LECTER JAMES: Rise of the Braveheart

Chapter two

Alaric drove at high speed to a mansion on the far end of the city. While the rain poured, Lecter's mind constantly went back to the scene of Venita's betrayal.

They took his wealth and made him look like a fool.

Anger slowly built within Lecter's heart. The pain he felt was being replaced by something darker, and all Lecter could think about was getting revenge.

"We are here, young master," Alaric said to him while he drove into a large compound and quickly parked the car by the fountain located just in front of the main building.

Then, Alaric jumped down and opened an umbrella. He unlocked the door for Lecter to step down.

Lecter could not believe his eyes. Not even when he was rich did he experience such wealth. The mansion was easily the grandest thing that he had ever seen in his life.

As they walked towards a door, a lady stood by the side, gazing at Lecter with fury and disgust.

"Thank you, Alaric. I'll take it from here," she said to Alaric who gestured for Lecter to walk into the beautiful house with bright lights. 

"Treat him well, Ruth. He is the boss's son," Alaric said to her but she scoffed and followed Lecter.

Lecter could feel her cold eyes on him, and his wet clothes from running in the rain did not make things better. Ruth stepped away from him in disgust.

"Let me make this clear, whoever you are. I am the head servant in this house. That means everyone obeys me. I know Alaric was bluffing when he called you the boss' son. Mr Kent cannot father vermin like you..." She then strolled past Lecter, leaving him alone with mixed feelings.

"Follow me. And don't touch anything with those filthy hands of yours!" She yelled at him while she walked towards the staircase.

Lecter wanted to turn back and just walk away from the rude lady, but he was also curious to know if this Mr Kent was indeed his father.

"Wait here. I'll confirm from the boss whether to bring you up or not," Ruth stated, and with a scowl on her face, she dashed upstairs.

As soon as she went up, Lecter scanned the rest of the hall with his eyes. He was truly impressed. But then, he saw a man with a striking resemblance to him watching him.

The man's expression was like that of someone who had seen a ghost, and Lecter was confused. 

"Mr Kent is not in. That means you have to leave, now!" Ruth said out loud while she strolled down the staircase with disdain on her face. Just as she was about to admonish Lecter again, she saw the man.

"Pardon me, sir, I didn't notice your presence," she said with a bow. However, Mr Kent ignored her and pulled Lecter into an embrace.

"My son... I'm so glad I have you back," Mr Kent said while he hugged Lecter deeply. Ruth froze. She tried to find the right words to describe how embarrassed she felt, however, she found none.

Then, her eyes met with Lecter's and she quickly averted his gaze in shame.

Mr Kent pulled away and smiled.

"Come, my boy. There are so many things I need to tell you," he said and led Lecter to the sitting room, but along the way, he coughed terribly and nearly slumped. Lecter helped him before he could fall.

"I know you have so many questions. I will do my best to tell you everything. But I want you to know that Morris Thorn is finally out of prison after twenty years and he is back to destroy our empire," Mr Kent said. Lecter frowned.

"Morris Thorn, as in Thorn incorporated?" Lecter asked as his heart thumped. There was no way Venita's father was the same man Mr Kent was talking about. It has to be a coincidence.

"Yes..." Mr Kent replied and Lecter quickly took his seat before his legs gave way.

"What happened between you two?" Lecter asked.

"He was once my best friend. But then, he wanted to take my empire. Morris said that I didn't deserve the wealth that I had. He told me that I did too much good, and poor people who were supposed to worship us were getting empowered..." Mr Kent coughed again.

Ruth quickly approached with a glass of water and handed it over to him. Out of shame, she did her best to ensure that she did not exchange glances with Lecter.

"Morris poisoned me twenty years ago. But you, my son, saw him and informed me on time. I began treatments and arrested Morris but the doctors never figured out what kind of potent poison he gave to me. Morris used his connections to avoid a life sentence and I've been here ever since," Mr Kent concluded.

"You said I saved you, but I don't remember. My entire childhood eludes me," Lecter told him.

"Morris tried to have you killed afterward in a staged accident. You were hurt. Since he couldn't get me, he wanted to get my son who exposed him. So, I had to send you and your mother away from me so that he will never find you. But he did. He killed your mother while she tried to protect you. I had to send you even farther than I had done before," Mr Kent said.

Lecter scoffed while his pain and anger kept rising. No wonder Venita and her family were evil. They had taken over their father. Lecter turned to Mr Kent.

"I was married to Morris's daughter. She divorced me tonight after playing a con on me," Mr Kent bowed his head as he tried to process the terrible news.

"I know this is so sudden, but it is up to you now to defend our empire. I have trillions of dollars at my disposal, wealth that I cannot put a number on and they all belong to you as my heir. I have dozens of companies all over the country: Orient Pharmaceuticals and Sunrise Enterprise to mention but a few. They are all yours now..." He leaned closer to Lecter.

"Morris and his family will try to take it all from you. I am weak and may die soon. But you must survive and triumph over them!" Mr Kent added.

Lecter stood up and slowly paced around the room.

"I will make them pay for what they've done to our family. None of them Will be spared. I will take my place as heir and avenge my mother!" Lecter said to Mr Kent who nodded in approval.

"Spoken like a true heir. I shall announce to my shareholders that I am retiring and name you heir. Your time has come, Lecter."

Mr Kent then stood up and gave Lecter a ring with a "J" engraved on it.

"This is our family crest. This ring will pave the way for you when you need it," he said to Lecter who nodded.

Lecter smiled while he basked in his new found power. Now, terror would befall his enemies.

Meanwhile, Joe, Venita's brother stood outside the Thorn mansion while he smoked a cigarette. He had seen Alaric driving Lecter off the streets.

"How does Lecter know such sophisticated people? What the heck is he planning?" Joe pondered. The mystery was too much for him to crack. It was at that moment that Joe knew that something terrible was coming to his family.