As soon as they left the lobby downstairs, Smithson chatted idly with Lawton, while leading him to the boardroom. Their footsteps echoed in the grand hallways as they made their way to the conference room where the executives were waiting. Lawton knew what to expect—resistance, opposition, doubt. But he had already prepared for it. As soon as he stepped into the room, the tension was palpable. The executives, seated in a semicircle around the long, polished table, immediately turned their eyes to him. The atmosphere was cold, judgmental. These were men who had been loyal to his father for years, and they had little faith in Lawton's ability to lead. "So, you're the one taking over," one of them sneered, a man named Harris, the CFO. His grey hair matched the look of disdain on his face. "This isn’t a game, young man. Running a company like this isn’t something you inherit because your father’s in a coma." Lawton remained calm, taking his seat at the head of the table. He’d been expe
The Next Day. Lawton walked into their small apartment, his mind weighed down by the chaos of the day. After spending time at his father’s company, the contrast between this modest space and the opulent mansion he had just left was hard to ignore. The small, dimly lit rooms felt like a far cry from the grandeur he was used to. It wasn’t just the size or appearance—it was a reminder of everything that had happened in the past 24 hours. Lawton’s thoughts raced as he replayed the series of humiliating moments at the company. His father’s workers had treated him as though he were still a child, someone unworthy of the authority he should have rightfully inherited. His father, still in a coma, left him to face these challenges alone. Until his father woke, everything remained in limbo—just as it had been for days. Smithson had hinted at some deeper family secrets, but Lawton couldn’t bring himself to pry. His father’s absence weighed heavily on him, and the frustration of it all gnawed a
Lawton arrived at the city hospital lost in deep contemplation during the journey. Startled by the driver's announcement of their arrival, he thanked him and quickly made his way inside. Rushing to the reception, Lawton calmly identified himself and inquired about his mother.The receptionist at the hospital informed him with a warm smile, "The room your mother was admitted to is 302 upstairs, the first room on your left." Lawton thanked her and hurriedly ascended the stairs, his heart racing with concern.As he made his way to his mother's room, Lawton's footsteps echoed in the hallway. He located the room and immediately opened the door to his mother's room."Mother," he said tearfully while moving to the side of his hospitalized mother's bed. "Lawton, I'm fine," his mother said slowly, opening her eyes to see her teary son."How did this happen?" he asked, his voice trembling with emotion. "I was on my way back home from shopping when a car hit our car, and that is all I remember.
Lawton sluggishly walked into the house and slumped onto the couch in the tiny living room, he was just coming back from the hospital. Amanda walked into the room with a smile as she asked him how his day went. She felt that Lawton was hiding things from her because he rarely carried her alone with his movement which wasn't like that between them. Lawton looked at his wife who was looking at him with a pleasant smile, he decided to tell his wife about his mom's situation which was the reason for his visitation. The issue was weighing heavily on his heart with deep concerns for her well-being. “Mom was attacked! I am just returning from the hospital, I went to see how she is faring!” He said to his unaware wife who gasped in fear and concern.“Attacked?” She screamed with a trembling voice. “Again?” She exclaimed as the pitch in her voice increased, revealing the mixed emotions of fear, anger and deep concern.“What is going on Lawton? This is terrible! Who would do such a terrible
Lawton walked to arrange the remaining boxes on the small living room floor, while Amanda tried to assist. The presents certainly made her happy. Then they stopped a moment as a knock on their front door reverberated throughout the flat. "Who might that possibly be?" Amanda asked herself out loud. Lawton frowned, walking to the door. Their landlady looked at him coldly when he opened it. Lawton was immediately on edge as her lips pursed and her eyes narrowed. "Hello," Lawton stated with a frown. "You stupid tenant, don't 'Hello' me!" The landlady spat, her voice dripping with anger. "Where's my rent money?" Lawton closed his eyes in anger as ge heard her talk. The rent issues had escaped his notice because he was too busy worrying about his mother's condition and hospital bills. The landlady turned on her heel and stomped off as Lawton opened his mouth to object. He closed his door gently, feeling her words hit home. Amanda emerged into the living room, her face worried. "
Lawton's eyes sparkled with triumph as he looked at his dumbfounded landlady with a sly smile on his face. The landlady must have thought he was bluffing at first as he could tell she was completely shocked by the look on her face but decided to give her some time to take it all in. His confidence soared as he looked at the neighbours who glared at him but he couldn't be bothered as he knew they were about to be shocked to their bones once they realized he had bought the entire property. It was all in a matter of minutes as he had to first put the landlady in her place before coming back to them. He felt a wave of satisfaction as he continued to smile, waiting for the landlady to say something to him but she just kept quiet as she continued to stare at her phone. The landlady looked so shocked as she repeatedly continued to stare at her phone not believing Lawton could send her such a huge amount of money. "How is this possible?" She muttered to herself as she refreshed her bank
The landlady and all of the neighbours immediately stopped walking as they heard Lawton talk. "Who told you to go?" He barked in annoyance as he glared at them. "You can go, I was talking to my new tenants," Lawton said, as he walked closer to the landlady who was standing with the neighbours. Lawton watched the landlady walk out of the house as she heard Lawton talk before continuing to talk to his new tenants. "Where were you all rushing to?" Lawton asked, with a smile sly. "You all had time to talk and it is my turn to talk now so you should all listen to me attentively," Lawton added. Lawton walked closer to Mr Thompson who looked away as he saw him saw him. "Don't you have anything to say to the new owner of the building," Lawton said as Mr Thompson trembled. "You seemed to have a lot to say about me earlier," He added. "No," Mr Thompson replied, as Lawton smiled at him before walking away and standing where he could see all of the tenants. The other neighbours were star
Lawton stepped through the revolving doors of the company, his sharp eyes scanning the pristine lobby. The air was cool, artificial, like the false sense of security this company had been running on for too long. Everything looked polished on the surface—polite greetings, pristine floors, a buzz of activity that hinted at productivity—but Lawton knew better. This company had been stagnant, coasting on past success for far too long. “Good morning, sir,” the receptionist said with a practised smile. Lawton offered a curt nod, his thoughts already moving ahead to the task at hand. Today wasn’t just another day in the office. Today was the day he had to put the company on notice. Waiting near the elevators was Smithson, his father’s loyal assistant, who had become his de facto guide through the intricacies of running the business. Smithson was a man who commanded respect without demanding it, his calm demeanour masking the years of experience and knowledge he had gained. Lawton had alw