Chapter 1

My name is Michael Carson, and I work as an analyst at an investment firm in Dallas.

I work nine-to-five every day, always dressed in a suit and tie, and look no different from any other white-collar worker. But nobody knows that I am the heir to the Carson Financial Group.

"Michael, hurry! Your dad's factory is going to be shut down!"

My father William's voice came through the phone, trembling in a way I had never heard before.

"What's going on?"

"Our biggest customer has defaulted on their payment, owing us 800,000 yuan. The bank is pressing us for repayment, saying they'll seize the factory if we don't pay soon." The father's voice was almost choked with emotion. "More than a hundred workers, they all depend on this job to support their families."

I gripped my phone tightly.

My father's proudest achievement in his life is his auto parts factory, which has grown from a small workshop to its current scale. Every screw embodies his hard work and dedication.

How much money do you need?

"One hundred thousand dollars, due tomorrow."

One hundred thousand dollars.

I quickly calculated my assets. Selling my house, car, and stocks would raise this amount.

"Dad, wait for me, I'll think of something right away."

I hung up the phone and immediately took action. I contacted real estate agents, sold stocks, and sold everything I could to convert into cash.

Three hours later, I had $100,000 in my account.

I called my wife, Jessica: "Jessica, I need some money from our joint account urgently."

"What's the rush?" Her voice sounded very impatient.

"My dad's factory is in trouble and needs $100,000."

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone.

"Michael, I've already transferred the money to my mom."

I was stunned: "What?"

"My mom wants to open a beauty clinic; it's a great investment opportunity. Your dad's lousy factory should have gone out of business a long time ago."

A run-down factory?

"Jessica, that's my father's life's work!"

"A labor of love?" she sneered. "What future can a nearly bankrupt auto parts factory have? My mother's beauty business is a sunrise industry. Michael, you need to learn to look ahead."

I took a deep breath: "Transfer the money back."

"impossible."

"Jessica, I'm not discussing this with you."

"So what do you want?" Her voice turned shrill. "Michael, you only make a pittance a month, and you think you can boss me around? If you can't make big money, don't meddle in other people's business!"

I looked at my phone screen; Jessica had already hung up.

Incapable of making big money?

If she knew my true identity, would she still say such things?

But now is not the time to think about that. I have to think of another way.

I started contacting friends and borrowed from everyone I could. I eventually raised $50,000, but I was still short half.

When Jessica got home that evening, she was sitting at her vanity applying lipstick and admiring her reflection in the mirror.

"Think about the money again," I said.

Without turning her head, she said, "There's nothing to think about. Michael, my mom's beauty clinic opens next month. Then you'll see how right my judgment was."

"My father's factory is going to be shut down tomorrow."

"Then let it be shut down." She turned to look at me, her eyes as cold as if she were looking at a stranger. "It's a good thing for society for an outdated factory to close down."

I stared at her.

Is this woman really the wife I married?

"Jessica, what about those hundred-plus workers? They all have families and children."

"That's none of my business." She turned back to the mirror. "Michael, you're always so emotional. Business is business, and survival of the fittest is survival of the fittest, understand?"

Survival of the fittest.

She's right.

But what she didn't know was who the real winner was in this game.

The phone rang; it was my father calling.

"Michael, don't force yourself to pay. If it really comes down to it, just close the factory." The father's voice was filled with despair. "I'm old enough as I am, I can always start over."

restart?

What can a father in his sixties use to start over?

"Dad, give me a little more time."

"Son, the bank will be seizing the premises tomorrow morning." The father's voice trembled. "I'm so sorry to those workers, so sorry to their families."

I could hear my father crying.

A man in his sixties cried on the phone for the sake of his factory and his workers.

My wife, meanwhile, was applying lipstick in front of the mirror, completely oblivious.

I held the phone, watching Jessica's back as she walked away.

That's enough.

The game should end now.

I went to the balcony and dialed a number I hadn't contacted in five years.

"Uncle, it's me, Michael."

"Michael?" Robert Carson's voice came through the phone, tinged with surprise. "Son, you've finally remembered your family?"

"I need help."

"explain."

"My father's factory needs $100,000 urgently; it's going to be seized tomorrow morning."

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone.

"Son, $100,000 is nothing to the Carson family, not even pocket change. But I'd like to know, why didn't you contact me sooner?"

I glanced at Jessica in the living room.

"I want to try to solve this on my own."

"And now?"

"Now I understand, some people don't deserve my forbearance."

Uncle Robert smiled. "Very good. I'll handle this myself tomorrow morning. Michael, remember who you are."

"I've got it."

After hanging up the phone, I went back into the living room.

Jessica was still looking in the mirror, completely oblivious to the phone call that had just taken place.

"The money issue is resolved," I said.

She finally turned her head: "Who did you borrow from this time?"

"It's not about borrowing; it's about taking back what rightfully belongs to me."

"What's the meaning?"

I didn't answer, but went to the bedroom.

Tomorrow, she will know what true survival of the fittest means.

Lying in bed, I listened to Jessica on the phone in the living room, excitedly discussing the renovation plans for the beauty clinic with her mother.

What they didn't know was that the real game had only just begun.

In this game, I've never been the one who needs to be eliminated.

I am the heir to the Carson family.

It's time for everyone to know this.