The city had quieted down by the time William returned to the park bench where he had spent most of the evening, his mind slowly sharpening after hours of drifting through doubt. He felt something inside him shifting—a small flicker of determination igniting within him. He had been wandering aimlessly since leaving the Cain estate, but now, he needed to act.
He opened his phone, scrolling through real estate listings in the King's District, the city's most prestigious area. The properties were staggering, priced in the tens of millions, but he didn't hesitate. It wasn't just about wealth. It was about taking control, about claiming a piece of the world that was his. He stopped at a particular listing—a modern, sleek villa perched on a hill with panoramic views of the entire city. The design was striking, minimalistic, and bold, with glass walls and a rooftop terrace that stretched over the skyline.
This is it, he thought, his heart picking up speed. This is the new beginning.
But as he stared at the price tag—$65 million—a sobering thought settled in. Despite his inheritance, he wasn't sure how to access it. He had walked away from the Cain estate with nothing but the clothes on his back, not even taking their money. His father's fortune was still a mystery to him.
William stared at his phone, hesitating for a moment, before scrolling to his contacts. He hadn't called him before, but now seemed like the time.
Reginald. His father's butler, the man who had been watching over him all these years without his knowledge. Reginald was the key to understanding his father's wealth, and William knew that now was the moment to unlock it.
He hit the call button.
The phone rang twice before a calm, familiar voice answered. "Master William. I've been expecting your call."
William exhaled. "Reginald. I need your help. I… I've left the Cain estate, and I need to understand how to access my father's funds."
There was a pause on the other end, as if Reginald was measuring his response. "I see. It's good to hear that you've made this decision. Your father left specific instructions for this moment."
William furrowed his brow. "Instructions?"
"Yes," Reginald said. "Your father knew there would come a time when you would need access to his legacy. I'm sure you've been holding off, wanting to create something of your own first, but there's no reason why you shouldn't use what's rightfully yours."
William glanced around the darkened street, still feeling the weight of everything. "How do I access it?"
Reginald's voice was firm but reassuring. "Your father entrusted his wealth to a very exclusive account, managed by a global banking institution—J.P. Morgan Private Bank. The account is tied to a card, one of the rarest in the world. It's called the Obsidian Card. Only ten exist, and each card is tied to fortunes beyond imagination. Your father was one of those cardholders, and now, the card belongs to you."
William was silent for a moment, trying to process what Reginald had just said. Obsidian Card? Only ten in the world? He had known his father was wealthy, but this level of exclusivity was beyond anything he had imagined.
"Yes, Master William," Reginald continued. "The Obsidian Card is more than just a symbol of wealth. It offers limitless financial freedom, but with it comes great responsibility. Your father wanted you to inherit this only when you were ready."
William swallowed hard, feeling the weight of the moment. "How do I get it?"
"I've already arranged for its delivery," Reginald said smoothly. "It will be with you by tomorrow morning. You'll find that the card grants you access to accounts with assets in excess of ten billion dollars, all at your disposal. You'll have access to your father's trusted advisors should you need them, but I suspect you'll want to do things your own way. Am I correct?"
William leaned back against the bench, the enormity of it all sinking in. Ten billion dollars. He had never imagined having access to that kind of money, let alone so suddenly. But Reginald was right. He didn't want to rely too heavily on his father's legacy. He wanted to carve out his own path.
"You're right," William said, his voice steady. "I'll use it, but I'll build something that's mine."
"Good," Reginald responded. "Your father would be proud to hear that."
For a moment, William felt a connection to his father—a man he had never truly understood. He wondered what his father's life had been like, living in a world where such immense wealth and power flowed beneath the surface. Now, that world was opening up to him, whether he was ready for it or not.
"Thank you, Reginald," William said quietly. "For everything."
"My loyalty is to you, Master William. If you need anything, don't hesitate to call."
With that, the call ended. William stared at his phone, the weight of the conversation still heavy in his mind. Tomorrow, everything would change. He would have the resources to buy the villa, to begin building his empire. But more importantly, he would be stepping into his father's world—one that was filled with as much danger as it was opportunity.