The return

Morning at the Wellington Mansion

"Good morning, sir," Sam greeted Richard as he stepped into the study.

Richard, still deep in thought, barely acknowledged him.

"Max is here to see you," Sam informed him.

Richard sighed. "Let him in."

Max entered the room and greeted Richard respectfully.

"Any updates about the truck driver?" Richard asked immediately.

"No, sir. We've searched everywhere—his house, his known associates—but all leads have turned cold," Max reported.

Richard's jaw tightened. "He couldn't have just vanished overnight! If you had done your job right, you would have found him by now!"

"I'm sorry, sir," Max muttered.

Richard leaned back in his chair, deep in thought. If this was truly a murder, then Barry wasn't safe either.

"Sam, my phone," he ordered.

Sam handed it over, and Richard dialed the doctor.

"Good morning, sir," the doctor answered.

"Is Barry awake?"

"Yes, sir. He woke up this morning."

"Good. And you made sure no one knows he's at your hospital?"

"Of course, sir. I personally moved him to the restricted wing, where only my most trusted staff have access."

"Good. Thank you, Doctor."

Richard exhaled heavily. I owe my son… I was at fault for his death. He clenched his fists. No harm shall come to Barry.

He turned sharply to Max. "Secretly arrange for Barry to leave the country. I want him out of here until I can figure out how to handle this situation. No one must know—only the three of us in this room."

"Understood, sir," Max nodded.

In the Wellington mansion's grand sitting room, Richard, Victoria, Victor, his wife Ella, and their two children, Hannah and Jack, were gathered.

Victor leaned back in his chair, smirking. "Oh, that poor boy," he said, feigning sympathy. "He never even got to enjoy life."

Victoria scoffed. "Well, that's what he gets for trying to reap where he didn't sow."

Richard slammed his fist on the table. "Do you even have a conscience, you wicked woman? No wonder your son takes after you!" His voice was filled with disgust. "The only crime that boy committed was being born into a family of vultures like you!"

Victoria rolled her eyes. "Spare me the self-righteous act, Richard! You're no saint! You cheated on me with that lowlife whore! You betrayed me, you bastard!"

Richard's face darkened. "At least she was a better woman than you."

As their argument escalated, Victor sat back, smirking to himself. Let's see who inherits everything now that your precious son is dead.

What Richard never told anyone was that he had never loved Victoria. He only married her because of her family's wealth, abandoning his true love—Maria, Daniel's mother.

Maria didn't just die…

She was murdered when Daniel was ten.

And now, more secrets were waiting to be uncovered

20 Years Later – United States

In an art classroom, a small group of students sat sketching quietly.

"Alright, class, you can submit your project work before leaving," the professor said before walking out.

Mirabel, a bright and cheerful student, glanced over at Barry's sketch. "Oh wow, Barry. Your work is amazing!"

Barry barely looked up. He simply nodded in acknowledgment and continued drawing.

Two other girls in the corner whispered to each other.

"What's his deal? I've tried talking to him so many times, but he always gives off this cold, silent vibe."

"Yeah, he's so mysterious. I wonder why?"

As the students left, Barry sat alone, lost in thought.

Flashback

A dark road…

The sound of screeching tires…

His mother's scream…

And then—the crash.

Barry's hands clenched into fists.

He could still hear those men that night, standing over the wreckage.

"No need to check. I'm sure they're all dead."

But they were wrong.

Max entered the classroom. "He wants you back," he said.

Barry simply nodded. It was time.

Back at the Wellington mansion, the entire household was bustling. Staff members were decorating the grand halls.

Victoria walked in, frowning. "What is all this nonsense?"

Before anyone could respond, Richard turned to her. "I'm expecting a visitor, and I expect the entire family to be present."

Victoria looked uneasy but said nothing.

That evening, in the grand Wellington sitting room, Richard stood before the gathered family.

"I know you're all wondering why I called this meeting," he began. "I wouldn't have, except for something of great importance."

He paused, letting the tension build.

"Someone who has been far from home for years… has finally returned."

The room fell into deep silence.

Then—the sound of footsteps.

A pair of sleek black shoes tapped against the marble stairs.

Step. Step. Step.

The doors swung open.

Barry Wellington stepped in.

A calm, confident presence surrounded him.

Victor's face turned pale. Impossible.

Richard smiled. "Welcome home, my grandson."