Mr. Cyrus did as he said and began to look into Dennis's files. He wanted to know how Dennis managed the department, and to find out how he could mix up Ellis's presentation topic without anyone noticing. This began the next day after the presentation, and in less than a week after that, Mr Cyrus found more than he was looking for. Mr Cyrus slammed the file down on his desk with a resounding thud. His face was flushed with anger, and his eyes burned with a fury that only a few had ever witnessed. The documents before him painted a picture of betrayal and malice that shook him to his core.Dennis Kingsley, the manager of the marketing department, had been stealing the company's proprietary ideas and selling them to a rival firm. Not only that, but there was enough proof apart from the presentation mix up that he had been actively sabotaging the work of Ellis. The audacity to do that to Mr Cyrus's own son and heir apparent to the Royale empire was just too appalling to think about. Mr
The news of Denis trying to sabotage Ellis went round the whole company. Every department was aware. and it was always the topic of discussion. They also knew that Dennis was investigated, and discovered to be a traitor. News of him being arrested had also spread around the company. Some employees were shocked that Dennis would dare try to harm the future CEO of their company when everyone else was desperate to gain Ellis’ favour. Some of them who secretly hated that Ellis just became rich overnight were speculating that it was really Ellis’ fault, and they just made up crimes against Dennis to cover up for him because he was the heir. They would never dare say this to Ellis’ face though, they weren’t stupid enough to put their jobs on the line. As for the board members who were on Marcus’ side, and were trying to bring Ellis down, they knew they had to be more careful now. None of them wanted Mr Cyrus to start investigating them, because most of them had skeletons in their own clos
Ellis stared dubiously at the gift basket sitting proudly on his study desk. It was a lavish arrangement of gourmet snacks, fine wine, and an assortment of expensive sweets. A note was attached, written in Marcus’ daughter’s writing. Though he wasn’t close with his new niece, so he didn’t identify her writing, he only knew it was her because she wrote her full name underneath the note.‘Dear Uncle Ellis,This is a token from my brother and I. We hope you enjoy these tokens of our affection. We want to put the past behind us and start anew as a family. We know that none of us have really been welcoming, but it is only due to the circumstance by which you were added to our family. We wish to make amends for our previous behaviour towards you. Please accept our invitation to an outdoor dinner this Saturday evening. Jackie and Sean.’Ellis frowned deeply. Marcus's children had never shown the slightest interest in him before. In fact, their disdain for him had transferred from their fath
Soon, the questions were over just like Ellis had wanted. The awkward moment then came, when Marcus tried to start up a conversation with Ellis. Firstly, Ellis wondered why they had not had this dinner at home with everyone. It was a bit suspicious, but they could just say they wanted to eat out. Then Marcus began a conversation that struck his suspicion even more."So Ellis, I hear that you disgraced yourself in front of the board?" Marcus began, a smirking forming on his face. Ellis hesitated. This was not news anymore. Everyone now knew the reason for the said disgrace before the board was Dennis' fault, so why was Marcus asking this question now, and in this manner? "Yes, I did. But of course you must have also heard why it happened?" Ellis asked. "Oh, yes. I did. Poor Dennis, now he will have to stay in jail for not being smart enough to cover his tracks." Marcus raised his glass of wine to his lips after he had said that, one eye steady on Ellis's expression. "He will be in
"What is going on here?" Marcus roared. "I said, what is happening here?"Ellis was surprised at Marcus’ sudden presence. Why was Marcus shouting? His yelling made his wife and son come to investigate what was going on since they were seated close to the bathroom hallway. Marcus's wife was a bit surprised too. She also did not understand why her daughter and Ellis were in the restroom together. "Ellis, what are you doing with my daughter in a restroom alone?" Marcus asked. Ellis opened his mouth, but there were no words coming forth. How would he sound if he said that he entered the ladies' restroom just because he was too pressed to check the inscriptions properly? What excuse would he make for standing there and chatting with Jackie when he could very much have left the restroom upon her arrival? "I — I, Jackie," Ellis stuttered, "Jackie met me here.""That's because you are in the female restroom." Marcus's wife said, a frown beginning to form on her face."Ellis, are you having
The news got to Mr Cyrus in no time. He got a call from his secretary. "Ellis has been arrested, sir," the man said immediately Mr Cyrus picked up the phone. "Ellis? Why? He’s supposed to be having dinner with my first son." Mr Cyrus asked, perplexed. "He was arrested for assaulting your first son's daughter. Marcus insists that his daughter was raped. I am not sure yet, but the news should be clear by morning.""What?!" Mr Cyrus exclaimed in shock. "Ellis? Rape? That’s impossible. Please call my lawyer right away. Get them to release Ellis on bail first of all. Has this gotten to the media yet?""Yes, sir. Marcus made quite a spectacle at the restaurant where they had dinner. There are videos of Ellis being arrested all over the internet." the man said.Mr Cyrus immediately knew that this must be a scheme by Marcus to bring Ellis down. How stupid. Didn’t he realise what this scandal could cost the company? This was one of the reasons why he refused to hand over his empire to Marcu
The news carried the story about Ellis being arrested. So many channels dwelt on how much of a rogue Ellis was. Some even went as far as blaming Mr Cyrus and speaking on the importance of placing one's own family before a stranger because ‘the devil you know is better than the angel you do not know.’ Many were questioning Mr Cyrus for choosing to make a stranger his heir instead of his own children. Some said that Ellis was so immoral because he was poor. People like Mr Clark rejoiced at this news. "So, not only is the boy young and incompetent, he is also corrupt?" Mr Clark would say to the hearing of other disappointed board members like Mr Rogers and the like.Ellis felt the brunt of Marcus's accusations, but the one who felt it even more was Jackie. She was not built for all of this drama, and the wrong attention was getting to her. After that evening when her father had ignored her tears and told her not to mention a word of what happened to anyone, Jackie had begun to hate Marc
Mr. Cyrus sat back in the luxurious leather chair of his study, a grim satisfaction written all over his old-man like features. For days, he had been tormented by the accusation that his beloved son Ellis had committed such a heinous act as rape against his own niece, Jackie. The thought had been unconscionable to the family patriarch. Ellis had been the shining star of the Royale dynasty — his own heir. How could the intelligent, driven young man who was also imbued with an impeccable moral code do such a thing? To hear that he had violated Jackie in such a way had caused Mr. Cyrus's world to come crashing down around him. He hated that Ellis was being defamed for a crime he would never commit.Marcus did not like Ellis, and it was understandable. While their relationship was undoubtedly bad over questions of inheriting the Royale corporate empire one day, Mr. Cyrus could scarcely fathom that it could get to this level of depravity — false accusations of rape, from one against the o