Chapter 3

   As Debbie and Rick hailed a taxi to take them to dinner, Old Wilson had just heard some heartbreaking news. Rick's father had been in an accident up in the mountains where he was staying with his wife for a few days. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

   Rick and his father had never been close, thanks to Byron's Mother, but that did not stop Byron Green from caring for his son a great deal, as well as his welfare. Although Rick had been estranged from the Green family for so long, his father had been secretly building Rick his own fortune. He had started this just after Rick was born. He knew what kind of personality his mother had, and knew that Rick was in for a rough life under her thumb if he ever came back. Building Rick's fortune seemed the only way for Byron to help his son in the long term. Over the twenty odd years, it had turned into quite the fortune indeed. None of the rest of the family knew about this as Byron wanted Rick to not have to worry about the family infighting and the greediness within it's number. Had Old Madame Green known about the money, property and other assets, she would have figured out a way to snatch it all away. She was the worst of them all! Her love of all things money knew no bounds.

   After Old Wilson hung up from the phone call, he sat down with a heavy heart. He knew that he had to find Rick to give him the news, but he was dreading it. He hated having this responsiblity.  Rick's father had entrusted Old Wilson with Rick's protection, so Old Wilson also knew about the fortune. Old Wilson had worked by Byron's side since Rick had been sent off to the reform school. He turned out to have a brilliant business mind, so he became Byron's right hand man and main advisor. Old Wilson had traveled the world helping his employer run the portion of Byron's businesses that were earmarked for Rick. It was more than just money. Byron Green was a very savy businessman that had a special talent for investing. He had amassed a vast number of properties and businesses over the last 10-20 years that he intended to pass along to Rick. He had taken great pains to keep all of this away from the rest of the Green family, especially his mother. There where businesses and properties worth many billions all over the globe that now belonged to Rick.

   Rick and Debbie had no secrets from one another. Rick had explained his situation to Debbie soon after they met. They agreed that his previous life was not to be discussed with any of their friends and family, including Lois. Especially Lois. She would have tried to make a big deal of it if she had known. The couple just did not want that. Lois would have tried to use the knowledge against Rick, and manipulate him that way. Rick nor Debbie wanted Lois to be in a position to expose Rick's where a bouts to his estanged family, because they both knew that at somepoint she would not be able to restrain herself. She was just that vindictive. She would not have cared how much that it would hurt Rick, and never even considered how it would affect her own daughter Debbie.

   Rick never expected to see or hear from the Green family again, or at least not on any good terms. He knew that if there was something he needed to know, Old Wilson would inform him. All the news he got of his family came from the occasional communications that he had with Old Wilson. So he was extremely surprised to hear from Old Wilson that night as he and Debbie were having a meal downtown.

   As they were eating, Rick's phone rang. When he saw that it was from Old Wilson, he decided to answer it. A bit perplexed as to why Old Wilson would call at this time, Rick looked a little startled. Debbie had met Old Wilson on a few occasions in the past, most notably at their wedding banquet. Old Wilson was the only guest from Rick's side of the family to attend.

   As Rick answered the call, he was puzzled by the sound of Old Wilson's voice, so he knew right away something major had happened. Old Wilson simply asked if Rick was available for a visit just then. After confirming with Debbie that they had the time, Rick agreed to the request. He told Old Wilson to come now as they were still in the downtown area. Old Wilson said he would be there in just a few mintues.

   "Greetings, Young Master! Greetings Madame!" He said as he came to stand beside their table. Rick politely asked Old Wilson to join them for dinner, but Old Wilson declined but accepted a cup of tea. 

   As Rick poured him some tea, he asked "Why have you come searching for me tonight, Old Friend?"

   Old Wilson bowed his head for a moment before saying "I have news about your father. He was on a ski holiday in the mountains and met with a terrible accident. He was pronounced dead at the scene. I'm so sorry  Young Master."

   Although Rick and his father were not very close, it still sent a pang though his heart to hear of his father's passing like that. Debbie gently took his hand to give some comfort. It was enough for Rick. Looking back at Old Wilson, Rick asked in a very low quite voice, "What happens now? Do I need to tend to things?"

   Old Wilson was solemn as he said "Your mother is returning to Tang with the body tomorrow and will arrange the furneral. The family will see to the burial. But as the oldest grandson, you now have the right to take your father's place in the family businesses, if you so desire. It is totally up to you what you do now. There are many matters which must be settled between you and your Grandmother if you wish to return to the family. She will not want to allow you to intrude on her schemes, so know that it will be a fight of wills between you if you go back. However, there is something else that you should be aware of."

   Old Wilson continued "There is a letter for you from your father that he entrusted me to give to you in the event of his death. It should explain your father's hopes and dreams for you, his son and heir."

   Rick was at a loss for words at this time. He had not thought returning to his family would ever be possible or even likely after he ran away all those years ago. Now, it was something that he must consider and to discuss with Debbie. They must now decide what future that they wanted to have, both together and with or without his family.

   Old Wilson reached into his coat pocket and drew out the letter to Rick from his father. As he handed it to Rick he said "This is one duty I had hoped never to have to do."

   As Rick opened the letter he read it though, then read it again before handing it over for Debbie to read. Debbie's eyes got wider and wider as she read it. She was in disbelief! Her construction worker husband was now a multi billionaire! What would this mean to their lives? As an accountant in her own family's bussinesses, Debbie was used to big numbers, but on paper they were just numbers. Now she realized that these numbers meant actual money, it was just mind boggling.

   Old Wilson then presented Rick with a thick binder. It was filled with the listings of all that Rick was to inherit from his father. Some of the business names were well known in Fing City as well as across the country.  Hotels, commerical buildings, entertainment groups, food services and drug companies were just a few of these. 

   Debbie's late father's firm was a part of a larger family based business that did the accounting for their businesses. But nothing could have prepared them for the sheer scale of wealth contained in that binder. Shock, awe and disbelief were written all over both Rick and Debbie's faces. The overwhelming aspect of all of this was enormous.

   Rick's first thought after the initial shock had passed, was how to contain this information. He did not want any of it to leak out before he had come up with a plan. Knowing his old family, he knew that they would come after him with everything they could come up with to steal his fortune. Especially his Grandmother. But as luck would have it, Old Wilson was his ace in the hole. Rick knew that he could rely on his old mentor to help them through this troubling time.

   Many of the items in the binder were automatically now Rick's sole property, as Byron had begun listing Rick's name on deeds and titles, as well as co owner on businesses. He had done all he could to help safeguard Rick against the Green family whenever possible. Byron knew all too well the type of relatives he had, and that they would rob Rick blind it given half the chance. Real estate was of particular interest to Byron, and he had been buying up houses and mansions all over the globe. He also had a lot of commerial biuldings in his portfolio. These holdings alone were worth more than the entire Green family could lay claim to possessing.