Bella continued.
“Isn’t it obvious that you and I are from distant worlds? And by the way, I’m with Benedict now.” She flipped her hair.
After a few moments of silence provoked by shock, Henry spoke. “I can see it’s because of the money.” He then let out a bitter laugh.
Bella giggled. “If you had any of that then maybe this wouldn’t have happened. I can’t pretend. I don’t want to be with a low life like you, Henry,” She said.
On his part, Henry had dreaded that this day would come because he always thought that their relationship wouldn’t last. After she agreed to be his girlfriend, Bella had warned him to keep it discreet, and as far as he was concerned, only Daisy was aware of their relationship.
Henry stared at the phone and pressed his lips to a thin line. He sighed and pondered about blaming Bella.
Who would want to date a scavenger? He thought. The ridicule must have got to her and maybe she couldn’t bear it anymore.
He looked at her in disbelief.
Bella folded her arms across her chest. “I have no regrets.”
Then the name Benedict wavered in his mind. Bella had just mentioned him as her replacement for him.
In an instant, Bella vanished.
Everyone at school knew Benedict and in his department, students always wanted to hover around him because he was the richest guy in the Arts department. His family had a lot of money and Benedict used every opportunity to show off.
Benedict was known all over Marylyn University and his middle name could be swapped with Playboy.
Henry was disappointed that Bella chose Benedict because as far as he was concerned, Benedict would cheat on her.
Benedict had a collection of exotic cars and he hops from one girlfriend to the other. He had never kept one girlfriend for a month and the girls were cool with it. Lots of girls on Marylyn’s campus would do anything to date Benedict for 24 hours.
Henry moved to the blue wall and rested his back against it. He thought about the promises Bella made to him. She said she wasn’t going to leave him and he was convinced that she loved him.
For the past few days, he had been working hard to earn so he could surprise her but now, he couldn’t help but see her as a vain woman.
“Fine!” he muttered under his breath, embracing his circumstance. It was better to find out now than later he told himself. He consoled himself with the fact that Bella was not worthy of his undying love.
He then clenched his jaw in irritation and was about to storm out when Daisy came running to the scene.
Daisy, who was aware of the breakup after Bella told her about her decision that morning noticed the heartbroken Henry. She walked up to him. “I’m sorry.”
Daisy was Bella’s best friend. She a kind girl. She believes no one deserves to be tricked and that emotions are not something to play with.
“It’s not your fault okay? Don’t beat yourself at it.” Daisy spoke calmly.
Henry didn’t respond or turn to look at her. He stormed out.
He then traced his way to the back of the dormitory and settled on an empty bench. No one was there. He stared at the phone in his hand and was soon lost in thoughts.
Henry found himself agreeing with the concept that it was impossible to be loved without money. He sighed and felt his pants pocket. There was a sim card he had been carrying around for years. Whenever he swapped clothes, he ensured the sim card was with him.
The SIM card was a valuable possession to Henry.
He broke off the seal and pulled out the SIM card then placed it inside the phone.
Immediately after the sim card came on, messages began to pop in and Henry was stunned.
He concluded that the messages were from the telecommunication company because it felt like ages since he used the sim card.
Then, his senses were jarred by a particular text message. It wasn’t from the communication company.
Henry arched a brow and read the text with astonishment and then, he read it again.
The text read. The family member Henry Parker who is 21 years old today is worthy of his inheritance. His inheritance would be handed over to him from today or 1 month after notification at the City bank in Number 9 Walmart Avenue. If he exceeds the time limit by default, he will delay his right to the inheritance or forfeit it, and starting today, he has the right to apply for unconditional support from the family. Please note that this opportunity cannot be transferred to any other heir.
The familiar commanding tone and the old-fashioned style of communication that was embedded in the text message made Henry feel nostalgic.
He wasn’t sure if any member of the family still remembers him.
He left six years ago.
This was one of the surprises he had planned to give Bella at his 21st birthday dinner. It was the surprise that would make people speechless and wonder how his fate suddenly turned. Unfortunately, Bella won’t have access to the surprise.
Henry Parker was not poor. He was simply living by the family rule.
According to the Parker family rule, all members of the family had to leave at the age of 15. They had to live independently for 6 years without any help from the family. There was no exception and if one survives, they will be granted access to their inheritance.
The Parker family possessed an immeasurable amount of wealth and just 1% of it could turn one’s life around. The Parker Financial Group was a renowned name in the city. However, the Parkers were living in a world ordinary people could not see or touch.
They deal with big and small countries across the globe and are always handy to help struggling economies.
In terms of wealth, Parker’s financial group could buy one-third of the earth. One percent of the Parker’s wealth belongs to Henry now that he has clocked 21 and according to the family rule, the inheritance could be invested or used by the owner depending on what Henry chooses to do with his money. What matters now is that it was his time.
Henry could choose not to work and spend his money on a lavish lifestyle. His inheritance could last for the rest of his life. In fact, there were certain heirs in the Parker family across several generations who chose not to work but lived a lavish lifestyle for the rest of their lives.However, the elders noticed that the family tradition was fading because instead of working hard to expand the empire, some of the heirs chose to squander their wealth so a new order was instilled.A competition was initiated among the heirs to determine who would be the head of the family in every generation of the Parker family for a fixed time and successors had the right to compete for a reelection.The criterion that one must fulfill to become the head of the family is to use his inheritance to generate high value so the person who invests his wealth and generates more value is made supreme heir. Henry had considered this before leaving home.Henry has two competitions in the family that is if he
Stacey concluded that even if Henry wanted to keep a low profile with the kind of money he was claiming to have, he wouldn’t be dressed in those rags.“Are you telling me your assets are worth 100 million dollars?” Stacey demanded in disbelief. Henry shook his head. “100 million is too little. It should be around 10 billion at least.”10 billion was what the other heirs got each. Stacey was rendered speechless. Henry said nothing.She sighed after a brief moment of silence and palmed her forehead. “There must be a limit to making this up don’t you think?”Henry wanted to speak but Stacey didn’t let him for she had begun to rant.“How many people will dare to say they have 1oo million dollars and then here you are, claiming to have about 10 billion?”Henry sighed. There was no point arguing with Stacey. After all, she wasn’t the first person to look down on him. He simply raised his head and began to roll his eyes around the reception then his gaze was fixated on the door with the VI
“Of course.” Mr. Falls stated firmly.“I want to initiate a transaction for the transfer of assets and I would love to withdraw some cash,” Henry said. “Also, I’ll need responses because I’ve got some questions to ask. This is my first time doing this.” He added.Mr. Falls arched a brow. “And how much in total are we talking about?”Henry cocked his head. “I think 10 billion dollars.”Mr. Falls sprung from his chair. It was the second time he had done that. The first time was when he saw the voucher. He began to stammer.“10 billion? Mr. Parker that’s way above our pay grade and since the inception of this bank, I’m not sure if a transaction has occurred.”Henry said nothing.“Why don’t you give me a moment?” Mr. Falls requested and quickly pulled out his phone from one of the table cabinets. “Let me give the CEO a call.”Henry nodded in agreement. Mr. Falls stood up and quickly dashed out.Meanwhile, Stacey was holding a small tray with a cup of coffee on it and was headed towards Mr
Henry couldn’t hide his excitement. “Uncle Nate!” he kept calling out. He felt so happy to see someone very close to him after a lot of years.“Why are you here?” Henry asked. He knew that the Parkers and their allies don’t just see up anywhere except there was an exception.Nate Parker has been Henrys fathers’ steward for 27 years. It was after Henry parent’s suddenly died that he resigned and left the family. Henry was one of the few people that felt strongly toward him.“I’m now the CEO of the City Bank Marylyn branch,” Nate revealed with a smile.Henry was astonished.Nate winked. “Young man, I guess you must be wondering how an old man like me became the President of City Bank.”Henry didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. He had fond memories of Nate as a kind person and now that he was old, Henry could decipher from his consistent winks that he still doesn’t take things seriously just like old times.Henry sat up. “Uncle Nate, I’m very curious but I don’t know if it’s convenient
Nate looked strangely at Henry. “You think that’s a lot?”Henry was rendered speechless.“Did you know that your father inherited the same amount as you?” Nate supplied. “That was like 20 years ago.” He added.When Henry thought about it, he realized that his father was a lucky man because about 30 billion dollars about 20 years ago was a lot of money compared to his time now that the dollar had depreciated.Henry sighed.Nate moved closer to him. “You know why I say the family is stingy? The value of this inheritance should have increased over time but it didn’t. Nevertheless, your father was a generous man.”Henry looked up at him. “Uncle Nate, what do you mean by that?”“You must know that the wealth of the Parker family belongs to the family and as for those who died, their wealth will be used as a startup capital for the next generation,” Nate said. Henry was paying keen attention.“If those who inherit the wealth start their own business and succeed, they can control their mon
Stacey grinned. “Mr. Parker, what a coincidence. We meet again.”Henry stared at her intently. He realized that she was no longer wearing the long skirt and silk shirt she had earlier. She was now wearing a British suit with a mini skirt. She had even applied a light makeup and for a moment, Henry found her quite attractive.While Henry was yet to give her a response, Stacey moved closer to him, maintaining a sheepish grin. “Did you drive here? If not, I can give you a ride home.”Henry was speechless.Stacey continued. “You know, it’s such a coincidence that I had just closed for the day and it’s obvious you’ve been waiting here for a cab for quite a while so hop in and let me drop you off.”“Did you say coincidence?” Henry finally spoke. He cracked a smile and then the thought of Bella wavered in his mind. He found both women compatible because they had proven that their actions could be shaped by the power of money.Stacey began to fondle her pinky finger while licking her lips sli
The more Henry went through the messages. The more infuriated he was. Soon, more messages began flooding in. In a flash, Henry stood up and kicked the stool facing his bed.He had endured their demeaning comments for too long. They had gotten too far this time.Was that how they took advantage of his inactivity in the group to gossip about him? Wondered Henry.He kept restraining himself from reading the messages but again. Benedict was typing and Henry wanted to read what he wrote.Benedict finally dropped the message and it read: while you guys eat and drink, Bella and I will go to one of the hotel rooms and have fun. Is Henry there?While Henry’s rage heightened, he saw another message in the group and this time, the message was from Bella. As if she knew he was reading the messages, Bella wrote under Benedict’s message.That’s right Henry. Benedict and I are off to have fun. You can’t compare to him anyway.Henry felt his heart shredding into pieces. While his eyes burned with fur
With his head held high, Henry took graceful steps into the hall. All eyes were flung on him and when the audience noticed the dame beside him, tongues began to wag. Meanwhile, Stacy’s arm was tucked right around Henry’s. She was holding onto him tightly to prove to the crowd that her relationship with him wasn’t platonic. Murmurs began to fly through every corner of the room. “Is that his girlfriend?”“She’s so damn hot!”“Where did Henry get such a beauty from?”When Henry was approaching Benedict, the whole room fell silent. Everyone had understood that there was about to be a battle between Benedict and Henry. Benedict broke into a dry laugh and cast a contemptuous look at Henry. Henry held up his malicious stare and reciprocated the look. As the boys kept staring at each other with fury in their eyes, the crowd couldn’t help but compare Bella’s beauty to Stacey’s. If Bella’s skin was as bright as the sun and her beauty was as blinding, Stacey’s skin glowed and could illumin