Rise To Riches: The Rejected Son-in-law's Revenge

chapter 4

Scott's POV

"I don’t see why we need to merge with Kai Motors. We are merely claiming that they are better than us and that we cannot make our cars... That’s what the world would think when they hear about this merger!” Helen White said it in a little loud voice.

"I seriously think you need to think about this decision. It might influence the public image of the company, and we know what losing trust in a corporation could do to a company." She added.

As much as Scott Hayes appreciated the woman, he didn’t appreciate her tone. She has been his secretary since he took over the post as President/CEO of Hayes Holdings Group, and he valued her thoughts, but sometimes she went beyond and breached the barrier between employee and employer.

Scott arched a brow at her. "Let the world think whatever it wants to; I don’t care,” he said.

Helen opened her mouth to respond, but he lifted a finger, shutting her off. "... and I really do not care about what your opinion is in this matter. If you don’t mind going back to your office, I’m busy," he said, glaring at her.

She must have noticed the look on his face, because she nodded and walked out of his office, her heels viciously banging the floor as she departed.

He sighed and went back to work.

His concentration was cut abruptly as he saw the headline on the screen. Nicholas Rivers is engaged to Piper Ross.

Scott didn’t know why he chuckled, but he knew Nicholas's playboy lifestyle, and though the guy was an acquaintance, he considered that the match was the most ludicrous thing to ever happen after the Second World War. Besides, he thought Piper Ross was already married.

His door opened, and Samuel Colt came in like he owned the place. "Hey," he murmured, sinking into one of the empty couches in his office with a yawn.

Samuel was the company’s CFO and was usually the one assisting to make sure that Scott didn’t sign any agreement that would cause them a loss.

His father had not groomed him to take over the company eventually; it was Nathaniel’s right, and even now, Scott didn’t know what he was doing.

He nodded “Hey you… I thought you had meetings today and auditing," he asked.

Samuel rolled his eyes and said, "I did, and I’m done with that. Let me breathe, Scott; I’m tired of seeing only numbers. He said this in a grumble as he turned to look at the screen, scoffing at the news.

"He fucking engaged her! The playboy is engaged! God help us."Samuel muttered.

Scott rolled his eyes, scrolling through the papers in his palm as he relaxed in his chair. He truly didn’t give a damn about Nicholas’s love life; he was more anxious about the merger with Kai Motors.

“I can only think of one reason why they would want to marry each other... Money and influence..." Samuel muttered.

"That's two reasons," Scott murmured, his eyes still concentrated on the file he was holding.

Samuel snorted, "Who's counting?" he sassed.

Scott groaned. "Seriously, that’s the least of my problems right now," he murmured, dropping the paper with a bang on the table as he ran his fingers through his now untidy hair.

Samuel arched a brow at him and reached for the remote to turn off the television. The office remained quiet for about a second before he spoke again.

"What's going on, Scott?" Samuel asked in a low voice as he got up from his seat and strolled around the table to sit close to Scott.

Scott shook his head. He had been feeling out of it lately, and though he had hoped that it was simply a phase, he couldn’t break himself out of his depressed mood lately. He kept on thinking about Nathan, and it wasn’t a nice place for his mind to travel into.

"I don’t know... Things are just not making sense lately. I suppose it’s this merge thing with Kai Motors," he replied.

"What about it? Isn't it a good deal?” Samuel asked.

Scott picked up the papers from his desk again. “It is... a great deal at that... I don’t know; maybe it’s stress and... He was talking when Samuel placed a hand on his forehead.

He rolled his eyes and jokingly smacked Samuel’s hand off. "I'm not sick, Samuel," he whispered.

Samuel nodded slowly. "When was the last time you actually slept, Scott? You can’t keep doing this to yourself,” he said.

"To answer your question, last night... and I’m fine," he lied.

Samuel groaned, "That's a lie that you and I know. You need to focus on what’s ahead and not the past,” he said.

Scott stared at Samuel. Does it mean that Nathan is now in the past? Surely that wasn’t what Samuel meant, but he received the message regardless.

It was his fault. It was his fault that Nathan had to drive that night to fetch him up. His brother would have been up and running the company, bugging him as usual, if Scott had simply returned home after classes that night.

"I'll be fine after I get some rest; don’t worry," he mumbled, hoping to change the topic before Samuel started talking about Nathan. They were both best buddies, and he knew Samuel missed Nathan as much as Scott did.

Samuel arched a brow but stood up from his position on the table anyway. He checked the time on his watch and sighed, "... Well, nothing a good rest can’t solve,” he murmured, squeezing Scott’s shoulder in warm comfort.

Scott forced a smile on his face. “Are you coming over for dinner tomorrow? Beth wanted to know..." he inquired as Samuel made his way towards the door.

"Yeah, I wouldn’t miss an opportunity to eat her delicious meals," Samuel replied with a cheeky grin as he closed the door.

He scoffed. If there was anything that Samuel loved more than numbers, it was food, and Beth prepared the most exquisite meals imaginable.

His eyes shifted to the papers on his desk, awaiting his signature. He grabbed up a pen and turned over the page to sign when he heard a knock.

"Come in," he murmured, his eyes on the deal in front of him. Samuel must have forgotten something, he thought.

"Hello, Mr. Hayes..." a voice sounded above him, causing him to snap his head up to see who it was.

Detective Derek hovered in front of his desk, shocking him.

The last time he saw the man was when the detective told his father that the accident had been because of the drunk driver. So why was the detective in his office after ten years? he pondered.

“Hello, detective. It’s a surprise to see you here. How can I help you?"He asked, going straight to the matter. There was no need to exchange pleasantries; they were not pals.

"I came here in regards to your brother’s accident. New evidence recently came in, and we suspect that it was more than just a drunk driver. His brakes had been tampered with before the accident," the detective recited.

"What?” he questioned in disbelief as he glanced at Detective Derek, attempting to grasp what the man was saying.

Detective Derek heaved a heavy sigh. "I'm saying that it’s possible that the accident was planned. We wouldn’t know for sure until we reopened the case and investigated, but with the facts, Mr. Hayes, I think it was an attempted murder," he informed Scott.

Scott gawked at the man. "Are you saying that someone attempted to kill my brother?" he muttered, gazing at the detective in wrath.

How was it possible that they had found a piece of new evidence after ten years? he pondered as his phone went off, interrupting them.

He looked at the caller ID on the phone and grimaced. The call was from the hospital and, unexpectedly, not from Dr. Maxwell. His heart started racing as he swiped the answer symbol, placing the phone on his ears.

"What's wrong?” he inquired instantly, anticipating her answers.

"Your brother just woke up, sir,” the lady on the other end told him. Of all the replies he was expecting to hear, Nathaniel being awake was not one of them.

"What!” he spoke hastily into the phone as he raced out of his office immediately, forgetting the detective who was still standing there.