Chapter 4
Ryan had barely finished signing the apprenticeship contract when Edward's phone rang.
He answered without taking his eyes off the construction yard.
After only a few seconds, his expression hardened.
"I understand."
He ended the call.
"They've started."
Ryan frowned.
"Started what?"
Edward looked directly at him.
"Stealing your father's legacy."
An hour later...
Ryan followed Edward into the glass headquarters of Carter Global Holdings for the first time in his life.
Ironically, he had driven past the building hundreds of times.
He had never imagined it belonged to his father.
Employees lined both sides of the lobby.
Construction workers stood beside executives.
Receptionists stood beside engineers.
As Ryan entered, every employee quietly lowered their heads.
Not because he was the heir.
They already knew he had inherited nothing.
They bowed because he was Thomas Carter's son.
The son of the man who had changed thousands of lives.
Ryan felt more ashamed than honored.
On the top floor, the boardroom doors swung open.
Inside sat twelve board members.
Most wore solemn expressions.
One man, however, looked irritated.
Victor Lang.
The company's Chief Financial Officer.
He stood as soon as Ryan entered.
"So this is the son."
His tone carried no respect.
Edward's voice turned cold.
"Watch your words."
Victor shrugged.
"The Chairman made an emotional decision."
"He donated everything."
"Fine."
"But now someone has to manage those assets."
Ryan listened quietly.
Victor continued.
"The charitable foundation has no experienced leadership."
"I've already prepared the paperwork."
Edward frowned.
"What paperwork?"
Victor slid several folders across the table.
"I'll become temporary chairman of the foundation."
"I'll oversee all charitable assets."
Ryan noticed Edward's face immediately darken.
"Was my father aware of this proposal?" Edward asked.
Victor smiled.
"There wasn't time."
"He died unexpectedly."
Edward slowly closed the folders.
"No."
"He rejected this proposal."
Victor's smile disappeared.
Edward opened his briefcase.
He removed another document.
"The Chairman anticipated this exact situation."
Victor's confidence faltered.
"What?"
Edward placed a sealed envelope on the table.
Across the front was written:
In the Event Anyone Attempts to Control My Charitable Trust
Victor's face went pale.
Edward calmly read the letter aloud.
"If anyone seeks control over my donations for personal influence rather than public service, they are to be removed immediately from every position within Carter Global Holdings."
The room fell silent.
Edward looked at Victor.
"There is one final sentence."
He continued reading.
"That includes anyone who helped me build this company."
Victor's breathing became uneven.
"No..."
Edward slid another folder toward him.
"The Chairman ordered an independent audit six months before his death."
Victor stared at the report.
His hands began trembling.
Ryan leaned closer.
Page after page revealed unauthorized executive expenses.
Luxury vacations billed to the company.
Private jets disguised as business travel.
Consulting contracts awarded to Victor's relatives.
Millions of dollars quietly siphoned from corporate accounts.
Edward spoke firmly.
"My friend knew something was wrong."
"He just needed proof."
Victor slammed his fist on the table.
"I built this company too!"
Edward's voice remained calm.
"No."
"You worked for the man who built it."
Security officers entered the boardroom.
Victor looked around desperately.
"No one here is innocent!"
Several board members lowered their heads.
Edward nodded.
"We know."
He held up another document.
"The audit identified everyone involved."
One by one, additional executives were asked to stand.
Five in total.
Each had secretly profited from the company's success while Thomas Carter quietly spent his own fortune helping workers.
Ryan watched in disbelief.
His father had trusted these people for decades.
Yet even after his death...
They had tried to steal from orphanages, hospitals, scholarships, and families who depended on his final gift.
As security escorted Victor toward the door, he suddenly stopped.
He turned toward Ryan.
"You think your father was perfect?"
Ryan said nothing.
Victor laughed bitterly.
"He kept one secret from you until the day he died."
Edward immediately interrupted.
"Enough."
But Victor smiled.
"Oh..."
"He deserves to know."
Ryan looked at him.
"What secret?"
Victor's expression turned strangely sympathetic.
"The old construction site where your father worked every Friday..."
"It wasn't because he enjoyed labor."
Ryan frowned.
"Then why?"
Victor looked him directly in the eyes.
"He was visiting someone."
"Someone he never had the courage to bring home."
The room froze.
Ryan's heart began racing.
Victor whispered one final sentence before security led him away.
"You weren't your father's only child."
The boardroom fell into stunned silence.
Ryan slowly turned toward Edward.
His voice barely existed.
"...Is he lying?"
Edward closed his eyes.
He didn't answer immediately.
May you like
That silence...
Was all Ryan needed to hear.
