From Pathetic Loser To A Potent Legend

Chapter 008: Heir to the Hayes' fortune

The moment Gilbert stepped out of the Astor mansion, disbelief hit him like a sledgehammer. How could they? Their treatment of him was nothing short of cruel, like a nightmare he never thought he’d endure.

They had used him. Vivienne and her family acted like Gilbert's sacrifices meant nothing. He gave everything to Vivienne, and what did he get in return? Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

This was how the rich treated the poor, wasn’t it? Like trash. Like he didn’t even matter. The more he thought about it, the more his regret and anger deepened. He had sacrificed so much for her, and now he was left with nothing but the bitter taste of betrayal.

As the thought seeped in more, Gilbert's panic grew. Leaving the house meant more than just leaving his wife. It meant losing everything as he had no shelter, no backup plan.

Where would he go? Once Megan was discharged, where would they live? The weight of it all pressed down on him. He had no answers, no clue what his next move should be. This wasn’t just a blow. It was his entire life falling apart.

But then, he remembered the envelope Callie Reed had given him, realizing he hadn’t followed up on it yet.

Now determined to act, Gilbert slipped his hand into his pocket, checking for any loose change, enough to board a taxi to the Plaza Hotel.

Eventually, Gilbert arrived at the Plaza Hotel, urgency coursing through him. The building loomed above him, a towering skyscraper with gleaming windows. As he stepped into the grand lobby, he made his way to the reception desk, nerves creeping in.

"I’m here to see Mr. Hoffman, CEO of Hoffman Corp,” Gilbert said, trying to sound confident.

The receptionist gave him a quick once-over, her expression slightly skeptical. “Do you have an appointment or credentials, sir?” she asked, her tone professional but guarded.

Gilbert faltered for a second. “Uh, no, but it’s important. He knows me.”

He could tell this wasn’t going to be easy but, after all, it wasn’t common for someone to just walk in and ask to see a billionaire without some sort of clearance.

The receptionist paused, clearly accustomed to people trying to meet high-profile figures. “I’m sorry, but without an appointment, I can’t allow you through. Mr. Hoffman’s schedule is very tight.”

Just as Gilbert was about to leave in frustration, a well-dressed man, who seemed to recognize him, approached. “Are you Mr. Gilbert Hayes?" the man asked with a slight bow.

“Uh, yeah, I am,” Gilbert replied, surprised.

The man smiled and motioned for Gilbert to follow him. “Mr. Hoffman is expecting you. Please, follow me to the presidential suite.”

Stunned, Gilbert trailed the man through the lavish hallways until they reached the top floor. As they approached the entrance to the presidential suite, the doors swung open to reveal a luxurious space that left him breathless. It was unlike anything he had ever experienced.

Mr. Hoffman stood by the window, looking out over the city. He turned as Gilbert entered, a smile spreading across his face. “Ah, young master Hayes, welcome.”

Gilbert’s heart skipped a beat. “Young master?” This was the second time he had been called that, and it left him feeling confused and slightly unnerved.

Mr. Hoffman gave him a knowing smile, but Gilbert wasn’t having it. He quickly shifted gears, trying to regain some control of the conversation. "Look, I’m here because of Callie Reed. She told me to come see you. But what I don’t understand is why you paid my sister’s hospital bills. But….. We don’t even know each other.”

Mr. Hoffman’s face shifted, his smile fading just slightly, as if preparing for this moment. "Ah, yes. Callie," he muttered, then sighed. "I was none too pleased with her, you know. She should’ve brought you to me when she first met you. It would’ve cost her a job if you hadn’t shown up now."

Gilbert sighed, startled by how serious Mr. Hoffman sounded. "Uh, why would she lose her job over me?" he asked in surprise.

Mr. Hoffman leaned back slightly, crossing his arms. "Because, Gilbert," he began, his voice dropping lower, "I’ve been looking for you for over five years.”

"What do you mean you’ve been looking for me?" Gilbert’s breath caught in his throat.

Mr. Hoffman walked straight up to a nearby refrigerator to grab a canned drink for Gilbert, his tone becoming more businesslike but still carrying a personal edge. "Your grandfather, Gilbert. He put a lot of pressure on me to find you and made me promise I’d do whatever I could to take care of you when the time came.”

He muttered in disbelief. "My… grandfather? I don’t understand. I’ve never even met him."

"You may not have known him, but he sure knew about you," Mr. Hoffman responded.

Unimpressed, Gilbert shot an angry look at Mr. Hoffman. "So why now? After all these years? Where was he when I needed help? Why does he suddenly care about finding me?!"

Mr. Hoffman took a deep breath as he revealed, “Gilbert, you’re now the heir to the Hayes family wealth.”

His eyes narrowed, disbelief and anger flashing across his face. "What? So what? That doesn’t change anything! If I’d known earlier, maybe none of this suffering and maltreatment would’ve happened!"

His voice rose, frustration boiling over. “If my grandfather had found me, I wouldn’t be dealing with my wife’s betrayal or the mess with the Astor family! This is ridiculous!”

Mr. Hoffman stepped forward, trying to calm him. "Listen, your grandfather wants to meet you. He’s ready to explain everything….. Just stay calm, okay?"

Gilbert shook his head defiantly. “No! I’m not visiting him! It's too late.”

Mr. Hoffman leaned in, urgency lacing his voice as he slumped onto a nearby couch. “You don’t understand, Gilbert. This could change you and Megan’s lives, you know. Your grandfather wants to make things right, and that time has come. Just embrace your reunion and make yourself happy.”

“Make things right?” Gilbert yelled a taunt, a bitter laugh escaping him. “Where was he when I donated one of my kidneys to keep my mother alive, only for her to die anyway? Where was he when the Astor family treated me like garbage, despite all I sacrificed to save their daughter? Now they have ruined my life! I signed a ten-year contract to become a slave!”

Nodding in understanding, Mr. Hoffman held Gilbert’s gaze. “Well, I won’t provide a reason for your abandonment. That’s something your grandfather should explain himself.”

He then reached for a glass of wine beside the couch, sipping gently. “It’s now up to you to determine your fate.”