The Hidden Trillionaire Heir of Royal Elite Academy

Forgiveness

Arthur stood frozen, staring as his grandfather knelt on the ground, groveling in front of him. William's black-suited escorts gasped, their eyes wide open in shock.

They had served the Lanchester family for decades and had never seen William kneel to anyone.

One of them whispered, "Master?"

The others exchanged glances, their composure cracking.

"Master, please—" another started.

But William was still not willing to stand up.

Arthur's eyes were wide with shock. His mouth opened, but no words came out. This was the man who held control over the world's finances. And there he was, down on his knees on a filthy hospital floor, kneeling to some nobody like Arthur.

"What on earth are you doing?" Arthur said at last, his voice trembling. "Stop kneeling. Get up."

"I can't," William said, his voice shaking a bit. "Not until you forgive me, grandson."

"I said get up—"

"Forgive me," William interrupted, lifting his head. Tears ran down his sharp cheekbones. "I am begging you, Arthur. Please forgive me. I know I have been cruel to both you and your mother. But please find it in your heart to forgive me."

Arthur's hands balled into fists at his sides. His nails dug into his palms. He shouldn't forgive him. Every instinct screamed at him to turn away and spit on the old man's apologies.

This was the man who had read his mother's desperate letters and did nothing while Arthur starved, bled, and cried himself to sleep.

Throughout all these years, he had the power to end their suffering with a single phone call but simply chose not to.

How could he ever find it in himself to forgive him?

William saw the battle raging behind Arthur's eyes. He moved forward, speaking softly.

"I vow to you, Arthur. I will make up for every year of suffering you've endured. I am going to save your mother's life. This I swear on my life."

Arthur's fists were shaking as he glanced past William, looking at his mother on the bed.

Eleanor lay there, looking really small under the thin white sheet. Her chest gently rose and fell with each fragile, shallow breath.

The heart monitor was beeping like a ticking countdown clock. She didn't have much time left.

Without his grandfather's help, he would lose her. He hated this old man but he knew there were no other options. He has to give him a chance.

Arthur exhaled slowly, his fists relaxing. "Stand up," he whispered.

William stayed on his knees, his hopeful eyes locked onto his grandson.

Arthur held his gaze. "Have my mother transferred to St. Nicholas. Make sure she gets the surgery that will save her life."

After a pause, he added. "Only then will I forgive you."

William's face lit up with a spark of hope. He stood up slowly, brushing the dust off his knees.

"That will not be a problem," he said. "Leave your mother's care in my hands. I will not disappoint you."

He turned to the doorway where his escorts were still standing frozen. He clicked his fingers at his P.A.

A tall man with sharp features stepped forward. "Yes, Master William?"

"Arrange for a medical evacuation team to arrive here within an hour. Then contact St. Nicholas Medical Center immediately. I want the top floor reserved and my daughter's surgery commencing with immediate effect."

The P.A nodded before disappearing down the hallway, his phone already pressed to his ear.

William turned back to Arthur. "It is being arranged. Your mother will be transferred immediately."

* * * *

As soon as William gave the order, things started happening fast.

Arthur watched in awe as nurses flooded the room, unhooking monitors and adjusting IV lines. Doctors appeared with clipboards and authorization forms.

A stretcher was brought in, and Eleanor was gently moved onto it while still asleep. Arthur followed them through the corridors, his heart pounding.

They rolled his mother out the back entrance of the hospital, where a sleek white medical transport van waited, its engines already running.

Within minutes, she was inside. The doors shut and the van drove off, its red lights flashing as it vanished into the night heading for St. Nicholas Medical Center.

Arthur stood by himself outside the old gray hospital, watching as the vehicle disappeared into the distance. The freezing wind brushed against his face, but it didn’t bother him. He just stood there, hoping his mom would get better.

William approached from behind, stopping at Arthur's side, his hands clasped behind his back.

"Now," he said quietly. "About your debt. I am going to clear every single cent you owe. Take me to the bank."

Arthur didn't move. He kept his eyes fixed on the road where the transport van had vanished.

"No," he said.

William turned to look at him. "No?"

Arthur finally faced his grandfather. There was something different about his eyes now. They look harder and sharper.

"This is the debt I inherited," Arthur said. "It's my father's debt, and I'm the one who has to deal with it. I'll take care of it on my own."

William studied him for a long moment and saw the determination in his eyes. He immediately realized that this boy wished to confront his enemies alone, like a man.

William nodded slowly. "I see. In that case, you will need this."

He reached into his suit jacket and pulled out a sleek black phone with a silver emblem engraved on the back.

He gave it a quick tap and passed it to Arthur.

Arthur hesitated briefly before taking the device. “What is this?” he asked quietly.

"A trust wallet," William answered. "It was prepared in your name an hour ago. Everything here is yours."

Arthur frowned slightly. "You're kidding right?"

William pointed at the screen. "Why don't you open the dashboard?"

Arthur looked down at the phone. The screen lit up right away, showing a black-and-gold design with fancy letters at the top.

[LANCHESTER FAMILY TRUST]

[Primary Trustee: William Lanchester]

[Authorized Beneficiary: Arthur Moore]

Arthur felt his heartbeat slow down.

Below the profile information was a massive balance displayed in glowing gold numbers.

[TOTAL AVAILABLE BALANCE]

[$150,000,000.00]

Arthur froze in raw shock.

The world around him seemed to disappear as he kept staring at the screen without a single blink.

One hundred and fifty million dollars.