The Formidable Heir

TWO CHOICES

Lucian's mouth falls open and his eyes dilate. His eyeballs are almost popping out of their sockets and his heart is jackhammering against his chest.

Is he now hallucinating in broad daylight? Has it gotten to that extent? He can't believe what he's hearing and seeing.

"No, I'm sure I'm dreaming," he laughs out crazily and shakes his head.

He's only an orphan who grew up in an orphanage home.

How then can he suddenly become this anonymous old man's young master?

Whatever that means, he doesn't know. He is too shocked and perplexed to even start thinking about it.

"Sorry, sir, but I don't know you and I don't think you know me because if you did, you won't bow to me and call me whatever it is you just called me. Since you are still here, then that means I'm not hallucinating.

"But I'm guessing you're mistaking me for someone else. Did a member of your family or the family you work for get lost? And what exactly do you mean by 'young master?'"

The old man raises his head but does not look Lucian in the eyes, as if he is afraid of doing so. "I doubt I'm wrong, young master. I doubt it.

"Let me begin by introducing myself; my name is Chad Kennedy, and I work as the chief butler for the Hutton family in Washington, D.C. With a net worth of more than $500 billion, the Hutton family is the world's richest family.

"Long ago, exactly nineteen years now, the Hutton family lost her heir. A very cute baby boy. It was an extremely tragic incident.

"The young heir was taken on an outing by his mum when he was barely a year old.

"She had left him at a safe spot to hastily go get something, but by the time she returned, he had suddenly vanished.

"She cried, shouted, and ran hither and thither, begging security and her personal bodyguards to find her son, asking anyone and everyone if they saw him, but no one did, not even security because the CCTV cameras had gone off exactly when he went missing and those at the respective entrances were too busy taking care of people walking in to care about a baby.

"That playground with restaurant combined was immediately closed down by my master, the boy's father, and all of the security and personal bodyguards were fired and jailed as my master blamed everything on them!

"But that didn't cure the aches in the hearts of everyone. Since that day, the Hutton family has been beset by tragedy.

"My master has been tirelessly looking for his son for the past nineteen years. He has searched every nook and cranny, turned Washington, D.C., and every other state in the United States and far beyond upside down, but there was no trace of him.

"However, last night, the Huttons breathed new air. A girl had made a post about a young boy. At a glance at the picture of the young boy attached to the post, my master declared without a doubt that he has finally found his son!

"At first, we thought he was joking, but after further investigation, we discovered that the young boy was indeed his son, our young master and the Hutton family's heir!

"That post I'm talking about was made by one Laura Bush against a young man named Lucian Wood. You, young master.

"You are the Huttons' lost baby from nineteen years ago. You are the heir to the Hutton family. Our young master. Lucas Hutton is your real name. However, because you are already carrying Lucian, your father, my master has decided to let you keep it as he likes it. Your new name is Lucian Hutton and you are the son of the world's richest man and family!"

Lucian is dumbfounded. How? He can't believe it. As much as the story is kinda relating to him because Laura indeed made that post, he is still finding it very hard to believe.

What if the old man is mistaken? What if he will soon realize it? Can someone really change drastically in just the blink of an eye? Can this truly be real? Nah, he can't believe it.

"I believe you should know that I'm not lying now that I've told you everything, young master. Since that is settled, I'm pleased to inform you that your father, Mr. Michael Hutton, has prepared a gift for you," without giving Lucian time to process what he has already said, the old man drops yet another bomb.

This throws Lucian off balance once more. He can tell the old man is serious by looking at him. But he just finds it hard to believe the truth. He can't find it in him to accept that he is actually the son of such a rich man.

He's called himself an orphan his entire life and has grown accustomed to it. It has taught him everything he knows, including how to do everything himself, which he has done so far.

He is so afraid of believing this and in the end, it turns out to be a lie. He doesn't know how he will feel if that turns out to be the case.

"It's so difficult to believe. Extremely difficult," he murmurs to himself and glides his hand through his hair.

Lucian's thoughts and feelings are understood by Chad. It must have been difficult for the poor boy to grow up on his own and go through all of life's heartbreaking crises.

And then, seemingly out of nowhere, an old man tells him who he truly is. He knows it's a lot for Lucian to take in.

And he desperately wants to get away from Lucian so he can think it over and come around. But now is not the time for such.

He clears his throat and taps his foot softly on the ground. "I wish I could leave you to your thoughts and let you decide whether to believe me or not, young master, but I can't.

"One of your father's most important companies is in a complicated situation. It is experiencing a serious crisis and your father requires your assistance.

"But he also told me to give you two choices because he doesn't want you to think you're being forced to help. The first choice is that he will offer you $10 million, which you will accept as your inheritance, and he will refuse to admit that you are his son.

"The second choice is that you work as the CEO of a company he would provide in this city. He intends to purchase the company you will be working in. So, what is your choice? You are not permitted to think it over. You must make your decision right now."