trigger endless questions.

“Wha—what? Why? What are you doing?” she asked, eyes searching his for answers.

It was strange. For over two years of marriage, she had never acted this concerned. So why the sudden change—especially after Mr. Rafael’s final burial?

Could she be hiding something?

“I just need to take care of a few things. I’ll be home shortly. Trust me, okay?” he said.

For the first time, Wayne reached out and held her hands. She didn’t pull away.

Her hands were warm. That warmth… he hadn’t felt it in a long time.

“Okay. I trust you. Just… call me if you need anything,” she said softly before turning to leave.

Wayne watched her drive off, then turned back.

“I’m sorry for keeping you waiting, sir,” Wayne said politely.

“Sir? You’re our boss. Whatever you command is fine by us. Please, just call me Zack,” the man replied, bowing slightly.

“Oh… okay,” Wayne said, still baffled. He wasn’t sure what they meant by “boss” yet.

The engine hummed to life, and the car began to move.

“Sorry… where are we heading?” Wayne asked, confused.

Zack handed him an iPad. “We’re heading to your empire, sir.”

Wayne blinked. Empire?

“What empire?” he asked, his voice uncertain.

Zack smiled faintly. “The Solmere Estate. It’s the wealthiest and most powerful business empire in the country. We’ve acquired it in your name. All that’s left is for you to claim the ownership and full rights.”

He pulled out a card and handed it over.

“This is for you, sir.”

Wayne took the card with hesitant hands. It was deep black, with a gold dragon design—no numbers, nothing like a normal bank card.

“Mr. Williams, your father’s best friend, had this specially made for you, and he’d love to meet you in the future to return the favor your father did for him. He’s now a mighty figure across the world because your dad raised him but unfortunately your father didn’t live for him to return the favor so he’s willing to do whatever you so desire for you.” Zack explained. “It’s the only one of its kind in the world. The minimum withdrawal on that card is one million dollars… and honestly, I’ve lost count of how many zeros are attached to your account.”

His face was calm, almost emotionless—dead serious.

Wayne felt like his soul had just left his body. None of this felt real.

“And the pin is your birthday sir.” Zack added

Am I dreaming?

He blinked several times, but everything stayed the same.

What would Gift and Grandma do when they find out I’m no longer a loser?

The family business had been struggling since Mr. Rafael’s death. They would definitely come crawling, desperate for help.

Then, he remembered the promise he once made to Mr. Rafael: “I promise I’ll always protect your daughter, and I won’t let anyone humiliate her.”

He had meant it. But back then, people insulted him to his face—even mocked his wife. And there was nothing he could do.

He hated it… hated feeling powerless.

Now that I’m not a loser anymore… should I divorce her?

No, he told himself. I need to keep that promise. And all those who humiliated me—every single one—I’ll make sure they taste their own poison.

Zack was still talking, but Wayne was deep in thought.

The car stopped.

“Sir, we’ve arrived at the destination,” Zack said, pulling him back to reality.

Wayne looked out the window—and gasped.

The building in front of him wasn’t just big—it was gigantic. The designs were luxurious beyond imagination.

Wayne had only ever dreamed of getting close to this estate, let alone stepping inside.

Even millionaires could only admire it from a distance. The main building was off-limits to everyone except the most elite—and yet here he was.

About to walk through those very doors.