The Tycoon's Son-in-Law

Chapter 3

Lucas's pov 

Ever since I got adopted by my foster parents, Mr and Mrs Williams, two years after I lost my biological mom, my surname has been changed from Reid to Williams.

It's been what? Twenty-seven years already! I doubt that people who knew me by my biological father's surname would still recognise me if we crossed paths, he didn't even spend up to a year of my life with me.

Different questions roamed my mind with no answers. Mr Caleb had driven us in his car to a bigger hospital, actually one of the biggest in Virginia. He offered to pay the surgery bills without a refund and it made me wanna go crazy!

I was confused, I was anxious. Just who was he?

‘‘Ah, there you are!’’ His sharp masculine voice made me look up. I stood hastily as he approached.

‘‘Everything will be fine now; she's been taken into the ward.’’ He reassured me with a warm smile.

‘‘Who are you?’’ I spewed the only words that hovered my mind. 

‘‘How about we save the explanation for today and talk tomorrow instead? You looked exhausted.’’ He suggested, placing a hand on my shoulder. 

But my curiosity had a good grip on me. ‘‘You know who my father is?’’

He inhaled deeply. “Yes I did.’’

“Did?’’ I enunciated, my heart skipping a beat.

Caleb nodded as he spoke in a lower voice. “He passed on, I'm sorry.’’

“No, its fine.’’ I shook my head immediately. After all I didn't even know him, it just hurt that I'll also never get to know him.

“I'll explain everything tomorrow. For now you should go home and rest. I'll pick you up at 10am to discuss further.’’ Caleb offered with softened eyes.

Gratitude overwhelmed me. I literally felt the weight being uplifted from my shoulders. “Thank you.…for my mother.’’ 

He smiled. ‘‘It's my pleasure, Lucas.’’

I couldn't think straight, I kept taking up various chores to waver my thoughts until night finally fell. I couldn't even sleep during the night. My in-laws didn't call to bother me or know why I didn’t return to the mansion, they must have believed I stayed back home to take care of my helpless mother. 

Caleb found a parking space opposite the chicken shop, and we headed inside to make our orders. I was hesitant at first, but having skipped breakfast before coming, I ended up devouring my meal. Caleb allowed me enough time to eat to my satisfaction while he barely touched his little portion. 

“You didn't eat.’’ I observed, wiping my lips clean. 

‘‘I'm fine. I believe you're full now.’’

I nodded gratefully. “Yes, thanks to you.’’ 

“You take quite a resemblance to him.’’ Caleb suddenly blurted out of the blues.

‘‘What?’’

“Your father, Sir Julian Reid.’’ He replied. “I know you must despise him.’’

Indeed I despised him. They would both still be alive until now if he had stayed back, or at least mom would be alive. 

“Trust me, it wasn't his intention. Matters were beyond his control.’’ Caleb said, as if I really cared.

‘‘Well he's dead now, is all these necessary?’’

“I've been in search of you for over fifteen years now, my happiness knows no limit to finally find you.’’ He continued, solemnity sparking in his eyes. 

I watched him puzzledly, not able to place my role in the narrative. 

“Since your father's passing years ago, my life purpose had been to find you.’’ Caleb continued, his eyes locked on mine. 

“I would have found you much earlier if I had been smart enough to escape serving prison, I regret that you endured hardship this long.’’

I held up my hand, stunned. “ Wait, my father died since sixteen years ago?’’

Caleb nodded.

‘‘And you just got out of prison?’’ That part creeped me out. 

His expression immediately turned defensive. “Believe me, I wasn't the bad guy. The bad guys orchestrated my imprisonment.’’ . 

“What are you talking about?’’ I frowned in confusion. 

“Look, there's a lot you wouldn't really understand yet. As time goes on you will.” He simply said, glancing around.

He snapped his fingers at a nearby table which occupied three guys. However, only one came to us. He handed a file to Caleb who unsealed it and extracted a sheet of paper. 

“You may review it before signing.’’ Caleb dropped the sheet in front of me, and I realized now that it wasn't just a paper sheet.

Boldly written in blue ink on the headlines was, Blue Diamond Corporations. I stared at him, shock and disbelief etched on my face.

‘‘Go ahead.’’ Caleb nodded at the paper.  

I read through it, but I couldn't make any sense of it. My head swirled. Every sentence in the writing seemed strange. 

‘‘What's this about?’’ I voiced. 

‘‘Exactly what you just read.’’ Caleb answered calmly. 

‘‘What did I just read? It says something about an heir, what does that have to do with me.’’ My breaths came in ragged gasps as pieces slowly fixed in my head. 

“Everything!’’ Caleb stated, his voice filled with conviction. “It has everything to do with you, Lucas. Your father owned Blue Diamond Corporation, it was his last wish that I ensure you receive this. You are the heir the document speaks about.’’ 

His words blurred together, my mind racing as I tried to contain everything. 

Blue Diamond Corporation was one of the most successful companies in Virginia. It is in fact the number one amongst others, popular both in the city and beyond as a behemoth in the import and export of electronics and technology as a whole. Their gadgets were everywhere in the whole of the United States, with a net worth of about fifty billion dollars according to the latest company estimations news last year. 

I had considered applying for as low as a janitor position, but even that was out of reach. The receptionist informed me that the company only hired individuals with a diploma or higher, irrespective of the position. She claimed they had some policies that couldn't be met by my standard and she wouldn't let me have a peek. The situation escalated due to my desperation, and I was escorted out battered and bruised when the chairman appeared with some escorts to meet the scene. 

And now what was Caleb saying just now?

‘‘Lucas…’’ Caleb began, but I cut him immediately. 

“I don't understand what's going on here, I'll just take my leave.’’ Slapping the paper on the table, I stood to leave.

If this was some kind of set-up, he should forget it. I'm no fool that he could easily sway.

‘‘Wait, you can't leave yet.’’ His urgent tone stopped me. ‘‘Please, relax. I'll explain anything you want me to explain.’’

I spun to lock his gaze with narrowed eyes.

“Why did you keep the paper all these years? You expect me to believe you searched for me these whole years out of faithfulness to my father?’’ I scoffed in disbelief. 

“You're drawing attention.’’ Caleb's voice dropped to a whisper, and I glanced around to see some people watching.

‘‘Have your seat let's discuss this like adults, I wasn't done yet.’’ He cajoled. 

Caleb gestured with two fingers to his companions once again, and this time they smuggled something among themselves before one stood with a briefcase. My heart quickened with each step closer he came. He dropped the briefcase on our table and almost left but Caleb stopped him before facing me.

‘‘This requires a password to unlock.’’ He said, turning the briefcase to reveal a thumbprint detector. “Your father designed it to recognise your bloodline, only yourself and him can unlock it.’’

“What are you talking about?’’ I breathed uneasily, the whole thing was too much for me to take in.  

‘‘Place your thumb.’’ He instructed.

I scoffed in a mix of fear and anxiety, my eyes fixed on the glass detector. 

“You really think I'll fall for that?’’ 

Undeterred, Caleb turned the briefcase to himself and pressed his thumb, but the device beeped red twice. He ordered the escort to try it and the same result repeated. He beckoned on the other two escorts when I was still unyielding despite his first attempt, and when their attempts yielded the same red beeps, I hesitated before placing my thumb. 

Blue light came on this time, and the beep lengthened in approval as the locks clicked open within the briefcase.