Rise Of The Forsaken Son In Law

Chapter 6

Adam woke up the next morning with a new fire in his chest. His encounter with Richard Lawson the day before had only intensified his determination to work more harder. If anything, he now had a personal mission: to show everyone, especially Lawson, that he wasn’t someone to be dismissed or to be played with.

At Rosewood Café, the familiar hum of customers and the rich aroma of coffee grounded him as he opened for business. The café had become his sanctuary, the one place where he felt in control of. But today, that peace didn’t last long. Halfway through his shift, Marcus appeared at the counter, looking like he owned the place.

“Adam,” Marcus said, his gaze serious and Stren, sending a sharp warning.

 “We need to talk. Now.”

Adam gestured to the back room, and Marcus followed him inside. Once the door closed, Marcus wasted no time at all.

“I hear you had a run-in with Richard Lawson,” he said, his voice low and menacing.

Adam’s stomach twisted with the mentioned name.

 “Yeah. I didn’t know who he was at the time, but I’ve since found out. He didn’t take too kindly to me outbidding him.”

Marcus nodded, a faint smirk playing at his lips.

 “Lawson’s not just any investor. He’s ruthless. He built his empire by driving out anyone he deemed a threat. And right now, you’re his newest target.”

Adam’s jaw tightened,with anger rising up within his inner self.

 “Well, I’m not backing down so easily. I’ve put everything I have into this, and I’m not going to let some guy with a grudge scare me off like some rat.”

Marcus watched him for a moment, assessing. Then he nodded to Adams words.

“Good. You’ll need that attitude if you want to make it in this business. But you can’t win this fight alone. That’s why I’m here to help you in it.”

“What do you mean, sir?” Adam asked, curiosity mixing with a hint of suspicion.

“There are people who don’t particularly like Lawson. People he’s crossed in the past. If you can gain their support, you’ll have a better chance of holding your ground against him,” Marcus broke things into a more understandable way.

Adam raised an eyebrow.

 “And who are these set of people?”

Marcus’s smirk returned. 

“Well, one of them just so happens to be in real estate business. His name’s Daniel Brooks. He’s not a saint also, but he has a bone to pick with Lawson. They’ve been rivals for years, and he might be willing to back you up if it means hitting Lawson where it hurts him the most.”

Adam felt a spark of hope, but it was quickly tempered by caution. “And what does Daniel Brooks get out of this?”

Marcus smiled.

 “A bit of the revenge he had always wanted. People like Brooks don’t help out of charity; they help when it benefits them. But in this case, your interests align him the most.”

Adam thought it over, his mind racing for a short while. Getting an ally like Brooks could give him the support he needed, but he’d be walking a fine line, potentially trading one powerful opponent for another.

“How do I get in touch with him?” Adam asked.

“Already arranged,” Marcus said, slipping a business card into Adam’s hand. “He’ll meet you tomorrow at noon. And remember, keep your head on straight. Brooks may be an ally, but he’s still playing his own game.”

****"

The following day, Adam found himself waiting in the lobby of a sleek high-rise, a stark contrast to his run-down café and newly acquired building. Everything about Daniel Brooks’s office spoke of wealth and success, from the marble floors to the tasteful artwork on the walls, to the coffee.

After a few minutes, a polished-looking assistant escorted him to Brooks’s office. The man himself was seated behind a massive mahogany desk, his gaze piercing as he assessed Adam. Brooks was older, in his late fifties, with silver hair and a presence that commanded respect.

“Adam Reed,” Brooks said, gesturing to the chair opposite his desk. 

“ you can have your sit."

Adam sat down, trying to appear confident despite his nerves and anxiety. “Thank you for meeting with me today, sir"

Brooks leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. “Marcus told me you’ve got a bit of a predicament with our mutual friend, Richard Lawson.”

“That’s right,” Adam replied, choosing his words carefully, trying not to make any scene. 

“He’s made it clear he doesn’t want me developing the building I just bought. But I’m not looking to back down for him or anyone.”

Brooks’s lips curled into a thin smile, filled with Malice and also hate.

 “Good. Lawson’s been at the top for too long. He thinks he can bulldoze anyone in his way. But the truth is, he’s made a lot of enemies. And I’d be more than happy to add fuel to the fire by helping you succeed.”

Adam couldn’t hide his curiosity.

 “Why? What happened between you two?”

Brooks’s smile faded. “Let’s just say, Lawson has a habit of stealing from others and taking away what they call happiness. Years ago, I had a promising development project—my team’s best work. Lawson swept in, used every underhanded tactic he could, and managed to take it out from under me. It was a bitter lesson, one I don’t intend to repeat.”

Adam felt a pang of empathy. “So, you want to get even?”

Brooks nodded. “In my line of work, grudges aren’t personal; they’re business. And right now, helping you build something successful on Lawson’s turf is good business for me.”

He leaned forward, his gaze sharp. “But let’s get one thing clear, Mr. Reed. I’m not offering charity. If I support you, I expect a stake in your success. A percentage of the profits, once you’re up and running.”

Adam’s mind raced. He didn’t like the idea of giving up a share of his hard-won project, but he knew he needed help. Without someone like Brooks backing him, Lawson could make his life miserable.

“Alright,” he said finally, meeting Brooks’s gaze. “But I’ll only agree if it’s a fair percentage. I don’t want to end up trading one problem for another.”

Brooks chuckled, a glint of respect in his eyes. “Smart man. I’ll have my lawyers draw up the details. We’ll keep it reasonable—say, twenty percent of the profits from the building. In exchange, I’ll ensure Lawson doesn’t interfere, and I’ll help you get this project off the ground.”

Adam took a deep breath. “Deal.”

They shook hands, sealing their alliance. But as he left the office, a part of him couldn’t shake the feeling that he’d just made a pact with the devil. Brooks might be an ally, but Adam had seen the calculating glint in his eyes. He’d have to be careful not to fall into another trap.

*****

That night, Adam returned to his apartment feeling both triumphant and wary. He had a powerful ally in Brooks, but he also knew that alliances in this world were temporary, built on convenience and mutual gain.

Just as he was about to turn in for the night, his phone buzzed with a text from Marcus: “Good job with Brooks. But remember, everyone has an agenda.”

Adam smirked, typing back, “Thanks for the reminder. I won’t forget it.”

He set his phone down, lying back as his mind drifted through the events of the day. He was making progress, but he was also tangled in a web of favors and alliances that could pull him down as quickly as they lifted him up.

One thing was certain, though—there was no turning back. He’d chosen his path, and he was going to see it through, no matter how dangerous it became.

But somewhere in the shadows of the city, Richard Lawson was plotting his next move, his mind already churning with ways to tear down the upstart who dared to challenge him.