Richest Man Alive

The Call

The man who entered the room wasn’t just anyone.

He was someone.

Xavier could feel it instantly—the kind of presence that commanded rooms, that made people straighten their backs and choose their words carefully.

Tall, dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit, the man had sharp, calculating eyes that scanned Xavier like he was being measured.

Blackwood didn’t offer introductions. He simply gestured toward the man.

“Mr. Cole,” he said smoothly, “this is your right-hand man.”

Xavier’s brow furrowed. “My… what?”

The man finally spoke, his voice cool and professional.

“Leon Graves,” he said, stepping forward. “Your second-in-command.”

Xavier blinked. Second-in-command?

Leon studied him for a long moment before speaking again.

“Your grandfather didn’t just leave you money,” he said, slipping his hands into his pockets. “He left you a legacy. And that legacy requires protection, strategy, and control.”

Xavier’s head spun. This wasn’t just some inheritance. This was an empire.

Blackwood leaned back in his chair, watching the exchange. “Leon has been overseeing many of Voss’s affairs from the shadows. He has now pledged his loyalty to you.”

Xavier’s jaw tightened. “Loyalty?”

Leon’s eyes darkened slightly. “I answer to no one,” he said flatly. “Except you.”

A shiver ran down Xavier’s spine.

Leon wasn’t just some employee.

He was a weapon.

Xavier studied him, trying to understand why.

“Why me?” he asked. “Why not one of Voss’s other heirs?”

Leon smirked. “Because they’re weak. Spoiled. Arrogant. Your grandfather saw that. He wanted someone who understood what it meant to crawl before they could run.”

Xavier clenched his fists. He understood that all too well.

Blackwood slid another file across the desk. “You’ll need to review this,” he said. “It contains the names of everyone who will either stand beside you… or try to bring you down.”

Xavier hesitated, then opened the file.

His eyes skimmed the names.

CEOs. Politicians. Crime lords. Generals.

His stomach twisted. This wasn’t just wealth.

This was war.

Leon tilted his head. “Overwhelmed?”

Xavier snapped the file shut. “No,” he said, voice steady. “Just ready.”

Leon’s smirk widened slightly. “Good.”

Blackwood’s phone buzzed. He checked it, then looked up.

“The call is coming in.”

Xavier inhaled deeply.

The moment the bank manager transferred the liquid assets, his power would be undeniable.

Leon stepped back, hands still in his pockets. “After this call, things will move fast,” he said. “You’ll need to decide what kind of ruler you want to be.”

Xavier met his gaze.

“I already know.”

Leon’s expression flickered with something close to approval.

Blackwood put the phone on speaker.

A deep voice came through.

“Mr. Cole, this is Henry Whitmore, senior manager of The World Bank.”

Xavier exhaled.

“Mr. Whitmore.”

There was a pause.

“As per Mr. Voss’s last directives, all liquid assets are now in the process of being transferred to your accounts.”

Xavier’s fingers curled.

Hundreds of trillions.

He would never have to suffer again.

Never have to beg.

Never have to be weak.

“Understood,” he said coolly.

Another pause.

“…Welcome to the top, Mr. Cole.”

The call ended.

Silence.

Then Leon chuckled softly.

Xavier glanced at him. “What?”

Leon’s smirk was razor-sharp.

“You just became the richest man alive.”

Xavier’s heart pounded.

Leon leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a whisper.

“And now, they’re all coming for you.”