I'm The King of Business & Technology in the Modern World-Chapter 78: Seeing the Family Part 1

Matthew sat in his penthouse office, sipping a glass of whiskey as the city lights sprawled before him. He had spent the past year amassing wealth and influence, securing board seats in the biggest companies in the Philippines, and ensuring Sentinel Systems was a dominant force in the market. By all accounts, he had won.

But not everything had changed for the better.

Angel walked into the office, her expression uncharacteristically somber. She held a folder in her hands and set it on his desk. "You need to see this."

Matthew glanced at her before picking up the folder. The first document was a bank foreclosure notice. His brows furrowed as he flipped through the pages. His father's name, Ramon Borja, was listed. Then, another document—a final eviction notice from a landlord. His stomach tightened as he scanned the details.

His family had lost their home.

Angel crossed her arms, choosing her words carefully. "Your father lost his job at the factory three months ago. He tried to keep up with rent, but the bills kept piling up. They were evicted last month. They're staying in a run-down apartment on the outskirts of the city."

Matthew closed the folder, exhaling slowly. He hadn't spoken to his family in years. His father had never believed in him, always calling him a failure, a disappointment. His mother, Teresa, had tried to mediate, but the relationship between father and son had always been cold. His older brother, Marco, was always in the middle—never fully taking sides, but more aligned with their father.

He leaned back, staring at the ceiling. "Did they reach out?"

Angel hesitated. "No. Your mother tried, but… she never got through."

Matthew's jaw tightened. He had changed his number when he started Sentinel Systems, cutting ties with his past. It wasn't that he hated his family—he just never wanted to be dragged back into that life.

And yet…

He sighed. "Where are they now?"

Angel handed him an address. "It's not a great place. Far from what they were used to."

Matthew stared at the paper for a long moment before standing up. "Get the van ready. We're paying them a visit."

October 21, 2020.

The black Lexus LM500, a luxurious van with sleek lines and a tinted exterior, rolled to a stop in front of a small, dilapidated apartment complex on the outskirts of Caloocan. The area was filled with cramped housing, rusting gates, and laundry lines hanging between buildings. Children ran barefoot in the narrow streets, and stray dogs lurked in the corners.

The source of this c𝓸ntent is frёeweɓηovel.coɱ.

Matthew stepped out of the vehicle, his tailored Brioni suit standing out like a sore thumb. The watch on his wrist—a Patek Philippe Grand Complications—cost more than most of the homes in the area. He could feel the stares from the locals as he walked toward the building.

Angel remained inside the vehicle, watching. "Are you sure you don't want me to come?"

Matthew shook his head. "This is something I have to do alone."

He climbed the narrow, creaking staircase, reaching the fourth floor, where his family now lived. The door was old, the paint peeling, and the number barely visible. He took a deep breath before knocking.

Footsteps. Then, the door cracked open.

His mother, Teresa, stood there, her eyes widening in shock. She looked… older, more tired than he remembered. The once elegant woman who raised him now wore a simple worn-out duster, her hair tied back hastily.

"Matthew?" she whispered, her voice trembling.

Matthew's throat tightened. "Hi, Mom."

She hesitated, then opened the door fully. Inside, the apartment was cramped and sparsely furnished. A small electric fan whirred weakly, and the light flickered slightly. The air smelled of instant noodles and the faint scent of dampness.

His father, Ramon Borja Sr., sat at the rickety dining table, his expression immediately hardening upon seeing Matthew. His older brother, Ramon Jr., stood near the small kitchen, arms crossed.

An uncomfortable silence filled the room.

His mother was the first to break it. "Come in, hijo."

Matthew stepped inside, his polished Ferragamo shoes clicking against the floor tiles. He could feel his father's disapproving gaze burning into him.

His father finally spoke, his voice laced with resentment. "So, what brings the big-shot CEO here? Come to show off?"

Matthew met his father's glare but kept his tone even. "I heard about what happened."

Ramon Sr. scoffed. "Took you long enough."

His mother winced, placing a hand on her husband's arm. "Please, Ramon… let's not start."

Matthew exhaled sharply. "I didn't come here to fight."

His father leaned forward, his wrinkled hands gripping the edge of the table. "Then why? To rub it in our faces? Look at you, walking in here in your designer suit, driving some expensive van, acting like you actually care."

Matthew's jaw clenched. "I do care."

"Do you?" his father snapped. "Where were you when we lost the house? When your mother cried herself to sleep wondering how we'd make it? When I begged for extra shifts just to keep the lights on?"

The words hit hard, but Matthew refused to react. Instead, he turned to his mother, his voice softer. "Why didn't you tell me?"

Tears welled up in Teresa's eyes. "I… I tried, hijo. I tried to call, but…" she hesitated, glancing at his father. "We didn't want to burden you."

Matthew's gaze flickered toward Ramon Jr., who had been silent the entire time. "And you? Why didn't you reach out?"

His brother exhaled. "Would you have picked up?"

The question stung because the answer was no.

Silence filled the room again.

Finally, Matthew spoke. "I didn't come here to argue. I came because I want to help."

His father scoffed. "Help? And what? Have us owe you? Have us be your charity case?"

Matthew shook his head. "No. You're my family. Whether you believe it or not, I still care." He looked at his mother. "I bought a house—a proper one. No rent. No loans. You won't have to struggle anymore."