WISH TO BE RICH

TWO CONDITIONS

Johnathan looked at the pen and hesitated to take it.

"What's the matter, Johnathan? Take this pen and sign on these documents" Zebadiah said with a commanding tone and Johnathan took it.

"Our family is the number one and only deliverer of Oat Stone, the most precious mineral in the entire world and we've been doing that since the mineral was first discovered. That's how we've managed to amass such a tremendous amount of wealth throughout the centuries" Zebadiah said as he leaned back into his chair.

Johnathan was skimming through the documents, reading what his role as the heir of the Cross fortune was going to be.

"With our monumental wealth that we can never exhaust even if we tried, what other way is there to spend it than investing in the creation of other very lucrative businesses? These documents have a list of all the businesses we have shares in, how many there are, what they are worth, and their ROI"

Johnathan went through the list and after a quick math, he saw just how much profit his family makes every year.

Johnathan's mouth gapped at the figures he was seeing. He didn't think money like that was even possible for one family to possess.

They make about one trillion dollars a year in revenue with a profit margin of thirty-five percent across all their ventures and that is thirty-five billion dollars every single year with a steady increase due to inflation

This was completely crazy to Johnathan because from all the companies he's studied about in business class at Primrose High School, that kind of money is what their revue is but for the Cross, that's all profit.

"All of this wealth will be under your name to control, all you have to do is sign on the dotted lines," Zebadiah said then netted his fingers on the desk while watching Johnathan go through the last document.

"I made sure to have Abraham provide you with the best of the best teachers in business during your stay in the hospital and it was for this very reason. With the knowledge they've impacted in you, you should be well versed in anything business management so handing things over to you should be a breeze" Zebadiah grinned

"Don't worry, as your grandfather I'll still be here to share my experience and knowledge with you whenever you need but before anything else, you'll have to sign these documents" Zebadiah said then sighed when he finished.

After some quick thinking, Johnathan dropped the pen on the document without signing it and faced his grandfather.

"I've gone through all of it and from what I've seen, I'll be too busy with work and running everything to find out who kidnapped me and put dad in the hospital," Jonathan said and Zebadiah frowned.

Zebadiah looked at Abraham with a scowl and Abraham avoided eye contact, looking away guiltily.

"What is he talking about, Abraham? What nonsense have you been talking about with him?!"

Abraham gulped "Well, late master Jaxon told Master Johnathan about what happened to him all those years ago. Master Johnathan has decided that instead of sending someone else to get the job at Wellstone done, he wants to be the one who does it"

Zebadiah looked at Johnathan "Do you think this is a childish game? This is a serious matter and you think I would allow you, my grandson and soon-to-be heir of my family's fortune to go play spy? What do you think Margret would say when she hears this?"

In guilt, Johnathan lowered his gaze "I didn't think about that. I was just thinking that—"

"You were being selfish that's what! Margret just lost her son after years of being in the hospital but as the heavens would have it, she regained a grandson which she used to think was dead. Instead of carrying out your duty to the family, you want to put yourself in danger! For what?!" Zebadiah asked aggressively.

"Yes, grandfather! As the one who was there in the car that day, the one mother got burns on her body trying to protect, the one kidnapped and made to suffer because of a poor upbringing, and the one who received dad's heart and will, it is my number one duty to find answers before anything else, and that includes managing all this wealth" Johnathan said and Zebadiah glared at him threateningly.

Johnathan wanted to back down because of how imposing Zebadiah was but he had to stand his ground.

"Are you saying that there's nothing I can do or say to change your mind?" Zebadiah asked.

"No, there's nothing at all. I don't care if you refuse to make me the heir of the Cross fortune, I'll do this no matter what, even if I have to do it myself" Johnathan said.

Zebadiah looked down at the documents then he huffed.

"Margret is going to kill me for this" Zebadiah mumbled.

"Huh?" Johnathan questioned, wondering what his grandfather was on about.

"If you're doing this then you better make sure it's done right. As a Cross, you must bring respect to our name and for that to happen, anything you put your mind to do should be done with a hundred and one percent effort!" Zebadiah said, surprising Johnathan that he wasn't going to stop him.

Zebadiah faced Abraham "Abraham, if he's going to do this then he's going to need your help and as such, you should make sure that you're always available whenever he calls on you. For that to happen, all of your current duties are to be put on hold to assist Johnathan, got it?" he instructed.

Abraham bowed his head "As you wish Master, I'll be of service to Master Johnathan whenever he needs me"

"Good," Zebadiah said then faced, Johnathan.

Zebadiah dropped his hand on the documents and shifted them back to his side 

He said, "Since you won't be signing these just yet, I'll be keeping them safe for now don't forget that you will sign them."

Zebadiah stuffed the documents back in the envelope and returned them to his desk drawer.

"Before anything else, there are two things you should know concerning this arrangement"

"What is it?" Johnathan asked.

"The first condition is that I'm only giving you the allowance to do this as long as you keep Abraham and me updated on every single development along the way," Zebadiah said and Johnathan nodded his head.

"And the second condition Grandfather?" Johnathan asked.

"The second condition is that you only have six months to find out the people who were involved in your kidnapping or else this little excursion of yours will be terminated and you have to come back here, sign these documents, and carry out your duties, understood?!" Zebadiah asked, coming off in a way that shows he was telling Johnathan what to do, not asking.

Johnathan thought if six months would be enough for anything significant but that's the only time he has. It's either this or no deal.

Without having any choices he nodded his head.

"Understood grandfather," Johnathan said and they shook hands in agreement.

"Six months Master Johnathan, your time starts now" Abraham mumbled, staring at the locked hands.