When the Loser Became rich heir

CHAPTER 2

Chapter Two

Luca watched Isabella's retreating figure disappear into the elevator, her words echoing in his mind. Suspended all payments. A bitter smile twisted his lips. If his mother died today, she wouldn't need medication anymore, would she? The dark irony wasn't lost on him.

Isabella didn't even glance back. Alessandro, however, turned his head just before the elevator doors closed, flashing Luca a smile so venomous it could have curdled milk. The security guards released Luca's arms, leaving him kneeling on the cold marble floor like discarded trash.

He had three hours. Maybe four if his mother was lucky.

Luca's fingers flew across his phone screen, scrolling through every contact he had. His college roommate, David. Call declined. His former coworker from the warehouse, Steven. Straight to voicemail. His cousin in Nevada, Robert.

"Hello?"

"Robert, it's Luca. I know we haven't talked in a while, but—"

"Oh, Luca. Yeah, man, I heard you married into that rich family. How's that going?" Robert's tone was already guarded.

"I need to borrow money. It's an emergency. My mother needs surgery and—"

"Whoa, wait. Borrow? Dude, I'm barely making rent. Besides, aren't you living in some penthouse now? Ask your rich wife."

"She won't—"

"Look, I gotta go. Good luck, man." The line went dead.

Luca tried fifteen more numbers. Fifteen more rejections. Some people were apologetic. Most were suspicious. One old friend, Thomas, laughed outright.

"You want a hundred grand? From me? What are you on, Luca? I drive a Honda with 200,000 miles on it. You're living the high life with the Benedettis, and you're calling me for money? That's rich. Or wait—you're the one who's rich now, right? Except you're not, are you? You're just the kept man who doesn't even have access to his own wife's money. That's pathetic, dude."

Click.

Luca stared at his phone, his reflection ghostlike in the black screen. Pathetic. The word lodged in his chest like a bullet.

Memorial Hospital's fluorescent lights hummed overhead as Luca gripped Dr. Martinez's white coat.

"Please," Luca begged, his voice hoarse. "Just do the surgery. I'll pay you back. I swear on my life, I'll find a way—"

Dr. Martinez, a gray-haired man with tired eyes, gently removed Luca's hands. "Mr. Moretti, I wish I could help. I really do. But hospital policy is non-negotiable. Without payment authorization, I can't take your mother into surgery."

"She'll die!"

"I know." Dr. Martinez's expression was pained. "And I'm sorry. But if I break protocol, I lose my medical license. I have a family too."

Luca stumbled backward, his vision blurring. The hospital corridor stretched endlessly in both directions, white and sterile and utterly hopeless. He collapsed into a plastic chair in the waiting room, his head in his hands.

The television mounted on the wall droned on, some news program he wasn't paying attention to. His mother had maybe two hours left. Two hours, and he was completely powerless—

"—unprecedented breakthrough in artificial intelligence technology," the news anchor was saying. "Galaxy Tech Corporation, once dismissed as a fraudulent startup, has shocked the world by not only delivering on its promises but exceeding all expectations—"

Luca's head snapped up.

On the screen, a sleek corporate logo rotated: Galaxy Tech. A stock ticker rolled across the bottom: GLTX - $247.50 ▲ 2,847%

"The company went public this morning at a staggering valuation," the anchor continued. "What's reAlessandroable is that after years of silence, most early investors withdrew their funds. Only one person maintained their stake—an 80% shareholding that is now worth an estimated 100 billion dollars. The identity of this mystery investor remains unknown..."

Galaxy Tech.

The name hit Luca like a lightning bolt. Seven years ago, fresh out of college, idealistic and stupid, he'd read their crowdfunding pitch. Help us build the future. He'd invested $500—money he couldn't afford to lose but had been moved by their sincerity.

Then his mother got sick. The bills piled up. He'd forgotten entirely about that investment.

Luca's hands trembled as he pulled out his phone. Could it be—?

The phone rang, an unknown number with a Manhattan area code.

"H-hello?" His voice cracked.

"Is this Luca Moretti?" A professional female voice, crisp and businesslike.

"Yes."

"Mr. Moretti, this is Catherine Williams from Galaxy Tech Corporation. I'm calling to inform you that as our sole remaining shareholder with an 80% stake, you have officially been appointed Chairman of the Board. Additionally, all accumulated dividends from the past seven years have just been transferred to your account—a total of 3.5 billion dollars. Congratulations, Mr. Chairman."

The phone nearly slipped from Luca's numb fingers. "What?"

"The funds should appear in your account momentarily. A full briefing package is being couriered to you as we speak. Welcome to Galaxy Tech, sir."

The call ended.

Luca stared at his phone, his heart hammering against his ribs. A notification popped up:

STAR BANK - ACCOUNT ALERT

 Your account ending in 7392 has received a transfer of $3,500,000,000.00 from Galaxy Tech Corporation. Current balance: $3,500,000,127.43

The waiting room spun. Luca gripped the armrest of his chair, his breath coming in short gasps.

Three and a half billion dollars.

He was holding 100 billion in stock

.

And Isabella had just denied him $100,000.