Being the type of person who would easily accept any news with an indifference, this particular news made his stomach twist.
Not that he didn't like the idea of running the family business; after all, he was the most business-oriented person in the family, and he had his own company too that he's managing well.
But accepting this decision would mean accepting every threat that will come his way. It meant giving up the little peace he had in his life.
In a family of six, Dylan was the illegitimate son. His father, the most influential man in the city, with the most profitable business in the world, had had an affair with a random lady, and that resulted to his birth.
But instead of abandoning him like most people would, Mr. Rohan took his son, and raised him alongside his three other sons.
Dylan had a good education just like his half-brothers, he enjoyed his father's wealth just like his siblings_but he lacked family love and care.
From the moment Mr. Rohan brought him home, Mrs. Patricia, Rohan's wife, was never happy to see him. She hated every bit of his existence, and accused him of trying to steal her children's spot. She went as far as to stop her kids from playing with him.
"Why are you with that snake!" She'd yell at her sons whenever she caught them with Dylan.
During family meals, Dylan always got the smallest portion, and he dared not to complain. And when the family had hangouts, he was never invited.
His father always wanted him around, but Patricia was never up for it.
"If you want to have a daddy's day out with your illegitimate son, do it without me. And keep my sons out of it."
"Don't you think you're being too hard on him? He did nothing wrong."
"Well, yes. Maybe he did nothing wrong, but his existence is wrong." Patricia would argue and fight her husband.
"Patricia, stop this. This is madness."
"If your son is in need of motherly love, maybe he should become a girl. I guess, with that, the story might be different."
Dylan hated to see them fight because of him, so to bring peace to the family, he moved out of the house. With the money he had saved, he started his own company, and soon his stepmom and half-brothers became a bit nice to him, as he showed no interest to the family business.
Though they were not too friendly, Dylan at least enjoyed family dinners in peace. Now, all of that was about to change because of his father's sudden decision. Dylan knew that his stepmom would come for him with her sons, and he didn't want that.
"Father, please you can't do this to me. You know what it took me to get here. Please, don't throw my life to the wolves again."
"Would you rather watch a company I started with my bare hands, crumble, just to be on the good side of your family?"
"But dad..."
"It has been decided." Mr. Rohan cut in. "I will announce you as my heir at the next stakeholder's meeting. Prepare your body, mind and soul. There's just two weeks left."
When Dylan left that house, a part of him crumbled. He didn't want the company, but at the same time, his father was right. His brothers had zero idea of how to run a business. Despite being older than him, all they did was live big, and squander money. They were on the company's board, but they never contributed in any way. The company would surely fall if they were to take over, but still, if he was to take over the company, he wouldn't be at peace either.
Dylan got to his apartment, and saw that the lights were turned on, meaning that someone was already inside. He took out his phone to call security, but his stepmom's voice stopped him.
"Come in, and stop acting like a scared rabbit."
"Mom, how are you in here?" He asked, nervously looking around to be sure no one would jump him.
"What wife wouldn't know her husband's birthday? You're easy to read. Sit." There was no smile on her face, and Dylan rightly guessed her motive.
"I'll get straight to it. Don't even think of accepting the chairman's proposal if you want to live out your life in peace. Focus on your company, and stay off the family business. You do not have a place there."
"But Mom, my brothers may not be able to handle the company."
"Mom? Your brothers?" She laughed out. "I'd have you know that your wretched mother looks nothing like me, and she birthed just you. My sons will take over the family business, and you'll have no part in it. Defile me, and you'll dance to my music." With that, she stormed out of the apartment.
The next few days were the worst moments of Dylan's life. His little peaceful world came tumbling down. An article about his real birth mother spread all over the internet, and his company took a hit. Their stocks dropped drastically, and investors began to pull out.
Not only that, his employees all resigned, like they were being forced to leave.
Dylan couldn't take it anymore, he ran to his father.
"Dad please, I never asked for any of this. Please, talk to mother. I can't keep living like this." He pleaded on his knees.
"Endure it for a few more days, Dylan. Soon, you'll be in control."
It was a tough period for Dylan. In just a week and some days, everything he had spent his entire life building, shattered.
Two days to the stakeholder's meeting, his apartment blew apart. He was lucky to have gotten away before it happened. The perpetrators were caught, and they confessed that Mrs. Patricia had ordered the hit. She was arrested, and charged with defamation, and attempted murder, and the judge gave her six years.
At the risk of losing their shares, his half-brothers submitted to him.
In the end, through all the highs and lows that he had to go through, Dylan succeeded his father, and became the new President of the company. And his own company which had fallen to the ground, excelled again.
This image was generated using chatgpt
