Levi stood on the deck of the "Sea Monster," the cold Alaskan wind biting at his face as he stared at the endless waves. The phone in his pocket buzzed, jolting him from his thoughts. He pulled it out and glanced at the screen.
[John Easton.]
His grip tightened slightly. He instantly recalled the lawyer's details. John Easton had been his parents' attorney for years—trusted, efficient, and ruthless when needed. More importantly, he was the man currently handling the mountain of legal issues tied to Levi's sudden inheritance.
Levi inhaled deeply, the salty air filling his lungs. His mind quickly ran through the original owner's speech patterns. He had to be careful—one slip, one misplaced word, and Easton might sense something was off. With a steadying breath, he pressed the answer button.
"Mr. Easton, any updates?"
The voice on the other end was as composed as ever. "Levi, good news. The insurance company approved our claim. They're paying out $2.4 million."
Levi's pulse quickened. Two. Point. Four. Million. That was more money than he had ever seen in his life. Back in his old world, he used to hesitate over spending twenty-four dollars on an all-you-can-eat buffet. And now? Now he had a check coming his way that could buy a lifetime supply of buffets.
He swallowed hard, forcing himself to stay calm. "That's… good news."
"Yes," Easton continued, his tone steady. "But as for the inheritance tax, it's going to take some time to process. The IRS has started reviewing the estate valuation, and let's just say they're being thorough."
Levi let out a slow breath, his jaw tightening. "Appreciate it, Mr. Easton. But keep an eye on the IRS for me, will you? I have a bad feeling they'll try to jack up the estate valuation."
A low chuckle came from the other end of the line. "Already ahead of you. But you know how those bastards operate. They've got their hands on a big estate—they'll milk it for everything they can. Still, they won't push too far. Even the IRS doesn't want a public scandal."
Levi—or rather, the original owner of this body—had already expected this. It was no secret that the U.S. government loved bleeding the middle class dry. Every time the economy took a hit, the middle class was the first to suffer. The rich had loopholes. The poor had nothing left to take. But the middle? That was where the government sank its teeth in deep.
And now, those teeth were sinking into him.
He ran a hand through his hair, his mind racing. "So, let's break this down. My parents left behind roughly $8.18 million, right? The boat, the villa, the farm, stocks, and cash… But I need to cough up $3.12 million in estate taxes before I can claim any of it?"
Easton sighed. "That's the current estimate, yes. Unless we can negotiate a lower valuation or find some exemptions, that's the amount owed."
Levi scowled. "Jesus. The IRS really doesn't waste time, do they?"
"No, they don't. But there's a silver lining," Easton said smoothly. "The $2.4 million insurance payout will help cover a big chunk of it. That leaves you about $720,000 short."
Levi's stomach twisted. Seven hundred and twenty grand. Even with the payout, he was still in a hole. He didn't have that kind of money lying around.
His gaze drifted toward the horizon. The sea stretched endlessly before him, vast and untamed. Out there, fortunes were waiting to be made. Fishing, crabbing, gold panning—hell, even illegal ventures if it came down to it.
"Alright, Easton," Levi said, his voice firmer now. "What's our next move?"
"We have options," Easton replied. "First, I can request an extension on the estate tax payment. That buys you some time. Second, we can explore financing options—loans, asset liquidation, or leveraging your inheritance for credit."
Levi frowned. "Selling off my assets is a last resort. I need that boat. And the farm? It's a long-term investment."
"Understood. In that case, I'd suggest using the insurance money strategically. Pay down part of the tax, secure an extension for the rest, and in the meantime… you make money."
Levi smirked. "Make money, huh? Sounds simple when you say it like that."
"You're in Alaska, Levi. If there's any place in America where a man can turn hard work into fortune, it's there."
Levi -"Alright, Easton. Get me that extension. And find me a financial advisor who specializes in high-net-worth estates. If I'm playing in the big leagues now, I need a proper game plan."
The lawyer chuckled. "Now you're talking. I'll make some calls."
Levi ended the call and stuffed his phone back into his pocket. The cold wind howled around him, but he barely felt it.
He turned toward the cabin, his mind already racing with ideas.
TO BE CONTINUED...