I Inherited Trillions, Now What?

Dr. Thatcher stood confidently in the center of the classroom, her sharp yet warm gaze sweeping over the six teenagers seated around her. Each of them carried an air of distinction, their extraordinary backgrounds making this class unlike any other she'd ever taught. Her attention shifted to Gretha, the purple-haired girl who had recently returned to the group.

A small smile tugged at Dr. Thatcher's lips as she addressed her. "Gretha, why don't we use you as a case study for today's discussion?" Her tone was inviting yet layered with the intellectual challenge her students had grown to expect.

Gretha tilted her head slightly, her wide smile lighting up her face. "Dr. Thatcher, what kind of case are we talking about?" she asked, her voice curious but unbothered, as though such things were part of her everyday life.

Dr. Thatcher took a moment to consider her words, then spoke with deliberate thoughtfulness. "Well, I've heard a lot about your recent activities. You've traveled to multiple countries, participated in the Lenty World Corps, and even led youth initiatives in some of the places you've visited. Let's not forget the environmental cleanup projects you've spearheaded, or the fact that you've raised substantial funds for disaster relief efforts. And wasn't there an invitation for you to speak at a youth panel about climate action at the global summit last year? All of this at just sixteen—it's remarkable."

Her smile deepened as she continued. "Now, I'd like you to do something for the class. Using all those experiences, tell us about the world as you've seen it—not the world through the lens of the news or filtered statistics, but the world through your own eyes. What have you observed about humanity—our achievements, our failures, and our lasting impact on this planet? What are the stories that stuck with you? The things that inspired you—or even disappointed you?"

Dr. Thatcher's tone softened, becoming almost conversational. "You see, perspectives like yours are invaluable. Firsthand accounts can be immersive and personal in a way that charts and headlines simply aren't. They reveal how deeply humanity shapes the world—whether it's through the innovation of global industries, the influence of cultural movements, or even the devastating effects of unchecked actions. Everything from the forests that shrink due to deforestation, to the cities that rise in steel and glass, to the oceans struggling with waste—all these stories are connected to human choices, for better or worse."

She paused briefly, then added, "Gretha, with everything you've seen and done, I think you can offer us an insight that no one else in this room could. So tell us, Gretha—what has been mankind's legacy on the world you have experienced?"

The room fell silent as her words lingered, all eyes now on Gretha, who leaned back in her seat, clearly thinking about how to begin.

Gretha nodded at Dr. Thatcher's words, her expression turning serious. She leaned forward slightly, her voice calm yet firm as she began, "Hmm, okay then. About all that, I'd first like to start by saying this: we as humans are the sole and only reason for everything that goes on in the world. Humans are the primary drivers of every change, every crisis, and every development."

She paused, about to continue, when a voice cut her off. "What about natural disasters? Are you going to blame humans for those too?"

Gretha tilted her head, her sharp purple contact filled eyes falling on Caroline Blackwell, who sat with a calm, knowing smile. Caroline's tone was light, but her words carried an edge.

"Of course, I would," Gretha replied, her voice unwavering. "Humans aggravate the intensity of disasters. Take climate change, for example. Rising global temperatures caused by human activities have led to stronger hurricanes, more severe droughts, and wildfires. Industrial activities and deforestation increase greenhouse gas emissions, making floods more frequent and destructive. And let's not forget poorly planned urbanization—it puts people in harm's way. Coastal cities are vulnerable to tsunamis and rising sea levels because we keep building without thinking of long-term consequences. So yes, even natural disasters are tied to human actions."

Caroline raised an eyebrow, a small smirk playing on her lips. "Interesting. But aren't you oversimplifying it? Natural disasters have existed for millennia, long before humans began industrializing. Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions—those happen because of tectonic movements, not because of humans cutting down trees or emitting carbon. Sure, we might worsen the aftermath, but we don't cause them in the first place. Nature is nature."

Gretha's gaze narrowed. "And yet, Caroline, it's not just about causing versus not causing. It's about impact. We can't stop earthquakes, but we've seen the difference proper preparation makes. Japan, for example, has systems in place to mitigate damage. But in other regions, where humans prioritize profit over safety, the same earthquake leads to thousands of deaths. So while nature does its thing, human negligence and short-sightedness determine the scale of devastation."

The tension between the two was palpable, and before either could go further, Paul interjected. "Well, you're both right, technically." His voice was measured and diplomatic. "Gretha's right in saying humans exacerbate the intensity of disasters through our actions, or sometimes inactions. But Caroline's also correct—there's a distinction between natural phenomena and human influence. It's not black and white. The truth lies in how both forces interact."

Gretha, still holding Caroline's gaze, shook her head, muttering, "That wasn't even the topic I wanted to talk about before I was rudely interrupted." She shot Caroline a pointed glare, earning a smirk in return, before turning back to the class. "Anyway, as I was saying. Take my time in Congo, for example. I worked with countless humanitarian organizations there, and it's a country that receives up to $20 billion in aid every year. And yet, it remains one of the maost underdeveloped places in the world. In fact, it's regressing. The roads are falling apart, infrastructure is nonexistent in most areas, and the people suffer while the aid disappears."

Her words hung in the air for a moment before Ekatherina, who had been quiet until now, spoke up. Her Russian accent was clear as she said, "That is not surprising. The problem in Congo, like in many developing countries, is the corrupt and weak politicians. Aid money is stolen or mismanaged by those in power. Instead of investing in schools, hospitals, or infrastructure, they use it to buy mansions in Paris and fleets of luxury cars."

Noah, seated a few chairs away, leaned forward, his voice firm but calm. "You're oversimplifying it, Ekatherina. The problem isn't just the leaders. It's also the international systems that keep African nations dependent on aid. Colonialism destroyed many of these countries' institutions, and the West continues to exploit their resources. Look at how multinational corporations drain the Congo of its minerals for electronics while giving nothing back. How are leaders supposed to fix anything when they're operating under constant pressure from foreign powers?"

Daphne, sitting across the room, folded her arms and frowned. "That's a bit of a stretch, Noah. Yes, colonialism left scars, but you can't excuse leaders who have had decades to fix their countries and haven't. What they need is more external oversight—Western nations and organizations stepping in to ensure aid is used properly and efficiently. Otherwise, the cycle of corruption and poverty will never end."

The classroom buzzed with energy as the argument continued. Ekatherina countered, "So you're saying these countries need babysitters? That's patronizing, Daphne. They need strong internal reforms, not foreign interference."

Noah shook his head. "Reforms are impossible when global institutions are designed to keep Africa down. Do you really think countries like Congo can develop when they're crushed by debt and stripped of resources?"

Li, who had been silent, raised a hand to get their attention. "It's not just one thing, though, is it? Corruption, exploitation, poor leadership, global systems—they all play a role. None of these issues exist in isolation. If anything, it's a feedback loop. The question is how to break it."

Gretha leaned back in her chair, her voice calm but carrying an undercurrent of intensity. "Well, it can't be broken," she said, her eyes darting briefly toward Caroline. "Too many interests would be touched."

Caroline caught her gaze and raised an eyebrow. "What?" she asked, feigning innocence.

Gretha didn't hold back. "The major issue with Congo, like Noah pointed out, is the multinational corporations benefitting from its vast resources. And I disagree with Ekaterina—Congo's situation isn't just because of corrupt leaders. The leaders are the way they are because foreign powers—nations like Russia," she said, locking eyes with Ekaterina, "America, the UK, and France—ensure it. They profit from the instability and resource exploitation, and they will always place leaders who serve their interests. African nations have only ever been free from colonialism on paper. In reality, they are still being controlled by the world. And we've seen what happens when strong, independent leaders emerge—like Gaddafi."

The name landed like a thunderclap. Caroline scoffed almost instantly, leaning forward in her chair. "Oh, now you're calling a murderous dictator a strong leader? So much for your 'save the world' love-and-peace nonsense," she said, her tone dripping with sarcasm. Daphne and Ekaterina both burst into quiet laughter, their amused smirks fueling Caroline's argument.

Gretha's expression didn't waver, but her eyes sharpened. She let their laughter die down before speaking. "Seventy thousand," she said gravely, her tone as cold as steel.

The room fell silent, confusion rippling across the students' faces. All eyes turned to Gretha, trying to decipher the meaning behind the number. She let the weight of her words linger before continuing, her voice unwavering. "In the past two years, 70,000 people have died in Congo. Over the last 15 years, more than 200,000 lives have been lost. Gaddafi? His total 'kill count' is 10,000."

The room remained silent, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife. Even Caroline, usually quick with a retort, seemed caught off guard, her confident smirk faltering slightly.

Gretha scanned the room, her eyes meeting each person's until she finally locked onto Caroline. "Do you all understand the significance of these numbers?" she asked, her voice calm but cutting. "The killings, the chaos—it all intensified 15 years ago when BHP and Apple entered the Congolese market fully. And in the past two years, the violence reached new heights. Do you know what happened during that time?"

Caroline's face began to shift, her smirk fading into a frown as realization dawned. Gretha leaned forward slightly, her voice softening but losing none of its edge. "Fifteen years ago was when the Blackwells entered those companies. And two years ago..." she paused, letting her words hang in the air before continuing, "was when the current head of the Blackwell family was named CEO."

The room was utterly still. Gretha's eyes bore into Caroline, her meaning clear.

This chapter is dedicated to Jbp2k24, who just dropped a golden ticket! 🕺 Thank you so much for your incredible support! To show my appreciation, I'll be releasing another chapter today. Stay tuned, and thanks again—you're amazing! 🙌