Blake kept the paper aside and emitted into a disbelieving laughter. He was amused, astonished, and skeptical.
His mother's dementia must have chipped in for her to think that they are wealthy. She didn't think of writing a small company's name but Gold Corp, the best in the world? What a parody!
How is he the owner of such a company? If anything, they have been feeding from hand to mouth since their mother was alive, she was prominently not from a wealthy family either.
He picked up the glistening gold-plated necklace. It looked new and shiny as though it was made today, Blake scrutinized it, he needn't be told that it cost a lot.
With the necklace in his hand, he speculated the likelihood of what was written there being true, although he couldn't bring himself to acknowledge that.
Blake picked up the paper and neatly tucked it in his pocket, there was a number on it. It might come in handy for him.
He walked to the mirror and wore the necklace on his neck, walking out of the room right after.
He is going to ascertain if what his mother wrote there was just from a woman who has dementia or if there is any truth in what she noted.
Blake will start by checking the authenticity of the necklace.
*******
Walking into the shop, he greeted by the assayed.
“Welcome Sir, how may I help you?” he asked
Blake withdrew the necklace and handed it to him. “I want to confirm its authenticity” he solicited. The man bobbed his head in assertion.
About ten minutes later, the assayer walked up to Blake with a tremendous smile on his face.
“This is pure gold sir, it was made in 2015 and is presently in demand. It's worth close to four hundred and fifty million dollars right now. I heard just one person from the Richardson’s is in possession of this. You must be from a wealthy family” he articulated.
That could be the only explanation as to why he has a grand necklace. Blake stood still, ripples of electricity washed through his body from the shock of learning the truth.
Four hundred and fifty million? How did this get to his mother? He amassed the necklace, paid the man, smiled, and left in a trance.
At that period, Blake realized that the necklace was produced by Gold Corp. The only way he could get a justification is by going to the said corporation.
He took a taxi and in no time, he was right in front of the prestigious Gold Corp.
The exterior of the building is a marvel of contemporary design, its facade a seamless blend of reflective glass panels and polished steel, catching the sunlight in a dazzling display.
Towering above the cityscape, the structure commands attention with a sleek and imposing presence.
A meticulously landscaped plaza surrounds the entrance, featuring modern sculptures and calming water features.
The construction itself was exquisite, screaming power and wealth. Blake walked to the front desk while taking note of everything.
Everything was made of gold, including the floor. “What are you doing here? Did you get lost on your way?” Blake lifted his head, looked around, and then at the receptionist.
Was she talking to him? “Why are you looking around? Is there any other person here aside from you?” Cheryl uttered haughtily.
“Please, can I see the general manager? I have something to discuss with him” he appealed as reasonably as he could.
Cheryl took in his appearance and laughed. “The manager does not know someone like you. You look haggard and dirty, he can't associate himself with a lowlife like you” she affronted in a disrespectful form.
“Do you know me from somewhere?” Blake asked in discomfort, gaining a scornful look from her.
“I don't need to know you to characterize your nature. Your look says it all, you are just a destitute beggar who is here to rip some money off the manager” Cheryl snickered, leaving Blake in perplexity.
If they have never met before, how can she be so rude to him because of the way he looks? Does she have anything against him?
“Get out of here if you don't want the securities to come and throw you out to the trench you belong to” she sneered, throwing daggers at him.
Blake bundled his hand since that was the only thing he could do at that moment.
He took a few steps back, and with a displeased look at Cheryl, he ducked his hand in his pocket, bringing out the paper he kept earlier.
He should have called before coming here to save himself the embarrassment if this number turned out not to be in existence.
He will have to call the number since he is already here. Blake inserted the number, thankfully, it was ringing, and the person picked up the call on the third ring.
“Williams Martin speaking. Who is on the line, please?” a powerful and commanding voice resonated in Blake's ears, conveying a sense of authority.
Williams Martin, the current CEO of Gold Corp, is known for his dominance, fearlessness, and zeal to win. The number on the paper wasn't just real, it was the number of the most powerful person in the city and beyond, right now.
“Hello?” his voice resounded again, jolting Blake back to reality. He clears his throat, a brief yet audible sound cutting through the silence, signaling his intention to speak and capturing the attention of Cheryl and the people around him.
“Blake, Blake Richardson” he introduced. A fleeting tranquil descends, creating a suspended pause in the conversation.
“Blake Richardson?” Mr. Martin recounted. The shock in his voice was evident as he reacted to the spontaneous statement, expressing surprise in his tone.
“Yes,” Blake replied in confirmation, followed by an inaudible scream from the phone.
“Sir, Where are you right now? I will come and meet you” Mr. Martin inquired, leaving Blake in confusion at the sudden change in his voice.
Sir? Why did he call him that? “In front of the company,” he tended amidst the chaos going on in his head. The phone call ceased immediately after his reply.
Cheryl laughed mockingly, her tone ringing with sarcasm, emphasizing the mockery in every scornful chuckle.
“Did you get denied? You must be stupid to think you can walk in here with your stinky body and ask for the manager. You irritate me” Cheryl ridiculed.
Like he has been doing, Blake ignored her, waiting patiently for Mr. Martin. Two minutes later, the middle-aged man walked in.
His posture exudes strength, and the room seems to concede his presence as he moves, commanding attention effortlessly, with everyone bowing to him in respect.
Cheryl smiled upon sighting the CEO. “Mr. Martin is no joke, he will embarrass you and send you out of here” she chortled.
She ran towards Mr. Martin with a scheme to ruin Blake's image. “Sir, this homeless man has been constituting nuisance in the company. He is nothing but a shameless beggar” she whined.
But to her amazement, Mr. Martin recognized Blake. He shot her a deathly glare, giving her a resounding slap that sent waves of electricity into her body, startling her to the core.
“Do you think you can do anything because of the position of your father as the marketing department team leader? Do you have any idea who you just called homeless?” Mr. Martin chastised in rage.
He walked up to Blake, accompanied by a graceful bow that shocked everyone around.
“Welcome back, young lord. I have been waiting for you”
The book on Cheryl's hand fell to the floor, her eyes flickered between Blake and Mr. Martin while Blake stood there with a confused expression. “I am just an acting CEO, how dare you talk to a member of the Richardson family in that manner? The overall owner and CEO of Gold Corp?” Mr. Martin voiced. The commotion drew the attention of other workers who were as shocked as both Cheryl and Blake himself. Blake is the real owner of Gold Corp and a member of the Richardson family, the most powerful family in the world. They could make anyone disappear in seconds and they won't be reprimanded for it. It was rumored that the real owner of Gold Corp had been away for years, the whole world knew he was going to come back but Cheryl didn't know he would come back looking like this. How could she not have known? Cheryl's shoulders slumped in defeat, right there in front of everyone, she dropped to her knees in front of Blake. “I am sorry Sir, please have mercy on me. I had no idea who you
“What do you say? Will you choose to let your sister die? My condition is simple. You are no longer needed in my life by the way” Maria declared firmly.She is desperately begging him for a divorce, right? Then he will fulfill her desire.“Since you want to get rid of me so bad, I agree to the divorce but I do not —” “You've made the right choice there, you are not as idiotic as I thought you were. Here is a cheque of 6 million dollars, take it as me paying you off for your one year of joblessness” she interrupted before he could complete his statement. She brought out a written cheque from her bag and threw it at him. “You don't need to pay back, we will get the divorce as soon as possible” she summed upRight as she was about to turn to leave, the nurse strode towards them.“Here is your payment receipt, sir. And congratulations, the doctor has scheduled tomorrow morning for Miss Richardson’s surgery” she announced with a wide smile on her face. From the very moment she learned a
Jeffery's men pounced on Blake, they slapped and booted him to the floor. Blood spewed out of his mouth after several punches. While trying to escape from them, Blake ended up hitting his head on the wall, causing him to wince in unexpected pain. He didn't say he would not get a divorce, how do they expect him to leave his sister alone in the hospital when he is the only family she has? Particularly during an integral period of her life. “Tomorrow, we will get the divorce tomorrow” he enunciated. As he spoke, his voice emerged as a mere whisper, fragile and strained, barely audible. Each word was accompanied by a tremor, a subtle quiver betraying the depth of his uncertainty and vulnerability. Maria's laughter spurted with a hint of derision in her voice. “Useless people like you love their lives too?” she mocked. “There is no need to stain our hands with his polluted blood that screams nothing but poverty since he has agreed to the divorce happening tomorrow” Mrs. Jones interc
Blake's eyes followed her every move as she spoke. He couldn't comprehend anything from her statement earlier. “Who are you?” he inquired, trying to hold the roadside seat for support. The stress he went through during the day was starting to take effect on his body as he wobbled.The lady ambled a bit closer, taking in Blake's formation. “You don't look okay, we can talk after I get you treated. Please come with me” she indicated. Blake creased his brows, his gaze became intense as he took a few steps back. Maria and Jeffery must be playing a stunt on him. This might be a plan to exterminate him and flinghis body into the ocean. That way, no one will ever find out of his whereabouts. With his hand on his hurting stomach, Blake raised his head the second he heard a light chuckle from the mysterious woman. She dipped her hand into her bag, bringing out her business card. “I am glad I brought this, it looks like you have a little trust issue” she beamed, handing the card to him.
Blake grasped his head from the sudden migraine that hit him. With the support of Mr. Martin, he was accompanied to the VIP ward where Emma will be transmitted to.Miss Hannah's assertion kept tolling in his head till they got to the ward. “Was? What do you mean by that?” he queried. Miss Hannah sat beside him with a small sigh, she traded glances with Mr. Martin who nodded his head as a go-ahead. They are not just here because of Emma but also for another reason they haven't had the prospect to talk with Blake about it.“Your Mother was married to Gerald, my late elder brother and the founder of Gold Corp but she vanished with you and your sister after his death”She halted to take in Blake's retort, surprisingly, he didn't say or do anything. “You were only ten years old then” she added, pausing for the second time to give room for Blake to talk and his next question took them off guard. “Why? Why did she leave?” he asked. Miss Hannah coughed, trying to avoid his searing gaze.
Blake walked into his sister's ward with a fervent smile on his face, he was coming back from the doctor's office and the astronomical amount needed for her surgery left him in a comprehensive mess. He won't be able to generate five million dollars with the kind of work he does, even if he is to save for two years. “How are you feeling, Emma?” he asked, sitting down at the perimeter of the bed. “Am I going to die? I find it laborious to inhale and exhale, I can't feel myself, Blake” Emma wailed. She has been suffering from leukemia for the past year. Instead of getting better, it keeps getting worse due to the lack of proper treatment. She feels out of breath because of anemia too.Blake looked away, he dabbed the tears that dropped on his face before his sister could catch a glimpse of him crying. Taking her hands into his, he stared at her in distress and determination. “You are not going to die, Emma. I won't let you die” he pledged. He vows to do whatever it takes to get the