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
“She’s alright, boss. You have nothing to worry about.” “I’m glad to hear it. Thanks, man.” Jake was deeply grateful for the regular visits and updates from Rex who was still keeping an eye on little Victoria. It was his second month behind bars and he always looked forward to these meetings because they kept him going. Everyone in The Association continued to ignore him, even his business allies had turned their backs on him. He was completely left on his own to deal with his mess. When the guard notified Rex that his visit was over, Jake was reluctant to return to his cell. He hadn’t expected to be kept in solitary confinement for this long but it appeared that the guards were determined to break him and make him beg for mercy. “Today’s your lucky day, buddy,” said the one leading him back to the dark cell. “Why?” “Because you’ll be getting a little bit of sunshine today before you head back into your little hole. You look li
“This is messed up!” Jake snapped and banged his fist on the table angrily. “Keep it down, will ya?” Said a nearby guard. “I’m sorry, Jake, but don’t lose hope. We’ll simply appeal again,” said Ryan. “So, how many appeals do I get before my luck runs out?” “One but if we do it right, we can win and cut down your sentence or even overturn the guilty verdict.” “How many such appeals have you won before?” Ryan swallowed hard. “None,” he answered in a small voice. “Damn it! I’m doomed to spend the rest of my life here.” “If only we can find some evidence to prove your innocence… No matter how little, just anything to cast a shred of doubt on your case and we can have a retrial.” Jake sighed. He’d been right not to expect too much from Orlando and his cronies. Several weeks had passed and they were yet to find anything to help Jake’s case. He could feel himself sinking into depression but there was nothing he