Chapter 30.For a while, no one said a word. While Liam was waiting for a response to his question, she was drumming her fingers against the table as she thought of the best response to give to himAfter a lengthy silence, she cleared her throat to get his attention and when she had it, she said, “Right here in this city, we have some clean and surface businesses and fortunately most of the people here have no idea on who your father is.” “Oh… I see.” He mumbled as he smacked his lips. He wanted to ask about the business they owned but since he didn't want to be forward, he restricted himself, his gaze fixed on her. Suddenly, he pulled the album towards himself, and using the screen of his phone, he began to compare and contrast his features with that of his father. He was an exact replica of him that explains how she was able to find him after twenty years. Pushing the album aside, he turned towards her with his hands still clasped together. “You recognized me even after twenty
Chapter 31After leaving the mansion, he decided to head straight for the hospital but on a second thought, he changed my direction to his home. Moreover, he hadn't been there since the previous day and so he had to clean up and also get some rest before returning to face Rose. “Please type your address on the dashboard.” The driver said, his gaze on him. “Drop me off at the bus stop.” he replied, pushing behind the weird looks he was receiving. Just when he was about to make a fuss about his request, the leader held his shoulder. “Do as he had said.” He said. “Okay.” His response was out of defeat. Asking him to take him directly to my home wasn't the issue. The issue was, he didn't want people to start poking noses into his affairs, trying to get knowledge about him. He had always kept a low profile and he wanted it to remain that way. Midway through the journey, he pushed his hand into his pocket and then pulled out his phone. After staring at his mom's contact for a while,
Chapter 32The chirping birds who always found their way to Liam’s window each morning were already pecking at his window and as usual, he was angry with them. Using his pillow to cover his ears, he sank deep into his bed, trying to get more sleep to make up for being late to bed last night after studying until after midnight. Annoyed, he tossed the pillow aside and with a frown on his face, he walked towards his window and then chased the birds away. “I need to put up a mini scarecrow to chase them off.” He scoffed, returning to his bed. Just as he was about to fall back and resumed sleeping,his phone which was resting on his study table began to buzz. With a scowl this time around, he stormed towards the table. “Jake?” He called aloud, staring at the screen of his phone. Jake was his friend and also a classmate. “What do you want?” He asked, irritation evident in his tone. “Why are you sounding like that, is there a problem?” Jake asked on the other end. “No.” “The first bu
Chapter 33At the instant, it was as if a bucket of cold water was doused on the body of everyone that was present at the time. No one said a word, they just maintained their positions, their gaze fixed on them and their lips parted with shock. “No way.” Prisca yelled, she was the leader of the school cheerleading team and seeing Naya kissing Liam in front of them made her livid. She was fuming with anger because she felt Naya had stooped so low to share a kiss with Liam who had no class. “Dammit! He is going to rip you off all your money if you keep on with your relationship.” She yelled from where she stood and soon, the whole place was thrown into chaos. Everyone wanted to talk and not listen. Annoyed with Naya’s sudden kiss, Liam pulled away, though he didn't make it obvious. With a slight frown on his face, he leaned towards her, “Why do you choose to embarrass me, here of all places.” “I didn't embarrass you.” She whispered back. Pulling away from him, she placed her hand
Chapter 34“Liam, where are you heading?” Jake asked, running after him. “Nowhere.” Came his quick reply. He didn't even bother to look in his direction. “Are you going to meet your girlfriend?” He asked again. Within the next two minutes, he was walking closely beside him. “Cut it.” Liam snapped. He didn't like the fact that Jake was always bringing up Naya anytime he was having a conversation with him.At this point, he was regretting why he had allowed Naya to bring him to school. No one would have known of their relationship, he wouldn't have received backlash from his fellow students and Jake wouldn't be talking about her every slight opportunity that he had. “If you are not going to meet with your girlfriend, then tell me where you are headed.” Jake pressed in, his gaze fixed on him. “I'm done with classes for today, so I’m heading home.” “But this is not the route to the bus stop. Are you going to see someone?” “Bingo! You got it, can you stop interrogating me now?” Chuc
While Mr. Jones went through his portfolio, Liam was staring back at him, his lips caged in between his teeth as he hoped he would be impressed with what he was seeing. After a tension filled minute of waiting for his approval, Mr. Jones snapped his head upwards and flashed him a broad smile as he pushed his hand forward to Liam who immediately took it. “I’m already looking forward to working with you. Don't hesitate to check your mailbox, I will be contacting you soon.” “Sure, thank you so much.” “I should be the one thanking you.” He said as he pulled his zipper. When he was done, he raised his head and with a smile, “I was thinking you were a push over but you aren't, pardon me.” Liam didn't say anything to this since this wasn't the first time someone was saying something of that sort to him. He just flashed him a smile as he watched his departing figure. Excited, he pushed a chip into his mouth and then began to chew on it with a broad smile on his face. He was so excited t
Chapter 36“I…” Lily gulped. She wanted to talk back to him but she didn't know what to say to him. She didn't want any further embarrassment and so she had to hold back. “I will pay you, I never said I won't.” She managed to say, her voice wavering. At this, Liam couldn't hold back the laughter. Internally, he was face palming himself for making fun of them in the presence of their friends. Now holding his backpack tightly, he walked past them and with his head held up high, he made his way out of the restaurant. “That was…” one of Jake's friends wanted to speak but the glare the couples sent his way made his words return to his throat. Now standing at the entrance of the restaurant, he used his hands to shield his face from the impact of the sun which was blinding. It didn't put the sun out completely but it helped. “Man, I need to rest my back.” He mused, looking straight ahead, hoping to see a taxi but there was none coming his direction.With a slight frown, he began to wal
Chapter 37Liam didn't say anything to this, he just sat there staring at Sam who was also staring back at him. Ever since the first day they had met, the issue had been bothering him and when he couldn't bottle it up anymore, he decided to accost him..“I asked a question.” Sam snapped, hitting his fist against the arm of his chair. He was tired of waiting for his response. When Liam still wouldn't say anything, he pulled himself up and then began to pace around the room with his fists fastened. “You asked what my motives are? Don't you think you are the one who is supposed to give a response to that?” Liam asked and at once, Sam reclaimed his seat. Staring right back at him, he asked, *What do you mean?” “Asking your guards to come pick me up without my consent and even without your sister's idea… don't you think it is someone who has an ulterior motive that would do that?” He asked again. At his question, Sam didn't say anything, he just sat there, staring at Liam as if he ha
Six months later… The county had returned to normalcy after a thorough reform was put in place. To honor those that had made it happen, a mass meeting was organized where all members of the country were invited to be a witness to. Tyler Greene, the newly appointed President, was present in the mass meeting, being an icon in the revamped version of the country. His face was brightly marked with excitement, as he left the smile on his face and was distributing it to the citizens, who were seeing him. They had come in their masses as they wanted to witness the occasion first hand."First, I'll formally announce the reason for his honorable, reasonable and democratic meeting." Tyler started, his voice cool at first, accompanied with the sound of his laughter. "We all know about the change in the course of events in this country and those who made it happen.." Tyler spoke with clear gladness and couldn't hide it. Tyler's vice was beside him, holding a thick colored banner in his han
Daniel's voice was loud, as he kept making gestures with his hands. He was seated with his friends, conversing with them about the current news that spread around the country. Suddenly, someone rushed into their midst and exclaimed, "I heard another news…" "What's that, boy?" Daniel said, his voice breaking confidently, as if he would not be shaken by Liam's dealings. "Tell me, what's the news?" "The deal you made…" the boy started, but as soon as Daniel realized it was about a deal, he took the boy to a side to continue their talk in whispers. "The deal you strongly made and stamped with Karl had been released and broadly spread!" "What deal?" Daniel questioned him out of shock, and was rubbing his face until he stopped, as asked the boy again, "I don't get you. What deal?" "The chip infusion." The boy replied, his voice lighter as soon as he sensed anger in Daniel's voice."What!" Daniel reacted, as he nearly collapsed. "You know what? Just run away!" "To where?" The boy ask
Alaric had gone back to the operating room, and was still in bed. Fortunately, the surgeon realized he was all right. Alaric was totally healed, but he happened to have lost his memory. His constant surrender to Karl was all robotic. He was later brought from the operation room to a ward, on instruction that he needed to rest. "Hello?" A surgeon asked him. "What do you feel now?" "Feel what?" Alaric returned, his voice clear but light. "What do you mean?" "Oh, I know you're just coming back to normalcy…" the surgeon said, turning to his colleagues. "Do you think he is totally okay?" "Yeah," another surgeon responded, walking up to Alaric to check on him. "I think we should seek the attention of the senior surgeon, so he can see him." "Is that necessary?" The first surgeon questioned in return, holding her lips as she smiled. "Well, you can. At least, he is all right." Soon, the senior surgeon was around. He turned to the first surgeon and whispered to her ears, "I hope no chi
Kaylan didn't perform less than she was asked to do. She had spread the news of Rodriguez's illegal dealings vastly. Liam had ordered the release of the article which contained almost everything about Rodriguez and Karl. Rodriguez had felt comfortable with Karl's soothing words, continuing his illegal business with Karl became easy for him that he had no remorse, and even hid his fears about any form of leakage. "How far have you gone with the task I gave you?" Liam asked Kaylan, his voice deep but clear, an expression of his excitement. "In what state could the biotech company be, right now?" He mused. "I've forwarded the news to my team." Kaylan replied, returning a clearer tone in her own voice. "It will reach the masses easily that way…""I'll prove to Karl that I can thwart his schemes and nullify all his tricks." Liam chuckled, his voice making him sound like a villain and threatening Karl's attitude as though he was present. "Exactly, Liam." Kaylan responded in agreement.
To spice up their plans, Liam had mailed a flashdrive to Rodriguez. The flash drive contained all the information they had gathered about him and Karl. Rodriguez made up his mind not to return the flash drive as he had a conclusion that something important was attached to it and so he was curious to find out the content. With that he made his way back to his office and as the Chief Justice he sat behind his imposing mahogany desk in the room.His eyes were fixed on the small, sleek flash drive that had been tossed on the table. The audacity of Liam to think of doing this hit him but he smiled while the question popped in his mind.Who did he think he was, trying to blackmail him?What was on his mind?Curiosity getting the better of him, Rodriguez inserted the drive into his computer and waited as the files began to load. Suddenly, the screen flickered to life, revealing an array of documents and recordings. Rodriguez's eyes widened on seeing the images which had himself includ
Madam Aurelia began walking in circles inside the living room as thoughts of what they were going to do next consumed her thoughts. She was still recovering from what she had seen in the file that Dave had brought, and the evidence was sickening. There was no doubt as to whether Karl and Rodriguez were crooks, and should they manage to expose them, it would definitely influence the outcome in their favor.Liam walked into the room, “Did you manage to find anything good among the papers?” He inquired, looking eager and hopeful.“Yes.” Madam Aurelia replied, gripping the folder firmly. “There are records of money movement as well as transactions which are quite illicit. If we conduct this campaign in the proper manner and present the right audiences with this evidence, the extent of Karl and Rodriguez’s dealings… It would be interesting corruption news that will come to light.”“Then we have no time to waste.” Liam affirmed in his stern tone. “Whatever this information gives us, they
Liam stepped out of Tyler Greene’s office with a heavy heart, blaming himself for keeping his expectations high. He had wanted a better answer than that. However, Tyler’s indecision was a cause for concern. Time was running fast and voices of opposition against Karl were still weak. During the drive home, Liam found himself troubled. Would Tyler really lend his support for the cause? Or was he simply yet another hindrance in their efforts? He needed to collect his mind and think of a way out but he was too worried to even think properly. Instead of heading to him, Liam headed to the hotel to meet with Madam Aurelia who sat in the living room in the living room on his arrival. Her face was solemn, though she appeared to be happy with his arrival. “How did the meeting with Tyler go?” she asked, concern evident in her tones.“It didn’t go as well as I hoped.” Liam admitted, ruffling his hair. “He is not willing to take any actions against Karl, and I am afraid he has no nerves f
Liam stood still only to start pacing about because he was restless. He began to plan what step to take after Alaric's revelation. He was desperate to put an end to Daniel and Karl but he didn’t know how to go about it. He felt like an ill-fated knight who had lost everything; the very thought of Harrison now felt as if it was a heavy stone placed over him.Madam Aurelia was seated on the table sorting some papers. “We need to strategize on how best we are going to eliminate Karl.” Her tone was firm although not loud. “It is not enough to just wait and see what he intends to do next.” She added, casting him a glance. “Of course I understand,” Liam answered and twirls his hair with his fingers. “But what can we do? There is too much influence and too many people surrounding him.”At this point, Giovanni dashed into the living room, his eyes darkened as he looked around, “Liam!” he shouted – gasping for air. “Daniel and Karl are up to something. We must hurry before it is too late.”
Alaric felt dejected in that small dingy room as he was at a stand still. He found himself strapped to a chair with metal rings cutting deep into his wrists. On the other side of the room, Xavier was strutting around confident with a sneer on his face. “Look at you now, Alaric ” Xavier said as he put his hands on his hips and laughed. “Formerly you had stature, nowadays you are just a flat back guy. What do you think about it?”Alaric turned his gaze toward him, internal rage reflected on his face. “You think this is a joke? You’re a mere puppet in Karl’s shadow. You will realize that one day.”Xavier let out another laugh. “Karl is top management. You would have done better staying with him. Instead, you went soft and turned the other way, and now look what this has led you to.”“Break all the connections with Karl.” Alaric spoke in a strained tone. “He’ll drain you dry. You will end up exactly like me.”Xavier shook his head but his grin had gone away. “You do not get it. This is