I Àm The Richest Heir

3

Although anger and sadness gnawed at his soul, Mike knew that the path ahead might be brighter. One day, he would find a love that appreciated all his efforts and sacrifices—and when that time came, he would make sure this experience would not prevent him from loving again.

With a feeling of depression, Mike chose not to continue his work that day. He returned to his small rented room, an old apartment with cracked and narrow walls. Once inside, he lay down on the bed, his gaze blankly staring at the gloomy ceiling. All the beautiful memories of their relationship played in his mind—the dates they celebrated, the happy moments, all of them now felt painful.

Not only because of the sad breakup but also because of what he had to sacrifice. He had almost spent every penny on Lauren, struggling to work hard just to be able to give her everything. Now, all those efforts felt in vain. The feeling of heartbreak gnawed at every corner of his soul.

While his mind was scattered with doubt and sadness, suddenly, his cell phone rang. A new message came in. At first, Mike was not tempted to look at it, but his instinct made him reach for the cell phone. His eyes widened when he saw what was displayed on the screen: "Your bank account has been credited with 5 million dollars."

He was stunned, unable to believe what he saw. Was this a joke? Or maybe someone else made the transfer by mistake? His heart was pounding, between anxiety and hope. He almost didn’t dare to do anything, afraid that this was all just an illusion.

While the thoughts were spinning in his head, a loud knock on the door made him jump. “Mike! Open the door!” a familiar voice sounded – the voice of his friend, Ryan.

With hesitant steps, Mike got out of bed and headed for the door, his heart beating fast. What else was he going to face? “What do you want, Ryan?” he asked in a weary tone as he opened the door.

Ryan came in quickly and looked very agitated. “You have to see this! Why haven’t I heard from you?” he said, ignoring his emotions, but getting straight to the point. “Everyone is talking about this transfer!”

“What transfer? I don’t know anything,” Mike replied, a feeling of confusion enveloping him. He looked at Ryan with a skeptical gaze.

“5 million dollars! That’s a lot of money, Mike. Someone is claiming you as their heir!” Ryan explained excitedly as if it was all something amazing.

Mike felt lost for words, he could only ponder. All the feelings that had previously enveloped his heart suddenly changed direction. “But… I don’t know who it’s going to be. I didn’t imagine this,” he said, his voice uncertain.

“The only way to find out is to meet the bank or the person who made the transfer,” Ryan said, sounding genuinely excited.

With all the anxiety and sadness he had just released, Mike tried to gather his courage. Maybe this was his chance to change his life. Anxiously but hopefully, he nodded. “Then let’s go to the bank, Ryan,” he said, ready to leave his sadness and his past behind him.

In this interwoven and uncertain journey, Mike realized that maybe, sometimes the most frightening things could be the answers he was looking for. And maybe—just maybe—this was the beginning of a new chapter in his life.

As Mike was still trying to process the information he had just received, the door to his room suddenly swung open. Standing in the doorway was a plump, unattractive middle-aged woman with a stern expression on her face. She was the landlady of the house where Mike was staying, Mrs. Rose.

“Mike!” she shouted in an echoing voice. “Have you considered this month’s rent decision? If not, I need the rent paid immediately. I can’t wait any longer!” The woman’s voice was harsh, making Mike want to shrink down.

Mike held back the nausea that hit him as he looked at her. As much as possible, he kept his facial expression neutral. Honestly, he felt down right now and didn’t want to argue any further. “Please, give me a few days of rent relief!” he begged in a voice full of hope, hoping that the woman would understand.

“A few days? How many times have you asked for this? I’ve been nice to you, but this has been too long!” the woman replied, her tone clearly showing displeasure. Mike could feel her eyes on him as if trying to distance themselves from his handsome face.

He felt trapped in a difficult situation, and the pain that was present in his soul gave him even more pressure. “I don’t have any savings, and… I’m in debt because I once seduced my girlfriend,” he admitted, feeling ashamed. “Please, I promise I’ll pay the rent as soon as possible.”

Tears immediately welled up in his eyes as he remembered how miserable his current situation was. The 5 million in his account was like a double-edged sword. At first glance, he felt that the presence of the money would save him, but in the corner of his heart, he did not dare touch it because of his fear that it might be an operational error of the bank. If he used the money, the bank could hold him legally responsible, which in turn would cause further problems, including possibly interfering with his graduation.

“Listen, Mike,” Mrs. Rose said in a slightly calmer tone. “I understand that this is a difficult situation for you. But at the end of the day, business is business. If you can’t pay, I might have to find a new tenant.”

Mike felt his heart breaking, caught in the immense financial pressure, even as he felt new hope with the unexpected turn of events. “Please, give me a little more time. I’ll make sure this all gets resolved. I really appreciate your kindness,” he pleaded, his voice heavy with emotion yet hope.

The woman hesitated for a moment, but quickly, a firm expression returned. “Okay, maybe I’ll give you one more time, but don’t worry, Mike. I’m not going to wait forever,” she added as she walked away, leaving Mike with even heavier thoughts.

As soon as the door closed, Mike felt a heavier weight on his shoulders. In his heart, he vowed to find out where the 5 million came from and make sure it wasn’t a bank operational error. If it was indeed his, he would do everything he could to pay back all the debts and secure his place to live.

With tension in his soul, he knew he had to keep fighting. Maybe this was his chance to rise again, not only for himself but also for his long-dreamed future. With the remaining courage, Mike prepared to face the next challenge that lay ahead.

In an increasingly stressful situation, Mike was forced to face the bitter reality that he had no money to pay the rent. When he tried to find a solution with the landlord, Mrs. Rose, she offered two options that surprised him.

“Look, Mike,” she said with a serious face. “I have two options for you. First, you stay here without having to pay rent, and I will give you 3,000 in pocket money every month. You know I’ve wanted this for a long time, and this could be a good compromise for us.”