The Billionaire's Burden
Chapter 1: The Call That Changed Everything
Ethan Graves was broke. Not just the "end-of-the-month, living-on-instant-noodles" kind of broke—he was drowning in debt, barely scraping by with two part-time jobs while juggling college. His dreams of graduating with a degree in business felt more like a cruel joke than an achievable goal.
So when his phone rang that evening, he almost ignored it. The number was unknown, probably a scam call or another debt collector. But something made him pick up.
"Is this Ethan Graves?" a smooth, professional voice asked.
"Yeah. Who's asking?"
"Mr. Graves, I'm calling on behalf of the Lockwood Estate. Your great-uncle, Bartholomew Lockwood, has passed away. You are his sole heir."
Ethan scoffed. "I don't have a great-uncle. You've got the wrong guy."
"Actually, you do. And as per the terms of his will, you have just inherited his entire fortune."
There was a pause. "How much?"
The voice on the other end remained steady. "Roughly two trillion dollars."
Ethan burst out laughing. This was ridiculous. Some rich old guy he'd never met just handed him more money than the GDP of entire countries? It had to be a prank. But the voice continued, unshaken.
"We'll send a car to bring you to our office. You'll want to see this for yourself. I suggest you don't share this information with anyone yet. There are… complications."
Ethan's heart pounded. The call ended, leaving him staring at his cracked phone screen. Was this real? And if it was… what did they mean by complications?
That night, as he lay awake in his tiny apartment, he had no idea his life was about to become a battlefield of power, deception, and danger.
Chapter 2: A Ride to the Unknown
The next morning, Ethan was woken by a knock at his door. He hesitated before opening it, half-expecting a debt collector or his landlord demanding rent. Instead, a sharply dressed chauffeur stood before him, black sunglasses hiding his eyes.
"Mr. Graves?" the man asked, his voice neutral.
"Uh, yeah?"
"Your car is waiting."
Ethan peeked past him and nearly choked. Parked outside was a sleek black limousine, its polished exterior gleaming under the dull morning light. A few of his neighbors had stepped out to gawk, whispering among themselves. He swallowed hard and grabbed his only decent jacket before stepping outside.
As he settled into the plush leather seats, he couldn't shake the growing feeling of unease. The driver remained silent as they pulled out of his rundown neighborhood and headed toward the city's wealthiest district.
Ethan had never been this far uptown. The towering skyscrapers and gated mansions felt like another world—one he had never belonged to. But now, he was supposed to be part of it?
After what felt like an eternity, they arrived at a grand estate. It was less of a house and more of a fortress—high walls, security cameras, and a massive iron gate that opened as the car approached. Ethan's breath caught in his throat as they drove through.
Inside, the mansion was even more intimidating. The marble floors gleamed, chandeliers sparkled overhead, and everything smelled faintly of old money and expensive cologne. A man in a tailored suit greeted him as he stepped out of the limo.
"Mr. Graves, welcome. My name is Vincent Carter, executor of the Lockwood Estate. Please, follow me."
Ethan followed Vincent through a long corridor lined with portraits. The people in the paintings all had the same piercing blue eyes—a trait Ethan himself had inherited but never thought much about. They reached a large oak door, which Vincent pushed open to reveal a grand study filled with bookshelves, a fireplace, and an antique desk.
"Please, have a seat," Vincent gestured to a leather chair. Ethan sat stiffly, unsure of what to expect.
Vincent folded his hands. "I know this must be overwhelming, Mr. Graves. But your great-uncle, Bartholomew Lockwood, left very specific instructions. He chose you as his sole heir, despite never having met you."
Ethan frowned. "Why me? I didn't even know the guy."
"That is… complicated," Vincent admitted. "Mr. Lockwood was an extremely private man, and he had his reasons. But you must understand—this inheritance isn't just about money. It comes with responsibilities."
Ethan shifted in his seat. "Responsibilities? Like what?"
Vincent hesitated before responding. "You are now the head of the Lockwood family legacy. There are assets, businesses, and… certain obligations that come with this title. Not everyone will be happy about your sudden rise to power."
Ethan exhaled sharply. "You're telling me there are people who don't want me to have this money?"
Vincent's expression darkened. "Precisely. And some will go to extreme lengths to make sure you don't keep it."
Ethan felt a chill run down his spine. This was starting to sound less like an inheritance and more like a curse.
Chapter 3: The First Threat
That night, Ethan checked into a luxury hotel arranged by Vincent. He should have been celebrating, but he couldn't shake the unease settling over him. The words "not everyone will be happy" kept ringing in his ears.
His phone buzzed, and he nearly jumped. It was an unknown number. Hesitantly, he answered.
"Ethan Graves?" a distorted voice spoke.
His heart pounded. "Who is this?"
"You don't belong in this world. Walk away now, while you still can."
The call ended. Ethan stared at his phone, his hands clammy. He looked around his hotel room, suddenly feeling exposed. Someone was watching him.
He had inherited two trillion dollars. But at what cost?