Chapter 4 Young Master, We've Found You

After leaving the party, which seemed designed solely to humiliate him, Max's phone buzzed in his pocket, interrupting his spiraling thoughts. His trembling hands pulled out the device, and his eyes landed on a message that would forever change the course of his life.

A voice spoke from the other end of the line: "Young Master, your bank account has just received a transfer of $100,000,000."

Max responded, his voice tinged with confusion: "Yes? I'm no master-you must have the wrong number."

A few minutes later, another notification pinged on his phone: a deposit of $100,000,000 confirmed.

The voice on the line continued, steady and resolute: "Young Master, we've been searching for you for fifteen years."

Raindrops, the size of beans, began to spatter against the phone screen, distorting the words. Max's mind raced as a whirlwind of thoughts overtook him. For fifteen years, he had lived as an ordinary man, completely unaware of his true identity as the heir to a vast fortune.

The loss of Lisa-a woman driven by materialism-now felt like a blessing in disguise. With every step forward, Max realized his destiny had taken an unexpected turn, plunging him into a world of unimaginable wealth and privilege.

Once a simple man juggling three jobs to make ends meet, Max Holden now stood on the brink of reclaiming his rightful place among the elite of the ultra-wealthy.

The voice on the phone reminded him again: "The Elder Master requests your presence, Sir."

Max held the phone, stunned, his thoughts drifting wildly. This single call, destined to change his life forever, prompted him to stammer: "W... what?"

Before Max could fully process the conversation, a fleet of luxury cars emerged in front of him. Porsche, Lamborghini, and others, each worth a fortune, filled the street. Leading the lineup was a Rolls-Royce Phantom, flanked by an array of high-performance sports cars, including a Lamborghini Aventador and a Ferrari 812 Superfast.

Dressed in his ordinary clothes, Max felt entirely out of place amidst the extravagant display.

As he tried to grasp the situation, a group of personal bodyguards-dressed in black suits and sunglasses-approached him. "Young Master, we are here to escort you." The leader of the guards bowed with exaggerated respect, making Max feel increasingly uneasy.

More men, all dressed identically and towering in stature, stepped out of the cars.

The scene attracted stares from those nearby. It was like something out of a movie-unreal and overwhelming.

Among the group, a man radiating authority emerged and walked toward Max, bowing deeply. "Young Master, welcome back."

Max stood in stunned silence before asking, "What family do I belong to? I mean... my family?"

The man replied in a formal tone, "Do you not know the Holden family? The largest and most influential dynasty in the West, with investments and partnerships spanning every continent."

Shock rippled through Max as he struggled to believe the revelation. This was the same Holden family known globally by the HN emblem-a symbol of power and affluence. The Holdens were a towering giant in industry and wealth, casting a long shadow over the worlds of business and finance. Their fortune rivaled the GDP of small nations, their name evoking both admiration and envy.

The Holden empire's reach extended across continents, touching every conceivable sector with an unyielding presence. From cutting-edge tech startups to high-return real estate ventures, their diversified portfolio ensured an endless flow of wealth.

The man bowed once more, saying, "The Elder Master awaits you, Sir."

Max joined the convoy, the cars driving toward an enormous gate that opened automatically. The journey continued along a sprawling driveway for nearly fifteen minutes before they arrived.

They stopped in an immense garage housing over fifty luxury vehicles. The Holden residence, an understatement to call a mere mansion, was a modern palace situated on vast grounds rivaling royal estates. The property included an opulent main house with more rooms than a boutique hotel, surrounded by meticulously landscaped gardens and a private lake.

Inside, priceless art collections adorned the walls, featuring works spanning centuries, their value reaching into the billions.

In the heart of this immense empire of wealth and influence, Max Holden stood as a reluctant heir, caught in a web of expectations and intrigue. His journey would not only define his place within this luminous dynasty but also uncover the secrets and complexities that came with unimaginable riches.

Max, overwhelmed, struggled to process the surprise. The worst day of his life had somehow transformed into the best.

The voice of the man beside him interrupted his thoughts: "Young Master, the Elder Master awaits your presence upstairs."

Max stepped out of the garage and entered an elevator lined with gold and ivory, its base made of silver. Next to him was a phone so luxurious it seemed out of place even here. The man pressed the button for the third floor.

When they arrived, they stopped in front of a grand door. "Young Master, the Elder Master is inside," the man said.

Max, his heart pounding and hands trembling with fear, stepped inside. Taking a deep breath, he saw a man in his fifties sitting in a chair adorned with lion carvings.

The man rose and approached Max, tears welling in his eyes as he embraced him. "Max, I've finally found you, my grandson."

The Elder Master held Max's hand and guided him to sit beside him. Placing his hand on Max's trembling one, he spoke with sorrow: "I know you don't understand what's happening, but my son, I've searched for you for fifteen years and could never find you."

Max, his voice shaking, stammered: "I... I thought I was an orphan. I thought I had no family."

"That day," the Elder Master began, "you were with your father when he passed in an accident. We couldn't find you after that. Many believed you were dead, but your mother and I never gave up hope of finding you."

Max's eyes widened in disbelief. "Does this mean... I'm the heir to this massive legacy? I can't believe it. I've spent my life as a poor orphan, working three jobs just to pay for school and university."

The president approached a stack of papers on the desk, picked them up, and handed them to his grandson Max, saying, "These documents contain some of our properties and immense wealth, all of which are now yours. Max, the scope of the Holden Empire knows no bounds. Our financial institutions have a global footprint, operating in the major financial hubs of the world."

Max sat in silence, feeling the weight of the moment pressing down on his shoulders. Before him lay the enormous file his grandfather had produced, brimming with documents bearing the names of companies, contracts, and deals-representing a fraction of the Holden family's empire. This world was a stark contrast to his previous life, one of modesty and distance from the vast corridors of power and influence.

Slowly, Bill opened the file, revealing a complex chart depicting the flow of funds and investments within the family's network. "This, young Master Max, is a mere glimpse of the empire you are about to inherit. Each line represents an investment, and every arrow signifies streams of profit."

Max hesitated before asking, "Is all this solely for the family? Am I responsible for all these companies and this wealth?"

Bill nodded confidently. "Yes, Max. It won't be easy, but I believe you are capable of shouldering this responsibility. It is your destiny."

Max took a deep breath, his eyes shifting between the intricate chart and his grandfather. He felt an indescribable pressure, as if he were standing in the midst of an expansive ocean, unable to see land. Yet, there was no alternative but to dive into these overwhelming depths.

His grandfather interrupted his thoughts with a calm yet firm voice. "Max, heirs are not just people who sit back and enjoy wealth. Expectations and responsibilities come with this title. Every decision you make could affect thousands, perhaps millions."

Max raised his head and gazed at his grandfather with newfound determination. "I understand that. I may have lived a completely different life until now, but I'm ready to take this on."

His grandfather offered a reassuring smile, placing a hand on Max's shoulder. "I know it seems daunting now, my boy, but I have faith in you. I've seen enough to know that you'll become a great leader, just like your father."

Max froze at the mention of his father. His father had always been a symbol of warmth and strength, yet Max knew so little about the man's life.

In a measured tone, Max asked, "What did my father do? How did he handle all of this?"

Holden sighed deeply, his expression tinged with emotion as he sat down again. "Your father was a genius. Even as a young man, he managed significant portions of the empire with unwavering precision. There was nothing he couldn't handle. Unfortunately, life was unfair to him." He paused momentarily before adding, "But now, you are here to carry the torch."

Max's breath hitched as he listened to his grandfather, the weight of the words settling heavily on his chest. He understood that everything now rested on his shoulders, and any failure on his part could bring the entire empire crashing down.

"Max," Holden continued, "I've decided to entrust you with control of the core company within our empire. This will be your first step into this world. You will manage it and prove to everyone that you are the rightful heir."

Max was taken aback, responding with hesitation, "The core company? But... I don't know where to start. I don't have the experience."

Bill chuckled lightly and replied, "That's why we are here. We'll guide you in the beginning and stand by you every step of the way. But understand this: this is your path now, and there's no turning back."