2024-12-01 23:24:34A 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 dressed so beautifully in a sexy low-cut blue-green gown with a thigh-high slit that he couldn't help staring. Her hair was down for the first time and it blew Jonathan’s mind away. It was a good thing she was his date.
She smiled, “Yes the Jacksons just arrived. You seem to have such an love for the family?”
Jonathan cleared his throat, regaining his composure.
“Yes. I do.”
~~~~~~
“And now for the moment, you've all been waiting for!” The master of ceremonies boomed, dazzling everyone with his smile, “Permit me to make welcome, the most wanted man in the world!”
Everyone laughed out loud at that,
“Well, it's true!” The man joked. “With a standing ovation, let's welcome –”
Elina and her family were one of the first people to rise to their feet and begin clapping.
“– the richest bachelor in the world, Jonathan Hazel!”
All of the lights focused on Jonathan as he came up on the stage with Via. His smile took everyone's breath away.
Patricia particularly because she collapsed onto her chair.
A look of horror had graced Elina’s face as she stood frozen, looking at Jonathan and refusing to believe her eyes.
“It can't be…” Nicholas breathed.
Jacob was white as a sheet and could only place a hand on his wife's shoulder as she trembled, looking like she'd just seen a ghost.
“Thank you. Thank you very much, Steve.” Jonathan clapped the announcer's back jovially.
“And thank you Venice City for this wonderful opportunity to meet you all in a relaxed environment. I must commend your brains and efforts in putting this together.”
There were murmurs of assent from the crowd and another round of applause.
“Well I'm glad to meet you all and I'm sure you're all elated to have been the first to see the new heir of the Hazel Empire.”
Everyone laughed.
Jonathan wasted no time as he went straight to announcing the three family businesses that were finally picked to be beneficiaries of the Hazel’s Forbes Initiative with the Jackson’s family not included.
“Well enjoy your evening and I'll be around, mingling and answering any non-business questions you might have.” Jonathan remarked, as he took Via’s hand, looking directly into her eyes and smiling as he did.
Another round of laughter filled the hall, as they looked at the two of them, believing that they were already a couple in the making.
“Yes please, this is the only night I'll get away from business in a while so please,” Jonatahn said in a mock-serious tone.
Everyone laughed and applauded as he and Ivy exited the stage, waving at them.
“Now isn't it a peach that our new boss has a great sense of humor?” Steve demanded jovially. “Enjoy your evening everyone!”
“Now Mr. Duke, what did I say about business earlier?” Jonathan joked to a middle-aged man.
“Oh well –”
“E – excuse me Jonathan?” a voice interrupted from behind Jonathan and his companion.
Jonathan turned around and it was the faces he'd been waiting to see all evening.
He smirked.
“J– Jonathan please can we –”
“I'm sorry but if you'll excuse me I've got better things to do.” Jonathan quipped and moved away.
Elina ran after him and grabbed his arm.
“Jonathan, please let's –”
“Excuse me!” Jonathan snatched his arm from her grip. “That's harassment, miss!”
“Jonathan, why are you doing this?”
But Jonathan was already off.
Elina ran after him once more. The whole debacle had caught the attention of nearly half the hall at that point.
One of Jonathan’s guards stopped Elina before she could grab him again.
“Jonathan, you don't have to embarrass us like this,” Nicholas spoke up shakily from behind Elina.
Jonathan stopped in his tracks immediately. He turned around slowly.
“You're right. I don't have to embarrass you like this. I can do it another way.”
He walked up to Nicholas and when their faces were mere inches apart he raised his voice for the silent room to hear,
“Nicholas Ray, aren’t you the one who submitted a business proposal to have over a billion dollars invested in your new startup?”
Nicholas, quickly realizing his mistake started trembling, as he could already tell where Jonathan was steering the conversation towards.
“S- sir. Yes, sir. Yes, sir, I am.” He stammered, hoping it would appease Jonathan and prevent him from carrying on with whatsoever plan that was already cooking up in his mind regarding the investment proposal.
Jonathan looked at him in a very disgusted way,
“Well then, I’m not investing! You are free to take your proposal somewhere else,”
Nicholas’ eyes widened,
“Y– you can't do that!”
Jonathan smiled devilishly,
“Oh, but I can, and I just did,” Jonathan turned to leave and signaled for his guards.
“J – Jonathan, p– please don't do this –” Elina begged, still running after him.
“Don't go down that lane honey. You know what I can do.” Jonathan snickered, not even bothering to look her way.
Elina and her family stood there hopelessly for a moment, then they turned around and saw the entire hall staring at them. They'd been publicly humiliated in front of the entire city.
Their faces were infused with red as they stuttered trying to explain themselves.
The hall erupted in frantic muttering as everyone whispered amongst themselves about what the Jacksons could possibly have done.
Everyone moved away from them as they walked back to their seats.
“W– we don't have to take this, let's go home,” Jacob muttered.
They made to leave the hall but Jonathan spotted them from the gallery.
“Don't let them leave.” He muttered to his guard. “They should stay back and enjoy the waves of humiliation bathing them.”
The guards at the entrance refused to allow them passage. Jacob furiously called their own guards to get them out of there but as Jonathan saw from above that they were the same men who'd beaten him up to a pulp the night he'd been forced to sign the divorce papers, he muttered to the ears of his head of security.
“Arrest their guards.” The man instructed with his voice reverberating through the hall.
As their guards were hijacked and handcuffed while they were pushed back into the unforgiving hall, Elina’s eyes moved up in desolation and she saw Jonathan smirking down on them from above.
Tears filled her and her mother's eyes as they stood, feeling completely ostracized.
“This is only the beginning.” Jonathan muttered.
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The Rise Of Jonathan Hazel CH. 9 (A desire to get back)
"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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The Rise Of Jonathan Hazel CH. 12 (Follow your heart)
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"Are you okay? Who called?" Via asked, seeing that Jonathan was disturbed."I don't know but the person who called knows me. He called my full name, and then he ended the call.""Have you tried calling him back?""I'm doing that right now, but it's not going through." Jonathan replied, frustration evident in his voice."Maybe it was a prank caller,"Jonathan felt uncomfortable all through the evening wondering who the strange caller was and why his lone suddenly stopped going."I suggest we start going," He said as he called for the waiter, pulling out some dollar bills from his leather wallet to settle the bills.Via who was already basking in the joy of the moment that Jonathan had eventually asked her out on a date couldn't help but wonder what had changed all of a sudden.Getting up from her seat reluctantly, she followed Jonathan to his car which was parked outside."I'm sorry, Via," Jonathan apologized as he opened the passenger's door for her. "I am not comfortable anymore, and
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CH. 28 (Enemies and traitors)
Arriving at the Turkey’s mansion, Jonathan was treated to a wonderful dinner as Roseline, Via’s mother had taken her time to prepare the delicacies.“I am aware of all that is going on and the fact that you’re being accused of Jacob’s death, but don’t worry, very soon the truth will be made known to the public, and you’ll be able to clear your name,” She said as she served the dishes.“Yes, Jonathan. Everything will be fine,” Via said, as she took his hands into hers caressing them gently.“Thank you, Via. Thank you Ma’am Roseline,” Jonathan managed to smile hopeful that just like they’ve said, everything will be over soon.After dinner, Via and Jonathan decided to stroll out onto the deck, where the sound of crashing waves filled the air. The setting sun cast a warm glow over the ocean, and Via and Jonathan found themselves lost in conversation, their connection growing stronger with each passing moment, even in the midst of the never ending troubles that seemed to be coming upon Jon
CH. 27 (Not ready to back down)
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CH. 26 (Digging to uncover)
“I'm really sorry to hear about Elina's dad. It must be a difficult and emotional time for everyone. Take heart dear, death is inevitable, I have had my own fair share.” Roseline said as she consoled Patricia Jackson. The priest started the prayers and everybody's head bowed and said their prayers with the priest.“Dear friends and family, we gather here today to pay our final respects to Jacob Jackson. Let us take a moment to offer our prayers and blessings for his soul.”As the priest begins to bless the coffin, a sudden scream interrupts the solemn atmosphere. Patricia, overwhelmed with grief, expresses her anguish.“No! Jonathan and Bernard shouldn't be allowed here! The Hazels caused my husband's death!”The priest pauses for a moment, acknowledging Patricia's outburst and the pain she is going through. “Patricia, I understand that you're hurting right now, but let us try to find solace in this moment of remembrance. We are here to honor Jacob’s memory and support one another d
CH. 25 (Police Investigation)
Jonathan sat in the stark, fluorescent-lit room, his hands trembling as he listened to the barrage of accusations hurled at him. The police officer's voice had turned sharp and accusatory, devoid of the usual politeness he was accustomed to. Reporters crowded around, their cameras flashing and microphones thrust in his face."You were seen at the scene of the crime," one officer barked, his finger pointed accusingly at Jonathan. "What were you doing there?"Jonathan's mind raced as he tried to form a coherent response. "I... I never stepped out of my house, my brothers would clear me and I have an alibi." he stammered, his voice barely audible over the clamor of voices.“You were home? Don't play dumb with us," another officer interjected. "We have evidence placing you at the scene. You can't deny it."“But that isn't me, I haven't stepped out of my house since I came back from work. I have been waiting for their arrival.”The reporters joined in, bombarding him with questions and ins
CH. 24 (Strange Accident)
Elina and her mother sat in the sterile hospital waiting room, their faces etched with worry and fear. Elina fidgeted with the hem of her shirt, her eyes fixed on the swinging door that led to the emergency room.The news of Mr. Jackson’s accident had come as a shock to them as they weren’t expecting. He had left early that morning on his way to meet a couple of investors whom he hoped would help take back Skytop from Jonathan’s grip, and it was on his way that the fatal accident happened which had now landed him in the E.R.Mrs. Jackson clasped her daughter's hand tightly, her gaze distant and lost. "I can't believe this is happening," she murmured, her voice trembling with emotion. “This is all Jonathan’s fault, and I won’t forgive him if anything bad happens to your father.”Elina couldn’t help but agree with her mother, blaming Jonathan as well. She believed that if Jonathan hadn’t stepped in to take over Skytop, her father wouldn’t have needed to meet up with the investors and th
CH. 23 (It's Alright, Father)
Jonathan picked at his food during dinner with Via, and she couldn't help but notice his distracted behaviour. Concern etched across her face, she leaned in closer and asked gently, "Jonathan, what's the matter? You seem lost for words."Jonathan sighed, the weight of the recent events weighing heavily on his shoulders. "Via, it's just... things have taken a turn. The news I received earlier has left me unsettled," he confessed, his voice tinged with a hint of sadness.Even if he had asked the chief to have the young man locked up, Jonathan still felt like he was still a step behind. He knew whatever had made the young man to come out to say he was the one who had made an attempt on his life, was no ordinary matter, and that the real culprit was still out there roaming freely.“Is it about the young man at the police station?” She asked worriedly.“Yes Via. He’s not the one who tried to kill me. Something tells me it’s Nicholas,” He said tired of everything already.Via's eyes filled
CH. 22 (Play their game)
Nicholas hurriedly entered the office building of Skytop Corporations, his heart pounding with nervous anticipation. He made his way through the familiar corridors, his mind focused on the task at hand. As he reached Jonathan's office, he glanced around to ensure no one was watching. With a swift and practiced motion, he discreetly planted a recording device in a strategic spot, on the flower vase, hoping to track all his conversations so he could know exactly what he’d planning at every point in time.The fact that he was gradually losing Skytop to Jonathan was already heartbreaking, and he was determined to do anything to get back the company that his family had struggled to build over the years.Just as he turned to leave, his ears perked up at the sound of his own name being mentioned. He froze, his eyes widening in shock as he saw Jonathan standing there, a mix of surprise and suspicion etched on his face. Jonathan's voice cut through the tension, demanding an explanation for Ni
CH. 21 (Not without a fight)
Jonathan opened his eyes to discover that he was on a hospital bed, his face pale a little as he had just woken up from sleep. Via sat by her side, her brow furrowed with worry. The beeping of the monitors filled the air, a constant reminder of Jonathan's fragile state.“Jonathan, you need to rest," Via said gently, her voice tinged with concern.Jonathan turned to her, her eyes filled with a mixture of fear and determination. "Jonathan, there's something I need to tell you," she blurted out, her words coming out in a rush.Jonathan's eyes widened in surprise. He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. "Via, you can save it. We can talk later," he urged, reaching out to hold her hand."No, Jonathan, I need to say this now," Via insisted, her voice growing stronger. "I've been keeping something from you, and I can't bear the weight of it any longer."Jonathan's heart raced as he watched Via struggle to find the right words. The air in the room seemed to grow heavier, charged with
CH. 20 (An unexpected attack)
The next morning, still perturbed by last night's event. Via sat at her desk, her fingers tapping nervously on the keyboard as she tried to focus on her work. The events of the previous day weighed heavily on her mind, casting a shadow over her usual composure. She couldn’t shake the sense of unease that had settled in her chest as her thoughts went back to Koeman and the document he had brought to Jonathan in the name of his grandfather.As she stared at the computer screen, her thoughts immediately drifted to Jonathan. The memory of his warm smile and the way his eyes lit up when he spoke to her tugged at her heart. She knew she was falling for him, and the thought of betraying his trust made her stomach churn with guilt.Koeman had said that those documents contained important information about the Hazel’s empire, and whatever those information were, Via couldn’t resist the urge of wanting to find out. She knew whatever game she was playing was a dangerous one, and Jonathan might n
