Chapter 3 - A New Era

Hardin had been skeptical about getting into the car with a stranger. He didn't know if he was being driven to his doom or his fortune. Either way, he was willing to take the risk.

If he was going to be taken to either Karina or Dario. He would make sure he ended their life on the spot as his revenge. After what they had done to him, they were better off dead.

“Master, we are here”

The old man, Sebastian steps out of the car and the chauffeur opens the door for Hardin. Hardin steps out and his mouth hangs open at the huge mansion standing in front of him.

Astonished, he looks over at Sebastian. Who the hell owned such a mansion? The person must be very powerful and wealthy. But what did they want with someone like him?

“This way sir”

Hardin is escorted into the large mansion. He is in awe at all the luxurious items that surround him. Spiral stairs, Gold Walls. Expensive paintings. It looked like a castle.

“Who is this person you want me to meet?”

Sebastian gestures towards a door.

“Please. Someone awaits your presence, Master”

Hardin still hadn't asked Sebastian why he had addressed him as Master. Was that just a way he was taught to address guests? Well, he ought not to feel too special or get used to it.

“Who is it?”

Whoever it was behind the two large doors must be the owner of this mansion. It made Hardin a bit nervous not knowing what to expect as Sebastian only gestured for him to get inside.

Was it a trap?

The two large doors are opened to reveal a well-polished office. Hardin steps inside and the door is shut behind him.

Sitting opposite the head of the table is a man in a suit. On sensing Hardin's presence, he abruptly stands up like he is committing a crime for sitting down all this while.

He looked a bit tensed as he walked up to Hardin and bowed.

“Hello, Mr. Hardin. Welcome”

Why was the owner of this house treating him with respect? What was going on?

Hardin sent him a confused look.

“Who are you?”

He asked bluntly while assessing the man. The man who stood before him didn't look intimidating at all wearing glasses and his suit didn't look so expensive for a wealthy man.

“I am Attorney Park. It's a pleasure to meet you”

Attorney? So he wasn't the owner of the house.

“Are you the one who requested to see me?”

Attorney Park nodded with a slight smile.

“If you may”

Attorney Paul gestured towards a seat which Hardin reluctantly moved to sit in.

“I'll cut to the chase since you must be utterly confused. Your father Mr. Richardson signed a will and left all his possessions to you”

Hardin went silent for a moment before he burst out into laughter.

“My what? Look here, Attorney Patrick”

“It's Parkl, sir”

“Whatever. I don't know what sort of prank this is or who must have hired you and the man who brought me here but I'm not falling for it. I have no parents. I've been an orphan for as long as I've lived. I think you've been mistaken”

Attorney Park sighs and adjusts his glasses.

“I know it's hard for you to believe and this might not make sense to you Mr. Hardin and I'm not in the right position to explain it all to you. Your butler Sebastian might probably have more information on it”

Butler? What nonsense was this man talking about? Hardin was starting to get annoyed.

“But I'm simply an attorney your father, Mr. Richardson worked with for years. He suddenly found out about your existence before he passed on but you were in prison and he was too sick to visit. On his orders I was able to grant you bail. Your father decided to hand it all to you before his death. I'm simply here to inform you of his will. Do you accept it?”

Everything was too much for Hardin to understand. A father? He had a father all this while? Why was he abandoned and left to suffer for all those years?

He had never even met the man they had claimed to be his father. Hardin had too many questions.

He looked up at Attorney Park with disbelief.

“How do I know this is not some sort of scam to get me to sign something that will likely put me in trouble? I've lived all my life as an orphan and now what? You expect me to believe I had a father?!!”

Hardin slams his fist on the table resulting in a flinch from Attorney Paul.

“I've had enough of this. I'm leaving”

As Hardin rises to his feet, Sebastian walks in with a worried look.

“Master. I know it may be hard to believe but it's the truth. I'll answer any questions you may have but for now please sign the contract with the Attorney before it's too late”

Hardin quirks an eyebrow at him.

“Too late for what?”

Attorney Parkl rises to his feet with a sigh.

“Too late before his mistress shows up with her son to claim it all”

Mistress? So his so-called father had a mistress? No. Hardin didn't want to know further.

The thought of losing all that wealth to someone else didn't sit right with him. Even though he didn't know anything about his father, he didn't want to miss an opportunity to acquire all that wealth.

Hardin looks at Attorney Park and nods slowly.

“Okay. I'll sign it”

Hardin reads over the document before signing it. Park sends him a small smile.

“Congratulations. You are now the heir of Mr Richardson”

Attorney Park shakes hands with Hardin.

“Please feel free to come to me if you need any help”

He drops his card on the desk and walks away after bowing to Hardin.

Sebastian walks up to Hardin with a black card.

“Master. This belongs to you”

Hardin could never have dreamed of touching a black card but he had it in his hands now. It all felt surreal.

“Master, please let me know whatever you need or want to know. I will be here to assist you in any way I can however, I think you should meet your secretary”

Secretary? Things were already moving so fast.

A woman dressed in a black suit wearing red lipstick walks in, the sound of her heels clicking against the floor and her silky black hair in a tight bun.

She was so beautiful that Hardin couldn't help but stare.

“Hello. Mr Richardson. My name is Layla Hart and just like your father had arranged, I will be your secretary. Please feel free to ask me for whatever you please”

An Attorney? A butler and a secretary?

Hardin couldn't believe such good things had awaited him. He walks over to the seat at the office and gently sits down.

It all belonged to him. Everything and he wasn't going to put it all to waste. Hardin smiles.

“I’ll give you your first assignment Layla”

Layla looks up at Hardin with anticipation swirling in her blue eyes.

“Yes sir”

“Get me as much information you can on Karina Hamilton and Dario Scott”