Chapter 7 Wealthy But Lowkey

• Adrian wanted to visit the bank because he hadn't acessed the wealth in the account ever since he found his new status.
• His father's death got him more engaged with many activities that he didn't have the time to check.
• "This way," The security addressed him as he entered the bank in a simple outfit; checked patterned shirt and denim jeans.
• As Adrian entered the huge bank, a blond haired woman in red dress and stiletto heels walked up to him. Her name was Hilary and she was Valerie's best friend.
• She looked at Adrian with disgust. She also never liked Adrian.
• "What would someone as poor as you be doing in a reputable bank as Mega sky?" She scoffed, assessing his cheap outfit.
• She worked as a banker there and the bank was undoubtedly the biggest in the world with its customers having handsome net worth in their account.
• Adrian ignored her and moved away from her but she stopped him by staying on his way.
• "Do you come here to steal?"
• "Why would I? Would you please let me move? I have something important to do here."
• "Says by the guy who doesn't have a card or even a thousand dollars in his account." Hilary scoffed and a customer approached her, diverting her attention from Adrian.
• Adrian moved away from her direction and Hilary caught a glimpse of Adrian moving towards the VIP lounge—A place reserved only for the top 20 elite customers.
• Hilary shouted, "Stop there!"
• As soon as Adrian opened the door and walked in, the manager was surprised to see him there. He had his doubt about Adrian's legitimacy as he had no account details or access card.
• The manager, Forbes, approached him with a suspicious and curious look.
• Adrian surprised him when he asked for a fingerprint verification– A feature known only to top 20 customers.
• Forbes doubted him but he felt it was worth humoring his request.
• "Alright, you can use the scanner over there," Forbes said, pointing to a scanning machine at the right end.
• Forbes pulled out his phone, ready to call the police if Adrian's approach to the machine proved to be fraudulent.
• As Adrian placed his finger on the scanner, the system failed to recognize him, leaving the manager on the verge of calling the cops.
• "That's it champ, I'm calling the cops cos I'm sure you're here to steal." Forbes emphasized as he dialed a number on the telephone.
• "W-wait, I guess I just have to use my index fin–"
• "Save it young man, I'm calling the cops right now."
• "Wait."--- He pressed his index finger on the scanner—- "See!"
• Adrain exclaimed as soon as the system displayed a green image; It was a sign that his verification was recognized.
• Forbes's jaw dropped with nothing to say and he slowly dropped down the telephone in his hand.
• He was left in more shock when he realized that Adrain holds the maximum wealth out of all their customers.
• The manager assisted Adrain in accessing his account; confirming the substantial wealth that belonged to him.
• Forbes turned to Adrain and said, "As of right now, the balance in that account is $86,000,000,000 (eighty six billion dollars). I'm also seeing some other assets associated with this account,"
• "You have 2 sports cars, A Ferrari and a Pagani, 6 stacks of gold at Madison branch, 2 Rodent starts in our spain branch in Madrid, 6 plots of land in Australia, 15 to 20 Carat diamond and 20 pieces of Ivory."
• "Sir," Forbes said, turning to face Adrain.
• "I'm sorry for being doubtful of you earlier."
• "It's okay, I understand," Adrain muttered as he stood.
• "I'd like to have a card now."
• Adrian received a supreme card which represented his new found status.
• "That's the highest grade card we are authorized to issue here at the New York branch."
• "Thank you!" Adrain muttered to him with a smile after receiving the card.
• "Sir, if I may say, in my thirty years of working in this bank, I have never met a client as wealthy as you,"
• "It's been an absolute pleasure, Sir." Forbes said to Adrian who only smiled back at him before leaving.
• When Adrian got out of the VIP room and into the general center of the bank, he was approached by Hilary.
• Hilary dragged him by the shirt to his dismay and called him a thief.
• "I told you not to go into the VIP lounge, what will someone like you be doing there if not to steal." Hilary accused him, gripping him by the collar.
• "Stop it Hilary, what's wrong with–"
• "Shut up! After trying to steal from the Williams, do you think we can still trust someone like you?"
• "STOP IT!" Mr Forbes' voice thundered as soon as he saw her disrespectful actions towards Adrian.
• "How dare you treat him that way? He's our greatest customer here." Forbes said to her, defending Adrain and insisting that she apologize to him.
• "That is our wealthiest client and you dare talk rudely to him?"
• "I'm - I'm sorry." Hilary said, her face etched with regret, shock and embarrassment.
• She couldn't believe her ears.
• Adrian being the wealthiest client in a reputable bank like MEGA SKY BANK? How is that possible?
• "I- I'm sorry Sir Adr–"
• "Keep it." Adrian cut in and turned to face the manager. "Have a good day Mr Forbes."
• "Thanks so much sir. I apologize on her behalf once again." Mr Forbes said respectfully with a bow while Adrian smiled before walking away.
• ****
• The Luthers were in their grand mansion, watching the news when Valerie's phone chimed.
• She got off the sofa and picked up her phone in an attempt to answer the call.
• She smiled as soon as she noticed it was her friend, Hilary. "Hello Hilary, how are you doing?"
• "I'm doing fine Valerie. I called to urh–"
• "Great news, guess what?" Valerie cut in, not allowing Hilary to finish her statement.
• "What?" Hilary asked in confusion.
• "Henry and his father, Donald, aren't threatening Telsa's father any more. Donald came all the way from his workplace to apologize to my cousin's father. Isn't that surprising? I'm so happy the issue has been sorted."
• "Really? That's great news."
• "Yeah! I'm so happy." Valerie admitted, her voice radiated with joy.
• "Then this could only mean one thing, someone more influential must have helped you guys. Who was it?" Hilary asked while there was silence over the phone from Valerie's end.
• "I - I don't know, Hilary. I also find it strange that a great person like Donald would come to apologize to Telsa's father. Rumors had it that he is filled with pride and it doesn't cost him seconds to ruin someone's business,"
• "I guess Stanley must have a hand in it." Valerie guessed with a warm smile as Stanley crossed her mind.
• "Are you sure? You know the Williams are nothing compared to Goldman enterprises,"
• Hilary reminded her.
• "I don't know Hilary, but I'm sure Stanley must have done something to help. He loves my family and he'd do anything for us." Valerie said with a smile and then later asked, "You wanted to tell me something, what was it?"
• "It's about Adrian, Valerie."
• "Adrian!"
• "Yes,"
• "Adrian showed up at Mega sky bank and I learned he was our greatest customer there and do you know what that mean,"
• "That means he possesses the greatest net worth in the bank."
• "WHAT?" Valerie asked, her jaws dropping and her face etched with disbelief.
• "Yes, Valerie. Even manager Forbes scolded me for disrespecting him. So I think it's real and I'm not just spilling lies or hallucinating."
• "How on earth is that possible?" Valerie asked, her voice tinged with disbelief and doubt.
• "It's quite strange too. I'll hang up now. I have something urgent to do." Hilary said and Valerie hung up, her mind racing in deep thoughts.
• Just before she could join the rest on the sofa, the doorbell rang and was later opened by a guard.
• The guard who was dressed in a striped suit, approached Grandma P and gave her a slight bow.
• Grandma Penelope removed her eyeglasses, looked up to him and said, "Have you learned anything further about the anonymous sender of the statue on my birthday?"
• "Yes ma, but I haven't gotten full details yet. The person is Thompson's group manager, and the fact that he sent you a present suggests that he knows you quite well. There is also a possibility that it's someone you know."
• Valerie's eyes widened after hearing the guard's statement.
• What if Hilary was right about Adrian?