The Billion-Dollar Windfall: Edwin Volvox

CHAPTER 5

“I want a divorce, Edwin.” Ciara had repeated to Edwin’s dismay. 

“Where exactly did I go wrong, Ciara?” Edwin believed she was supposed to be the one apologising for all the evil she had done since the day they got married.  Severally, she had caused him humiliation in the family. Made a joke out of him, her family wasn’t fine with him, and so was Ciara herself.

Nevertheless, he had loved her unceasingly hoping that one day she would come to love him like he did. But it was all a dream.

She would go to the extent of frustrating him and selfishly making decisions. The last which had almost cost him the life of his mom, if not for the miraculous intervention from Adrian.

“Ciara, why don’t we talk about this when we get home? I believe there is a misunderstanding somewhere.”

On the other hand, Ciara scoffed.”You are a big joker, Edwin. Get down here right now so we can get the papers signed!” 

Edwin became disorganised, torn between the situation at hand and then his wife’s sudden request for divorce.

“What's the problem son?!” Elizabeth Volvox asked with a weak tone, but a concerned expression.

“It's nothing mommy. Just some flimsy thing between myself and Ciara,” he squeezed her hand and then said. “You need not worry mom. Me and Ciara would make sure we sort out our differences, but in the meantime, we should focus on your health mom.” he faked a smile.

“So tell me mom, how do you feel now?”

“Better than before Edwin. But I should be fine in no time. I would be good.” Edwin forcefully smiled in return even though he had a turmoil of emotion swirling in his mind.

Elizabeth looked at him and said. “You deserve to be happy, Edwin. Perhaps you should get going, I have good hands on deck to take care of me.” 

“Hmm, well said mom. But then, I won't leave your side. Whatever is going on with Ciara can wait, I'm sure we will make up. In the time being, I need to meet Adrian. I've got loads of questions to ask.”

He kissed her forehead. “I'll be back soon.” He strolled out immediately.

“Young master, is there anything more I can do for you?” Adrian asked the moment he saw Edwin step out of the ward.

“Nothing different from the fact that I actually want  a deep understanding of all that’s going on here. The fact that you called me a young master which i don't really understand. The fact that you came out of the blues to help.”

Edwin scoffed and then he continued. “I mean you found us. I don't know how you got to know about my mom’s state?”

‘Young master. There is  a lot you need to know but in the meantime, can I take you somewhere?” 

“Somewhere! Isn’t it something we can actually talk about here? Man to man.” 

“My apologies young master. But I'm under a direct order to make your identity a secret until you get to follow me and then discover it yourself.”

 Edwin sighed slightly with a slight gaze at his mom in the ward, clear worry written on his face.

Adrian could understand the fact that he found it hard to leave his mother behind. So he had to say. “You need not bother, young master. I promise you all those doctors are basically under the oath to make sure your mother gets to her feet in no time.”

“Fine then. As long as wherever we are off to is worth providing an answer to all my questions, then I'm in.”

Adrian smiled. “You sure bet, young master.”

*****

After about an hour of driving, Adrian pulled up to a huge mansion. 

Edwin couldn’t help it, he had to stop to take a good look the moment he stepped out of the vehicle. The manor was nestled amidst lush, meticulously manicured gardens, the vibrancy of the flora contrasting elegantly against the stately facade of the manor. 

The exterior exuded opulence, with a symmetrical design and an intricate blend of neoclassical and modern architectural elements.

Entirely different from anything Edwin had seen in his whole life.

The mansion's façade boasts imposing columns of marble, each one meticulously carved with intricate patterns that catch the sunlight and cast captivating shadows. The entrance was adorned with a magnificent set of double doors, crafted from rich mahogany and embossed with delicate gold filigree, hinting at the splendour that awaited within. 

Above the entrance, a grand balcony graced the second floor, offering a sweeping view of the surrounding landscape.

Adrian allowed him a while to feed his eyes before he led him in. “Adrian, are you sure we are in the right place? I mean where the hell is this place?” Edwin was thrown into a slight daze.

“We are at the perfect place young master. Just wait till we get inside before you get to discover the big secret.” his face was filled with smiles while he said this.

On the other hand, Edwin kept catching a view of what he saw. “It's beginning to make quite a sense.”

“Shall we, young master?” Adrian interrupted.

The moment they stepped in, Edwin realised the outward beauty he had seen all along was only minimal.

He was suddenly enveloped in an atmosphere of refined luxury and tasteful extravagance. 

The foyer was adorned with a breathtaking crystal chandelier that shimmers with a thousand points of light, casting a gentle glow upon the polished marble floor below. 

A sweeping, curving staircase stood as the centrepiece of the entrance, its steps covered in plush velvet, guiding the eye upwards to a hand-painted mural that graces the domed ceiling.

The main living room space seamlessly married comfort and sophistication. Towering windows, draped in sumptuous silk curtains, allow natural light to flood the room, highlighting the exquisite details that decorate every corner. 

Rich, dark wood panelling lines the walls, showcasing an array of classic art pieces and sculptures. Plush sofas and chairs are arranged thoughtfully around a grand fireplace, its mantle carved with intricate reliefs.

The walls were adorned with intricately framed mirrors that reflect the room's elegance, creating an illusion of endless space.

Edwin could sight picture frames, it seemed like a generational frame but none of it made sense. He couldn’t lay a finger on who those people were.

Adrian made sure he allowed him to have a perfect view. He sure knew what life Edwin had lived in the past and falling into surprise over the mansion’s view was expected. After a few moments of walking, Adrian reached a room with a wooden double door.

“We are here, young master. The old master awaits you.”

Another confusion arose within him again, but before he could ask whatever question he needed to, Edwin opened the door leading the way in. “Here we are.”

“Sir Carlos, we are here.” an old man with golden hair brushed behind stood up to immediately hug Edwin with excitement.

“It's good to see you son. It's been a long while, you've been gone.” Edwin was in a pool of confused mind.

Nevertheless, he forced some words, after pulling out of the embrace. “I don’t get to understand all that’s happening.”

Sir Carlos smiled. “Yes sure you might not understand, but you are here now to understand who you really are.” The old man had tears flowing freely.

“Have a seat, Edwin. I need to go through what really happened.” 

Edwin was quite alert. He needed answers, the last twenty four hours had been an escape of different scenes turning out.

“Several years ago, there was an auto crash. It was devastating because many lives were lost. A tanker had run into a number of cars during traffic and then all those within the vehicle had all lost their lives to the cold hand of death.”

Sir Carlos' voice got shaky while he remembered the devastating incident that had torn his family apart. 

He looked straight into Edwin’s eyes. “Edwin, I lost my son to that incident. You lost your parents. But then, luckily you went missing. You didn’t die in the accident even though you were in that same vehicle.”

Edwin was confused. Elizabeth had never for once mentioned that she were not his mother. She had always guarded him jealousy and made sure that she tried her best to offer  him the best.

“Are you sure about this story, because as far as i can remember, Elizabeth Volvox is my mother, she raised me and never for once mentioned the fact that i might not be her child.”

Sir Carlos smiled. “It's possible she never did. But i made sure that Adrian here did a deep digging before he brought you up to claim you are the one true Carlos’s heir.”

“DNA proves it. Your accent also proves it and your level of confidence and loyalty at work. All these aren't a coincidence, but proof that you are Carlos's heir."

"We didn't find your dead body at the scene, but we did find that of your parents. That gave us a conclusion that you were out there somewhere."

" Did you look for me back then? Why are you just reaching out?" Edwin said indifferently.

"We did Edwin. We spent resources searching for you, far and wide. But then we didn't find you. Only recently, Adrian got a lead on you."security man. You worked at a certain company and then they had requested a test for all workers. We then had discovered a blood match that of the Carlos family Sir Carlos paused, he realised Edwin was glued with intention to listening to the story. 

"I asked Adrian to spend time looking into your background history and then we discovered you were really adopted by Elizabeth Volvox. You aren't her biological son."

"Wow, so I did have a family after all."

"A wealthy family,  to be precise." Sir Carlos added. "Now, you have to take over everything you own, Edwin. I'm proud of you. I'm proud of the fact that you got yourself educated and you made good use of your situation." 

"Adrian here has everything mapped out. We would invite Elizabeth to be a part of the family. She saved you, do sge automatically become a part of us." 

"Really!" Edwin smiled. "I was about to say that if she would be rejected then I won't be a part of the family. But now, I'm finally intrigued." 

Sir Carlos smiled. "Well that's not all Edwin." He clocked his head sideways, stretching his hand. "Adrian!"

"Here you go. Sir Carlos," Adrian handed over a card, which in turn got handed over to Edwin.

"Here you go Edwin." The card had the big inscription C on it.

"What's this?"

"That's a card, Edwin. A premium card. You won't be able to spend all that exists within the card, but then I have a mission for you."