Once In A Lifetime

Chapter 37: The Inheritance

"For what shall profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul." Matthew 8:36

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Denise could not believe what she was hearing. Everything Manang Pacing revealed were coming into pieces creating an entire image of her identity. She's not a Santos. And she could never be one. No single drop of blood from this family runs into her veins. To inherit their wealth is absolutely a big mistake.

"Denise I'm sorry. I should have brought this secret to my grave when I die. But I'm force to tell the truth to protect you from danger."

"How can you protect me with that secret of yours?"

"When your mother died, everyone believed you died with her, too. You have your tomb beside hers in the Santos mausoleum."

"What?" She was surprised and confused.

"Your father thought it's​ wise to keep you safe if everyone believed you're dead. But those tombs are actually empty.

"Your father came to me one day, that day when you're with Father Luis in the monastery. He cannot even come close to you, because the moment he will do that, it will confirm who you are, that you are the daughter of the one who owns the company. He keeps that distance even until now because he wants to protect you, even it hurts him so much."

Denise felt a sense of guilt upon hearing these things about her father. But she chose to remain silent.

"You're father wants you to live the way you have lived life before. Away from the Santos with all it's wealth if that's the only way to keep you safe.

"But when you came in town, everyone knows you're his and Linda's daughter proving that you're not dead. Being one of the heirs, you have the right to everything that belongs to you. And some people would not like it, Denise."

"Why you didn't tell me these things before, when I stayed with you these past months?" She was curious to know her reasons.

"Because I'm so afraid. I don't know what to do. That's why, I called Arturo and begged him to come back. I told him that you're alive, although I knew it from the start. But he was not aware of that. When he learned everything, he doesn't want you to be involved in the company knowing it would be too dangerous."

"He doesn't want me to be in the company because he wants it by himself. That's why he wants me dead so that he could have it all, right?"

"No, Denise. He won't do that to you."

"Why should I believe you when I just heard you talking to him who seems unwilling to release me?"

"It's not what you think, Denise."

"Then tell me what he wants from me?"

"He just wants the best for you, Denise. Believe me. He won't hurt you. And nobody can hurt you now, so long as I live."

"And do you expect me to believe all these things? After all, he's your brother. You might as well work for his favor." She appeared skeptical although deep inside, she wanted to give in and believe in everything she's saying.

"That's not true, Denise." She paused. Then continued to tell her everything without holding back.

"When Arturo joined the company, I never thought he's my brother. He's totally a different person. Besides, I lost all the memory of him.

"Many believed he was behind the accidents of the entire family, the same with the accident of Carlo and Luisa and also of your mom. But believe me Denise, Arturo has nothing to do with them.

"When he was in the company, he discovered there were people doing irregularities inside. Only, he didn't have sufficient evidence to prove there was massive corruption. It was the reason why he was desperate to get the presidency so that he is in the position to enforce things and protect the company. He believed Linda was inexperienced to be able to manage it successfully. When, he lost the presidency, he withdrew his shares to save the assets his father gave him."

"I don't get it." She shook her head in bewilderment.

"When Arturo left me in the mansion and never came back, he made his own life in the streets in order to survive for years. Without everybody's knowledge, Don Joaquin looked for him. When he found him, he sent him to school abroad. Nobody suspected that he's the son of Don Joaquin when he joined the company.

"Don Joaquin's original plan was for his sons, Carlo and Arturo, to work together until the day he's ready to introduce who Arturo really is. Then, the accident took place without his plan turning into realities.

"I discovered only that he's my brother after Linda died. I received a call that fateful morning before the explosion, giving me warning to be careful, to leave the house with Linda. I thought it was just some crazy guy, making some jokes to chill me. But when I learned he was my brother, he told me it was him who gave the warning. Then, he told me everything he knows about the corruption in the company, in the same way that I am telling you the truth now.

"Hence then, he left and lived a peaceful life outside the country. My only regret is that, I never told him who Linda was and that you're alive. I was forced to tell him about you  when you came in town and I asked his help to protect you. He hired a private investigator right away. Then, he came up with a plan, the only way to make you safe."

"What plan?" She inquired.

"All the inheritance of the Santos is in your name under the administration of Father Luis. Except those already given to Arturo by Don Joaquin when he was still alive and those that was given to me by Carlo. But all the rest are yours. The moment you have the legal age to manage them all, you can acquire them at once. That's why they are after you, Denise. " There was a long pause. When she continued, it was with so much effort.

"Arturo wants you to go with him outside the country and leave all these things behind."
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