A new identity

The Lugards were dumbfounded by Tony's refusal to go along with their plan. They had assumed that he would jump at the opportunity to get a payout since Lady Lugard was more than willing to give him enough money for both his grandmother's medical bill and to start over with a new life, leaving Helen behind. But his unexpected response had thrown them off. They suspected that he was merely putting on an act and that he would eventually agree to the divorce.

Helen, on the other hand, was indifferent to what Tony would decide. If he chose to. leave, she could finally be free of his lower social status and find someone more fitting of her position. She was confident that there were plenty of eligible suitors who would be more than happy to court her.

The moment Tony left the mansion, he made his way to the hospital. His grandmother's doctor was his only hope, and he needed a doctor to give him more time to raise the funds needed for her treatment. When he got to the doctor's office, he waited patiently as the doctor was on call and didn't pay much attention to him. Tony remembered a time when he had seen the doctor halt a phone call to assist a person of prominence, and how different that experience was from his current situation. It was clear that the doctor had a different standard of care for those of importance and wealth, while those of lesser status were made to feel insignificant.

After what felt like an eternity, the doctor finally finished his phone call and turned his attention to Tony.

"So, Mr. Eduardo, are you here to pay your grandmother's medical bills?" the doctor asked with no hint of friendliness or warmth.

"I'm yet to get the complete.... "

"I'm sorry, but I must remind you that this is not a charity hospital and we cannot provide services for free," the doctor said, cutting Tony's words. "We need to be paid for our time and resources, and your pleas will not cover the costs of running this hospital," He added harshly.

"Please, doctor, I just need more time to get everything in order," Tony said, his voice breaking with emotions. The doctor was unmoved by his pleas, as he responded in a tone that was cold and dismissive.

"I'm sorry, but I can't make any promises," he said, picking up his stethoscope from the table.

"I'm sorry, but I have another patient to see," the doctor said, indicating that the conversation was over. He walked towards the door and Tony followed behind him.

Tony felt overwhelmed by anger and despair as he made his way to his grandmother's ward. Taking Lady Lugard's money felt like a betrayal of his values and would be a blow to his pride with the condition she had attached to it.

He strategized his next move, the last thing he wanted was to accept Defeat from the Lugards or anyone. He has always found a way to pull through hurdles. He thought of an emergency plan B that would be of great help at the moment. His determination had made Lady Lugard always feel he was proud and stubborn. Lost in his thoughts as he hurried out of the doctor's office with the plan of going out to get a menial Job, Tony didn't notice the man walking towards him until they collided, knocking Tony off balance and sending a stack of papers flying out of the man's hands.

"Are you blind?" Tony yelled as his anger and frustration boiled over not minding the hefty bodyguard standing behind the aged man.

The bodyguard cracked his knuckles, ready to pounce on Tony for disrespecting his boss. The look of pure rage on the bodyguard's face made Tony's heart race and his stomach churn. He braced himself for the worst, but then the aged man raised his hand, stopping the bodyguard in his tracks.

"It's all right, I'm not hurt, just pick up the papers," The man said calmly.

"Thank you," Tony muttered as he couldn't wait to leave their presence but to Tony and the bodyguard's utter shock and disbelief, the aged man dropped to his knees in front of Tony, his hands clasped together in supplication,

"Young master," he said, his voice trembling with emotion, "I have searched for you far and wide, and at last I have found you." Tony let out a nervous laugh, unsure of how to react to the aged man's strange behavior.

"This is... rather awkward," Tony stammered, feeling the eyes of the onlookers upon him.

"I'm afraid you must be mistaken, sir. I am not the person you think I am," he said with a shaky voice as he walked away.

"Adriel Eduardo," The middle-aged man called and Tony halted his step. He stood rooted to a spot, his mind spinning as he tried to process the words he had just heard. How could this man possibly know his Birth name? It was something he had kept secret, even from his wife. The only person who knew the truth was his foster grandmother, who had given him the name Tony to protect him from the pain of his past.

As Tony turned to face the man, his eyes widened in recognition,

"Uncle Robert?" he whispered a mixture of disbelief, his voice shaking with emotions.

"What are you doing here? And what do you want from me?" Tony demanded, his voice filled with anger and disbelief as the memories of the past came rushing back to him, memories of the day he had been thrown out of the house at the age of nine, following the death of his mother. He had been told that he was a burden, that he was not wanted.

Robert had been his mother's closest brother, yet he had done nothing to protect Tony when the rest of the family had turned against him. After his mother's death, they had claimed that her marriage to his father had been a mistake and that it was a bad omen that she had died so soon after her husband. They had blamed Tony for everything and had cast him out without a second thought. He had never forgotten the pain and betrayal he had felt on that day.

"Adriel, I have good news for you," Robert said calmly.

"Don't call me that," Tony snapped, his anger rising to the surface,

"I don't need you or whatever good news you have to offer," Tony said about to walk away in anger.

"Your mother is alive, and she has asked me to give you this," Robert said, a slight tremor of excitement in his voice and Tony laughed.

"You can't fool me with such a ridiculous story," he said with sarcasm.

"No, I'm telling the truth," Robert said, his voice insistent,

"Just take a look at what's inside the envelope, and you'll see."

Tony paused for a while and stared at Robert. He reached out and took the envelope from Robert's outstretched hand. It was thick and heavy, and he could feel something inside. He hesitated for a moment and then tore it open.

Inside the envelope was a phone, and when Tony swiped the screen, he saw that there was a bank account set up in his name. He was puzzled and glanced up at Robert for an explanation.

"I have been asked to pay your grandmother's medical bills, and to give you access to the funds that have been deposited into this account," Robert said with a smile on his face.

A message dropped on the phone and when Tony swiped it up, it was his account balance balance.

As the realization hit him, Tony's voice trembled with shock and disbelief.

"Ten billion dollars," he murmured, scarcely able to believe what he was seeing.

Tony gave himself a sharp pinch on the arm, willing himself to wake up from what must surely be a dream. But the pinch brought no relief, and the phone screen remained unchanged. He was wide awake, and this was happening.