CHAPTER SEVEN: PRIVATE BUSINESS

“What do you want, Dahlia?!” Daniel lowered his voice.

Ryan stopped to listen. He had come down to ask Daniel for something but it seemed like he was attending to something very private.

“I want nothing else to do with you brother, believe me. I just need the money you owe me!” A female voice came on.

“I don't have it! I already told you countless times that I don't have it! Why do you even need it so much? Seems like you were perfectly fine faking your wealthy status!” Daniel responded.

“It's my bloody inheritance Daniel! Just because it was kept in your care and you ended up making very poor life choices does not give you the right to ask questions about MY inheritance!” She spilled.

Daniel remained mute.

“When can I have my money, Daniel?” She asked.

“Soon. I'm working on something really huge at the moment so just…please bare with me Dahlia” Daniel said.

“Good”.

“And tear down this shack so you can focus on something that'll actually give you the kind of money you need right now” She added.

Footsteps approached the kitchen and Ryan dashed to the entrance to the back so it would look like he was just coming in.

“Ugh! You, again” Dahlia exclaimed with disgust.

“Good day?” Ryan smiled.

“Why are you so cheery?”.

“No reason. Am I not allowed to be cheery?” Ryan questioned, spotting a smirk.

“Your cup of tea” Dahlia answered, walking out of the bar.

She turned back to look at Ryan who had been watching her.

He immediately took his gaze off her and stole a glance again as she entered her beaten down car and drove off.

From what he could establish from their conversation, Daniel had gotten access to their inheritance and had most likely, invested all of it in his bar which had put Dahlia in a difficult position since she had obviously grown up in a wealthy environment.

She obviously could not adjust to a life as anything other than a wealthy adult.

Her wealthy future however, depended on whatever ‘huge’ thing Daniel was working on.

It seemed like Ryan had more secrets to uncover than he had originally imagined.

…

Ryan shut the door to his room at the motel and slouched on the bed immediately. He had definitely had a long day. But at least he had a job now, it was progress.

He barely had the time to relax because he worked longer shifts to keep up with the time Nathan usually visited the bar so he could observe him.

His mind wandered back to the conversation between Daniel and Dahlia and he wondered if Serena would have a clue on who Daniel was outside of running the bar. He had to meet with her in an hour anyway but his curiosity got the better of him.

"I'm driving, Ryan. Make this quick" Serena said from the other end of the phone.

"Yes ma'am" he teased.

"What do you know about Daniel Piers? The owner of Danny's Bar just down the road from my motel, I'm sure you must've seen it" Ryan inquired.

"Well I've been there just once or twice. Doesn't mean I know the guy" Serena chuckled.

"I heard he got caught in a few bad debts and had to let some of his best workers go and is why his bar has had zero renovations in years. That's all I know" Serena spilled.

"Okay. Thanks" Ryan answered.

"Why did...". Ryan hung up too fast, cutting her off.

His attention shifted to the television in front of him which was now showing an interview. He didn't care for content like these especially since he had a lot to uncover.

“And there you have it, folks…”.

Ryan recognized the hauntingly familiar voice.

“Our celebrity sweethearts have just announced that Nathan popped the question on a private yacht dinner earlier in the week, and we will be having the wedding of the century!!!” The interviewer announced with utmost excitement.

Ryan froze. The phone in his hands fell to the floor.

They were moving too fast for him. He had barely even been able to talk to Nathan let alone try to change Nathan's perception of him. On the other hand, he had a whole eight months to do so.

A knock came from the door. It was Serena. Ryan unlocked the door and let her in.

He took a seat on the bed while she sat in the chair, pulling out some files from her bag and placing her bag on the floor to lean against the chair.

She cleared her throat, browsing through the files.

"These are all the documents regarding your mother's landed properties, her chain of small businesses and her her corporation building. I just need you to sign in the spaces below for each of them and you'll be the official owner of everything listed in these documents" Serena explained.

"Here. You can read through the documents before signing so you understand what's at stake. You're free to ask questions on the parts you can't comprehend" Serena told him, handing over the files to him.

"Thanks" Ryan mumbled, taking the files from her.

He glanced through them, uninterested.

"Do you have a pen, so I can sign?" he asked, to Serena's amazement.

"Most people usually take their time to read documents as important as their lives, but alright" she commented, handing him a pen.

"Well I trust you. Doesn't that count for something?" Ryan teased, flashing a brief smile at her.

Serena shook her head slowly with a smile. It was a good counter. Who would've believed they would make such an understanding team after Ryan's initial outburst.

She watched him put his signature on the designated spots before handing her back the files.

"Thank you. As of today, you, Ryan Roberts, are the sole owner and inheritor of Ms. Bethany Roberts entire net worth, billion-dollar businesses and landed properties. Congratulations" Serena announced, shaking his hand.

Ryan grinned. Billionaire was certainly a good addition to his name.