“Liar!” Mamba shouted at Zeus. “That thing is fabricated.”
“It looks like the real thing,” Jake remarked as he continued to study the document.
“It is the real thing,” Zeus insisted. “I am your biological father, Athena.”
“Stop it!” She screamed.
“I was in love with Maria Mendici when we were younger,” said Zeus. “Then she was Maria Milan. She was from a humble background and I had nothing. Her parents wanted the best for her so they matchmade her with Roman Mendici who fell in love with her at first sight.”
Mamba lowered the gun. She was intrigued by the story and Jake was relieved that nobody would be dying there yet.
“It was a cruel twist of fate because Roman and I had become friends and he was mentoring me on how to start my first business,” Zeus continued. “I didn’t have the heart to tell him that I was in love with M
“I’ve invited Daddy to have dinner with us tomorrow night.”Jake nearly choked on his wine. “What?”“It’s going to be his last supper,” said Diamond, giggling at her joke.“That’s not even funny.”“It’s what you want, isn’t it? My father is a threat to you and you want him gone. Why are you acting shocked now?”“Ok, fine. You’ve made your point. Leave him alone. I just wanted to be sure that you were on my side and that I wasn’t getting played again.”In all honesty, the thought of killing someone didn’t sit well with him even though he wouldn’t be the one to pull the trigger. But knowing that he ordered a hit on Zeus and that his daughter was the hitman, seemed incredibly cruel of him.“I can’t imagine someone encouraging Victoria to kill me in future,” he said. “I don’t want that kind of karma.”“If Victoria feels that you’re a threat to her life or the one she deeply loves, she’ll do it.”He didn’t know what to say to that. Either Diamond was a super-talented actress or she was tru
“We will make everything official after the funeral,” said Jake during a meeting with Diamond and Zeus’ attorney.“That sounds reasonable,” said Mattias, the lawyer. “However, we still need to decide what to do with Athena Milan’s share of Hector’s empire.”“My step-sister is dead,” Diamond informed him flatly. “Too bad Daddy never got a chance to rewrite his will before he died of that awful stroke. He was going to give her share to Jake.”“Oh, I see,” said Mattias, intrigued. “But that’s a bit confusing, considering that you two signed a prenup before getting married.”“Daddy wanted it nullified too,” she replied quickly.“Is that so?”“Let’s continue this conversation after the funeral,” Jake said firmly. He wasn’t ready to go into that prenup matter just yet.“That’s fine,” said Mattias. “Please accept my condolences once again.”After the lawyer left, Diamond faced Jake and asked, “When am I getting my share of your bounty? This should be a 50-50 partnership, you know. I could’ve
Angus was placed under close surveillance after his expulsion from The Association. Jake knew his opponent was a sore loser who might already be planning his revenge. After several weeks of drama and suspense, he finally resumed his duties as President and CEO of Turner Holdings. He attended meeting after meeting and travelled the world like a nomad on steroids. “Is this how the rest of our life together is going to be?” Diamond asked him evening after he returned from yet another business trip to South Africa. “What?” He asked. “This constant travelling. Victoria and I barely see you anymore. You’re working like a pauper who doesn’t know where his next meal will come from.” “I love what I do, I’m sure you know that.” “In other words, you love your work more than your family.” “I didn’t say that.” “Then spend time with us. Take a week off from work and let your staff do the rest. I also run my father’s businesses but you don’t see me flying around the globe like a space shuttl
“That’s impossible!” Diamond hissed. “Phoenix Holdings is the parent company of all of Daddy’s businesses. He operated it independently but it was still the main source of everything else.” “So, what are you saying?” Jake asked. “I am the only one with authority over Phoenix Holdings. Whoever is carrying out these auctions under that name is simply an impersonator.” “But there’s the issue of those original documents given to the buyers with your signature on them.” “As I said, they were forged. I would never sell my precious investment to a bunch of airheads who don’t even know what they’re doing. Someone is messing with us big time!” “Who else has access to the company seal?” “Me, Daddy and Athena. Since the others are dead, I’m the only one with access to it.” “None of this makes sense.” “Well, don’t worry. I’m going to put this damned puzzle to rest, once and for all.” “How?” “I’m going to Daddy’s vault in Cancun. That’s where all the original documents of everything he ow
“So, it’s been you all along, Mamba,” said Jake. “You’re the one stealing from us with Phoenix Holdings.”She laughed. “Mamba is dead. This is Athena Milan Aetos standing before you.”“Don’t you dare desecrate my family name, you vile creature!” Diamond snapped at her. “One more snappy word from you and I’ll put a hole in your skull,” Athena said coldly. She faced Jake. “I thought you were an intelligent guy. How come you haven’t figured this shit out?”“What?”“Phoenix Holdings. It was never mine to tamper with. Everything pertaining to it was in Hector’s possession and now that he’s not here, guess who’s in charge.”He looked at Diamond and she gave him a blank stare. “I don’t know what she’s talking about,” she said flatly.“Don’t you? Come on, now, little sis. Tell your darling husband the truth.”“What is she talking about?” Jake asked his wife.“Your beloved wife is Phoenix Holdings,” Athena informed him unceremoniously. “Her plan is to buy everything under your 5% contribution
“Put the gun down!” The policemen yelled at Jake as they barged into the suite.He dropped the gun immediately and it landed a few feet away from him. One of the policemen inched forward and kicked the gun farther away from Jake while aiming a pistol at him.“This can’t be happening again,” he muttered to himself.“You have the right to remain silent or anything you say here will be used against you in court,” another policeman informed him.Another one came behind him and forced him to his knees before slapping handcuffs on his wrists.“You don’t understand,” Jake said. “I didn’t do this. There’s been a misunderstanding.”“I’ll advise you to keep quiet and stop talking,” the cop told him. “Whatever you say here will be used against you in court.”He looked down at Diamond and saw the expression of shock frozen on her face
“Where’s your boss?” “Is he expecting you?” “Would I be here if he isn’t?” The bodyguard looked at Jake from head to toe slowly and nodded once before stepping out of the way. He opened the front door for him and directed him to the backyard where Angus was said to be lounging beside the pool. Jake followed the direction he was given and showed up at the poolside, however, Angus was not there. “What kind of stupid game is that old man playing with me?” He wondered aloud. “Angus!” There was no response. He walked closer to the pool and saw the silly old man inside. “What’s the meaning of this?” Jake asked him. “Did you invite me here to admire your floating technique?” Angus did not respond. His face was inside the pool and he was floating around while fully clothed. It suddenly struck Jake as odd that an elderly man would be doing this kind of stunt. Why did he jump into the pool with all his clothes on?
“Your trial date has been set,” his lawyer informed him. “We need to start prepping right away if we’re going to make a good impression in court.” “What are my chances of winning this case?” He asked flatly. “Well…” “Give it to me straight, Ryan. What are my chances?” “To be honest, very low. The only thing we have working for us is the little gap in the technicalities of your wife’s murder. They can’t exactly prove that you fired the gun but they can’t exactly rule it out either.” “And Angus’ murder?” “He was strangled and thrown into the pool. He was a frail old man and you are a young agile man… do you get the picture?” “Yeah, but they can’t prove I strangled him. I called for help almost immediately after I spotted him. I couldn’t have killed him in 20 seconds!” “The bodyguard claimed that you were with Angus longer than that.” “Of course, he would. He probably killed his boss for Athena.” Ryan sighe