[Daniel’s Pov]
3 Months Later…
Adam, my father, has gotten into the habit of dropping by twice a day like clockwork. Even though his visits are short, lasting no more than five minutes each time, he never misses them. He swings by around 9 in the morning and then again around 8 in the evening. Being a Lewis with a child must keep him pretty busy, I reckon.
Despite my limitations in directly asking or seeking answers to various questions, I managed to uncover a crucial piece of information through keen observation and discreetly listening in on conversations. It turns out that I am, indeed, the grandson of none other than Jonathan Lewis, the current Chairman & CEO of Lewis Corps.
While it's true that I have a familial connection to Jonathan Lewis, which could potentially be misconstrued as a strong claim to the chairman's position, I've also discovered a complicating factor. My father, Adam, is what some might refer to as a natural-born, bastard or illegitimate child. While he does have a rightful claim to a portion of Jonathan's empire, it may not be substantial enough to secure my ascent to the position of chairman and ruler of this corporate domain. However, I'm not disheartened by this revelation, as I believe there are numerous avenues available to me to seize control of this corporation and make my mark.
What troubles me is the absence of any record regarding an individual named 'Adam' within the Lewis family in the future.
Given my thorough research and deep dive into the history of the Lewis lineage in my past life, especially upon my promotion to the executive rank, this omission raises significant doubts. It leads me to two possible conclusions: either Adam was deemed too inconsequential to be recorded, or he chose to distance himself from the family to pursue his own path.
The latter scenario seems more plausible, especially considering his demeanor upon returning from work, which I distinctly recall as lacking in contentment. Furthermore, I've yet to ascertain the nature of his occupation, adding another layer of mystery to his enigmatic persona.
A burning question gnaws at me: if I'm here, inhabiting this infant's body, then who is carrying out my life in this world? It's a perplexing quandary that leaves me feeling utterly helpless. I'm unable to investigate or gather any clues through my usual methods that this body may sustain, such as eavesdropping or observation. This limitation underscores the depth of my predicament, highlighting the extent of my vulnerability in this mysterious situation.
*Sigh…*
Anyway, as I reflect on the past three months, I realize that I've made significant progress in this new journey. From starting as a Level 1 infant, I've now advanced to Level 2 and stand on the cusp of breaking through to Level 3. It's a testament to my adaptability and resilience in navigating this unfamiliar existence. Though, I must give credit to the kind of tasks that I received. They ranged anywhere from eating to sleeping on time. This ended up with me gaining a ton of XP points.
With this realization, my thoughts naturally turn to my current status.
‘Status’
STATUS WINDOW
Name
Daniel Lewis
Age
3 Months 3 Days
Level
2 [178/200]
Wealth
$354,711
???
???
W-W-What!
How in the world did I amass over three hundred thousand dollars? The answer eludes me, shrouded in mystery, and prompts a flurry of speculation and uncertainty. The sudden discovery of a substantial sum in my wealth leaves me bewildered and questioning how it came to be.
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As the unexpected revelation sinks in, my little body tenses with surprise. A soft gasp escapes my lips, followed by a string of incomprehensible babbling as I struggle to express my astonishment. My tiny hands fluttered, instinctively reaching out as if trying to grasp the elusive truth of what I had just learned. The transparent screen hovered tantalizingly out of reach, teasing me with its secrets just beyond my grasp.
As an idea sparked in my mind, I directed my attention to the 'wealth' attribute. With a deliberate focus, another screen materialized, overlapping the original status window. I instinctively closed the status window and zeroed in on the new screen, eager to uncover the source of my newfound wealth.
Wealth
$354,711
Source(s)
Trust Fund
My wide eyes blinked rapidly, struggling to process the flood of new information inundating my mind. A trust fund? Who could have set it up for me, and for what purpose? Though I harbored no lofty expectations, I concentrated intently on the 'source' attribute. To my surprise, it worked!
Instantly, another table materialized before my eyes, revealing the origins of my mysterious trust fund.
Institution
D.W. Lewis Trust Fund
Valuation
$354,711
Grantor
Jessica Payne Whitney (Deceased)
Trustee
Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney (Lv. 58)
Beneficiary
Daniel Whitney Lewis (Lv. 2)
Assets
Stocks (42%), Bonds (26%), Real Estate (25%), Heirlooms (7%)
As the pieces of the puzzle begin to fall into place, a wave of realization washes over me. It dawns on me that my deceased mother had set up a trust fund for me before her passing, and it has only been activated today. While uncertainty shrouds the identity of my Trustee, a thrilling possibility takes shape in my mind. If he is indeed who I suspect him to be, then I may have stumbled upon a jackpot of unprecedented proportions.
A shiver runs down my spine as I catch a glimpse of his staggering level, sending a thrill of anticipation coursing through me.
As I contemplate the future, I realize the staggering potential of my trust fund. Adjusted for inflation, its value nearly 60 years from now will exceed $3.5 million. While this sum could undoubtedly provide a comfortable retirement, my ambitions extend far beyond merely living off the wealth I've been bestowed.
I aspire to achieve heights that even the great Jonathan Lewis has yet to reach. The prospect of leveraging this financial foundation to propel myself towards unprecedented success fills me with a sense of determination and purpose. I refuse to settle for mediocrity when the world has offered a second chance to me.
As I ponder the implications of my newfound wealth and potential, it dawns on me that my father, Adam, may be privy to the existence of the trust fund. His tardiness for today's visit suggests that he might be preoccupied with matters related to it, keeping him occupied and perhaps even causing him to overlook our informal daily meeting.
As my gaze drifted to the 'Assets' section of the window, I absorbed the details of the asset types and their composition. Overall, I would categorize it as either a safe fund or a moderate fund, contingent upon the types of stocks it holds.
Based on my calculations, these stocks are likely invested in either Lewis Corps or some Whitney Family Corporation. While I cannot be certain about the Whitneys, I have confidence in the robust future of the Lewis family over the next two decades at least. Their enduring stability and potential for growth offer a reassuring outlook for the performance of my trust fund's assets.
Bonds can add a layer of uncertainty if we're not sure about their specifics. Corporate bonds, for instance, carry their own set of risks tied to the financial stability of the issuing companies. On the flip side, government-issued bonds are generally seen as a safer bet, especially those with lower interest rates.
When it comes to preserving wealth and keeping pace with inflation, government bonds with modest interest rates are like a reliable anchor. They offer a steady way to safeguard the value of the trust fund over time, helping to ensure that its purchasing power doesn't erode in the face of rising prices.
Real estate and heirlooms are relatively stable assets that typically don't experience significant fluctuations, which means they're unlikely to have a negative impact on the overall portfolio of the fund.
Therefore, even if the fund yields an annual return of 6%-7%, it can effectively preserve the wealth it has accumulated over time. While I'm still in the dark about the specific rules governing this fund, I'm confident they will be passed on to me once I reach the legal age to inherit them. Additionally, I expect there to be a payout system in place that provides me with a steady and reliable source of income.
That's why trust fund babies seem to have it made. They can coast through life on a stable income without having to lift a finger to earn it.