INHERITANCE OF WEALTH: THE BILLIONAIRE TWIN

Chapter one

The skyline of Manhattan stretched out like a glittering tapestry beneath the private penthouse terrace of the billionaire CEO of Lotex Corporation. The old businessman lay in his room, surrounded by his family, including his grandson Alex Lee.

The air was thick with tension as the family gathered in the spacious penthouse, their faces illuminated by the soft glow of the city lights. The CEO, Mr. Lee, lay on his bed, his once-sharp eyes now clouded with age, but still filled with a fierce determination.

Alex stood by his grandfather’s bedside, his expression a mask of concern and apprehension. He had been groomed from a young age to take over the family business, and now, with his grandfather’s failing health, the weight of that responsibility rested squarely on his shoulders.

“Grandfather,” Alex said softly, reaching out to grasp the old man’s hand. “Is there anything you need?”

Mr. Lee’s gaze drifted to his grandson, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “Alex, my boy,” he rasped, his voice barely above a whisper. “You’ve always been my pride and joy.”

“I’ve done so many bad things in the past that I can’t even think about telling you, and if you find out someday I hope you do forgive me son.” The old man said then let out a light cough.

Eventually time passed that evening and Alex watched his grandfather pass away in the room, a sense of profound loss washed over him. He had always admired and respected the old man, despite their occasional disagreements. Now, with his grandfather gone, Alex felt the weight of his absence like never before.

The scene changed abruptly, transporting us to a cramped, dimly lit room in a poor neighborhood. Sebastian sat beside his mother’s sickbed, his face etched with worry and exhaustion. The room was sparse, furnished with only the bare necessities, a stark contrast to the opulence of the penthouse where Alex had just witnessed his grandfather’s passing.

“Mom,” Sebastian said softly, reaching out to grasp her frail hand. “How are you feeling?”

His mother weakly opened her eyes, her face pale and drawn with illness. “I’m... I’m hanging in there, Sebastian,” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. “But I’m worried about you.”

Sebastian’s heart clenched at the concern in his mother’s voice. Despite her own struggles, she always put her son’s well-being first.

“Don’t worry about me, Mom,” Sebastian said, forcing a reassuring smile. “I’ll be fine.”

Without hesitation Sebastian puts his hand on his mother’s forehead to check her temperature and finds out that she’s burning up again.

“You need to eat something.”

Sebastian suggested that he would go find some medicines and food for his mother, hoping to alleviate her suffering. But his mother, in her sick condition, weakly objected.

“Sebastian, you can’t,” she protested, her voice barely a whisper. “You don’t have any money to buy medicine or food.”

Sebastian’s heart sank at his mother’s words. He knew she was right. Their meager savings had been exhausted long ago, and they had no one else to turn to for help.

“I’ll find a way, Mom,” Sebastian insisted, his voice tinged with desperation. “I’ll figure something out.”

But his mother shook her head weakly, her face etched with worry. “No, Sebastian. It’s too dangerous. You can’t risk getting into trouble.”

Sebastian hesitated, torn between his desire to help his mother and his fear of the dangers lurking outside their door. But deep down, he knew he couldn’t just sit idly by while his mother suffered.

“Mom, I have to do something,” Sebastian said firmly, his resolve hardening. “I won’t let you suffer like this.”

With that, Sebastian kissed his mother on the forehead and made his way out into the bustling streets

The neighborhood was unfamiliar and unforgiving, filled with poverty and desperation at every turn.

As Sebastian walked, his mind raced with thoughts of how he could obtain the medicine and food his mother so desperately needed. He passed by rundown buildings and dilapidated storefronts, his eyes scanning the faces of the people around him, searching for a glimmer of hope.

Suddenly, he spotted a small pharmacy nestled between two buildings, its neon sign flickering weakly in the dim light. Sebastian’s heart skipped a beat as he approached the entrance, his hands trembling with anticipation.

But as he reached into his pocket to retrieve his wallet, he realized with a sinking feeling that he had no money to pay for the supplies. His shoulders slumped in defeat as he turned to leave, the weight of his failure pressing down on him like a heavy burden.

Just then, Sebastian’s gaze fell upon a discarded wallet lying on the ground nearby. His heart raced with excitement as he picked it up and flipped it open, finding it filled with cash.

For a moment, Sebastian hesitated, torn between his sense of right and wrong. But as he thought of his mother lying at home, sick and in need, he knew he had to seize this opportunity.

With a sense of determination, Sebastian pocketed the wallet and hurried back to the pharmacy. He quickly gathered the supplies he needed and made his way back home, his heart pounding with a mixture of guilt and relief.

When Sebastian returned to his mother’s bedside, he found her weak and weary, but a glimmer of hope sparkled in her eyes as she saw the supplies he had brought.

“Sebastian, you didn’t...” she started, but Sebastian cut her off with a smile.

“I did, Mom,” he said, his voice filled with pride. “I found a way.”

As Sebastian tended to his mother’s needs, a sense of peace washed over him. He knew that he had done the right thing, even if it meant breaking the rules. And as he looked into his mother’s grateful eyes, he knew that he would do whatever it took to keep her safe and comfortable, no matter the cost.

Back at Alex’s mansion, the air was thick with tension as everyone sat in the living room, mourning the passing of the family patriarch. The atmosphere was heavy with grief and uncertainty, each family member lost in their own thoughts and emotions.

After some time, the family lawyer stood up, breaking the somber silence. He cleared his throat, his voice steady but tinged with sadness as he began to read Mr. Lee’s will.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” the lawyer began, addressing the gathered family members. “As per the instructions of the late Mr. Lee, we are here to read his last will and testament.”

Alex sat stiffly in his chair, his eyes fixed on the lawyer as he waited anxiously to hear the contents of his grandfather’s will. Beside him, other family members sat in hushed anticipation, their faces drawn with grief.

The lawyer unfolded the document and began to read aloud, his voice echoing through the quiet room. “To my beloved family, I leave my entire estate, including Lotex Corporation, to be divided equally among my heirs.”

A murmur of surprise rippled through the room as the lawyer’s words sank in. Alex’s heart raced with anticipation, knowing that this would mean a significant inheritance for him and his family.

“But,” the lawyer continued, his voice taking on a more serious tone, “there is a condition attached to this inheritance.”

Alex’s brow furrowed in confusion, his mind racing with questions. What condition could his grandfather have possibly imposed on his will?

“The condition is as follows,” the lawyer stated, his voice unwavering. “In order to receive their share of the inheritance, each heir must demonstrate their commitment to the family and the legacy of Lotex Corporation.”

Alex’s confusion deepened as he listened to the lawyer’s words. What did his grandfather mean by “demonstrate their commitment”? And how were they supposed to prove it?

He asked himself, what did he’s grandfather mean by each heir... was their another heir to the company that he didn’t know of?..

As the lawyer continued to read the will, he introduced Sebastian as Alex’s twin brother. The revelation sent shockwaves through the room, and Alex’s family members exchanged bewildered glances, their expressions a mix of surprise and confusion

“Sebastian is to be brought to the Lee’s mansion immediately,” the lawyer continued, his voice carrying the weight of the unexpected announcement.

Alex felt as if the ground had been pulled out from under him. He had grown up believing he was an only child, unaware of the existence of a twin brother. The news hit him like a ton of bricks, leaving him reeling with disbelief.

Around him, the tension in the room was palpable as his family members struggled to process the bombshell revelation. Questions flew through their minds, but no one dared to voice them aloud.

“Is this some kind of joke?” one family member finally spoke up, breaking the uneasy silence.

The lawyer shook his head solemnly. “No, I assure you, this is not a joke. Mr. Lee’s will clearly states that Sebastian is to be recognized as an heir to the Lee family estate.”

Alex’s mind raced with questions. How could he have a twin brother he knew nothing about? Why had his grandfather kept Sebastian’s existence a secret all these years?