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2024-10-29 19:42:56Paul was completely absorbed with Grandpa Leonard’s explanation but he couldn't help wondering how fast his life had changed. Just a couple of days ago, he was chased away by his ex-in-laws for being poor and now he had the biggest responsibility that only the wealthiest of persons could carry.
“It's a tough job finding these informants but I have an idea, Grandpa,” Paul said, causing Grandpa Leonard’s eyes to light up as he got off the couch, his eyes full of hope.
His weak muscles were even more tense in anticipation.
Paul took a deep breath and continued. “Since these informants want to tarnish the image of our companies by producing counterfeit products, we have to assume that they already know our secrets or at least most of them.”
Grandpa Leonard nodded quickly in affirmation. “Uhm, yes, you are very right”
“We will conduct an internal investigation in all of our companies,” Paul explained.
Even though Paul had spent all of his life being poor, he had always been very intelligent. He always had very high grades during his high school days until he dropped out because he couldn't fund his education further.
Grandpa Leonard blinked his eyes, his posture very alert, especially for an 85-year-old man. “But how can we do that in all of our companies? We have hundreds of employees in each of our companies.”
“Yes, I am sure of that but we don't have to conduct this investigation for all the department of employees. We will only do it where they are likely to be, which is the production department. Grandpa, these informants and spies only stay where there is the most important activity.”
Grandpa Leonard opened his eyes widely in excitement as he giggled.
Paul went on with a smile on his face. He was getting fond of his grandfather already.
“We will start from the lowest ranked worker in the production department before moving up but we won't move to other departments. I am convinced that we won't even have to do the same procedure for all the companies because all we need to do is fish out the first two or three informants. They would be forced to snitch on the others.”
A bright glow shone across Grandpa Leonard’s face as he jammed his forehead with that of Paul in excitement. “Yes! You would take our legacy further with this big brain of yours, my boy. I always knew that you were the true heir to our syndicate and all those years used in trying to find you were not a waste after all.”
Paul smiled. “I won't conduct the investigation myself though. I mustn't reveal my identity early on.”
“Anything you say, my boy,” Grandpa Leonard waved his hands in a passionate surrender.
“But there is something else,” Paul noted.
“Tell me, please.”
“The investigation would be conducted by Miriam if that is fine by you,” Paul informed, scanning Grandpa’s face curiously.
“Miriam? You mean the housekeeper Miriam? Grandpa Leonard asked, his eyes intent.
“Yes Grandpa, I find her very intelligent. I will also make her the Chief Operating Officer of one of the topmost companies in our syndicate.”
There was something about Miriam’s aura that spoke positively to Paul. She seemed smart, calculative, and strong-willed. After all, being a housekeeper at a wealthy family like the Leonards meant that you were quite educated and exposed. To top it off, Paul found her quite attractive.
“But that's a big change,” Grandpa Leonard furrowed his brows, a feeling of concern on his lips.
“Yes, I know it is a big change but I trust her somehow and I need you to trust me,” Paul responded calmly. “We will find you another capable housekeeper.”
“Of course I trust you,” Grandpa Leonard assured. “Let me request for Miriam so that you can get acquainted with your new home.”
“Don't worry Grandpa. All you need now is to rest and to get the medical care you need as soon as possible,” Paul suggested. “It is already bad enough that you had to wait this long to get treated.”
Paul and Grandpa Leonard embraced each other and he finally ordered his doctors to treat him, having seen Paul.
The next morning, Paul left the living room looking for Miriam. He wanted to propose the new appointment to her.
“Good Morning young master Paul,” Housekeeper Miriam greeted, bowing her head thrice in honor. She was standing just outside the living room.
Paul was a little embarrassed by the extreme show of respect. He scoffed, throwing his arm in the air but realised that this was his new life now. He had to get used to it although he would prefer to have it a little less from Miriam. There was something mysterious about her that he wanted to uncover.
Miriam showed Paul the surroundings of the mansion - the lush landscape, fountains, guesthouses, the golf course, expensive cars, and even the runway for a private aircraft.
“Everything is all yours young master Paul,” Miriam remarked. “Grandmaster Leonard has willed out everything to you as his heir.”
Paul seemed frozen to the spot. He had a struggle with processing everything that was happening to him. Would he actually own such a large empire? He hadn’t even seen his companies yet.
Paul cleared his throat, remembering the proposal he had for Miriam. “I want to talk to you about something, Miriam.”
Miriam stood still like a statue, her eyes focused as she listened attentively. “I am all ears master.”
“I have a proposal for you,” Paul inhaled deeply and then continued. “I want you to be the Chief Operating Officer in one of our topmost companies.”
Miriam's lips moved as if she was whispering to herself. Her eyes drifted away and it was as if her soul had left her body.
A few moments passed and it was clear that her mind was somewhere else but she finally snapped back to reality, refocusing her gaze toward Paul as she muttered. “Ehh…I humbly accept your offer young master Paul. It is a big honor that you consider me worthy of this position.”
Paul narrowed his gaze, wearing an assessing look, a hint of curiosity in his expression. “Are you sure you are ready to take this position, Miriam?” he asked.
He wondered why Miriam’s thoughts drifted.
Even though they had barely met long enough to know each other well, Paul was sure that she was the right choice for the position and a key piece in the investigation. She had the right personality. But why did she appear somewhat distracted? Was she having second thoughts?
“Of course Sir, I am ready to take this responsibility,” Miriam assured, this time her gaze focused.
“Now, that’s more like it,” Paul smiled.
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Back at the Winston family, they were all shocked to hear that Paul Leonard was rescued from the prisoner transport van. They inquired angrily about who rescued him and how it happened but the police were even more shocked at how swiftly they were robbed of their man. The authorities were unable to give definitive answers leaving the Winstons on the lookout for him. They were determined that he was going to answer for the stunt he pulled.But they had bigger problems.The Bournemouth family, who are allied to the Winstons, had a fallout. The Winstons had an agreement with the Bournmouths for the completion of a building project worth 700 million dollars but the Winstons stopped halfway because they lacked the resources to complete the project, leading to threats of being sued.The Winstons had just escaped a Ponzi Scheme allegation by the skin of their teeth and a court matter would put a suspicious eye on them so they applied for a partnership deal with another company, Rochester C
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Paul Leonard?Jude Bournemouth couldn't believe his eyes. His limbs were stiff and he was unable to control his muscles. How is it that Paul Leonard dared to play a prank on them that way? Was he not supposed to be in jail supping with his fellow inmates and showing them how much of a lowly man he was? Sarah Winston leaned toward her husband in shock as if Paul had just resurrected from a tomb. She looked like she had been struck by lightning, her hands pressed against her mouth.“What nonsense is going on here?” Jude voiced out, turning towards Miriam, his face expectant of an explanation as he stood from kneeling. He couldn't imagine going on his knees before a destitute like Paul. “He is supposed to be behind bars, Miss. Zendaya. Are you aware that you are harboring an inmate?”“What an irony! Mr. Paul Leonard here is the CEO of the Imperial Society Syndicate and right now, you are nothing but a donkey trapped in the wilderness,” Miriam responded.Paul's mouth curved into a big
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There was a dead silence among the reporters as Jude mentioned that he had to make some confessions. They were all attentive because they knew that it was likely to be important news that would fill the front pages of the newspapers - cool money for them.Jude’s eyes darted back and front as he seemed to be considering his options. Making a public confession would ruin everything that he and his family had ever built? Perhaps he should have made a deal with Paul first before accepting to make a confession that could taint his dignity for the rest of his life.But what choice did he have. His last meeting with Paul didn’t seem like a friendly one. He could still feel the deep pain from the microchip on back of neck. Would he just succumb or was there one last bit of stunt he could pull.Jude looked at his wife - she didn’t look like someone who had ideas brimming on her head. They were doomed.“Mr. Bournemouth, it seems you have forgotten that you have confessions to make,” one of the
Triumph Of The Belittled Son-in-law CHAPTER 11
Paul Leonard got to Bivas group in a taxi. He didn’t want to start wearing luxurious clothes yet because he didn’t want to draw too much attention. Although, he dressed corporately, he didn’t want to look too different from the staff. Thankfully, he could now operate with more freedom because of Sarah and Jude’s confession. A lot of people still didn’t know that he was the CEO of the Imperial Society Syndicate and he wanted to keep it that way for as long as he could.Paul took a few steps back as he got into the company site. He was unable to take it all in at once and was awestruck at the sight of the impressive building - and to think it was just one of his many companies. He wondered when he was going to finally get used to being as wealthy as he was.“Take a seat young man,” Ms. Olivia, the receptionist, instructed Paul as he approached the reception desk. She didn’t know who Paul was and thought that he must be some person seeking for a cheap job.“Ma’am, I am not here for a j
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Shit!Paul clenched his fist in disappointment. That was his chance to get a lot of information about the secret informants in his company working for the Kazitanis. He was quite sure that Ms. Olivia was one of them or else why would she want him to carry out a secret task.He had to finally let her know his real identity and get his investigation started from her.“Ms. Olivia, I am afraid I was never here to find a job. I am actually the owner of this company.”Ms. Olivia snickered, her eyes glittered with malicious humor. “Like I said, I don’t have any task for you anymore. Just leave already and stop making a fool of yourself.”Paul proceeded to show Ms. Olivia his golden identity card. Such identity cards could only be owned by top dignitaries and personalities. “Here, take a look at this. I advice that you don’t press further than this or else you would get yourself in trouble,” Paul warned sternly as he showed Ms. Olivia the identity card.Ms. Olivia had had enough of Paul. She
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Back at the Winstons, Sarah got into her family manor after the terrible incident she had with the reporters. She wondered what would have become of her if she had been arrested. She thought about Jude Bournemouth. Perhaps she should never have meddled with any of the Bournemouths - Paul warned her but she didn’t listen.Sarah looked drained, her eyes dull and tired as she got into Lady Winston’s apartment. Her uncle, Thomas Winston and Frank Winston were having a discussion.“Hope your day went well, Mum,” She asked in a weary tune but noticed that they were ignoring her. She wondered what she had done. Maybe she was just overthinking it so she tried to get their attention by sitting close to them.“You shouldn’t be close to us at this time, we are having an important discussion,” Frank Winston sneered before letting out a low sigh.“Why shouldn’t I be here? I belong to this family as much as you do or am I missing something here? I don’t understand why there should be something disc
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Lady Winston narrowed her eyes. They were full of contempt as Sarah’s words reached her ears. “Sarah, since you have requested that I tell you what I think. Well, I will tell you.”She paused as if she remembered something. “But not yet…I don’t have time for you now. I have an important assignment for you tomorrow which you will know about when you get to work. When you return, there will be a meeting. We want you present because you are going to be one of the highlights of the meeting.”Sarah could smell trouble looming in the distance. Does she even have a chance with everyone against her?She went to her room and switched off the lights. She wanted to be in the dark because it helped her think better. She savoured the silence as she gazed at the ceiling.For the first time in a long while, there was no one she could talk with. Not Paul, Not Jude, no one! Perhaps she should call Jude, she thought.She picked up her phone and dialled his number but it went into voicemail.“Shit! I kn
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At Bivas’ group, Paul had a look of pity on Olivia. Even though they had started off on a poor note, she didn't have to experience her 8-year-old daughter on the brink of being kidnapped.Whoever must have made the phone call must be someone very close to her, he thought. A lot of questions were running through Paul’s mind as they got into his Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600.Olivia was stunned as she got into the vehicle. Goddammit! Was Paul really the owner of such a spectacle? She had never been inside such a vehicle in her life - heck, not even one half as beautiful as the one that she found herself.The leather upholstery was soft and simple, almost luxurious enough to magnet one to it. The lighting was soft and subtle, creating an endearing atmosphere. The carpets were pure velvety and as one walked in, it felt like being welcomed into paradise. Olivia turned her gaze to the controls of the vehicle. She wondered if it was the control of an aircraft or that of a vehicle.There was a gu
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Paul who was darting from side to side in confusion soon saw a figure in front of him. His ropes were cut off a lightning speed as he was escorted out of the hall by a figure.Paul gasped in shock when he saw the figure that had come to protect him.“Dane Michaelson?!” Paul gasped in surprise. “Is this you? What are you doing?”Dane Michaelson was Paul’s long-term friend and high schoolmate who had always been like a guardian angel to him. He always protected Paul from bullies when he was in high school and even had a young age, Dane Michaelson had impressive fighting skills that he used to defeat anyone who came across him to defy him or any of his friends. Paul learned a few fighting skills from Dane but their friendship was put to a halt when Dane had to travel far away for a scholarship. He promised that he was going to be back though and that he would always keep an eye on him.“I told you that I would be back for you, didn't I?” Dane spoke in a hurried tone, his words coming o
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He didn’t want Grandpa Leonard to suffer more than he already had and he was feeling as though he should have done more to protect Grandpa Leonard.Grandpa Leonard was also tied with bonds to the wheelchair and his face was set in a mask of grim determination as he endured the agony, his eyes narrowed with focus against the torrent of pain.“I am the head of the Imperial Society Syndicate, not him,” Pail spoke, trying to defend Grandpa Leonard.“Son, do not worry about me. This is not the time to speak of vain things,” Grandpa Leonard spoke sternly as if to tell Paul not to worry about him.The Red Witch erupted in a burst of laughter that echoed through the hall, her expression twisted into a malicious smile as she took pleasure in her evil deeds. It brought her so much joy to see Paul and Grandpa Leonard sit side-by-side and have their faces contorted with grief.Her smile curved into a malicious grin as she turned towards Paul. “Long time, no see Paul Leonard. Don’t tell me that yo
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Paul could hear their voices and it was mixed with laughter and merriment. The stench of alcohol filled the place and Paul was wondering if it was the same person that was tied to a chair that everyone was celebrating about.But there was something else that caught Paul’s interest. He kept hearing them call out a Red Witch. He had heard the word more than twice already since his eyes fluttered open and from the conversation that his ears were able to pick, it seemed as if the Red Witch wasn’t just an ordinary person.It could be one of their leaders, he thought. Or could it be the person that was assigned to kill him and render whatever punishment they had against him?Paul was suddenly shocked when he received a huge flow of water attacking him on his face. He spluttered and shuddered as his body shook violently, expelling the water from his lungs. His throat was constructed painfully as he tried to draw breath. He shook his face repeatedly so that the water could fall off his face a
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Sarah couldn’t help but defend herself. She wasn’t just going to keep quiet and allow things to happen to her. She had to speak up and defend herself, she thought.“I brought the antidote that is now the reason why you are alive. I suffered a lot and risked a lot to get the antidote. I had an agreement with Janet, Frank, and Thomas but they haven’t told me anything,” Sarah stammered in panic, her words tumbling out rapidly as she tried to explain herself. “I don’t deserve this treatment and I don’t understand why you have to force me here as if I shouldn’t be one of the partakers of the good things of Winston Corporation. If you knew what I did to get the antidote for you, you probably wouldn’t be treating me this way. What else do I have to do to prove that I deserve my previous position back.”Janet retorted. “Liar! Liar! You cannot get your previous position back. You are a rotten piece of dirt!l Janet retorted.”Janet was always upset by the fact that Sarah was desperate to get h
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Sarah’s voice was breaking because she wondered what she said that was wrong. “Y-e-s.”“What?!” Arianna fumed. “What exactly are you still doing at the inner chamber? You have already made the mistake of giving them the antidote but what business do you still have there?”“I just think that maybe they would—-” Sarah’s voice was breaking with tension.Arianna spoke over her in a loud frothing. “You think what exactly? What exactly do you think? Are you still delusional enough to think that Lady Winston would give you the requests that you asked for?”Arianna’s tone was insistent and her expression furious as she rendered a warning. “What exactly are you still there for when they have already shown you the writing on the wall? Oh my goodness!”“You had better start running away from there because if the history of your family’s wickedness is anything to go by, then it won’t be long until they arrest you and even do much worse to you than they wanted to do before. Do you think Lady Winst
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Arianna’s voice was tinged with a hint of unease as she tried to communicate her fears. “Doctor Lopez? Wait, don’t tell me that you tried to get the antidote from him to help Lady Winston.”Sarah bit her lips again because she didn’t know how to answer the question. “That’s exactly what I did,” she finally spoke out.“My goodness!” Arianna spoke out loud, her voice ringing with a loud echo from the phone as she conveyed her disappointment. “I thought that Paul already gave you a new and improved job. What happened that would make you go back to the same mess that you were coming from.”“I just couldn’t find it comfortable there. I couldn’t stop thinking about Winston Corporation. I thought that I felt at home at Winston Corporation,” Sarah attempted to justify herself, her voice faltering because she realized the fault in her argument.“Can you even listen to yourself?” Arianna seethed, her voice rising with a cold anger and tinged with disappointment. “You are somehow trying to justi
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“Do you really think that I will listen to her deceits? She has seen that Paul can do no good for her and now she wants to return to where she made a life. Oh, how foolish does she think we would be.”“In any case, I am glad that she came right into our hands because now she will get the punishment that she escaped narrowly before. Who would have thought that she would come right under our nose so easily for us to dismantle her.”Janet's cheek flushed with happiness as she smiled brightly, her eyes shining with excitement.Of course, neither she nor her brothers had the intention of fulfilling the pact that they had with Sarah. They were all trying to get the antidote and now that Lady Winston was back in a healthy condition, they could do away with Sarah. In fact, Frank and Thomas especially were expecting Lady Winston not to suspend the punishment that she had earlier placed on her.“Come to think of it. Where is she now? Where did she go? “ Lady Winston asked. They all turned the
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She recalled that she had forgotten the gun that Arianna gave to her in Doctor Lopez’s office. That gun was the evidence that was going to stand against her if Doctor Lopez died. Her mind started reeling with desperate thoughts. What if she had committed murder all for nothing? Was she going to lose on both ends? How long was she going to keep foolishly trusting her family to back her up and then proving that they were always going to stab her in the back?An investigation was going to be carried out into what happened with Doctor Lopez, she reasoned. They were going to trace it to her and tell Paul about it. She couldn't imagine how disgusted Paul was going to feel to learn that she had betrayed him even much more intentionally this time.The inner chamber had high ceilings adorned with intricate carvings. The walls were lined with tapestries and brilliant decorations conveying a sense of power and prestige. Frank and Thomas led Lady Winston until she reclined on a sumptuous chair
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Lady Winston soon spoke, her words drowned with fatigue and her speech slow and deliberate as she feigned an extra bit of tiredness. “Hello everyone. I appreciate that you have all come here to witness this moment. I appreciate all those whose prayers and thoughts have been with me.”“But as you can see, I am recovering from a very delicate condition that would require that I have a long rest so I will be accompanied by my family - Frank, Thomas, Estevan, and Janet who I am sure must have been working day and night to ensure that I am back to normalcy.”The employees all erupted in applause, their faces contorted with nervousness as they gradually returned to their duty posts.Sarah’s expression was glazed, her eyes unfocused and her mouth hanging slightly open as she stared blankly, her features slack with confusion. Her haze was disoriented as she stared back and forth, her expression clouded with confusion and uncertainty. The applause was like a torment to her because it was cons
