Chapter 1
The Parker family name was legendary in New York City. Synonymous with wealth, power, and privilege, they had built an empire spanning industries—from finance to luxury real estate. Their name opened doors others could only dream of, their parties made headlines, and their influence reached the highest echelons of society. Yet for Frank Parker, the youngest heir to the Parker dynasty, the weight of that name often felt suffocating.
At twenty-five, Frank had already achieved what many considered impossible. Armed with ambition and a sharp mind, he had turned a modest tech startup into a billion-dollar venture. The media often called him a prodigy, but to Frank, these accomplishments were hollow victories. Despite the glitz surrounding his life, he craved something most wouldn't expect from someone in his position: simplicity.
On a crisp autumn morning, Frank found himself in a small café tucked away from the bustling streets of Manhattan. It was a rare haven, a place where no one cared about his last name or the size of his bank account. Dressed in a plain black hoodie and worn jeans, he sipped his coffee, savoring the anonymity.
Across from him sat Trevor, his assistant and long-time friend, looking uncharacteristically stressed. "Frank, the board meeting is at 2. They're expecting you to present the Q3 reports."
Frank waved him off. "The reports are done. They don't need me to read numbers they already know."
Trevor sighed. "You can't keep doing this. You're the CEO. People notice when you disappear."
"And what's the point of being the boss if I can't take an hour to myself?" Frank replied, leaning back in his chair.
Trevor groaned but said nothing more. He had learned long ago that arguing with Frank was futile when he was in one of his "normal guy" moods.
The café bustled with life: the chatter of students over textbooks, the occasional clink of ceramic mugs, and the hum of the espresso machine. To Frank, it was perfect—messy, ordinary, and wonderfully human.
But this moment of tranquility was fleeting. By midday, Frank was back at the towering headquarters of Parker Enterprises, greeted by the sleek, sanitized environment of corporate life. The lobby's marble floors gleamed under the light of a massive chandelier, and the air smelled faintly of polished wood and power.
"Morning, Mr. Parker," the receptionist said with a polite smile.
"Morning, Amy," Frank replied, nodding. Despite his attempts at informality, the staff couldn't help but treat him with reverence.
Upstairs, in the marketing department, things were different. Here, Frank was just "Frank." As he walked through the open-plan office, Lisa, the head of marketing, grinned at him. "Late again? Should we dock your pay?"
"Try it, and I'll make you work weekends," Frank shot back, a playful smirk on his face.
The room erupted in laughter. Moments like these were why Frank loved spending time here. While the executive suite was filled with stuffy suits and endless PowerPoint presentations, this floor felt alive.
He stayed for lunch, joining a spirited debate about the best takeout spots in the city. He even lost a round of ping-pong to one of the interns, much to everyone's amusement.
But beneath his easygoing demeanor, there was a loneliness Frank couldn't shake. Surrounded by people, adored by many, yet he often felt like a stranger in his own life.
As the day wound down, Frank retreated to his penthouse apartment, a sprawling space filled with luxury and emptiness. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered breathtaking views of the city, but tonight, he barely noticed.
He poured himself a glass of whiskey and stood by the window, watching the lights of Manhattan twinkle like stars. His reflection stared back at him, a reminder of the life he had inherited.
For all the wealth and privilege, there was a nagging question that haunted him: What's missing?
He had everything anyone could ever want, yet he felt incomplete.
Tomorrow would be another day filled with meetings, expectations, and the endless pursuit of more—more money, more success, more of the same. But deep down, Frank wondered if he was chasing the wrong things.
Little did he know, his carefully constructed world was about to be turned upside down. One impulsive decision, one night out, would set off a chain of events he couldn't control. And for the first time in his life, Frank Parker would find himself completely out of his depth.