THE TRUTH
"Whoa!" Antonio's exclaimed as the car rolled up to the mansion. "This is beautiful."
"You haven't seen anything yet!" Mr Edgar glanced towards Antonio.
As they approached the gate, Antonio's breath caught in his throat. He had never seen a house this enormous. It was not just a mansion, but an estate, sprawling across acres of gardens. Pillars lined the entrance, and the windows glittered like jewels in the moonlight.
"This is it?" Antonio murmured, half to himself, as the car came to a stop in front of the grand entrance.
Mr. Edgar, sitting in the driver's seat, turned to him with a nod. "This is your family's legacy."
Before Antonio could process his statement, a figure appeared at the top of the stone steps.
A butler, dressed in a sharp black suit, descended the stairs stopping in front of them as they stepped out of the car.
"Mr. Winfield is waiting in the study," the butler said. He gave Antonio a brief glance before stepping aside to let them through.
Antonio fascinated by the size and grandeur of the place, followed Mr. Edgar up the stairs and through the grand double doors.
As soon as they stepped inside, Antonio felt like he had been transported to another world. The interior of the mansion was marvelous.
"This place…" Antonio whispered, his eyes wide as he took in the massive staircase that wound its way up to the second floor. "It's incredible."
Mr.Edgar didn't say a word he just chuckled at Antonio's amusement.
Whenthey reached a set of double doors. Mr. Edgar knocked once before pushing them open.
Inside was a large study, filled with shelves lined with leather-bound books and expensive trinkets. Seated behind a large desk was an older man, his silver hair neatly combed back.
His eyes, locked onto Antonio the moment they entered the room.
"Mr. Winfield," Mr. Edgar greeted with a slight bow of his head.
Winfield's gaze shifted to Edgar, then back to Antonio. His brow furrowed slightly as he leaned back in his chair, observing Antonio from head to toe.
"This is him?" His voice was deep as he spoke. "Are you sure this isn't some mistake? Not another imposter or… prototype?"
Edgar stood firm. "I'm certain, sir. This is the real Matteo heir."
Winfield narrowed his eyes, then stood up from his desk, walking slowly toward Antonio.
"Show me your hands," he ordered as he got closer.
Antonio hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to expect, but then he slowly extended his hands.
Winfield grabbed Antonio's wrist with a surprising amount of strength and turned his hand palm up. His gaze focused on a small birthmark near Antonio's wrist.
"There it is," Winfield muttered.
Then he released Antonio's hand and straightened up.
"Follow me," he said abruptly, turning on his heel and walking toward the door.
Antonio glanced at Mr. Edgar, who nodded for him to follow.
Then he hurried after Mr. Winfield as they left the study and started down another hallway.
As they walked, Winfield began to speak.
"You must have many questions." He said plainly.
"I do." Antonio replied.
"I would get to them." Mr Winfield said slowly. "Before your father's death, I assigned as the overseer of the Matteo estate. I have been watching over this empire for years now,protecting it. The best way I could. I was also my duty to find you; that your father's dying wish
Antonio's mind raced as he tried to take in everything. "But... how did I end up in an orphanage? How did I not know any of this?"
Winfield's jaw tightened as they turned a corner and began walking toward a part of the mansion that seemed older, more secluded.
"You were abducted," he said grimly. "When you were just a child, a maid in your father's house took you away and sold you off. She was paid handsomely to do so, and the man behind it was your father's own brother—Dante Matteo."
Antonio felt a cold chill run down his spine. "My uncle?" he whispered, barely able to believe what he was hearing.
Winfield nodded. "Dante wanted the empire for himself. With you out of the way, he believed he could seize control. But things went south after your father found out he was the reason behind your kidnapping Dante flee and ended getting involved in an accident."
"Your father however continued his search for you, we found the maid who abducted you but despite this, we still couldn't trace you.But your father never gave up hope that you would be found. He passed away two years ago, leaving everything to you, in the hope that one day, you would return."
Antonio's heart sank. "My father's dead?"
"Yes," Mr.Winfield said softly, pausing in front of a door at the end of the hallway. "But his legacy lives on. I have been the one searching for you after his death; I hired Mr Edgar and although we did encounter some loopholes doing the search. We finally found you and that's all that matter. It's time for you to take your rightful place."
Before he could ask any more questions, the door in front of them opened, and a man stepped inside.
He was tall, with big brown eyes and dark hair that was slicked backwards.
Mr. Winfield turned to him and smiled.
"Luca," he said, his voice warmer than before. "You're right on time. Your cousin has arrived."
Luca's piercing gaze landed on Antonio, and for a moment, there was silence as the two men stared at each other.
Luca smiled, though it didn't reach his eyes. "So, you're the lost heir," he said.
Antonio swallowed, unsure of how to respond. "I guess so," he muttered, feeling out of place in this grand mansion, surrounded by people who knew more about his life than he did.
Winfield stepped between them, clapping a hand on Antonio's shoulder. "There will be plenty of time for introductions later. For now, let's focus on what needs to be done. The empire awaits."
Antonio's head was spinning. He had been ripped from one life and thrust into another, and he had no idea what was coming next.
But one thing was clear—his life would never be the same again.