2024-07-24 23:11:53“Take all the time you need, Eddie,” Laura said, concern etched on her face. “We’ll hold down the fort here.”
Eddie nodded appreciatively, packed a few essentials, and headed to the airport. The flight was long, giving him ample time to reflect on the chaos Frank had unleashed. The thought of his sister brought some solace; he remembered their childhood days when they relied on each other for strength.
When Eddie arrived in London, the cool, crisp air felt refreshing. He made his way to Jennifer’s modest apartment in a quiet neighborhood. Knocking on the door, he was met with a surprise. Jennifer answered, looking gaunt and tired. Her eyes widened in shock and relief when she saw him.
“Eddie!” she exclaimed, pulling him into a hug. “What are you doing here?”
“I needed a break,” Eddie said, trying to keep his voice light. “And I wanted to see you. It’s been too long.”
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SIMON THE ZILLIONAIRE FROM NOWHERE 211
Eddie stared at the phone in his hand, contemplating the unexpected apology from Frank. It felt surreal to hear his former rival admit defeat and acknowledge Eddie's success. The past few months had been a whirlwind of challenges and triumphs, and Eddie had emerged stronger and more determined than ever.Despite Frank's apology, Eddie knew that the true measure of his success lay not in the recognition of others but in his own perseverance and the support of those who believed in him. With renewed focus, Eddie threw himself into his work, determined to make the most of the investment and the opportunities that lay ahead.Over the next few weeks, Eddie's project gained significant traction. The chipset they were developing was receiving attention from major tech companies and government agencies alike. Eddie's team was working around the clock, and the atmosphere in the office was electric with excitement and anticipation.One day, as Eddie was reviewing some technical documents in his
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The club’s neon lights were garish against the night sky, casting an eerie glow over the alleyway. Eddie’s heart pounded as he stepped inside, his eyes adjusting to the dim, smoky atmosphere. The music was loud, the air thick with the scent of alcohol and sweat. He scanned the room, his eyes darting over scantily clad women and leering patrons until he found her.Jennifer was on stage, moving with a confidence that Eddie found both shocking and heartbreaking. She was dressed in a revealing outfit, her body twisting and turning to the beat of the music. Eddie felt his stomach churn. His baby sister, the one who used to dance in their living room in her pajamas, was now performing for a crowd of strangers.He waited until her set was over, his fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white. When she walked off stage, he followed her, pushing past the bouncer who tried to stop him. “Jennifer!” he called out, his voice strained with a mixture o
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“Eddie, why can’t you just let me live my life?” Jennifer’s voice echoed through the narrow alley as Eddie followed her, his determination unwavering.“Because this isn’t living, Jennifer. This is surviving,” Eddie shot back, his voice cracking with emotion. “You deserve more than this.”Jennifer turned on her heel, her eyes blazing. “I’m not a child anymore! I don’t need you to save me.”Eddie took a step closer, his tone softening. “Maybe not, but you still need someone to care about you. Someone who sees your worth.”Jennifer’s resolve faltered, and she looked away. “I can’t just walk away from this, Eddie. I owe money to some dangerous people.”Eddie’s heart sank. “What kind of people, Jennifer?”She hesitated, then sighed. “Loan sharks. I needed the money to cover my rent and other expenses. They&rsqu
SIMON THE ZILLIONAIRE FROM NOWHERE 214
As Eddie and Jennifer sat in the secure room, the tension in the air was palpable. The weight of their situation pressed down on them, making it hard to breathe. Suddenly, Eddie’s phone rang, breaking the heavy silence. He glanced at the caller ID and saw it was his old friend, Tom.“Tom? This isn’t a good time,” Eddie said, his voice strained.“Eddie, you need to hear this,” Tom replied urgently. “It’s about your old boss at Chelmek, Mr. Anderson. He passed away.”Eddie’s heart skipped a beat. Mr. Anderson had been a kind man, someone Eddie respected greatly. “What happened?”“It was sudden, a heart attack. But that’s not all, Eddie. He left everything to you. All his assets, his estate... it’s all yours.”Eddie was stunned. “Why would he do that?”“He always spoke highly of you, Eddie. Said you were like the son he never had,&r
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The days turned into weeks, and the sense of security and calm began to settle in their new lives. Eddie and Jennifer found solace in the simplicity of their daily routines, a stark contrast to the chaos they had left behind. Eddie threw himself into managing the estate, discovering a newfound passion for real estate and investments. He spent hours poring over Mr. Anderson’s detailed notes and plans, grateful for the meticulous guidance his former boss had left behind.Jennifer, on the other hand, began to explore her interests, something she hadn’t had the luxury to do in years. She took up painting, a hobby she had loved as a child but had abandoned due to life’s harsh realities. The act of creating something beautiful from nothing gave her a sense of purpose and joy. She also began to volunteer at a local shelter for abused women, wanting to give back and help others who had experienced similar struggles.One afternoon, as Eddie was reviewing some
SIMON THE ZILLIONAIRE FROM NOWHERE 216
"Do you really think we can make this work, Eddie?" Jennifer asked, her voice filled with both hope and uncertainty as they sat on the porch, sipping their morning coffee.Eddie looked at her, his expression softening. "I know we can. We've already come this far, Jen. And with Mr. Anderson's legacy, we have the resources to build something amazing."Jennifer nodded slowly, absorbing his words. "I just worry that our past will keep haunting us."Eddie reached out, taking her hand in his. "Our past is just that—past. We've learned from it, and it's made us stronger. But it doesn't define us. What we do now, that’s what matters."Jennifer squeezed his hand, feeling reassured. "I guess you're right. I just need to keep reminding myself of that."As they sat there, a car pulled up the driveway. Eddie stood, recognizing the vehicle. "It's Tom," he said, waving as his old friend stepped out.Tom approached, a broad smile on his face. "M
SIMON THE ZILLIONAIRE FROM NOWHERE 217
Eddie leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling of his modest apartment. The thought of bringing Jennifer to Chelmek had been weighing on his mind for weeks. He knew that convincing her to leave behind the mess in London and come with him would be challenging, but he had finally managed it. Jennifer had reluctantly agreed to accompany him, and now they were on their way to meet with the lawyer handling the estate of Cecilia’s late husband.As they drove into Chelmek, Eddie glanced over at his sister, who was staring out the window, lost in thought. He couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. Jennifer had been acting strangely ever since they left London, and he couldn’t help but wonder what was going on in her mind.“Are you okay, Jen?” Eddie asked, breaking the silence.Jennifer turned to him, her expression distant. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just a lot on my mind.”Eddie nodded, not wanting to push her. He knew that she had been through a lot with her abusive husband and the
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“Jennifer, what are you doing?”Eddie’s voice, firm yet filled with concern, broke through the silence of the night. Jennifer froze, her hand holding the pillow inches away from Eddie’s face. She felt his grip tighten around her wrist, pulling her back from the brink of an act she could hardly believe she was about to commit.“Eddie, I... I’m so sorry,” Jennifer stammered, her voice trembling.Eddie sat up, still holding her wrist. “I know everything, Jennifer. I know about Mark and his plan to use you to get the inheritance. I’ve known for a while.”Jennifer’s eyes widened, and tears started streaming down her face. “Eddie, please, you have to understand. He made me feel like I had no choice.”Eddie gently released her wrist and pulled her into a hug. “I do understand, Jen. That’s why I’ve been trying to protect you. But you need to realize that Mark doesn’t care about you. He’s manipulating you.”Jennifer sobbed into Eddie’s shoulder. “I was so scared, Eddie. I thought if I didn’t d
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“Eddie, you need to think this through,” his secretary, Lisa, urged as she shuffled through papers on his desk. “Keeping your distance from Agatha might not be the best strategy right now.”Eddie leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples. “You don’t understand. I can’t afford to get too close to her, not after everything that’s happened.”“Look, I get it. But you’ve already agreed to help her with her family’s company. If you cut ties now, it’ll look suspicious,” Lisa replied, raising an eyebrow.Eddie sighed heavily. “It was a mistake to agree to that in the first place. I should have never involved myself in her family’s business.”“Eddie, this is a complicated situation. You know Agatha needs your support,” Lisa pressed, her voice steady. “She’s promised to start fresh, to make this work. You can’t just back out.”“Her promises don’t mean anything if it jeopardizes my own company,” Eddie countered, his voice rising slightly. “I have to think about my future, my business. I can’
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“Eddie!” Jennifer called out as she stepped into the house, her heart racing.Eddie emerged from the kitchen, looking worn out and a little worried. “You’re back! How was your trip?”“It was beautiful, but… we need to talk,” Jennifer said, struggling to keep her voice steady.“Talk about what?” Eddie asked, leaning against the kitchen counter, sensing the tension in the air.“Andrew… he wants to marry me,” Jennifer blurted out, the words escaping before she could rein them in.Eddie’s brow furrowed. “What? You’ve got to be kidding me. You just got back from a vacation! Why would you even consider that?”“I know it sounds crazy, but he’s serious. He wants me to leave everything and be with him,” she replied, panic rising in her chest.“Leave everything? Jennifer, are you really thinking about this? What about us?” Eddie’s voice rose slightly, betraying his frustration.“I’m not saying I will! I just… I need time to figure things out,” she stammered, trying to make sense of her feelings.
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Eddie leaned back in his chair, staring out the window as he waited for Agatha to arrive. The morning sun filtered through the glass, casting shadows across his desk, but the warmth offered little comfort. His mind raced with possibilities, scenarios of how this confrontation would play out. He could almost hear the tension humming in the air, a warning that things were about to get messy.When Agatha finally entered, she was all business, her heels clicking sharply against the hardwood floor. Her expression was calm, but Eddie noticed a flicker of something in her eyes—nervousness, perhaps, or anticipation.“Eddie,” she greeted, her tone cool. “You wanted to see me?”“Have a seat,” he replied, gesturing to the chair across from him. He needed to maintain control, to keep the upper hand in this conversation.Agatha sat down, her posture elegant, but there was a slight tension in her shoulders. “What’s this about?”“Let’s not pretend, Agatha. You know exactly why I wanted to talk to yo
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"Eddie, calm down. You're jumping to conclusions." Agatha’s voice was smooth, too smooth for Eddie’s liking. She sat across from him, legs crossed, sipping her tea as if the world wasn’t on fire.Eddie clenched his fists, barely able to control his rising anger. His office felt smaller, suffocating, as if the walls were closing in on him. “Calm down? Agatha, one of my subsidiaries just got shut down for a violation, and it happens to be the one your man, Charles, oversees. You expect me to believe that’s just a coincidence?”Agatha didn’t even flinch. She set her cup down delicately, her sharp eyes meeting his. “I understand your frustration, Eddie. But accusing me without evidence won’t solve your problem. Charles has been nothing but loyal, and whatever happened at that company was not my doing. You’re letting your emotions cloud your judgment.”Eddie’s jaw tightened. “You think this is about emotions? Agatha, I’ve been in this business long enough to know when something stinks. I j
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"Jennifer, you need a break. We've both been working nonstop, and honestly, I think a vacation would do us both some good." Andrew's voice was steady but held a hint of concern as they sat across from each other in the quiet corner of a café.Jennifer stirred her coffee absentmindedly, her mind elsewhere. "I don’t know if I’m ready to go anywhere, Andrew. There’s too much going on, and I can’t just leave. Especially with everything at the office." She sighed, the weight of Frank's death still lingering in her voice, even though she had started to heal.Andrew leaned forward, his eyes locking onto hers. "You can't keep burying yourself in work, Jen. It's not healthy. You’ve been carrying a lot on your shoulders, and I get it. But you need to take care of yourself too. Just a few days away. Let’s go somewhere quiet, where you don’t have to think about business or Frank for a while."Jennifer hesitated, chewing her lip. She knew Andrew was right, but the thought of leaving everything beh
302
“Grace, I need to know exactly what’s going on,” Eddie demanded, pacing around his office. His voice was sharp, filled with frustration. “We can’t afford any more surprises, and this Wilford situation has already cost us enough.”Grace, sitting calmly across from him, nodded. “I understand, Mr. Cameron. I’ve already started pulling reports from the other subsidiaries. But, honestly, I think we need to have a bigger conversation about oversight. This isn’t just about Wilford anymore.”Eddie stopped pacing and turned to face her. “What do you mean?”She handed him a folder. “I’ve been digging, and there are minor discrepancies in a few other subsidiaries as well. It’s not at the level of Wilford, but it’s enough to raise concerns.”Eddie flipped through the documents, his brow furrowing deeper with each page. “How did this happen under my watch? I had systems in place, checks and balances—how did we miss all of this?”Grace gave him a sympathetic look. “Honestly, I think the company has
301
Eddie sat at his desk, staring at the numbers on the financial report in front of him. His heart sank as he scanned the figures again, hoping he had somehow misread the data. But there was no mistaking it—his company had taken a sharp hit, and the numbers reflected a significant loss.“This doesn’t make sense,” he muttered to himself, furrowing his brow. He quickly picked up his phone and dialed his personal secretary, Grace.Moments later, Grace appeared at the door, clipboard in hand, her face calm as ever. She was always efficient, always on top of everything, and Eddie trusted her implicitly. But today, something felt off, and he needed answers.“Grace,” he said, his voice sharp with urgency. “What’s going on with the numbers? Our revenues have dropped drastically. I need you to dig into this and find out where the problem lies.”Grace nodded, her fingers already flying over her tablet as she pulled up the latest data. “I’ll get to it right away, Mr. Cameron. I’ll have a detailed
300
Eddie paced back and forth in his office, his phone gripped tightly in his hand. He had just read Jennifer’s text: *"We’re heading to Aruba. I’ll be fine, Eddie. Don’t worry."* His gut told him something was off, but he didn’t want to overreact—at least not yet.He opened his contacts, his thumb hovering over a few trusted names. Maybe he could ask one of them to keep an eye on Jennifer while she was away. But before he could make a decision, Agatha appeared at the doorway, her presence calm and poised.“Eddie, what’s going on?” Agatha’s voice was smooth, almost soothing. She noticed the tension in his shoulders, the way he clenched his phone like it was the last tether holding him together. Eddie exhaled heavily, running a hand through his hair. “Jennifer just texted me. She’s heading to Aruba with Andrew. Something feels… wrong.”Agatha raised an eyebrow, stepping further into the room. “Aruba? With Andrew? That doesn’t sound too bad, does it?” Her voice had a lilt of casualness, a
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Andrew watched Jennifer run toward the car, her decision clear as she fumbled with her phone. His face twisted in frustration, his mind racing. He had spent weeks meticulously planning this, gaining her trust, making her think he was her escape. And now, Eddie had ruined everything. His phone buzzed in his pocket, but he ignored it, clenching his fists. Jennifer had already stepped away, halfway across the tarmac, but Andrew wasn’t ready to let this go so easily. With determined steps, he caught up to her, his voice low but urgent as he reached out to grab her arm. "Jennifer, wait."Jennifer stopped, startled, but didn’t turn around immediately. She seemed to wrestle with herself, not quite pulling away from him yet. Andrew took that as a sign to keep going."Just listen to me," Andrew urged, trying to soften his tone. "You don’t have to believe anything Eddie says. He’s trying to confuse you, make you doubt your own decisions."Jennifer shook her head, her voice barely above a whis
