Death wish
Keifer's POV
I don't understand!
"H-how did this happen?" I asked Mr. Ryder.
I have millions—no! Billions of money I never even knew existed. And what I can't comprehend is that even my grandparents, who died long ago, left me an inheritance. I wasn't even born yet, but there was already money prepared for me.
"Let's just say your grandparents didn't trust your dad, so they gambled on their grandchild instead," he explained to me.
"B-but... I... I..."
"Speechless? Then let me explain everything to you."
I looked at him as he took all the documents I was holding and sat down across from me.
"100% of your grandparents' assets and liabilities are in your name. Your mother's assets and liabilities are also in your and your brothers' names..." He paused and looked at me before continuing.
"Your dad has no rights to any of this—not to your properties or your brothers'."
It's like my brain refused to accept what he was saying. They left all of this to me?
"But..." he added, making me freeze, "...you'll only have full access to all this,"—he raised the papers—"...once you reach the legal age of 18."
My head hurts. This is such a huge amount of money. What am I supposed to do with it? I don't even know if I can handle something this big.
"Keifer?" he called me.
"S-sorry... I just... I can't believe this," I said and ran a hand through my hair. "...I don't know if I can manage all this."
I looked at the other documents on the table and froze even more when I saw what was written.
"W-what is this?! A company? What company?! Why is it in my name too?!" I asked, shocked.
What is this?! I can't take it anymore... I feel like my brain's going to explode.
"You seem unprepared," Mr. Ryder said as he organized the documents.
"I know you're too young for this, but your mother insisted."
"My mom?"
He looked at me seriously. "Your mom was a friend of mine. Four years ago, on the day your brother Keiren was born, she called me to discuss her last will and testament."
She did that? But why?
"She was worried about you and your brothers. She knew your dad would never care for you once he got what he wanted."
It made me even more depressed. All this time, Mom knew what could happen. Her life was in danger, and where was I? Out of the house. Avoiding them.
I'm useless. A worthless son. I just let it happen to her—and in the end, I couldn't even help her.
"Mom..." I whispered.
He handed me a small piece of paper.
"Call me when you're ready."
⸻
"Where's your dad?!" I asked Keigan angrily.
"H-he's in his room... with someone."
I held my temple. I knew what he meant. I quickly walked to the guest room where he usually brings his "guests."
I didn't knock—I barged right in. And as expected, I caught them in a compromising scene.
"Keifer! Don't you know how to knock?!" he yelled.
The woman with him quickly covered herself with the blanket. I raised an eyebrow. She looked so young. Probably 18—or even younger.
"You! Have you no respect?! It's not even a month since Mom's burial!" I shouted angrily.
"So? She's dead. No matter what you do, she's not coming back!"
Yeah! She's dead because of you!
I slammed the door shut in frustration and punched the wall.
Why did Mom have to be the one taken from us? Why not him instead?! It's so infuriating! I can't stand him anymore.
I stormed into my room and started throwing things around.
Why did someone like him have to be my father?
I sat on the floor beside my bed, grabbing my hair in frustration.
Mom! I don't know what to do!
Then I remembered something—or someone. I quickly searched for the calling card he gave me. It wasn't hard to find; it was still on my study table. I dialed the number right away.
"Hello?" he answered on the other end.
"Mr. Ryder... It's me, Keifer."
"I guess you're ready."
I'm not f*cking ready!
This is more complicated than I ever imagined. I feel like I'm in my 30s carrying this weight, and I'm just a teen.
"...Do you understand?" Mr. Ryder asked.
"Hmm... Yes?"
Mr. Ryder sighed. "Let's start all over again."
He took all the papers from the table, including the ones I was holding.
He placed a document in front of me. "This is your total assets and liabilities."
He placed another one. "This is the monthly earnings of Watson Enterprise. Even if you don't work, the company's income will still be yours."
That part, I understood. Even if I do nothing, the company's money flows to me.
Then he placed another paper in front of me.
"This is the only amount you'll receive monthly until you have full access."
"Okay... Like an allowance," I replied.
He nodded. "You can consider it an allowance."
I looked at the last document. My eyes widened.
Consider this an allowance?! Is this a joke? Who gets a 200k monthly allowance?!
I looked at Keigan and Keiren's earnings. The amount was smaller, probably because they're younger.
But why is their money also under me?
"Why is their money also given to me?"
"Because they're under your care. Unless you plan to have someone else take care of them, we'll send the money to that guardian."
I understood. He explained even more. I also learned that even though everything is under my name, there's still a chance the monster could gain access—especially to Keigan and Keiren's funds.
But that's not the only thing I'm worried about.
"Do I have the right to kick someone out of this house?"
He looked confused. "Yes... This house is under your name."
"Even him?"
He knew who I was referring to. I can't stand him living in the same house with us. He disrespected Mom. Not even 40 days and he already brought a woman over.
"You know you're still a minor. Under the law, you need a guardian," he explained.
I knew he'd say that. Ever since I called him, I've been thinking about it.
"What if in Mom's last will, she gave custody to someone else?"
"That wasn't in your mom's last will."
I stared at him. "Are you sure?"
He sat up straight and cleared his throat. "I don't like what you're planning."
"Nowadays, everything can be faked," I said as I ran my hand over the paper.
"Name it under one of Mom's trusted maids or butlers."
"Keifer... You know—"
"I know. I also know we could get sued." I smirked.
"But what's the use of the law when you have money?"
No one even questioned Mom's death—because that monster had so much money.
He played dirty. So can I.
"I need to fight back. If I can't beat him physically, I'll fight in other ways."
Last wills and testaments are powerful. They can override some laws.
Mr. Ryder took a deep breath. I know he understood my mom's pain.
He's my only hope. The only one who can help me with this.
"As you wish, Mr. Watson," he replied.
This may not be the way I wanted, but I have to.
For Mom. For my brothers.
⸻
"Kuya!" Keiren cried out.
I had just come home from school and was confused when he ran to me, crying.
"What happened?"
"Dad! He left... and he took Keigan with him!"
I looked at one of the maids. "Is that true?!"
"Yes, sir... He brought Keigan's things too," she replied with her head bowed.
"And none of you did anything?!" I shouted angrily.
I grabbed my hair in frustration and immediately called Mr. Ryder.
"Keifer?"
"He has Keigan! He took Keigan from me!" I shouted, frustrated.
"Relax... maybe he just went out of town or on a business trip."
"No! You don't understand! He knows now that he won't get a single cent! He kidnapped my brother!"
I was almost in tears as I spoke. I knew he was planning something. It's impossible he's not.
What if he does something to Keigan too?
"Take a deep breath, Keifer. I'm on my way," he said before ending the call.
I glared at the maids and butlers.
"USELESS! GET OUT OF MY SIGHT!"
I looked at Keiren, who was still crying. I walked over and hugged him tightly.
When will he stop tormenting us?