The rest of the afternoon passed in a blur for Justin. He returned to his dorm, his mind racing with possibilities. He decided to take a quick nap to rest before the evening's events.
When he woke up, the sun was beginning to set, casting a golden hue across the campus. He took a quick shower and dressed in his best outfit, which, despite its age, he tried to make presentable.
After dressing up, Justin walked out of the dorm and boarded a taxi to Evergreen Restaurant in order to meet the mysterious man and get the answers to his questions.
As the taxi drove, Justin kept thinking about a lot of things, especially the unexpected amount of money in his bank account. It was just too hard to believe that he had become a millionaire overnight.
The halting of the car jolted him out of his thoughts, and when he looked out the window, he saw that he had arrived at Evergreen Restaurant.
"We are here, sir," the taxi driver announced.
Justin paid the driver, then he stepped out of the vehicle. The moment he stepped out, dozens of men in black started rushing towards him, and before he could blink his eyes, they all surrounded him as if they were shielding him from danger.
"What's going on?" Justin muttered in confusion as he looked at the gigantic men surrounding him.
"Welcome, young Master," a man in a white tuxedo greeted Justin. The man had an average height, and he was light-skinned. Judging by the way he dressed, you could tell that he was wealthy.
Justin recognized the man's voice as the voice of the stranger who sent him the money.
"Are you the one who sent me the money this morning?" Justin asked to confirm his suspicion.
"Yes, young Master," the man replied with a smile.
"And what's your name?" Justin asked.
"Pardon my manners. My name is Albert, and I am your grandfather's most trusted associate," the man replied.
"My grandpa is alive?" Justin asked with a surprised look on his face.
"Yes, sir," Albert nodded. "Your grandpa is alive, but he is not in good health."
"And who are these men?" Justin asked, glancing around at the men in black who surrounded them.
"They are guards, and they'll be working for you from now on," Albert answered, and Justin's eyes widened.
"Seriously? They'll be working for me from now on?" Justin asked, clearly surprised.
"Yes, sir," Albert nodded. "Let's go inside the restaurant so we can talk better."
"Alright," Justin nodded, then they were led into the large restaurant by the guards.
Justin glanced around the fancy restaurant in awe. This was the first time he had stepped inside the most popular and expensive restaurant in the whole of New York City. He was marveled by the beauty of the restaurant. The chandeliers sparkled above, and the polished marble floors reflected the soft, ambient lighting. The air was filled with the aroma of gourmet dishes being prepared in the kitchen.
They were escorted to a private dining room at the back of the restaurant, away from the prying eyes of other diners. The room was elegantly decorated, with a large table set for two. Albert gestured for Justin to take a seat, and Justin complied, still in a daze from everything that had happened so far.
"Please, have a seat, young Master," Albert said, pulling out a chair for Justin.
Once they were both seated, Albert began to explain. "Your grandfather has been searching for you for years. After your parents' unfortunate accident, he lost track of you. It took a long time, but we finally found you."
Justin listened intently, his mind swirling with questions. "Why didn't he find me sooner?"
Albert sighed. "There were complications, but now that we've found you, your grandfather wants to ensure you are taken care of. The money you received is just the beginning. He wants you to take over the family business when the time comes."
Justin was overwhelmed. "Family business? What kind of business?"
Albert smiled. "Your grandfather owns one of the largest conglomerates in the country. You are his sole heir."
The reality of the situation began to sink in. Justin's life had changed in an instant. He had gone from being the poorest kid at Stanford to a millionaire and the heir to a vast fortune. As he sat there, absorbing the information, he realized that this was just the beginning of a new chapter in his life.
"There's much more to discuss," Albert continued. "But for now, let's enjoy a meal. We'll make sure you have everything you need to transition into your new life."
Justin nodded, still processing everything. A few minutes later, the waiters entered the private dining room with trays laden with delicious dishes. The first course was a delicate lobster bisque, served with a drizzle of truffle oil and a sprinkle of fresh chives. This was followed by a beautifully presented salad of heirloom tomatoes, burrata cheese, and basil, which drizzled with balsamic glaze.
The main course was a succulent filet mignon, perfectly cooked to a medium-rare and accompanied by garlic mashed potatoes, roasted asparagus, and a rich red wine reduction.
"Wow!" Justin marveled at the spread before him, feeling almost out of place in such opulence.
Justin gently picked up his cutlery and he began eating.
"This tastes so good," Justin said as he tasted each dish, amd he couldn't help but appreciate the skill that went into preparing them. Despite the luxurious surroundings, his mind was still racing with questions.
Between bites of the delicious meals, Justin looked up at Albert. "Who exactly is my grandfather? What's his name?" he asked.
Albert dabbed the corners of his mouth with his napkin before responding. "Your grandfather's name is Theodore Hart. I'm sure you must have heard of that name before."
Justin froze with his fork midway to his mouth. The name was instantly recognizable. Theodore Hart was a name that commanded respect and awe in the business world. He was known for his empire that spanned multiple industries, including technology, real estate, and finance. Theodore Hart was often mentioned in the same breath as the top five billionaires in the world.
"Theodore Hart?" Justin repeated, almost in disbelief. "My grandfather is Theodore Hart?"
Albert nodded with a knowing smile. "Yes, young Master. Your grandfather is indeed Theodore Hart. He's been eagerly awaiting the day he could reconnect with you and bring you into the family legacy."
Justin leaned back in his chair, and his mind began racing. He had heard countless stories about Theodore Hart's business acumen, his philanthropic efforts, and his massive fortune. The realization that he was directly connected to such a powerful and influential figure was almost too much to process. He never knew his grandfather was among the top five billionaires.
"He's... one of the top five billionaires in the world," Justin muttered, more to himself than to Albert.
"Indeed," Albert affirmed. "And as his only heir, you are poised to inherit not just his wealth, but also his responsibilities and legacy. Your grandfather believes in your potential and is eager to support you in any way he can."
"Oh," Justin muttered in surprise.
"Don't worry. You'll meet him very soon," Albert said with a smile. "But for now, enjoy your meal."
As they continued their meal, Justin felt a whirlwind of emotions. He felt a mix of excitement, apprehension, and a profound sense of responsibility. The life he had known was now a thing of the past, and a new future awaited him.
Suddenly, a man entered the room, and the moment he saw Justin, he hurriedly rushed forward and bowed at his feet.
"Good evening, young Master," the man greeted as he bowed before Justin.
Justin was taken aback, staring in surprise at the older man bowing before him. He glanced at Albert for some understanding before looking back at the man. "Umm... good evening, sir," he said, hoping the man would rise.
"Rise up, Mr. Edward," Albert instructed.
The man rose to his feet with a smile as he gazed at Justin. "Justin, this is Mr. Edward, the manager of this restaurant," Albert introduced.
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Edward," Justin said politely.
"It's an honor to finally meet you, young Master," Mr. Edward said, bowing slightly as a sign of respect.
"Are the documents ready?" Albert asked Mr. Edward.
"Yes, sir," Mr. Edward nodded and produced a file containing some legal documents.
Albert took the documents, briefly reviewed them, and then placed them in front of Justin. "Justin, this restaurant belongs to the Hart family, and your grandfather wants to transfer the ownership to you," Albert explained, handing Justin a pen. "All you have to do is sign the documents."
Justin couldn't believe his ears. "This... this restaurant is mine?" he asked, his voice tinged with astonishment.
"Yes, young Master," Albert confirmed. "Your grandfather believes in your potential and wants you to start taking on responsibilities within the family business."
Justin stared at the documents, and the weight of the moment sank in. He took a deep breath and picked up the pen, his hand trembling slightly. With a steadying breath, he signed his name, solidifying his new role.
"Congratulations, young Master," Mr. Edward said with a broad smile. "The Evergreen Restaurant is now officially under your ownership."
Suddenly, Justin remembered that Linda's birthday party was in the evening. He checked the time and saw that it was almost eight.
"Umm... Mr. Albert, I'm sorry, but I have something important I need to attend to," Justin said as he rose to his feet.
Albert also stood up, then he replied, "No problem, sir. I'll inform the guards to take you wherever you want to go."
"Thanks for the offer, but I just want to keep things low-key for now," Justin said with a nervous smile.
"Are you sure, Master Justin?" Albert asked.
"Yeah," Justin replied with a nod.
"Alright. Have this gold card," Albert said as he handed Justin a gold debit card. "You can buy anything you want no matter how expensive it is. It's unlimited, and you can spend it however you want."
Justin swallowed hard as he collected the card. He had heard so much about gold debit cards, but they were rare and owned only by the wealthiest families in the world. If his family could have this, then they were truly filthy rich.
"Thank you so much, Mr. Albert," Justin said with a smile on his face.
"No problem, sir. Just give me a call whenever you're ready to meet your grandpa," Albert replied. Justin nodded before being escorted out of the restaurant by two guards.
"You both can leave," Justin said politely to the two guards after they got outside the restaurant.
"But sir, we were hired to always be by your side every time," one of the guards said.
"Don't worry. I can take care of myself," Justin said with a polite smile.
The guards hesitated for a while before returning inside the restaurant.
Justin sighed as he gazed at the huge restaurant in front of him. He found it hard to believe that he was now the owner.
"This feels like a dream," Justin said as he removed the gold card from his pocket. "I should get Linda a gift for her birthday," he thought to himself, then he boarded a taxi.
Arriving at the most popular shopping mall in the city, Justin entered and looked around, slightly overwhelmed by the grandeur of the place. A female worker noticed him and approached with a welcoming smile.
"Good evening, sir. How can I help you today?" she asked.
"I need to buy a gift for a girl, but I don't really know what to get," Justin admitted.
The worker smiled kindly. "I understand. Let me show you some options. Follow me."
She led Justin to the bag section, where rows of designer bags were displayed. As Justin started looking around, he spotted two of Stella's closest friends, Carla and Megan, chatting nearby.
When they noticed Justin, they smirked and approached him. "Well, well, well, if it isn't Justin Hart," Carla said with a mocking tone.
"Shopping for a bag you can't afford?" Megan added with a sneer.
Justin ignored them and turned his attention back to the bags. He spotted a Mayweather brand bag, the latest and most limited edition.
"I'll take this one," Justin said, pointing to the Mayweather bag.
Carla and Megan exchanged amused looks. "How are you going to pay for that?" Carla asked with a laugh.
Justin handed the female worker the gold card. Her eyes widened in surprise when she saw it.
"Of course, sir. Right away," she said, her demeanor instantly becoming more respectful.
Carla and Megan's jaws dropped as the worker processed the transaction. When she returned with the bag, Justin took it with a calm smile.
"Thank you," he said to the worker before turning to Carla and Megan. "Have a nice evening."
As he walked away, the two girls were left speechless, realizing that Justin Hart was no longer the person they used to mock. They kept wondering how he could afford to pay for the most expensive bag.
Justin smirked as he walked out of the restaurant with the bag. He didn't know how expensive or rare it was, but he knew it would make the perfect birthday gift for Linda. What Justin didn't realize was that only five of these bags existed worldwide. It was a limited edition creation from a famous brand, and he had just purchased one of the only five available in the world.
He also enjoyed the shocked expression on the face of Stella's friends when he purchased the bag.
"So, this is how it feels to be rich," Justin muttered with a satisfied smile.