The Billionaire Heir's Replacement

5. They Left Him, Untouched

The Blackwood’s mansion was in another city.

They had to drive to the airport and flew for almost an hour, before they resumed with a car for the next hour. As Leonard looked like a super rich person, surprisingly he lived in a suburban area. The mansion itself was located on top of a hill, surrounded by miles and miles of farming land.

Haze would appreciate the beautiful view if the sun was still out. Even if they were far away from anywhere.

Simply put, the Blackwood’s mansion was closed from any public facility and people’s housing. It was a very private place with no neighbours. Maybe the rich really do live like this, Haze didn’t know.

After the farming land, they drove past green trees taller than two-story buildings for the next minutes until a high gate greeted them. It mechanically opened for them, and Haze was not surprised to find a modern-style mansion.

Old Jeremy parked the car in the front yard. Then they walk on a long, stone-paved path about three meters wide, with two long pools of flowing water on either side, casting dancing shadows from the lights above.

Strangely, Haze didn’t see any guards. For a place like this, he thought he’d see some securities here and there, or at least before the gate.

“Is Mr. Blackwood here?” he asked old Jeremy.

“You mean, your father?” Leonard’s personal assistant corrected, “He is on a business trip at the moment, but he will not be here most of the time. It’s not the main mansion.”

“No?”

“The main mansion is located in the city. Here is where Mr. Blackwood and Cassius stay when they have free time.”

“Oh.”

“Disappointed?” Old Jeremy asked back.

“No, it’s just…” Haze mumbled, “He wanted me to replace his son, but he’s not here. What’s the point?”

Old Jeremy was silent for a moment as they walked on the stone-paved path. “Perhaps you misunderstand something.”

“Huh?”

“Mr. Blackwood wants you to replace his heir’s in the meeting that will be held in three months, not to be his son for three whole months.”

“Why?”

“Because in that meeting, it is very important for the heirs to present.”

Haze’s puzzlement grew hearing that. “What kind of a meeting is it?”

“You don’t have to worry about it now. We will tell you in due time. All you need to do is follow our instructions and learn to act like Mr. Blackwood’s heir for the next three months.”

It fueled his confusion. Haze wanted to know, but he knew when to shut up. If he pushes it, they might not treat him nicely anymore. After all, he was just a person who coincidentally looked like Mr. Blackwood’s son and was forced to replace him.

“So, if I only need to be Cassius for the meeting, why call me Cassius?”

Old Jeremy didn’t bat an eye when he replied, “Because you need to immerse yourself in this role. God forbid you don’t respond when someone calls you Cassius in the meeting.”

Haze nodded, letting the subject go. However, he couldn’t help but notice that Elaine didn’t like it one bit when old Jeremy called him the name of her master. He sighed, hoping he didn’t cross her in the near future.

They reached the front door. A maid already opened it, and she welcomed them with a nod.

Inside, there were plainly expensive things and paintings hanging on the walls. If he had to be honest, the mansion looked more like an art exhibition than a place to relax, as old Jeremy told earlier.

When they climbed the stairs in the middle of the living room, he was face to face with a family portrait. Three people painted there. Leonard, a young girl, and a person who had his face. Cassius.

Haze trained his eyes on his look-alike’s features. From how his hair was a shade darker, to how his eyes were way sharper. In a glance, they both looked similar. But, up close like this–

“I don’t think I look like Cassius that much,” Haze hummed, making both personal assistants turn their heads to him.

“Obviously, Cassius was more handsome than you are,” Elaine one-sidedly concluded. Slightly surprising Haze, because she remained silent since exiting his apartment earlier that day.

“Now, now, this young man here is equally handsome, Elaine.” Old Jeremy scolded. “Besides, you have to respect your new boss.”

“I will,” Elaine responded emotionlessly, “But, not until he can impress me.”

Haze raised an eyebrow at the tone of challenge. “How can I impress you, then? By walking on the air? Slaying a dragon? Or make a thousand temples in one night?”

Instead of laughing, Elaine’s eyebrow knitted together as a downward curve appeared on her lips.

He turned his face away, mumbling, “Sorry.”

Old Jeremy shook his head and decided to move on. “Let’s go upstairs.”

They continued, and the shorter old man led them to the locked door in the corner of the second floor.

“This is your room,” Old Jeremy opened the door and beckoned Haze to enter.

Cassius’ bedroom was located on the second floor. It was spacious, with broken white and dark grey color dominating. A king-sized bed, two night drawers and bookshelves. It looked more like a very expensive hotel room, not a place lived by someone for years. It lacked personality. Maybe they moved all of his personal things away, not wanting him to break any of it.

So, the first thing Haze did was to place his precious potted plant above the bed’s headboard.

Old Jeremy and Elaine stared with strange expressions.

“Ugh, sorry, I’ll place my plant elsewhere.”

“Oh, it’s no problem, Cassius,” old Jeremy cleared his throat, “You look so similar to him, but he never brought anything home, so this room remains bare. That’s why, it’s just a little strange to see you place the plant there.”

Still, Haze shifted to take the potted plant away.

“It’s fine,” old Jeremy continued, “You can place it there. Do whatever you want in this room. Or perhaps you want me to redecorate it? Just tell me how you prefer and we'll change it in no time.”

Even if old Jeremy convinced him that it was alright, the brunette beside him gave off a bad vibe. From a glance alone, Haze could tell that Elaine wanted nothing to change in her previous master’s place.

“That’s not necessary,” Haze replied, “I’m just here for three months anyway.”

“Nonetheless, we will provide you with everything you need, or want. To be precise, Elaine here will be on your command.”

“Really?” Haze jokingly sent a glance to the brunette in question. She glared at him. “Doesn’t look that much, though.”

Old Jeremy chuckled, “She will, as long as you work hard on your lesson with her starting tomorrow.”

Haze didn’t know anything about this. “What lesson?”

“Oh, boy,” Elaine looked up at him in full challenging mode, “You don’t think replacing Cassius in three months will be an easy road, do you?”

“Ugh… not in the slightest, actually.”

“That’s right. It will be a hard, long way for you to climb tomorrow.”

“At least, tell me he’s not a mafia boss’ heir or something?”

Elaine smirked at him before turning on her heels and leaving the door.

Haze didn’t think he’d sleep that well tonight.