Rise of the Sovereign: Wayne Stark

Chapter Three

After a long while, Wayne finally stood up from David’s bedside. He had been silently watching over him the entire time, unaware that his phone—left on silent—had been ringing non-stop.

Several missed calls from Lena lit up the screen. She must have been worried after he rushed out of the house, but Wayne had been too consumed to notice.

He made his way to the doctor’s office, a nervous smile flickering across his face.

“Dr. John… please,” Wayne began, anxiety tightening his chest. “How much do I need to repay for the surgery?”

He still couldn’t make sense of it. Why would they go through with such an expensive procedure? Why had David been moved to the VIP section? It was beyond anything they could afford.

“Oh, you don’t have to worry, Mr. Wayne. I need to attend to another patient now,” the doctor said casually, stepping away. “The bill’s been fully covered.”

Wayne stood frozen.

The relief hit like a wave—but it was short-lived. A deeper unease crept in right after. Who would do this? And why?

He had worked here before as a cleaner. But once he married Lena, the Romanos made it clear: they didn’t want rumors that their granddaughter was married to a janitor. He had to quit just to maintain appearances.

Still, even back then, no one ever treated him like this.

He needed answers.

He approached the beautiful nurse he had spoken to earlier.

“Hi… please. Can you tell me who the man was—the one who paid for everything?”

She gave a warm, knowing smile. “Someone’s actually been waiting for you. He told us not to disturb you. Said he’d wait outside until you were ready.”

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

Wayne turned sharply, her words cutting into the quiet like a blade.

His breath caught.

But still—it couldn’t be him.

He was just an orphan. No connections. No fortune. No family.

Maybe they’re here for David, he reasoned.

But the moment he stepped outside, the world shifted.

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

Wayne froze, glancing around, half-expecting someone else to walk out behind him. But all eyes were locked on him.

“Um… hello. Can I help you?” he asked, descending the hospital steps slowly.

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

“Wait—are you here for David?” Wayne interrupted. “I heard someone paid the bill, but… if he had a rich family, why’d he have to suffer like that? You owe him an apology.”

David had never mentioned any family. Always guarded. Naturally, Wayne assumed these men were here for him.

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

Wayne narrowed his eyes. “Then… who are you?”

Zack took a slow breath. Then came the words that shattered everything Wayne thought he knew.

“Sir, I’ve been your servant for decades. I took you to the orphanage when you were just three. There was an attack on your family. Your father’s final wish was for me to protect you. So I brought you to this country and left you there—for your safety. I’m sorry it took this long to return.”

Wayne blinked.

The words entered his ears, but they didn’t register. It felt like a cruel joke. A hallucination.

A secret bloodline? Generational wealth? From another country?

Me?

He let out a dry, disbelieving laugh. “You’ve got the wrong guy.”

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

That name—Stark—stirred something deep inside. Like a locked door creaking open after years of silence.

“I instructed the orphanage to tell you only your name—nothing more. It was the only way to protect you.”

Zack nodded, and another suited man handed him a photograph.

“Please, sir. Look at this. We are not mistaken.”

Wayne hesitated… then took the photo.

He froze.

“I don’t know why… but I just knew. The photo didn’t lie—and neither did the ache in my chest,” he whispered.

He remembered it vividly. On his twelfth birthday, a woman at the orphanage had handed it to him.

“This is you as a child,” she’d said with a kind smile.

He had kept the photo ever since. It was the only link to a past he thought had been erased.

Tears welled in his eyes—his first in years. He had always believed men shouldn’t cry. But now, he couldn’t stop them.

Zack’s voice softened. “It was your third birthday. Your parents and older sister were with you on the beach. That night, your family was attacked—by enemies who wanted the Stark lineage wiped out. The world thought you died too. But I kept the truth hidden. Until now.”

Wayne’s voice cracked. “Then why now? Why are you here? What do you want?”

Zack dropped to his knees.

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

Whispers rippled through the crowd nearby.

“Why’s that guy kneeling like that?”

“He looks like a beggar. Compared to the man he’s kneeling to… who is he?”

“Is that his boss?”

Wayne flinched at the attention and quickly moved to help Zack up.

“Please, get up. I hate when people stare…”

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

Wayne exhaled. He was still overwhelmed. “So now that you’re here… what does that make you? You seem rich, I guess?”

Zack offered a faint smile. “No, Master. I’m your servant. You are the one with wealth and power. I swore an oath to protect you until my last breath.”

Wayne gave a breathy, shaky laugh. “Makes sense… I think.”

Zack nodded. “Would you come with us? We’ll explain everything on the way.”

“Alright,” Wayne replied, his nerves prickling from all the curious stares. “Let’s just leave this spot first.”

Zack motioned to the others, and they opened the doors of two gleaming white Rolls-Royces.

Wayne was about to step in—when he saw her.

Lena.

She was getting out of her car, walking toward the hospital.

“Oh no…” Wayne muttered.

Zack noticed. “Is everything alright, Master?”

“Please. Let me talk to my wife. Don’t let her see you.”

“Understood.”

Wayne walked up to her, masking the storm inside.

“Lena, what are you doing here?”

She looked concerned. “You left in such a hurry. I got worried… Is David okay?”

“He’s fine,” Wayne said, voice flat but calm.

He didn’t want her to know the truth. Not yet. Maybe not ever.

They’re all gone now anyway, he told himself. No point complicating things.

“Why don’t you head home? I’ll be back soon.”

She frowned. “Why? What’s going on?”

He avoided her gaze. “Just some errands. I promise I’ll explain later.”

Then, for the first time in a long while, he reached out and held her hands. She didn’t pull away.

They were warm. That warmth… he had forgotten what it felt like.

“Okay. I trust you,” she said, her voice soft. “Just call me if you need anything.”

Wayne watched her drive away, then turned back.

“Sorry to keep you waiting,” he said.

“You’re our boss, sir. Please… just call me Zack.”

“Right,” Wayne muttered, still dazed.

The car purred to life.

“Sorry… where exactly are we going?” Wayne asked.

Zack handed him an iPad. “To your empire, sir.”

Wayne blinked. “My… what?”

“The Solmere Estate,” Zack said. “It’s the most powerful business empire in the country. It’s yours now. Everything has been transferred in your name. All that remains is for you to claim it.”

He handed Wayne a sleek black card, engraved with a gold dragon. No numbers. Nothing conventional.

“Mr. Williams—your father’s closest friend—had this made for you. He became a global force because of your father. Now, he’s ready to repay that debt. Anything you desire… he’ll make it happen.”

Zack’s voice remained steady, serious. “There’s only one card like this in the world. The minimum withdrawal is one million dollars. Honestly… I’ve lost count of the zeros in your account.”

Wayne stared at the card, stunned.

“Oh—and the PIN is your birthday,” Zack added.

Still there. Still real.

Am I dreaming?

What will Gift and Grandma say when they find out I’m not a loser anymore?

The Romanos business was collapsing after Rafael’s death. They’d come crawling. Begging.

And then Wayne remembered the promise he made to Rafael: “I’ll protect your daughter. No one will ever humiliate her because she’s married to me.”

He meant it. But back then, all he had was his word. People mocked him to his face—and mocked her, too. And he couldn’t stop them.

He hated that feeling.

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

No. He clenched his jaw. I made a promise. And those who humiliated me… they’ll taste their own poison.

Zack was still speaking, but Wayne was lost in thought.

The car rolled to a stop.

“Sir, we’ve arrived,” Zack said.

Wayne looked out the window—and gasped.

The building wasn’t just massive—it was colossal. Its design was otherworldly, steeped in luxury.

Even millionaires only dreamed of entering this place.

Now, he was about to walk through the front door.