CHAPTER 6

The black sedan slowed to a halt before an impressive golden gate. 

Max pressed his face against the window, his eyes tracing the ornate "Montgomery" inscription that gleamed in the afternoon sun.

"Is this really the place?" Max whispered to his companion.

"Indeed, sir," Harrison replied, lowering his window as a security guard approached.

"Good afternoon," the guard said crisply. "Identification and clearance papers, please."

Harrison handed over a thick envelope. "We're expected. Mr. Max is here to see Mr. Montgomery."

Max watched nervously as three different guards scrutinized their papers. Finally, the head guard nodded.

"Everything appears to be in order. Welcome to Montgomery Estate, sir," he said, stepping back as the massive gates began to swing open.

"This is insane," Max muttered, his eyes widening as they drove through. "I've never seen anything like this."

Harrison chuckled. "Wait until you see the rest of it, sir."

As they rounded the curved driveway, Max's jaw dropped. A magnificent fountain dominated the central courtyard, its crystal-clear water dancing in the sunlight. 

Perfectly manicured gardens stretched in every direction, dotted with classical sculptures that looked like they belonged in a museum.

"Holy... I mean, wow," Max stammered. "People actually live here?"

"The Montgomery family has resided here for generations," Harrison answered. He opened Max car's door with practiced grace. "Please, follow me."

Max stepped out, suddenly very conscious of his worn jeans and second-hand jacket. "I'm not sure I belong here, Harrison."

"Mr. Montgomery specifically requested your presence," Harrison replied, leading him up the marble steps. "He's been quite anxious to meet you."

"But why me?" Max asked, his footsteps echoing in the grand entrance hall. "I'm nobody special."

Harrison's eyes twinkled mysteriously. "I believe Mr. Montgomery will explain everything himself."

They walked through corridors lined with oil paintings and antique furniture that Max was afraid to even breathe near. Finally, they stopped before a heavy wooden door.

"Mr. Montgomery is waiting inside his study," Harrison said softly. "Are you ready, sir?"

Max swallowed hard. "To be honest? Not really."

"If I may say so," Harrison offered kindly, "sometimes the most important moments in our lives come when we least feel ready for them."

"That's... actually pretty deep," Max managed a weak smile.

"I have my moments," Harrison replied with a slight bow. He knocked on the door. "Sir? Young Mr. Max has arrived."

A tired voice responded from within. "Send him in."

Max's hand trembled slightly as he reached for the doorknob. Harrison gave him an encouraging nod.

"Thanks," Max whispered to the butler. Taking a deep breath, he squared his shoulders and pushed open the door, stepping into whatever destiny awaited him on the other side.

Harrison watched the young man enter the study, a satisfied smile playing at his lips. 

The study was warm and dimly lit, smelling of old books and leather.

 Behind a massive mahogany desk sat an elderly man, his silver hair neatly combed, poring over a stack of documents.

"Um, hello?" Max ventured hesitantly.

The old man looked up, his eyes sharp despite his age. For a long moment, he just stared at Max, his hands trembling slightly as he removed his reading glasses.

"It's really you," he whispered, rising slowly from his chair. "After all these years..."

Max shifted uncomfortably. "I'm sorry, but I don't understand why I'm—"

Before he could finish, the old man had crossed the room with surprising agility and pulled him into a tight embrace. Max stiffened, caught off guard by the sudden display of affection.

"Look at you," the old man said, his voice thick with emotion. "You have your father's eyes, you know. And your mother's chin."

"My... my parents?" Max stammered, taking a step back. "You knew them?"

"Please, sit down," the old man gestured to a leather armchair. "I'm Richard Montgomery, and yes, I knew your parents very well. Especially your father – he was my son."

Max sank into the chair, his mind reeling. "That's impossible. I grew up in foster care. I don't have any family."

"But you do," Richard insisted, his eyes glistening. "You have me. And this entire estate... it's all yours by right."

"Mine?" Max looked down at his worn clothes. "But I'm nobody. I work at a convenience store. I can barely make rent."

Richard reached across and gripped Max's hand. "None of that matters. You're my grandson, and you're the rightful heir to the Montgomery fortune."

"This has to be a mistake," Max shook his head. "Things like this don't happen in real life."

"I know it's overwhelming," Richard said softly.

 "But I've spent years searching for you. After your parents' accident... well, there were complications. By the time I located you in the system, you'd already been placed with a foster family."

"Why now?" Max asked, his voice barely above a whisper. "Why look for me now?"

Richard's expression grew serious. 

"Because I'm not getting any younger, and I needed to make things right. You deserve to know who you are, where you come from. You deserve your birthright."

"I don't know the first thing about being... whatever this is," Max gestured vaguely at the opulent surroundings.

"You'll learn," Richard smiled warmly. "You're a Montgomery. It's in your blood."

Max ran his hands through his hair, trying to process everything. 

"This morning I was worried about making my rent payment, and now you're telling me I'm heir to... all this?"