MY BILLIONAIRE RESCUER

Altamonte Company Limited is a Filipinas-based investment management and holding company with operations located all over Asia. The founding Chairman and CEO of the company is Federico Altamonte who has three sons and one daughter. Its main headquarters is located in Absedaire City, a city in the State of Missi, located north of Sourisse City, northeast of Vienburg City, and south of Maunni City. Gilberto Altamonte, the oldest, is the CEO-Preside of Altamonte Investments Corporation (AIC) having 51 % controlling stake at Missi Water Services and holding the concession rights for the operation and maintenance of major toll ways in the country.    Graciella Altamonte, the second, is the CEO of Altamonte Hospital Holdings, Inc. (AHHI) with major stakes in various private hospitals all over the country including a 33 % stake of Absedaire Medical Center. Fernando Altamonte, the third, is the CEO of Altamonte Express, Incorporated (AEI) which is the largest courier company in Filipinas offering services like post-delivery, express mail, freight forwarding, third-party logistics, wire transfers, cargo airline and remittance. Federico Altamonte II, the youngest, is the CEO of Altamonte E-Commerce Company (AECC), the largest online shopping company in Filipinas. With this vast fortune comes greediness among their relatives gained by the clan through marriages. Gilberto Altamonte is a Management Science and Engineering graduate from Stanford University who had his MBA at Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He is married to Stella Ong, the only sibling of Henry Ong, who is the Chairman of the Board of the Directors in Absedaire Medical Center. Together they have a son named Gil and a daughter Serena. Graciella Altamonte is an unmarried dermatologist/plastic surgeon who is the founder, CEO, and Medical Director of Altamonte Medical Aesthetics Clinic, which is the leading medical aesthetic clinic in Missi aiming to give the best, safest, and most effective surgical and non-surgical beauty treatments. She doesn’t have an offspring but she is the legal guardian of Gabriel Altamonte, the son of her brother Gilberto from an American born supermodel with British ancestry. Gabriel was born before Gilberto married Stella. Fernando Altamonte is married to Venus Rosjan, a half Thai – half British beauty queen, who is the daughter of one of the board of directors of Altamonte Company, Limited.  Her bother is the CEO of the Thailand-based subsidiary company of Altamonte Company, Limited in Bangkok Together they have fraternal twin, a daughter named Sophia and a son named Theo.    Federico Altamonte II is married to Teresa Ty, a daughter of a Hong Kong business magnate, who is also a board of director of Altamonte Company, Limited. Her family has major stakes on several businesses in Hong Kong. Together, they have a son named Federico Altamonte III (Deric), and a daughter named Trixie. Each wife of the three sons of Federico Altamonte wanted their husband and then eventually their son to be the next Chairman of Altamonte Company, Limited. The only one not vying for the title was Gabriel Altamonte for he was raised by Graciella to make a name of his own in a field that he prefers. Gabriel is a genius, who had earn his degree in Management Science and Engineering at the age of 12 from Stanford University He then finished medicine at the age of 15 from Harvard Medical School and become a full-pledged general surgeon, neurosurgeon, and cardiothoracic  surgeon at the age of 25 at John Hopkins University. He is an affiliate multi-specialist surgeon in several privately-owned hospitals in Filipinas and provides pro-bono services in government-owned hospitals.  He also established his own business enterprise Archangel Business Investments (ABI) at the age of 25 upon getting full access to his multi-million dollars inheritance from his biological mother. Upon the request of his grandfather, he took a yearlong sabbatical leave from being a surgeon/businessman to finish his MBA from Oxford University. Because of all of his accomplishments, Stella Ong-Altamonte, Venus Rosjan-Altamonte and Teresa Ty-Altamonte see him as the toughest opponent of their respective husband and son. During his childhood, there had already been threats to his life – a drowning accident, a kiddie bike accident, and camping accident, all of which almost took his life. Because of such, Graciella Altamonte, whom Gabriel considers as his real mother, became very protective of him.  His Mommy Graciella purchased a vast residential lot a few kilometers away from Altamonte Manor and had it turned into his own private villa. She also hired a dedicated security group as well as dedicated household employees to take good care of him from then on up to the present. His aunt-mother tried to provide a normal life for him despite his exceptional intellectual capabilities. During his childhood, he was allowed to take summer classes/lessons on his own choosing like swimming, taekwondo, tennis, soccer, piano, drums, nature and science discovery, engineering and mechanics adventure, and many more. He also took private foreign language classes. He also attended summer camps. His mother also allowed him to entertain his friends and classmates, both Filipinos and foreigners, in the private villa. In the worldwide web, a lot knew about his education and accomplishments but only few knew how he really looked like. It was the best thing for him. He was able to enjoy his privacy. The people, who only knew his face, were the ones he encountered. Gabriel’s face wasn’t as recognizable that of the other Altamontes, who appeared on business news and business magazines. But he is quite famous in the medical community around the world having three specialties in surgery. Only those people, whom he had interacted in pursuit of his practice, knew his looks. July 1, 2018. Sunday. Gabriel arrived from his sabbatical leave at his private villa. His mother/aunt welcomed him with a sumptuous dinner, which was also attended by his grandparents Lolo Federico and Lola Olivia. At the dinner, his grandfather said, “I already told my executive secretary to provide you with all the important documents regarding Altamonte Company. You are my only grandson, who is not interested to work at the family business. I will not rush you to join but I want you to study all about the company.” Gabriel respectfully accepted, “I understand, Lolo. I will study them. Still, I think it is best for Gil, Theo and Deric to be more involved with the company. They do not have other endeavors. I still cannot give up my surgical practice.” Lola Olivia then said, “What about settling down, hijo? You’ll be 30 by January. It is about time you think of finding a suitable wife.” Gabriel jokingly replied, “Mom did not even find a suitable husband.” Graciella expressed jokingly as well, “I already have a very loving son in you, so there is no need for a husband.” Lolo Federico chided, “This is all your fault, Graciella. You’ve raised Gabriel as independent minded as you are.” Graciella responded, “His biological mother entrusted him to me, Papa, so that Kuya Gilberto could have a normal family life. Rachel left Gabriel a fortune. He doesn’t even need the Altamonte fortune that all your daughters-in-law were so keen about to get a hold of. Let Gabriel choose his own wife, Papa. I want him to marry for love and not for any other reason. Also refrain from voicing out your favor towards Gabriel. I may not have any concrete proof but I firmly believed that all the threats to his life when he was just a child was orchestrated by one or more of your daughters-in-law. We left Altamonte Manor for his protection. I raised him to establish himself away from the shadow of Altamonte Company because I feared for his safety. And now you want him to dive into such highly politicized corporate world.” Lolo Federico insisted, “But he is still my eldest grandson. Yes, I do favor him the most because I believe that he’s the only one who is capable of continuing my legacy. Altamonte Company should remain to be headed by an Altamonte.” Graciella debated, “Kuya Gilberto, Fernando and Junie are still the ones next in line, Papa.  Let Gabriel enjoy his life away from the corporate political pressure. When his time comes then be assured that I will support and protect him.” Lolo Federico stood his ground, "Gabriel is the most qualified among all my sons and grandsons other than you, Graciella. If you do not want Gabriel to have it yet then you must take it instead.” Graciella indirectly declined, “By insisting on this, you’ll just put us more in hot water, Papa.” Lolo Federico countered, “No one can change my mind. It is just either you or Gabriel whom I can trust to take my position as Chairman of ACL.” Meanwhile at the Altamonte Manor while Gilberto was having dinner with his wife, Stella and their two offspring Gil and Serena… Stella asked her husband regarding his parents. “Where is Papa and Mama?” Gilberto answered, “They had dinner with Graciella and Gabriel. Gabriel just arrived from his sabbatical leave.” Stella voiced out her disgust, “It is really quite obvious that they are favoring Gabriel the most among their grandchildren.” Gil commented, “I don’t think it is like that, Mom. Kuya Gabriel had been away for a year. Even if we regularly communicate, I am surely looking forward seeing him for real again.” Stella reproached, “Just focus on finding a suitable wife for now. I already arrange your first date with Trina Velarde.”  Serena commented, “Why Trina Velarde, Mom? She is so boring.” Stella replied, “Well for your information, the boring person you’re referring to is a world class musical theatre actress. She is also well-educated, beautiful and intelligent.” Serena remarked, “What will a musical theatre actress contribute to our family? Her mother wasn’t even from the middle class.” Stella countered, “Nevertheless, she is from a rich family and internationally known. Anyway, your marriage arrangement will be next. I already chose someone for you.  He is the son of the board director from Singapore. This guy  is personally engaged in retail industry.” At the back of Stella’s mind – Gabriel must not work at the main headquarters. He must not inherit Papa’s shares. He couldn’t be the next Chairman. My husband and my son deserve to inherit the Chairman’s shares, not Gabriel, not any of my husband’s siblings, not any of my husband’s nephews or nieces. I must do something for Papa to favor Gil more. But how will I do it? On the other hand, at the Altamonte Villa where Fernando and his family live… Venus said, “I heard, Gabriel had already returned from UK. Do you think Papa will already asked him to join Altamonte Company?” Fernando responded, “Gabriel has no interest with the company. Ate Graciella raised him to be very independent minded. He also inherited a vast fortune from his biological mother. I think he is quite contented being a practicing surgeon and a business investor.” Venus insisted, “Still, he is the most favored grandchild by your parents because of his exceptional intellect. What will happen to Theo if Papa left his shares to Gabriel?” Fernando answered, “Theo will always have Altamonte Express. Your focus now should be finding him a suitable wife, who can help him further enrich Altamonte Express. If he does well, then perhaps Papa might ask him to join the main headquarters. As for Sophia, tell her to specialize on corporate law. She will have better chance of working for the main headquarters if she continues doing well at law school.” Venus had this on her mind – Gabriel should not inherit Papa Federico’s shares. My husband or my son should inherit those shares. What must I do so that Papa Federico will favor Fernando and Theo even more? Papa definitely favors my Sophia. She could be my ace then. On the other hand at the Altamonte Mansion where Federico II, fondly called as Junie, and his family reside… Teresa asked her husband, “Now that Gabriel had completed his MBA, what do you think is Papa’s future plans for him?” Junie answered, “I have no idea. Gabriel is so focused on his own endeavors. I believed that Papa will find it difficult to convince him to work at the main headquarters. Gabriel seems to have inherited Ate Graciella’s independent-mindedness. She already has her own successful medical clinic before Papa was able to convince her to establish the healthcare subsidiary company.” Teresa inquired, “Why did Ate Graciella never marry. She is beautiful, intelligent and successful.” Junie replied, “Mama had set her up to so many prospective husbands, but she was keen on focusing on taking care of Gabriel. Gabriel’s biological mother was a very dear friend to Ate Graciella. Gabriel’s full guardianship was also left to her and not to Kuya Gilberto by his biological mother, who had full custody of Gabriel after the divorce.” Teresa then was enlightened, “So Gabriel is indeed a legitimate son of Kuya Gilberto.” Junie expounded, “Yes. Ate Graciella was having her fellowship in burn surgery at NYC when Kuya visited her while on his month-long business trip. Rachel Wilson, Gabriel’s biological mother, was one of the highest paid supermodels back then. She and Kuya fell in love. Rachel knew that Kuya’s marriage had already been pre-arranged. Anyway, marriage was also not in her vocabulary. So they just enjoyed their time being together. Rachel got pregnant and kept it even from Ate Graciella. When Ate Graciella found out, he immediately notified Kuya Gilberto about it. Kuya immediately flew to NYC and married Rachel to legitimize Gabriel’s birth. They divorced just a week after Gabriel was born. Gabriel was just one-month old when Rachel died from pregnancy complication. Rachel left her son’s full guardianship to Ate Graciella along with conservatorship of all the fortunes she left for her son. Gabriel is a multi-millionaire at a very young age already. Ate Graciella has done a great job with him. With all his existing investments, he is already a multi-billionaire.  Ate Graciella has treated him like a real son. So no doubt that Gabriel will inherit all of of Ate’s personal fortunes once she passed away. Ate Graciella has really protected Gabriel enormously.” Teresa then asked, “So what about Deric? What will happen to him if Gabriel joins the main headquarters?” Junie expressed, “If Deric does well   with our e-commerce company then perhaps Papa might also ask him to join the main headquarters. Papa seems to be favoring Gabriel in the eyes of everyone but he has always been fair to all of his children and grandchildren. He gives due recognition to those who work really hard.” Teresa was thinking this way after her conversation with her husband – What is really the plan of Papa Federico with Gabriel. Why did he insist for Gabriel to finish his MBA? Is he considering to leave all his shares to Gabriel? Gabriel is not an illegitimate son after all. How come Stella had allowed such? She is so high and mighty being married to the eldest son yet her own son is not the eldest son of Kuya Gilberto. What about Deric? What should I do for Papa Federico to favor him like he favors Gabriel?   The Altamonte Manor, Altamonte Villa, and Altamonte Mansion are all just located in one vast residential compound. Graciella decided to leave the family compound with Gabriel when he was just five years old. When Gabriel returned to the country for good after becoming a full-pledged multi-specialist surgeon, Graciella Altamonte settled on her own private residence outside of the family compound as well. After the dinner, Graciella talked to Gabriel seriously. Mommy Graciella asked her nephew-son, “Will you agree on Papa’s request, son?” Gabriel told his aunt-mother, “I’ll study all the documents first, Mommy. For the time being I can only agree to be an unofficial business consultant for ACL. I am aware that you worry for my safety. But I am not a young child anymore. I can already protect myself. So you got nothing to worry about.” Mommy Graciella responded, “Of course, I will still worry about you. I might not be the one who gave birth to you but I have been with you even when you real Mom was just carrying you inside her womb. Your Mom didn’t want to inform your Dad about your existence but I insisted.” Gabriel stated, “And I do thank you for such. I am recognized by Dad as a legitimate son. I got to be a dual citizen. You’ve also raised me so well. You’ve protected me from everyone who wanted to hurt me or take advantage of me. I was able to enjoy my life away from the pressures of Lolo and Dad. You didn’t even get married and had your own family just to be able to look after my well-being.” Mommy Graciella said, “I promised your Mom that I would take good care of you. She was hesitant to leave you under the care of her relatives or under the care of you Dad. Her parents were already very old back then and her only sibling wasn’t that reliable. She also knew about Stella, that your Dad had a pre-arranged marriage with her.” Gabriel asked, “Do you still think that Tita Stella is behind my accidents when I was young, Mommy?” Mommy Graciella was convinced, “Venus or Teresa could also have motives, but I still feel that Stella was the one behind all those accidents you had when you were young. If you accept to work at ACL, then your life might be in grave danger again, son.” Gabriel asked further, “What do you think is the worst that she can do to me?” Mommy Graciella answered, “She might try to end your life again? I think it is much safer if you will just decline Papa’s request.” Gabriel reminded his aunt-mother, “You might have been able to defy Lolo’s requests so many times but he still prevailed eventually, Mommy. He had made you establish Altamonte Hospital Holdings, Incorporated. Lolo also made you assume the leadership of Altamonte Foundation. You know Lolo better than I do. He will not stop until I heed to his request. For now, I will delay agreeing to his request for as long as I can,” then he teased his aunt-mother, “And don’t worry for my safety anymore. It will just add more wrinkles on your face.”