Chapter 159 - 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 that I never knew existed.

What I don't understand is that my grandparents, who died long ago, also left me an inheritance. I wasn't even born yet, but they had already set aside money for me.

"Let's just say your grandparents didn't trust your dad, so they gambled on their future grandson," he explained.

"B-but... I... I..."

"Speechless? Then let me explain everything to you."

I watched as he took all the papers I was holding and sat across from me.

"One hundred percent of your grandparents' assets and liabilities are under your name. Your mother's assets and liabilities are also under your name—and your brothers'," he said.

I stared at him in disbelief as he continued.

"Your father has no rights over any of this—neither your properties nor your brothers'."

It felt like my mind refused to accept what he was saying. They left everything to me?

"But..." he continued, making me pause. "...You'll have full access to all of this," he raised the papers, "...once you reach the legal age of eighteen."

My head ached. That was a lot of money. What would I even do with it? I wasn't sure if I could handle such a large amount.

"Keifer?" he called my name.

"S-sorry... I just... I can't believe this," I muttered, running my hands through my hair. "I don't know if I can manage all this."

I glanced at another paper on the table, and my eyes widened at what was written on it.

"W-what is this?! A company? What company?! Why is it under my name?!" I asked, completely shocked.

This was too much! I couldn't take it anymore. I felt like my brain was going to explode.

"It looks like you're not ready for this," Mr. Ryder said, gathering the papers. "...I knew you were too young, but your mother insisted I handle this for you."

"My mom?"

He looked at me seriously. "Your mother 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 father would never take care of you once he got what he wanted."

His words made my chest tighten. Mom had known all along what might happen. She knew her life was at risk. And where was I? Outside the house, avoiding them.

I was useless. A useless son. I let it happen, and in the end, I couldn't even help her.

"Mom..." I whispered.

Mr. Ryder handed me a small piece of paper. "Call me when you're ready."

"Where is your father?!" I asked Keigan angrily.

"H-he's in his room. He's with someone."

I clenched my fists. I knew exactly what he meant. I stormed toward the guest room—the place he always brought his guests.

I didn't bother knocking. I threw the door open, and just as I expected, I caught them in a disgusting scene.

"Keifer! Don't you know how to knock?!" he snapped at me.

The woman with him immediately covered herself with a blanket. I raised an eyebrow. She looked so young—probably eighteen or even younger.

"You! Don't you have any respect?! Mom hasn't even been buried for a month!" I yelled furiously.

"So what? She's dead. She's not coming back no matter what you do!"

Yeah! And she's dead because of you!

I slammed the door shut and punched the wall in frustration.

Why did we have to lose Mom? Why not him?!

I couldn't take it anymore. I went straight to my room, throwing things in anger. Why was he still my father?

I sank onto the floor beside my bed. My hands clenched into fists as I tried to process everything.

Mom... I don't know what to do!

Then I remembered something—or rather, someone. I immediately searched for the business card Mr. Ryder had given me.

It wasn't hard to find; it was right on my study table. Without hesitation, I dialed the number.

["Hello?"] came his voice from the other end.

"Mr. Ryder... It's me, Keifer."

["I guess you're ready."]

I wasn't fucking ready!

This was more complicated than I thought. I felt like I was losing my mind. I was just a teenager, but with all this information, I felt like I was in my thirties.

"...Do you understand?" Mr. Ryder asked.

"Hmm... Yes?"

Mr. Ryder sighed. "Let's start from the beginning."

He took all the papers from the table—even the one I was holding. Then, he dropped a single sheet in front of me.

"This is your total assets and liabilities," he explained.

He placed another paper beside it.

"...And this is the monthly revenue of Watson Enterprise. Even if you don't work, the company's income still belongs to you."

I understand that part. Even if I do nothing, the company's income will still come to me.

Mr. Ryder lowered another paper. "This is the only amount you will receive every month since you don't have full access yet."

"Okay… Like an allowance," I said.

He nodded. "You can consider it an allowance."

I looked at the last paper he placed on the table, and my eyes widened. Consider this an allowance? Is this a joke? Who gets an allowance of $200,000 every month?

I glanced at Keigan and Keiren's figures. Theirs were much smaller, probably because they were younger. But why was their money being transferred to me as well?

"Why does their money still go to me?" I asked.

"Because they are under your guardianship. Unless you intend to have someone else take care of them, the money will be sent to you for their expenses."

I understood. He explained everything thoroughly. I also found out that even though everything was under my name, there were still ways for that monster to gain access. Enough about Keigan and Keiren's money.

But that wasn't my only concern. There was something else I needed to know.

"Do I have the right to evict someone from this house?"

Mr. Ryder looked at me, confused. "Yes… This house is under your name."

"Even him?"

He knew exactly who I was referring to. I couldn't stand having him here. He disrespected my mom. Less than 40 days after her death, and he was already bringing another woman into our home.

"You probably know that you're not of legal age. Under the law, you need a guardian," he explained.

I expected him to say that. From the moment I called him, I had been thinking about this.

"What if, in Mom's last will, she gave custody to someone else?"

"That wasn't included in your mother's last will."

I looked at him seriously. "Are you sure about that?"

He sat up straight and cleared his throat. "I don't like what you're thinking."

"Nowadays, anything can be forged," I said, running my fingers over the paper. "...Transfer the guardianship to one of my mother's trusted maids or butlers."

"Keifer… You know—"

"I know. I also know we could be sued," I smirked. "…But what's the use of law when you have money?"

No one dared to question my mother's death because that monster had a lot of money. He played dirty, so I would too.

"I need to fight back. If I can't fight him physically, I'll find another way."

A last will and testament holds immense legal power—it can override certain laws.

Mr. Ryder took a deep breath. I knew he understood Mom's suffering. He was my only hope—the only one who could help me now.

"As you wish, Mr. Watson," he finally said.

It wasn't how I wanted things to be, but it was necessary. For Mom. For my siblings.

"Brother!" Keiren screamed.

I had just come home from school when he ran toward me, crying.

"What happened?"

"Dad! He left… He took Keigan with him!"

I turned to one of the maids. "Is that true?!"

"Y-yes, sir. He took Keigan's belongings with him," she answered, her head lowered.

"And you didn't even try to stop him?!" I shouted in anger.

I clenched my fists, trying to contain my rage. Without wasting another second, I grabbed my phone and called Mr. Ryder.

["Keifer?"]

"He took Keigan! He took my brother from me!" I yelled, frustration boiling over.

["Relax… Maybe he just went out of town or on a business trip."]

"No! You don't understand! He knows he won't get anything from the inheritance. He kidnapped my brother!"

Tears threatened to spill. I knew he had a plan. This wasn't just a coincidence. What if he did something to Keigan too?

["Take a deep breath, Keifer. I'm on my way."] He ended the call.

I turned to the maids and butlers, glaring at them. "YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING! GET OUT OF MY SIGHT!"

I looked at Keiren, who was still crying. I walked over to him and pulled him into a hug.

When will he stop torturing us?