The ride to the main branch was mostly quiet, at least for Nozel. Andrew, sitting beside him, was reading out the contents of the will, and each sentence seemed to add another layer of weight on Nozel’s shoulders.

“It revealed a lot,” Nozel thought silently, memories of why he left home resurfacing, memories of a father too consumed by his ambitions to see his own son’s pain.

“You now own all of my properties,” Andrew read aloud, “well, most of them. Some assets require you to have a wife before they can be claimed, opened, or even documented.”

Nozel's face twitched with displeasure.

“Wife?” he muttered. “So I’m supposed to get married now?”

He leaned back into his seat, visibly disturbed.

Andrew glanced at him and offered a warm, understanding smile. “I know it’s abrupt... but it’s the only way,” he said softly.

Nozel scoffed. “I knew things would always go sideways the moment that man got involved again,” he said bitterly. “How am I supposed to just find a wife now?”

Andrew flipped to the next page. “Your father... made arrangements,” he explained. “He proposed a union with a wealthy family. I believe he made sure she’d be a good match.”

Nozel’s expression was unreadable, a mixture of disbelief and resignation.

Andrew continued reading.

“As you know better than anyone, my brother... your uncle... Is greedy and desperate.”

That caught Nozel’s attention. He sat up straighter, listening now.

“He'll do anything to gain power,” Andrew continued. “He tried before... and he will try again.”

Nozel looked out the window, lost in thought. His mind traveled back to the times his uncles mistreated him after his mother’s death, using their influence to belittle him, to push him aside.

“They sunk their claws into my father,” he said bitterly. “That... that’s what drove me to leave. I couldn’t take it anymore.”

Andrew paused, then gently closed the file.

“There’s a part of the will he wanted you to read yourself,” he said, handing it over.

Nozel took the envelope hesitantly and began to read. A few lines in, he stopped, his jaw clenched, his hands trembling.

“I should have been a better father,” the letter began. “After your mother passed, I threw myself into building an empire, something that would cement our legacy on this earth. But I didn’t realize it would come at the cost of losing you.”

Nozel's teeth clenched as he blinked back tears. He sniffed and wiped his eyes, then continued reading.

“My brother is after my wealth. The only way to secure it is by standing in the way of their plan.”

Nozel looked up. “What plan?”

"He plans to wed his Son to the daughter of the wealthy Family," Andrew looked up, "The Petersons"

Nozel sighed and read the closing lines of the will:

“I will always love you, son. Now listen to Andrew. He will guide you through everything. Do not let my brothers destroy what’s left of our family.”

Nozel folded the paper slowly, lost in thought.

“We should be arriving shortly, young master,” Andrew said gently.

That pulled Nozel’s attention back. He glanced outside the window, and what he saw stole his breath.

A massive, majestic building towered over the cityscape. It was twice the size, in both height and width, of the first branch he visited. Its glass walls shimmered, and its presence was commanding.

Five minutes later, the convoy reached the entrance. Andrew stepped out first and opened the door for Nozel.

What Nozel saw next left him completely speechless.

Workers and staff lined up on either side of the grand entrance, clapping in unison. Voices rose in a wave of celebration:

“We are honored to have you lead us, sir!”

The words echoed across the compound.

Nozel stood frozen, unsure. The moment felt surreal. But then he caught Andrew’s reassuring nod.

“Go on, sir,” Andrew said with a proud smile.

Nozel let out a soft, exhausted laugh, half frustrated, half relieved.

“I guess I couldn’t keep running forever,” he muttered.

He looked up at the enormous building again, then smiled faintly to himself... and stepped forward.