Five

The man's words rang a bell in his head. Young master of the Fredrick family? Now, he was certain that Richard had mistaken him for someone else. To the best of his knowledge, he was an orphan who grew up in an orphanage. No one adopted him and when he was eighteen years old, he left the orphanage to fend for himself. It was in one of his work places that he met Bruce Kent, whom he finally married his granddaughter. He was thrown out of the house in the rainy night and ended up in an uncompleted building. How then did he suddenly become a young master?

“We have been searching for you for many years but got no positive answer. When I learnt that there was a Fredrick in the Kent family, I hurried there but I was told that you left. For fear of my master, because I couldn't report to him that I lost again, I searched for you and finally found you. I'm sincerely sorry for not doing so earlier. Let's go home. The master will be waiting eagerly for you.”

The door was opened for him and he got in. 

He waited for the man to do a proper verification, open the door and kick him out saying,

“You dumbass. It's not you we are looking for.” But that didn't happen. Instead, they car drove steadily and stopped in front of a mansion. On the mighty gates was the inscriptions, FREDRICK.

After series of advanced security checks, the car made its way past the gates and into the large and beautiful compound. What lay beyond the gates was a mansion that was indescribably great. The whole mansion screamed opulence and luxury. There was a garden with flowers that smelt lovely and a beautiful fountain stood in the middle of the mansion. The walkways were carefully mapped out and the design was superb. 

The door was again opened for him and he stepped out. Richard led him into the mansion and all the servants bowed low as he approached. 

“This way, young master. That's the master's study. He's waiting for you.”

Richard knocked and opened the door saying,

“After you, young master.”

Jake steeped forward and entered the room. 

“Good morning, Master. The young master is here,” Richard said, bowed and left the study. 

Jake looked at the master in front of him and he was taken aback. He expected him to be pompous but he was a simple old man. His study also played a role in revealing his simplicity. 

The room had warm golden light, spilling in through the windows that overlooked the garden. The walls were adorned with exquisite works of art, showcasing the man's love for art. 

A stately mahogany desk was at one end of the room and a high backed leather chair sat behind the desk, it's cushions adorned with gold threads and the arms silver studs. The shelves that lined the wall were packed with valuable books and a crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, adding colour to the warm golden glow in the room. The room was a masterclass in luxury yet, it's simplicity was pronounced. 

The old man who sat behind the desk stood up and walked up to Jake. 

“Is this really you, my son?”

Jake swallowed some saliva, unsure of what to answer the old man. He reached for Jake's collar and pulled his shirt down a bit, revealing a birthmark. 

“It's you, Jake. It's you, my son,” he cried and hugged Jake closely. 

“I'm sorry for what you've had to go through dear son. I promise you this day, it is all in the past and you will get even more than the life you deserve!”

Ashley Frederick invited him to sit down. 

“I'm happy that you are here now, flesh and blood. I'm sure you are wondering what is going on. I'll tell you, listen to me. Your father is Jasper Frederick and he was the heir to Fredrick group of companies. But he lost his life in an accident and his corpse was recovered but yours wasn't. As his son, you were to be the next heir, even if you were very little then. I searched for you everywhere but you had vanished. I didn't give up, son. No. I never forgot you for one day until providence brought you home. I'm sorry it took twenty long years to find you.”

“Sir, you mean my father is the heir to the company and as his offspring, the companies mine now?”

“Oh son. Call me grandfather. There's no need to be too formal. Yes, you are his heir and the new CEO of Fredrick group of companies.”

Jake nodded. 

“Fredrick group of companies? I haven't really heard much about them.”

“Yes, maybe, but that's because it is a conglomerate. I'll show you something.”

Ashley opened his drawers and took out a clean sheet of paper. 

“Here are some of the companies under the conglomerate. There are so many, I'll give you the files when you must have rested and settled down.”

Jake took the paper from him and studied it. 

“You must have heard about many of these companies. They are very popular.”

Of course, Jake had heard of them. 

Mangrove grills, Aurora weaves, Jekson's automobiles even Winter's Enterprise which belonged to Vincent's father were all under his conglomerate. 

“Congratulations, son. Thank you for coming back to take your possession. You are now the new CEO and heir of this business. I've worked so hard and tirelessly, waiting for you to come and take over and now you are here.”

“What's the net worth of the conglomerate?”

Ashley laughed softly and said, 

“The networth keeps increasing by tens of thousands everyday.”

Jake nodded. This simply meant that the money was limitless. 

“I've transferred some pocket money to your bank account. It's a little sum, but more is coming. I'll have your platinum card arranged in few minutes.”

Jake's phone made a noise and he checked the message. It was from his bank and he had just received 100 million dollars from his grandfather. Did he call 100 million a little sum? 

Just a few hours ago, he was a poor man with no roof over his head. Now, he controlled a conglomerate and had 100 million dollars in his bank account. He was in for more surprises as his grandfather wasn't done yet. In no time, he would have all it takes to make everyone who looked down on his bow at his feet!