The Son-in-Law They Threw Away

Chapter 5: Facts Revealed

Killian still held the two cards like they might burn his fingers. Twenty billion euros. The number kept spinning in his head and refused to settle.

Irene did not give him time to catch his breath. She kept talking in that same calm voice, as if she had practiced this speech a hundred times.

“The dark grey one is a titanium card from Royal Bank. You can use it in about fifteen hundred companies and in a hundred and fifty countries. No limit on how much you spend or take out. The black one is a premium card from HSBC. Only five people in this whole country have a titanium card. You are one of them. Only seven people have the black card. Right now you have the highest balance of anyone.”

Killian stared at her. “So I’m really the grandson of some rich man.”

“Yes, young master. You are the only living grandchild of Miguel Spencer. You are the sole heir of the entire Spencer family. Your grandfather wants to see you very badly, but his body is too weak for long travel now.”

“Who runs the company then?”

“My cousin Isaac and I handle the daily work. Isaac is the general manager. Your grandfather trusts both of us.”

She kept going without waiting for him to ask more.

“Spencer Group is not one company. It covers mining, gold, oil, banking, hotels, hospitals, restaurants, transport, property, and more. Hundreds of smaller companies work under that name. Here in Birmingham alone there are seven of them.”

Killian’s head started to feel heavy. The park bench under him no longer felt real.

“You must have heard of Daylight Town,” Irene said. “Your grandfather built that whole area for you. It is not far from here. Five big restaurants, many smaller ones. One of them, Bless’ Restaurant, is so exclusive that normal people cannot even walk through the door. Four five-star hotels. Hundreds of shops and offices. All of it runs under your name.”

She looked straight at him.

“There is also a large villa on a hill in that town. Clear view of the city, the sea, and the green hills. The villa itself is two thousand square metres. The land around it is four thousand. Almost everything in that town belongs to you. One hundred percent of the shares are in your name.”

Killian sat frozen. Rich grandson. Whole town. Villa on a hill. None of it matched the man who had mopped floors and taken slaps only hours earlier.

Irene’s eyes moved to his chest. “May I look at that necklace?”

Killian hesitated. “Why?”

“Just let me check it. I will give it back at once.”

He pulled the chain over his head and handed it to her. Irene opened a small wooden box from her bag. Inside lay another necklace that looked almost the same. She pressed tiny hidden buttons on both pieces. The ends opened. When she joined them, they locked together perfectly. A name appeared in the middle of the joined chain.

Irene’s voice was quiet but firm.

“Young master Killian Martino Spencer. Only son of Zimmer Spencer and Jenna. Grandson of Miguel Spencer. I have finally found you.”

Killian’s mouth went dry. “I have a full name? I thought it was just Killian.”

“Yes. Your full name is Killian Martino Spencer.”

He shook his head. “I still don’t understand any of this. Give me time.”

“I will stay with you as long as you need. Your grandfather assigned me to be your assistant from today.”

She grew more serious. “One more question. Who else has seen this necklace?”

“Only Grandpa Smith. He is already dead.”

“And your wife?”

“We are divorced. She never knew I wore it. We never lived like a real couple. She never let me get close.”

Irene lowered her eyes for a second. “I see.”

Then she sat up straight. “There is no more doubt. Starting today your true name goes back into the Spencer family records. You are the sole rightful heir. Welcome back, young master.”

She gave a small respectful bow.

Killian still looked lost. “Miss Adler, I still can’t accept this.”

“Please do not call me Miss Adler. I am your assistant. Just call me Irene. Or Adler if you prefer.”

A tired half-smile touched Killian’s face. “All right. From now on I’ll call you Iro. Okay?”

Her cheeks turned a little pink. “As you wish, sir.”

She stood up. “You must be hungry. There is a good restaurant not far from here. Let us go eat.”

Killian stood without answering and started walking toward the main road. Irene quickly stepped in front of him.

“Sir, the restaurant is about eight hundred metres. Do you want to walk?”

Killian stopped. For the first time since the conversation began, something sharper than shock showed in his eyes.

“Iro,” he said quietly. “If I really own all those companies and that whole town… then why did I spend the last year living like a servant in someone else’s house?”

The question hung between them. Irene opened her mouth, but no answer came.

Behind them the two joined necklaces still rested in her hand, shining under the afternoon sun.