Meanwhile, in the police station, James was kept in a private torture room.
The room was completely dark with no windows in it.
Ten minutes later, two policemen came into the room to question him about the crime he didn't commit.
"Hey Listen up, Mr." One of the policemen, the one who appeared to be their leader, said to him. "I know you know why you have been arrested. Yes?"
"But I didn't steal anything," James replied calmly.
The other policeman said, "Well, the evidence says otherwise. We have you on camera, and your key can open that strongbox."
"That's a lie! Tell you what, here's what happened ok…"
"Better don't start cooking up stories."
"I had no place to sleep that night, and the only place I could think of was my workplace. I only slept on the veranda and I did not break into the building."
"But you were the only one the CCTV camera captured last."
"Did the CCTV capture me breaking into the building or exiting with the safe?"
The policemen were at a loss but they knew they had to pin him to the crime in one way or the other.
James continued to deny any wrongdoing, "I assure you, I haven't stolen anything. This must be a setup."
He knew it was Jaxon and his boss that was behind all this.
And he couldn't wait to get out to teach them all a lesson.
He knows his boss never liked him for one day and has always treated him badly but not to this extent of setting him up for stealing.
In his life, he hasn't in any way or by mistake taken what's not his. Why will he now?
The past few days have been really frustrating for him. First it was a Divorce and now an arrest.
The first policeman raised an eyebrow, "A setup? Do you need some beating to confess to your crimes?"
"Like I said I'll cooperate fully, but I need you to investigate this further. I'm innocent."
"You better start talking soon, or things could get much worse for you."
James replied firmly, "I'm telling the truth. I didn't steal anything, and I won't confess to a crime I didn't commit."
He knew if he showed any sign of fear, the policemen would use it against him.
"You can make this easier on yourself if you confess now. We have evidence against you."
"I'm not admitting to something I didn't do."
They exchanged glances, clearly growing impatient. "Well, we'll see about that."
Then Jaxon and Henry, his soon-to-be in-law, entered the room.
Jaxon said in a mocking manner, "Well, well, well, look who we've got here. James! The thief in the flesh."
"Seems like you've fallen quite low, James. Stealing from your own workplace? Shameful." Henry said, grinning from ear to ear.
James ignored them all together; he didn't even act as if somebody entered the room.
He knew they came to make trouble and so he ignored them completely.
But Jaxon and Henry are not giving up yet.
"Yeah, he's a real piece of work. Alisha dodged a bullet with this one." Jaxon said while laughing out loud.
Henry couldn't contain his laughter, ridiculing James without restraint.
"Look at this sorry excuse for a man. Alisha sure knows how to pick 'em. Thank God mom finally found the rightful husband for her."
"Finally someone whose d*** is worthy to ride Alisha. She will be under my d*** tonight while you rot in jail." Jaxon said to piss James off
He began laughing out loud.
James couldn't bear the taunts any longer. His frustration boiled over, and he suddenly stood up and punched Jaxon.
The atmosphere tensed up as James and Jaxon scuffled briefly, but the two policemen quickly intervened, pulling James away.
"Look at this loser! Can't even control his temper." Henry said snickering.
"You're really asking for it I see." One of the policemen said.
Jaxon clutched his bleeding nose, and signaled to the two policemen and they started beating James.
"I didn't do it. You're making a big mistake."
"Confess, and maybe we'll go easy on you." The Policeman said as they continued to beat James.
"I know you guys have been bribed to frame me and I promise you will regret this." James said boldly.
"Regret you say!"
Out of anger Jaxon gave James a hard punch while the Policemen held him.
He punched him severely and James began to bleed from his nose and mouth.
"Calm down, Sir. Let's stanch your nose before we finish him off."
Before they left, the policemen secured James to a chair and cuffed him, leaving him battered and bruised.
As they left, James was the only one in the dark room.
He thought about what people would say about him when the news spread throughout the city.
Then someone walked into the room with a light laugh. He had heard all the information, knowing James was framed.
"Looks like someone's in quite the predicament." The man said.
"I didn't do it!" James shouted at him.
"I know," The policeman said calmly.
"Please, you have to help me. They're trying to frame me for something I didn't do."
"I wish I could, my friend, but these crooked cops won't listen to reason. They have all been bribed."
James chuckled and requested, "Could you please dial a number for me?"
It was his uncle's number.
The man contemplated for a moment and finally agreed to dial the number.
They heard the approaching footsteps and voices of Jaxon, Henry, and the other policemen returning, the man quietly slipped out of the room.
A few seconds later, they entered the room with the intention to teach James a lesson.
"Let's end this loser and throw him into a pit," Henry said, bringing out a dagger.
"No, I suggest we bury him alive. Let him suffer. No one messes with the Sterlings and goes scout free."
James was shocked as Henry and Jaxon discussed how to end him in the presence of the police men without them doing anything.
"First of all, give him a well befitting beating to my satisfaction."
This confirmed the fact that every officer in the station has been bought.
He only hoped that the other police man whom he asked to call his uncle would do so in time.
***
When Alisha descended the stairs, she encountered a gathering of her colleagues and superiors, all eagerly anticipating the arrival of the new CEO.
"I heard it's a man from one of the first class families who has a very wealthy consortium."
"Wow! I can't wait to see him!"
"Whoever pulls this off within a space of a day must really be rich! Even richer than the Sterlings."
The colleagues were eagerly discussing among themselves.
They all knew this would bring a new managerial development in the company.
Before long, a sleek Royce Rolls automobile accompanied by several other black SUV's pulled up in front of the company, and from it emerged a striking woman, approximately 25 years old and her bodyguards.
"Oh! It was Lana Wane!"
"Oh my God! She's so pretty"
"Yes. She's the daughter of Ryan Wane."
Her beauty was breathtaking. She was even more beautiful than Alisha herself.
She had long curly hair that reached down to her hips which are very curvy.
Her eyes were like the deep blue sea, matching the blue office suit she wore.
Everyone's spoken words turned into murmurs as they considered how goddess-like looking she was.
"Welcome, Madam," Mr. Thomas Sterling, the former CEO respectfully welcomed her and invited her into the company.
She smiled and waved at everyone as she followed Mr. Thomas into the company.
Just then, one of the bodyguards called out to her respectfully.
"Mistress, you have a call."
She took the phone from him.
"Hello."
After a few moments, the smile on her face changed into a frown.
"How could it be?" She asked the person on the line.
Everyone wondered what could happen suddenly and they all began to give one another inquisitive looks.
She noticed it and began to address them.
"Hello, everyone. I just got some disturbing news that the new owner of this company has been delayed on his way down here, and he demands that we all come and pick him."
Quickly, everyone was loaded into a commercial bus and they all drove off to welcome the new owner of Emerald Multisource Cooperation.
Inside the torture room, James trembled, yet he refused to yield.He held onto the hope that his uncle had indeed answered that call from the officer.His nose was broken and blood was gushing out from his mouth and ear.With blood still in his mouth, he spat at Henry."How dare you, loser."Henry was furious. He grabbed the knife from Jaxon and stabbed James in the arm."Now I'll kill you.""Instead of this jerk to start apologizing and beg for forgiveness he is still asking for more trouble." One of the policemen said."Surely he has given up on life already.""What do you expect from a nobody?"Despite the brutal beating from Jaxon, Henry, and the two officers, James remained unafraid. Instead, he started smiling."What's wrong with him?""He's demented, Can't you see?"He scanned their faces one more time. He needed to make sure he remembered it."You won't get away with this. Once I'm out of here, all four of you, Jaxon, Henry, and you two officers, will face the consequences for
When James lifted his head, everyone present was taken aback by the sight of him. His whole body was bearing the physical marks of his recent torture. His face was bruised and battered.What was even more shocking was the revelation that he was now the new owner of Emerald Multisource Cooperation. He was now the person in charge of the company.This news hit them like a thunderbolt. Even Alisha, his ex-wife, couldn't hide her surprise. She had no idea that the man she had once been married to, the man her family treated like a piece of shit was now the new owner of the very company where she worked."This can't be real!" Mr Thomas Sterling was shocked to his bones. "You're telling me he's the big boss now?""No way! I thought he was just a regular loser.""And I was even thinking the boss was going to be someone else entirely.""Well, I guess we've all underestimated this guy for a long time."On the other hand, Jaxon, Henry, and the other policemen who tortured James mercilessly fi
James was quickly rushed to Skycare, one of the finest hospitals owned by the Wane's family in Emerald Falls. This hospital is known far and wide for its top-notch care. It's a place where doctors are experts at their job. Immediately, James was offered into a very special ward meant only for the rich, the doctors began working really hard to treat James' injuries and revive him. Lana remains by his bedside the whole time and day as the doctors do their thing. She sits next to his hospital bed even when the doctors asked her to leave. Her heart was fuming with both anger and fear as James remained unconscious. She would not understand why people could be so wicked and heartless. Her mind drifted off to what she would possibly do to the people responsible for this. She must make sure they face the wrath of the law for doing these horrible things to her little cousin, she thought. She could not quite understand why James pretended not to know her at the station. But since he ga
Eric walked into James' hospital room, he wore a puzzled expression. He wasn't quite sure why he was here or what to say to James, but he was here anyway.Running a company was something he had never done before, and he felt a bit out of place.His life had been tough. Unlike James, who came from a wealthy family. Eric came from a lower class family and not much is known about them. But the chance James gave him was like a lifetime opportunity. It was a way to make his family's life better no matter how little the opportunity would be, he will forever be grateful to James.He used to live in a tiny apartment with his wife, Mary, and their only daughter, Claire. They didn't have much money. They struggled to pay bills, especially because Claire was sick with cancer and she spent most of her life in local hospitals. Unlike his colleagues, Eric was a good police officer. Even when others tried to make him do bad things for money or give him bribes, he always said no. That's why James t
After the third day of being in hospital, James decided to leave even though he was not fully recovered. His body was still weak from the injuries, but he wanted to deal with those who neglected and harmed him.Lana advises him to take more time to recover, but James is resolute. He believes that those responsible for his condition are free, and he needs to teach them a lesson."I can't wait any longer. They're out there, free, thinking they've won. I need to get them arrested and teach them a lesson.""But you need more time to heal. Rushing back now might not be the best idea," she advised with genuine worry in her eyes.James wanted to heed her advice but at the same time, he thought it would make his whole plan not work.He needed to be there to witness the Sterling's arrest."Besides, Eric needs help. He cannot run the company alone. I need to assist him."Lana sighed, understanding the fire within James. She knew how stubborn he could be when it came to decision-making. And so
It was Jaxon who asked James where he was going, and as James turned, he caught sight of Jaxon and Alisha approaching his direction. The two were holding hands like teenage lovers on a first date.Jaxon and Alisha were surprised to see him back so soon, they thought he was going to spend about three months in the hospital to get fully recovered.Alisha didn't even care to visit him or ask about his health when he was in the hospital. Her mind had been poisoned against him, and her hatred for him had increased."Didn't you hear him, you bone-head? Or are you becoming deaf now!"James responded calmly to them, "As you can see, I've been offered a job here, and I'm just resuming work."Alisha, who was now the manager of the company, was quick to question him. "Speaking of work, do you know what time it is? Are you supposed to be coming to work at this late hour?"She didn't bother checking her watch, all she wanted was to mistreat James. He was now working under her, she seized the oppor
Meanwhile, in the Carl family house, Pa Aaron and Ma Pat had gathered the entire Carl family and their well wishers to celebrate and honor Alisha for her promotion at work.They wanted to thank her because Jaxon's father, Mr. Thomas Sterling, had made a generous promise. He guaranteed employment for every Carl family member, regardless of their qualifications. The catch was that they would become "ghost workers" and receive a monthly paycheck without actually working.This promise from Mr. Thomas Sterling was the talk of the family, and they eagerly anticipated the financial benefits that would soon come their way.This would be the highest achievement that anyone from the Carl family has ever gotten.And in no time, their family social status will increase in Emerald Falls.Every member of Carl's family was present for the celebration.The big room where they had the celebration was all lit up with cozy, yellow lights hanging from the ceiling. There were these long tables with clean
"Why are you calling me by this time, you godforsaken old cargo?" Mr. Sterling sneered, with disdain over the phone and loudspeaker.Everyone could hear him loud and clear. Pa Aaron's heart sank as he heard Mr. Thomas Sterling's voice thundering through the phone. The powerful businessman was clearly furious. What could have gone wrong?Pa Aaron felt very embarrassed but knew he had to respond with humility to salvage the situation. "I... I'm deeply sorry, Mr. Sterling. It's just that everyone here was getting impatient, and I thought… I thought that…"Mr. Sterling interrupted him, not willing to hear what he wanted to say. "You thought? You thought?! Do you know what you and your beggar family have caused my family?"The family members seated in a corner couldn't understand what was happening and why Mr. Thomas Sterling was so furious with their father, Pa Aaron."I deeply regret any inconvenience this call must have caused, you, Mr. Sterling.""And you still dare call to invite me