When Gabriel Montclair, a powerful billionaire, suddenly dies, his impoverished and arrogant double, Antoine Rousseau, seizes the opportunity to take his place. But life of luxury comes with challenges far greater than he imagined. Faced with toxic relationships and deadly secrets, Antoine must navigate a dangerous world where the spirit of Gabriel haunts every step. Will he manage to preserve the facade or will it be destroyed by the shadows of the past?
Chapter 1 1
The murmur of social conversations and the clinking of champagne glasses echoed in the sumptuous ballroom of the Montclair mansion. Crystal chandeliers sparkled above the elite of Parisian society, gathered to celebrate a most prestigious event. At the center of this excitement was Gabriel Montclair, a billionaire whose reputation and influence extended well beyond French borders.
Gabriel was the epitome of success. His tailored suit, solid gold watch and confident smile testified to his position at the top of the social hierarchy. His empire spanned from technology companies to art galleries to luxury hotels. Yet, despite his success, a shadow sometimes seemed to cross his eyes, a fleeting worry that only the most attentive could detect.
Several kilometers away, in a dark and dilapidated neighborhood of Paris, Antoine Rousseau was returning home after a tiring day. Antoine, unlike Gabriel, had nothing glorious about him. His worn clothes and cramped apartment reflected a life of constant struggle. Formerly a warehouse worker, he survived thanks to small, precarious jobs, without ever managing to escape poverty.
Antoine and Gabriel had one striking thing in common: their physical appearance. The two men were almost identical, a fact that mysteriously linked them without ever having met. Their lives, however, couldn't be more different. While Gabriel savored exquisite dishes and rare wines, Antoine was often content with a simple sandwich bought with his last euros.
That evening, Gabriel's life took a tragic turn. At the top of his world, surrounded by luxury and adulation, he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his chest. His eyes widened in panic, and his trembling hand went to his heart. The music stopped abruptly, and the guests turned to him, their faces frozen in an expression of horror. Gabriel collapsed, his graceful body falling heavily to the marble floor.
"Gabriel!" a female voice shouted, as guests rushed to help him.
Camille, Gabriel's wife, pushed her way through the crowd, her face pale with fear. "Someone, call an ambulance!" she screamed, her voice piercing the hubbub of frightened whispers.
Help arrived quickly, but it was already too late. Gabriel Montclair, the powerful billionaire, was dead. The murmurs turned to whispers of shock and speculation. How could such a young and seemingly healthy man succumb to a heart attack?
Meanwhile, Antoine had taken refuge in his apartment, still unaware that his destiny would soon change. Sitting on his uncomfortable bed, he absently watched the evening news on his aging television. The news of Gabriel Montclair's death caught his attention, and he sat up in disbelief.
"No, it's not possible..." he muttered to himself, his eyes fixed on the screen where the photo of Gabriel, so similar to him, was displayed. The idea of a better life suddenly crossed his mind, a tempting but foolish thought. What if...?
The opportunity presented itself sooner than he expected. The next day, while walking near the place where he once worked, Antoine came across a strange scene. A group of people were gathered around a body lying in an alley. Curiosity pushed him closer, and his heart almost stopped when he recognized Gabriel's face.
"Let me pass," he said firmly, pushing his way through the crowd.
Eyes wide, he observed Gabriel's lifeless body. No one seemed to recognize him here, and a crazy idea sprouted in his mind. He had nothing to lose and everything to gain. In an instant, Antoine made a decision that would change his life forever. He discreetly dragged Gabriel's body to an improvised hiding place and quickly put on the billionaire's luxury clothes.
A few hours later, cleaned and dressed like Gabriel, Antoine showed up at the Montclair mansion. The guards, accustomed to Gabriel's imposing figure, noticed nothing strange and let him enter. The deception began.
"Gabriel, you are alive! We thought that...," Camille stammered, tears in her eyes when she saw Antoine enter.
"A misunderstanding," Antoine replied, imitating Gabriel's calm and assured voice. "I needed to isolate myself to think."
The days that followed were a whirlwind of luxury and confusion for Antoine. Every corner of Montclair Manor was a constant reminder of the life he never had. However, he had to remain vigilant. The slightest misstep could reveal his imposture.
At a lavish dinner with Gabriel's associates, Antoine found himself faced with complex questions about matters he had no idea about. With his heart pounding, he improvised, using his survival instincts to get out of sticky situations.
"Gabriel, what do you think about expanding into Asia?" asked one of the associates, his gaze piercing.
"I think it's a fantastic opportunity," Antoine replied, trying to mask his ignorance. "But we must proceed with caution to avoid cultural and economic pitfalls."
The days passed and Antoine slowly adapted to his new life. However, one night, while exploring the vast mansion, he heard a familiar but disembodied voice.
"What did you do, Antoine?"
He turned suddenly and saw, floating in the air, the spectral apparition of Gabriel. Antoine felt his heart tighten with terror.
"Gabriel? It's impossible..." he stammered.
Gabriel's mind stared at him with icy intensity. "You took my life, but you have no idea of the dangers that await you. You think you can handle anything, but you are far from the truth."
Antoine felt a shiver run down his spine. "Why are you here? What do you want from me?"
"I want you to understand that every choice has consequences. You opened a door that you can no longer close," Gabriel replied before disappearing.
Antoine remained frozen, his heart beating, aware that his imposture was more complex and dangerous than he had imagined. The road ahead was paved with unexpected challenges, secrets and betrayals, and he had no choice but to continue playing his role. Fortune and power were within reach, but the price to pay could be much higher than he had anticipated.
Other books by E.Jeff
More