2024-12-01 23:18:14Jonathan couldn’t comprehend what had just happened; all he could process at that moment was the unexpected journey that he and the police chief had set on immediately after he'd been discharged from the hospital he was rushed to.
His wounds had been treated and he'd eaten a decent meal for the first time in days. He was so confused he was on high alert. What could be going on? Was this going to be another form of torture? Were they fattening him up for the slaughter?
“Young Master Jonathan, do you need anything, and are you in any pain?” The Chief asked, turning away from the steering wheel for a second.
“There will be a doctor on ground immediately we arrive and you will be tended to more closely.” The Chief added.
Jonathan was still trying to adjust to the situation before him so it wasn't out of disrespect that he turned his face away to the window.
“Where are we headed, sir Chief?” He asked cautiously.
“Call me Chief.” The chief replied, trying to be as cordial as possible.
“We are headed to the airport now. The other location will be revealed to you shortly Young Master Jonathan! Why don’t you use this time to rest? We have a long journey ahead of us.” The chief recommended.
It was in that moment that panic struck Jonathan; he had only seen scenes like this in movies; he was being transported to a more advanced prison facility! And for a crime, he had no idea of! His eyes widened and he trembled.
What could that stupid tattoo have meant? Was it the tattoo of a notorious gang?
His head spun as he tried to make sense of everything that was happening to him at that very moment.
Could life be more unfair towards him? Just when he thought he had seen it all, something worse seems to be lingering just near
He wished the chief had believed him after he had told him that he knew nothing about the vandalism on the Hazel’s property.
He shook and trembled, his one good eye darting around, looking for a means of escape.
But there was none. And he soon succumbed to the needs his body had been deprived of for the past few days.
He fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.
“Young Master Jonathan, we are here,” was the next thing Jonathan heard.
He blinked his eyes open to see the chief peering at him.
He gasped and sat up straight, as he tried to make a mental note of their possible location, but nothing was coming to his head.
“Wh– where are we?” Jonathan asked, still somewhat groggy.
“We are at the airport and the jet is ready, we need to leave now.” the Chief answered.
Jonathan stepped out of the car only to realize that police escorts had been trailing behind them all this while, panic crept in again.
Could the crime he hadn’t committed be so severe as to require such an escort? It felt as if they were transporting the most wanted criminal in the whole world.
“The private jet is this way, Young Master Jonathan!” the chief directed.
“I thought you said we were going to the airport? Th –this doesn’t look like an airport.” Jonathan inquired somewhat timidly as he and the Chief moved forward.
“I must commend you Young Master, you are observant. This is a private airport. Only the one percent of the one percent can use this place.” The chief replied.
“Now I'm sorry but I must implore you, please do not ask any more questions, just sit back and enjoy the ride. Everything will be made clear to you on your arrival. I am not worthy to give you answers.” He gestured for Jonathan to get on the private jet.
Sooner than expected they landed but this time it wasn’t in a semi-public airport like the last one. It was a completely private airstrip and the name 'Hazel' was emblazoned on the single building and the four jets present as well as the helicopters.
Jonathan could almost feel his urine dropping off his pants as the realization dawned on him that wherever it was that the police was taking him to, it was controlled by the Hazels-the same family he was accused of having vandalized their property.
“So Young Master, we are about to board the helicopter and then we'll arrive at our final destination.” Chief Steve explained.
Jonathan was too shocked and confused to speak, he just stared at the man as he kept wondering what sort of trouble he had gotten himself into. The fact that the chief of police was even referring to him as “young master” was making him even more afraid, interpreting it as an act to take his mind off the punishment that was waiting for him.
They boarded the helicopter and in a matter of seconds, they were in the air once again.
After some minutes they hovered over what looked like a large estate. He noticed the name on the entrance below to be Hazel as well.
“What sort of property could have been vandalized that was making him go through all of these?” Jonathan continued to wonder. What sort of prison was this and how could it have its own airport and look so luxurious at the same time?
A few seconds later, the Chief signaled Jonathan, pointing at a building below that wasn't too far and indicated that was where they were going to. This was no ordinary building; it looked too good to be a prison as a matter of fact.
“That building is the prison?” Jonathan asked, while looking outwardly dumbfounded.
“Oh Young Master Jonathan I am afraid you have gotten it all wrong, we are not headed to any prison.” The Chief looked alarmed. “You know what, it will all become more understandable when we land.” He consolidated.
When they landed at the helipad in the mansion, Jonathan noticed that there were three people who were as young as he was. Two males and a female that stood apart from the plethora of what looked like security guards and home staff. There were about a hundred of them! Standing and waiting for him?
Things took a different turn when he was suddenly enveloped by the three individuals at once.
“Jonathan! We are so glad to see you!” They looked so excited.
Still in shock Jonathan remained silent wondering who the young individuals were and why they seemed to be so happy to see him.
“I think it’s time we all proceed inside.” A man who'd stood apart recommended while gesturing to the large door in front of them.
Immediately they got in Jonathan noticed a man dressed in black who looked like a lawyer.
“Jonathan, we haven’t introduced ourselves yet so let’s get in!” One of the males concurred excitedly.
“I am Peter Hazel, and he is Ryan Hazel. She is Eva Hazel and we are the grandkids of William Hazel, the owner of the hazel Empire!” One of them explained as they took the elevator down.
“So what am I doing here? Have any idea?”
“You’re here because of this,” Peter pulled aside a part of his shirt, revealing the same tattoo which had been found on his shoulder.
“I have that tattoo too,” Jonathan replied, his eyes opening wide in disbelief.
“Yes! It’s because you are one of us, you are a grandchild of William Hazel and also an heir to his empire! So I'll allow the lawyer to take over now.” Peter smiled as they arrived in a large and opulently furnished room with a large screen.
“I am going to play the last wishes and testament of the late William Hazel.” The lawyer explained.
The screen immediately came alive and a resplendent old man filled the screen.
“My dear grandson, Jonathan, if you are watching this it means I'm already dead. So this is my Last Will and Testament for the Hazel Empire.”
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The Rise Of Jonathan Hazel CH. 5 (Last will and testament)
“Jonathan it's such a shame that I couldn’t be there to welcome you myself but life has always been so fair to me I don’t mind it playing a smart one on me and making me absent at this time. But enough about me. I’m sure everything still seems very confusing. Especially your identity.”The man cleared his throat.“You are Jonathan Hazel the child of my first son Robert Hazel. I’m sure you are confused as to why you never met me or knew anything of this life before. It is because your mother chose to raise you out of the family.“Your father, my late son died from a tragic plane crash a year after you were born and your mother who had never been a fan of the problems that came with being a member of such a widely known family, more or less blamed the family for his death. She decided to take you far away from us to live out there with the rest of the world where you would be safe.“I didn’t rest, I sent out a search party to find her. We then came to an agreement. I didn’t want the las
The Rise Of Jonathan Hazel CH. 6 (Final funeral rights)
Elina and Nicholas laughed with her parents as they settled into a chair together, a bowl of popcorn between them, as they sat to watch the funeral program of the late William Hazel on television. Nicholas had eventually secured a spot for the Jackson’s just as he had promised, and the initiative would kick start once the late William Hazel was laid to rest.The funeral procession was nothing like Elina had ever seen in her life before. It was like the whole world had come together to pay their last respect to William Hazel, a testament to the fact that he was indeed, a powerful and influential man who was well known all over the world.The Presidents and Prime Ministers of over 15 countries were all present. Even members of the royal family from Britain along with other royal families across the globe were also present.“Golly goodness!” Elina sat up.“Damn…” Nicholas muttered.The death and burial of William Hazel was for sure going to be the talk of the world for months if not year
The Rise Of Jonathan Hazel CH. 7 (Settling in to take charge)
Jonathan was settling into his new life quite smoothly so far as he looked forward to the ceremony of his unveiling and the public announcement of the few companies that have been shortlisted to be beneficiaries of the Hazel Forbes Initiative.He'd been very busy familiarizing himself with everything he had inherited. Which was a lot of work seeing as he'd inherited a lot.He didn't intend to be a lazy and passive leader, he was going to be actively involved in everything going on in all of his companies as much as he could.Bernard Lampley had been with him every step of the way. He'd answered all of his questions and was doing an amazing job guiding Dexter on his journey.And Grandpa William hadn't lied, he was truly still with him. The man had left several videos, recordings, and handwritten files to aid Jonathan in his journey.They basically enumerated all the secrets to keeping the businesses thriving and only Bernard knew about them.Jonathan spent all his time in a study, list
The Rise Of Jonathan Hazel CH. 8 (Humiliated in public)
A shot of applause went up as it did for each family that arrived as Elina and her parents arrived at the entrance of the Hazel’s mansion. They smiled and made their way to their seats, Nicholas in tow with them.“You know, I’m still finding it hard to believe that the heir himself, had sent his limousine over to bring us down here. It feels like a dream come true!” Patricia chipped in as they settled down.“Well, we all Nicholas all of these. It was his influence that got us a spot in the Hazel’s Forbes Initiative,” Jacob grinned and raised a glass in salute.~~~~~~A knock sounded on the door as Jonathan stood before the mirror getting ready for the grand unveiling, and the shock he was about to subject the Jacksons to.“Come in.”It was Via.“Hey. I'm ready. And I just got word that most of the guests have arrived. I believe it's time for you to make your appearance.”“And the Jac–” Jonathan began asking as he turned around to face her but his breath caught in his throat.Via was d
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"I have never been so humiliated in my life!" Jacob Jackson thundered as he and his family barged into the house. He threw his coat onto the floor, his face red with anger and embarrassment. The fact that they had gone to the ceremony in a beast limousine, and then had to return in a cab, had added more to the humiliation they had suffered at Jonathan’s hands."This wasn’t supposed to happen this way not after all the care we gave him, talk more of the support we showed him, your mother went to all lengths to make sure he got a job in that delivery company to show she cared, but he does this instead!" He continued his eyes red with anger and pain from the embarrassment.Elina and her mother sat quietly on the couch, Patricia embittered dried up her tears whilst shaking her head in disbelief. Elina lost in thoughts, her mind occupied as to how the Hazel’s heir turned out to be Jonathan, the man whom she had just thrown out of her house not long. She had never imagined it to be him re
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Jonathan turned toward the small wooden dresser, where his neck tie lay waiting. Picking it up, he began to loop it around his collar, getting ready for the dinner party which Via had invited him to. Suddenly, the quiet creak of the door startled him. He looked up, just as the door swung open, and Eva stepped in, unannounced. She held a mischievous smile as her gaze swept over him, taking in the scene of his preparation."You look fabulous, where are you going?""Yeah for a dinner party between the Jackson’s and Turkey’s family and I happen to be Via’s date." Jonathan replied turning for her to get a good look at him."Do I look good or it’s too much?" He smiled, even if he already knew he was looking just perfect.“Nothing’s wrong with the outfit Jonathan you look perfect!" Eva replied returning the smile.Since Jonathan arrived at the Hazel’s mansion, Eva was the only one among his three cousins who really shared in the joy of being the heir to the Hazel’s empire. As for Peter and
The Rise Of Jonathan Hazel CH. 12 (Follow your heart)
Jonathan sat at his desk, the pale glow of his computer screen casting shadows in the dimly lit office. His fingers drummed rhythmically on the desk, betraying the frustration bubbling beneath his calm exterior. The sales strategy for the head company demanded his full attention, yet his thoughts kept drifting back to Via.They had almost kissed the previous night after the dinner with Via’s mother and the Jacksons. Via had walked him to the car, and was thanking him for agreeing to be his date for the dinner when something mistakenly fell into Via’s eyes. While, trying to help her remove whatsoever it was that had found its way into Via’s eyes, an atmosphere of romance just enveloped them after Via told him that the speck which had probably found its way into her eyes had gone.He was lucky that Roseline came out just that minute, and that prevented the two of them from kissing. He muttered under his breath, “Alright, Jonathan, focus. You’ve got a team counting on you. The success
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CH. 52 (An unexpected invite)
CHAPTER 52 "Bernard, I don't know how to handle this situation. Finding out about my dad's death makes me want to dig more into the past, I really want to know about this empire left to me.” Jonathan began as he and Bernard sat alone in the Jonathan’s office staring at the computer screen.They had both been together celebrating Jonathan’s engagement with Via. Other employees had also joined in the celebration each congratulating Jonathan and looking forward to the wedding.It was in the midst of the celebration, that Jonathan received an anonymous email in his computer. “The IAS are monitoring every of your movement, and they hold the missing piece of the puzzle regarding the death of your father.Immediately Jonathan received the email, he dismissed the rest of the employees, and, when he was alone with Bernard, he made him read the email.The two of them remained still wondering who could have sent the mail as the email address of the sender was hidden and couldn’t be trace—enough
CH. 51 (A surprise proposal)
CHAPTER 51The restaurant was bathed in the soft, golden glow of candlelight, its elegant chandeliers casting flickering reflections across polished silverware and crystal glasses. The air carried the delicate aroma of gourmet dishes, blending with the gentle hum of conversation and the occasional clink of cutlery against fine china. It was an intimate setting—one of warmth and understated luxury—perfect for an evening neither Jonathan nor Via would ever forget.Jonathan sat across from Via, his sharp navy-blue suit accentuating his composed demeanor, though his fingers betrayed his nervous anticipation as they subtly drummed against the table. Via, resplendent in a flowing emerald dress that brought out the striking green in her eyes, noticed his slight restlessness but assumed it was merely lingering exhaustion from the past few months of struggle.Despite the troubles surrounding the Hazel’s empire, Jonathan had taken this time out to feel the love that only Via’s presence had to o
CH. 50 (A marriage deal)
CHAPTER 50Elina sat in the dimly lit living room, her fingers curled tightly around the edge of the couch. The muted glow of the television flickered against the walls, but the images on the screen only added to the weight pressing against her chest. Beside her, her mother, Patricia, sat stiffly, her face pale and drawn as she watched the news unfold. It was a grim scene—headlines flashed across the screen, painting a sordid tale of betrayal and justice.Elina had tried to prepare herself for this moment, but no amount of preparation could soften the brutal truth. Her father was alive. Alive. After all those times of mourning him, believing the tragic lies fed to her, she now knew the truth. And not only was he alive, but he had been dragged into the headlines, arrested, and publicly shamed. Because of her mother.Feeling the walls close in on her, she reached for the remote and switched off the TV. The silence that followed was deafening. She turned slowly toward Patricia, her voice
Chapter 49 (Uncle Philip is back)
Jonathan parked his car in front of his house, his mind still preoccupied with the IAS and the secrets that seemed to be buried beyond his reach. The weight of his father’s mysterious death, the hidden agendas surrounding Hazel Empire, and the silent war waged in the shadows gnawed at him. He knew he was on the verge of something huge, but at what cost?As he stepped inside, an unusual sight greeted him—his cousins, Ryan and Peter, sat in the living room, deep in conversation with a man he had never seen before. The air was thick with tension, and every instinct in Jonathan's body screamed that something was off.His eyes locked onto the stranger, who leaned back on the couch with an air of practiced ease, sipping what appeared to be whiskey from an expensive-looking glass.“Hey, guys. What's going on here?” Jonathan asked, his gaze shifting between his cousins and the man who had made himself at home in their house.Ryan barely spared him a glance, his expression unreadable, while Pe
CHAPTER 48 (Dropping charges)
Elina anxiously by her mother's side at the hospital, relieved that she had regained consciousness. Wanting answers, she mustered the courage to ask her mother the burning question that had been haunting her. Why had she heard her dad's voice on her phone?With a mix of concern and confusion, Elina looked into her mother's eyes, waiting for an explanation. The room fell silent, the air heavy with anticipation, as her mother took a deep breath and began to speak.“I had only found out a week ago, Elina. I got a strange call from a number and it turned out to be your dad, I was surprised but then he asked me not to reveal this to anyone. He didn't tell me anything about his plan Elina, trust me.” She said her eyes teary, her voice cracked as she talked.Elina paced back and forth, her mind racing to process the shocking revelations. As she tried to gather her thoughts, her ringtone pierced through the air, snapping her back to reality. Startled, she quickly rummaged through her bag, ret
CHAPTER 47 (A cryptic message)
Jonathan looked at Jacob, his eyes wide with disbelief. "How... how are you alive?" he stammered, unable to comprehend what he was seeing.Jacob smirked, avoiding the question entirely. "Well, well, well, look who we have here," he said, his voice dripping with a mix of amusement and triumph. “You've finally found me, Jonathan."Jonathan's heart raced as he tried to process Jacob's words. "Found you? What are you talking about?" he asked, his voice filled with a mixture of confusion and apprehension.“Yes you have, you found a dead man.” Jacob said, a grin across his face. Jacob's gaze hardened, and he took a step closer to Jonathan. "You think you can just come out of nowhere, take everything I have labored for all my years?" he spat, his voice laced with bitterness. "I'm the mystery man, Jonathan. I am the one behind everything that has befallen you, behind Via's gunshot, the rumors surrounding the Hazel Empire, and those cryptic messages you’ve been receiving."Jonathan's eyes wid
CH. 46 (Back from the dead)
CHAPTER 46Peter and Ryan sat in Peter's room, the tension choking in the air. Ryan's frustration was evident as he slammed his hand on the desk, expressing his anger over not being appointed chairman. "I can't believe this! How could they overlook me for the chairman position? I've worked so hard for this company, and they just brush me aside like that!" Peter tried to calm his brother down, speaking in a soothing tone. "I understand you're upset, Ryan, but getting angry won't solve anything. We need to figure out our next steps and move forward from here. Now we know that Jonathan would be wary of us, we need to be cautious.” Just then, Eva, their sister, entered the room. Sensing the tense atmosphere, she inquired about the problem. "What's going on, gentlemen? Why the long faces?" Ryan quickly filled her in on the disappointing outcome of the meeting, his frustration evident in his voice. “It's your god forsaken cousin Jonathan, he bribed the executives to vote for him in his
CH. 45 (A call from a dead man)
"Nicholas owns what again? How could this happen? What do you mean Elina? Why's he in possession of your all father's property that aren’t part of the properties limited to Skytop?” Patricia's voice had rose in panic, her tone laced with disbelief after she got to learn that the properties which Elina were talking about were not just those limited to the Skytop but everything that belonged to the Jacksons.Elina had reached out to touch her mother's hand, trying to calm her. "Mom, I told you he went to apologize to Jonathan yesterday, didn’t I? This was also part of what he was fighting for Mum. But we need to stay calm and figure this out together. Nicholas will be here tonight, and we can talk to him then."Patricia's panic had turned into anger as she stood up abruptly, her voice now filled with determination. "No, you need to bring him here right now. I need to speak with him immediately."Elina hesitated, unsure of how to handle her mother's sudden urgency. "But Mom, let's wait u
CH. 44 (The tiebreaking vote)
As Jonathan entered the conference room, he could feel the tension in the air. The executives' expressions grim, and their disappointment evident on their faces as they glance in his direction. Jonathan takes a deep breath and tries to maintain a composed demeanor as he takes his seat at the table.The CFO cleared his throat and began the meeting, his voice carrying a weight of disapproval. "Good morning, everyone. We have gathered here today to discuss the recent developments in our company's performance," he says, his tone somber.Jonathan shifts uncomfortably in his seat, feeling the weight of their collective disappointment. He braced himself for what is to come, knowing that he will have to face the consequences of his actions.The assistant CFO speaks next, her voice sharp with reproach. "Jonathan, we had high expectations from you, but since you took over the Hazel Empire, the results have been far from satisfactory. Can you explain what went wrong?"Jonathan cleared his throat
