Chapter 7

He furrowed his brows in anger and clenched his fist. He had been suffering yet he was wealthy. He had been humiliated yet he had the whole world. What a life!

When the students in the school knew he was in the school based on scholarship from an orphanage they ill treated and dumped him in the trash can. They trampled on him and treated him as dirt.

When he fell in love with Nancy, he thought he found love but Nancy slapped him in the face and walked away from a three year relationship and got entangled with another guy because he couldn't foot her bills.

He faced his father squarely as he gritted his teeth in fury.

"I am really sorry, my son," Austin Lee began passionately looking at his son intently. 

"Your mother, Genevieve ran away from home when I left home for a business trip of three weeks. She had complained of my brother and his wife maltreating her for being a poor orphan who had come to enjoy my money. 

I wasn't always at home. It was from one business trip to the other. But I guess that one business trip took a longer than usual time and she couldn't wait for me. You were just three months old. I wanted to give you the best life. 

I suffered, son. I came from a very poor family. So I needed to be rugged, to make money. I needed to be focused. 

My father Lee just had the healing gift which he used as a philanthropist. He didn't make any money from it.

I was hell bent on making money, son. A man must make money otherwise he would be trodden under foot. 

Forgive me, son for all the pains you have suffered. You won't suffer again. That I am very sure," he paused as he fixed his gaze on his son whose looks were aggressive from every angle.

"So, the Stone University I built with my sweat rusticated my only son?"

"Hmmm…they will pay dearly. We storm there first thing tomorrow morning," Austin said reassuringly.

"I also need to hand over some documents to you but Mr. Adams will manage the Consortium till you graduate because you are going back to finish your final year exams. Then, he will step down and work with you. His son Sam will work with you too."

"We will storm the Stone University tomorrow after which we will drive to the mansion in a convoy. All I have now is yours, son."

"You must take your place as the real son of Austin Lee, the heir apparent of the Lee Consortium and put all those who had humiliated you in the past because of your status where they belong. I have found you and can never lose you again."

Austin Lee stood and hugged his son who breathed deeply, his face etched in pain.

He squeezed his father's hand as a sign of acceptance. He had no choice than to forgive his father wholeheartedly. Moreover, to err is human and to forgive is divine as he was taught by Madam Ross at the orphanage.

"Dad, Madam Ross is still at the hospital where she just had surgery. She had to undergo surgery for cancer yesterday.

 I would like us to see her before going home tomorrow, please. She taught me all I know about life. She couldn't do much for me because she didn't have much on her but she tried her best.

When the scholarship opportunity came she encouraged me. I won the scholarship exam and got admitted into Stone University. 

To even think that Stone University belongs to my father yet I was craving to be admitted is really heart wrenching. 

I had always dreamt of being a graduate of Stone University right from when I was a teenager."

"You are brilliant, son. Penury is over now. You are the new CEO of the Lee Consortium,my son, Roland Lee," Austin Lee remarked, nudging his son's arm as he smiled at him.

"We will see Madam Ross tomorrow, since it's your wish, son.

So, we have a long day tomorrow. Let's go to bed now." Austin stood, stretched himself and yawned. 

Roland stood from the bed too and walked into the bathroom to freshen up. He had mourned his past loss enough. It was time for action.

******

It was a serene atmosphere at Stone University when the students heard the siren at the gate. The security officials peeped through the gate and wondered who it could be. It's been over a year since they experienced such a visit to the university. The gates were opened and a fleet of cars entered in a convoy. 

Mr. Donald, who was in the office with the school registrar, was amazed at the fleet of cars finding its way into the school compound. No one had informed him of any official visit to the university. He watched intently as the cars came in one by one into the school compound.

Some students were in the library while others were standing in clusters engaged in chitchats. It was a Friday morning and some students were already at home for the weekend. The students standing in clusters looked at the cars as they were parked.

"Wow! Rose Noire Droptail. This car is worth 117.7 million dollars," exclaimed Peter, one of the students standing in a cluster with his friends. 

"I wonder whose parent owns this car or is it a government official that has come to pay Stone University a visit?" Anthony remarked mouth agape in wonder.

"See Buggatti Centodieci and Mercedes Maybach Exelero, exclaimed Mark Jack's friend who stood in cluster with other rich students in the school.

" Ferrari 250 GTO 2024 model and Rolls Royce sweptail," exclaimed Greg who was chatting with Nancy

The other students trooped out of their classes. Miss Anderson peeped through her office window wondering who would pay the university a visit in a convoy of ten cars. 

Roland Lee and his father Austin Lee stepped out of Rose Noire Droptail in a grand style and stood hand in hand unflinching. The students flinched and shuddered at the sight.

"What!" The students gasped

"Is Roland the lost heir of Austin Lee

the CEO of the Lee Consortium?" Miss Anderson muttered under her breath.