The Unknown Billionaire

Chapter 43

After the appointment meeting with James and Mr. and Mrs. Fuentez regarding the sale of Vere's mansion, Vere had scheduled a trip to Bormio, as they had discussed in their appointment, and he is going to travel with James to tour the property. "Mr. Wayne, see you at the airport tomorrow," James reminded Vere over the phone. Vere also bid farewell to Olivia, as he was departing for Bormio.

Two days later, Vere and James arrived in Bormio, eager to explore the mansion. As they stepped onto the picturesque estate, Vere couldn't contain his excitement to show James not to get obvious. "I guess this place holds so many memories for Mr. Vere Mendez," he said, his voice filled with nostalgia.

James nodded in agreement. "Yes, it's a remarkable property, Mr. Wayne, and this mansion meant so much to Mr. Vere and his wife during those days."

They spent hours touring the mansion, examining each room, and relishing the beauty of the surrounding landscape. Vere felt torn between selling the mansion and preserving the cherished memories it held.

As the sun set, Vere turned to James and said, "This visit has given me a lot to think about. I'll need some time to decide, but I really like this mansion." James understood and assured Vere that he'd support whatever choice he made, and they headed back to the airport to go back to Zermatt the next day.

Upon their arrival in Zermatt, Vere wasted no time settling the payment for his newly acquired mansion in Bormio. "Thank you, Mr. Wayne," James said. "I will inform you next time if Mr. and Mrs. Fuentez are going to decide to sell another property."

Vere expressed his gratitude, and as he returned to the mansion, he couldn't contain his joy that the mansion in Bormio was still his. He eagerly shared the news with Olivia, but deep inside Vere, he wasn't happy for Mr. and Mrs. Fuentez's and even James's betrayal for taking over his property, and the hurtful part is that they started to sell it. "Wow, Mr. Wayne, congrats! Now you have your own mansion from your hard work as my personal assistant," Olivia said with a beaming smile.

At that moment, Olivia also disclosed her plans. She was flying back to the United States, and she entrusted Vere with the business that she owned in Zermatt during her absence. "I'll be away for a while, and I'll leave everything here in Zermatt in your capable hands," she assured him.

Vere was touched by Olivia's trust and knew that he would uphold her faith in him. He had been Olivia's loyal and diligent assistant for a year, and this new chapter in his life, with the mansion as a testament to his hard work, marked a turning point to take all his properties back. No matter how much it costs.

A week had passed since Olivia left for the United States, leaving Vere consumed with the task of overseeing and visiting the businesses that Olivia had partnered with in various companies. One restless night, as Vere lay awake, his mind wandered back to the mansion where he and his late spouse, Mira, had once built beautiful memories, and his mother, who had always been engrossed in her favorite television show, was momentarily alive in his thoughts.

As he roamed the mansion, revisiting every corner and even their old bedroom, where Mira had tragically taken her own life, Vere's tears welled up. The memories flooded back, bittersweet and poignant.

Vere and Mira's love had been profound yet tragically short-lived. Their moments together in the mansion were precious, filled with laughter, love, and the promise of a future they would never share. Vere's mother, perpetually lost in her television world, had remained oblivious to the depth of their connection.

In the quiet of that night, Vere found himself confronting the painful truth that his mother had never truly understood him. He longed to have shared the love he and Mira had. He yearned for acceptance, understanding, and the kind of support only a mother could provide.

The tears streamed down Vere's face as he confronted his past and the profound loss of his beloved spouse, as well as his mother. The mansion, once a sanctuary for their love, now holds the weight of bittersweet memories and unanswered questions.

But at that moment, Vere's contemplation was interrupted by a call from Olivia. "Mr. Wayne, how are you doing over there?" Olivia inquired. "I'm okay," Vere replied, though Olivia sensed something amiss. "I can't believe you're okay," Olivia remarked, probing further.

At that moment, Vere took a deep breath before responding truthfully. "I'm not okay," he admitted. "I'm just feeling a bit down because I'm all alone," Vere confided.

Olivia listened attentively, her concern evident, as Vere shared her feelings of loneliness and vulnerability. Olivia, being a close friend of his savior and Vere's family now, offered comfort and support, assuring Vere that she was there for him.

As they spoke, Vere felt a weight lift from his shoulders. Sometimes, all it took was opening up to a friend to alleviate the burden of loneliness. Olivia's call was a reminder that even when physically apart, they could lean on each other for emotional support.

The conversation provided Vere with a renewed sense of hope and connection, showing him that he didn't have to face his challenges alone. It was a testament to the strength of their friendship, transcending distance and time zones to provide solace and understanding in times of need.

Due to the events in Vere's life, he remained disinterested in any other woman. Olivia held a special place in his heart, as she had not only saved his life but also restored hope to his existence. Vere deeply respected Olivia for her profound impact on his life. The following day, Vere left early for a business establishment where Olivia had a partnership. While he was driving, he was taken aback by a sudden figure crossing the road in front of his car. In his attempt to avoid a collision, he swerved and accidentally grazed the pedestrian. In a hurry, Vere pulled over, and as he stepped out of the car, he was stunned to find a man lying on the side of the road.

Vere rushed to assist the injured man, helping him to his feet. As the man regained his balance, Vere noticed that he was disheveled and appeared to be in distress. The man's clothes were torn, and he seemed disoriented. Vere decided to strike up a conversation to understand what had happened.

"Are you alright? I'm sorry for hitting you, but it was a sudden accident. Do you need any medical attention?" Vere asked with genuine concern.

The man, whose name was Eric, looked at Vere with gratitude in his eyes. He explained that he had been going through a rough time in his life and had been struggling with a personal crisis. That morning, he had been overwhelmed with despair and had impulsively decided to cross the road, not caring about his safety.

Vere, a man who had known his share of hardships, could empathize with Eric's struggles. He realized that sometimes life could be incredibly challenging, and people needed a helping hand to get through their darkest moments.

Vere offered Eric a ride to a nearby hospital to ensure he received the medical attention he needed. During the drive, they struck up a conversation, and Vere shared some of his own life experiences, including the story of how Olivia had saved him and given him hope.

While in the hospital, Vere stared at Eric's face as if it seemed oddly familiar to him. To Vere's surprise, he recognized the man he had accidentally bumped into, and his real name wasn't Eric; it was...