They regretted after I became the
richest man
Chapter 1
My name’s Danny, and my world flipped when
the real heir to the Callahan fortune, a guy
named Chris, showed up.
Suddenly, I was out on my ear.
To top it off, my wife, Barb, ditched me for
Chris, taking our son, Mikey, with her.
Ten years later, Mikey finds me in the park,
where I’m usually parked playing chess.
“Mom sent me,” he says, all impatient.
“My eighteenth birthday’s tomorrow, you
1
Г
He barely acknowledged me.
“Oh, and I heard you know Hank, the guy
from Gold Standard Investments. Is that
true?”
I had no idea what was coming next.
“My family’s company is broke. Tell that Hank
guy to invest five million bucks to help them
out, got it?”
Mikey Callahan, my so–called son, is giving
me the stink eye.
You’d have to be blind not to see the disdain
dripping off him.
Г
“Your kid?” Hank, my chess partner, chuckles,
glancing at Mikey.
“He’s a real piece of work, huh?”
Without looking up from the board, I move a
pawn.
“Spoiled rotten. Otherwise, he and his mom
wouldn’t have kicked me to the curb ten years
ago.”
Hank laughs.
“Raising kids ain’t easy. The apple doesn’t fall
far from the tree. Discipline’s important, or
you end up with trouble later.”
“Easy for you to say,” I snap, rolling my eyes.
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“Tell that to your own daughter. See if she
doesn’t bite your head off!”
Hank scoffs.
“That’s different. She’s my own flesh and
blood. I spoil her rotten, never lay a hand on
her.”
Mikey blows up.
He swipes the chessboard off the table,
sending pieces flying.
“What’d you say, old man? Say it again, I dare
you!”
I have to hold Hank back from throttling
Mikey.
“Alright, alright,” I say, frowning at Mikey’s
tantrum.
“Just go home. I’ll be at your party tomorrow.”
“If it wasn’t for Mom, I wouldn’t want you
anywhere near my birthday,” Mikey says, all
huffy.
“Don’t forget about the Gold Standard thing.
No investment, no Danny at my party. Got it?”
Before I can even answer, he glares at Hank.
“And you, old timer, stay out of my way. I see
you again, I’m gonna teach you a lesson.”
Then he stomps off.
the
I FATIN DlAILD PIUNITY UP ENT PITUTS.
“That kid got any idea I run Gold Standard?”
he asks, grinning.
“I should come to this party with you! See if
he’s got the guts to try anything in public.”
“Don’t you start,” I grumble.
“I’m skipping the club meeting tomorrow. If
those jokers ask, just say I got something
important. And for God’s sake, don’t mention
the birthday party!”
“They’d never let me live it down.”
Later, I’m back at my place, a big, fancy
house.
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I have a little shrine cet up for my
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Inside, I have a little shrine set up for my
adopted parents.
I light some incense, dust off their pictures.
“Hey, Mom, Dad,” I whisper.
“Mikey’s turning eighteen tomorrow. Wish you
could be there.”
“You never got to enjoy the good stuff,
grandkids and all that. Losing you guys hit me
hard.”
“After you were gone, Chris kicked me out,
Barb dumped me, and even Mikey wanted
Chris to be his dad.”
“I can handle all that.”
“But the ones who did you in, I swear I’m
gonna find them. They’re gonna pay.”
“I’m getting close, Mom, Dad. Just hang on…”
