The next morning, Chris received a text message from James. He got out of bed and went to carry out his chores and made breakfast before he left the house while driving his old electric scooter.
His destination was the same restaurant he had gone to meet James the previous day. Upon his arrival, he found James seated at the same table but this time around he wasn't alone.
Seated next to James was a young man who looked to be in his mid twenties.
“You're late.” James queried as Chris sat right in front of him.
“Unlike someone who always has everything prepared for him every morning, I on the other hand had chores that must be attended to.” Chris retorted with a sarcastic smile.
“I never knew your life had become so miserable. Who would have imagined that a warlord like yourself would become a houseboy?” James remarked and sipped the coffee in front of him.
“Tell me about it.” Chris said nonchalantly and pointed at the young man sitting next to James. “Who is he?”
“This is Ethan. He was one of our most talented newly recruited members and he is going to be your escort from now on.” James responded curtly
“Since when do I need a babysitter?”
“Please, at this point you might've become more proficient in using a broomstick than firing a gun.” James said jokingly, teasing Chris.
“You will be surprised to see what damage I can do when welding a kitchen knife.” Chris retorted.
“Anyways I heard that you have come into an agreement with your family so I thought you might need someone to help run errands that you don't want to get involved in.” He said and stood up from his seat. “I'll take my leave now. I'm sure you boys will get along.”
Chris eyebrows widened in surprise “Is that it? I thought you texted me to come because you had something important to talk about.”
James smiled at the words Chris uttered. “I need to return to the border to oversee the situation so I just wanted to see you before leaving.” He explained before walking out of the restaurant.
*****
After his meeting with James, Chris dismissed Ethan first before heading straight to Pegasus Enterprise.
He rode on his scooter for thirty minutes.
Soon he arrived at the high rising building Pegasus Enterprise which was located in the central business district of Brooklyn. It was the most imposing and intimidating structure standing amidst the other building in the area.
Suddenly, the atmosphere was engulfed by the sound of a roaring engine. Chris turned to look at the directions and saw an sleek and expensive sports car approaching him. It was an Audi R8 sports car!
The car stopped a few feets away from Chris and the driver stuck his head out of the vehicle and shouted at him “Hey you, Get your piece of junk from that spot. I want to park my car in that space.”
Chris was taken by surprise by the demand of the car driver. The driver was a middle aged man, dressed in an expensive, new suit and it was very obvious that he was arrogant due to his wealthy status.
It was a hassle to get involved with such people so he just turned around and continued walking away from the scene.
Obviously, the car driver was stunned by how Chris had completely ignored him. He felt insulted to be treated in such a humiliating manner by someone of lower caliber than him.
As a result, he stepped out of his vehicle and briskly marched towards Chris. “You….Are you deaf? How dare you walk away when I'm talking to you, piece of trash! I told you to move that junk away from that spot.”
Chris silently groaned as he realized that it wasn't going to be easy to deal with as he presumed. “Why should I listen to you? As far as I'm concerned that parking spot doesn't have your name. I was the one who parked on the spot first so you should go look for somewhere else to park your car.”
“You damn bastard. Do you even realize who you are even talking to right now? I have the power to have you thrown out of this compound.” the car driver boasted.
Chris became intrigued by the words of the arrogant young lad standing in front of him. He began to wonder what was the position of the car driver but he knew that he wasn't just an ordinary low level employee.
“I'm giving you one last chance now to get that scooter out of my way or else don't blame me for what I'm going to do next..” the car driver said with a smug expression in his face
“No, I won't remove my scooter from that space so do you our worst!” Chris replied, his lip curling to form a daring smile.
The young man became enraged. He turned around and walked back to where the Scooter was parked. Under Chris' watchful gaze, he used his leg to push the scooter to the ground with a heavy voice, repeatedly stepping and kicking the scooter.
The smile on Chris' face instantly vanished after seeing what happened to his scooter.
“I warned you not to mess with me.” The car driver said to Chris with a disdainful regard on face. “Now, come and take this trash away from this place.”
In rage, Chris walked closer to the young man and slapped him across the face.
The young man fell to the ground, blood gushing out of his nose and his mouth swollen.
“You f**cking bastard! Just you wait. My father is the general manager of this company. I'm going to make you regret this!” The car driver swore and dialed a number on his phone
Meanwhile, the commotion had already drawn the attention of a security guard that was stationed at the parking lot. The group of the security guards stationed at the parking lot soon arrived at the scene.
Today was important for all the employees at Pegasus Enterprise because the new chairman was arriving for the first time today. As a result, every security officer was resolved to make sure everything was in order. The security guard had a shocked expression on his face when he saw what happened. As soon as he saw the bleeding car driver he recognized him as the son of Pegasus Enterprise general manager, Mark Collins “Sir Mark, are you alright?” in a concerned tone the guards hurriedly rushed to help Mark get back to his feet. “Where the hell have you idiot been?” Mark groaned while covering his bleeding nose. Being scolded by Mark made The security guard frown. He fixed his furious gaze at Chris, seeing how poorly dressed he was in cheap outfits gave the security officer the free pass to look down on him and shouted, “What do you think you’re doing? How dare you cause a ruckus on Pegasus Enterprise ground?! Apologize to sir, Mark right this instant?” “Shouldn't you be asking me
The security guards were taken aback by Elliot’s action and wondered if he had gone senile. Although they hadn't met the chairman yet but they believed he couldn't be Chris who was dressed as a poor beggar.“Mr. Brown, I think you're mistaken. This person isn't the chairman. He's just a hoodlum causing trouble in our company and we were just about to chase him out.” The head of security tried to explain.A frown immediately appeared on Elliot’s face. He raised back up and kicked the head of the security guards on his knees. “Fool! How dare you call the Chairman a hoodlum. Do you wish to die! Is this how you morons have been running this company all along?” He yelled.All the security officers instantly froze in shock as if a bucket of cold water had just been dropped on them. Was this person truly the chairman? The same person whom they were about to beat up.It was a situation that was hard to believe but seeing Elliot’s reaction they all couldn't help but believe that he was speaking
Initially, they had assumed that the company now belonged to the Brown family since they were sending a member of their family to manage the operation of the company. However, it turns out that wasn't the case and it made them even began to wonder about Chris identity.“Mr. Brown, you are mistaken. This is person surely can't be the chairman.” Anthony said with a scoff and continued speaking. “He is just a lowly scum that trespassed into our compound and dated to assault our employees. I'll ……”Anthony was unable to complete his sentence before he was slapped across the face by Elliot..“You are such a dumb imbecile! Like father like son. We don't need fools like you work in this company. If there's any thrash that needs to be thrown out it's both you and your son!” Elliot shouted and turned to look at security officers. “Get rid of them and make sure that they don't ever step foot into this company again.” He declared without mercy.Anthony felt like a bucket of cold water was dropped
Elliot swallowed the saliva in his mouth. The longer the conversation becomes the more Chris seems more scary. It had only been a day but it was easy for him to gather enough background information about him. Chris took his cellphone and placed it on the desk. “Have a look at it!” Hesitantly, Elliot moved closer to the desk to pick up the phone. Another bombshell was dropped on him as soon as he read the contents on the phone. “Sir, this…..this is.” “Yes, they are a series of evidence of the recent embezzlement that some of your older cousins have committed in the past few years. I'm sure that you also have a bigger dream and it would be easy to bring down many of your competitors with that evidence in your hand.” “However, it's not for free. I know they must have given you a private mission to keep a close watch on me. It is not possible to keep a mole next to me so I am going to give you a chance to choose who you wish to serve from this moment onward.” Elliot was flustered a
The Carters owned several fancy, modern homes in some of Brooklyn’s exquisite areas and several members of the family had occupied these homes. Unlike these people, Eva and her parents lived in much older buildings and farther away. As a result, it always took Eva a longer period of time to commute to work everyday compared to her other relatives who lived closer to the business district. Seeing that Eva was ignoring him with an aloof expression, Eric was infuriated and became more aggressive.“Tsk…You should just quit if you no longer have any interest in working anymore. Personally, I would prefer that you wouldn't step foot inside this company ever again. Your family has become a terrible stigma to the reputation of our family so it's best we just get rid of you.” “I suggest that it's best if you stay at home taking care of your crippled father and play housewife to that loser. Leave management of the company to the rest of us. Don't worry, you'll keep receiving your annuals d
After leaving Pegasus Enterprise,Chris went around town running some simple errands so he returned back to the Carter residence at night. As soon as he walked into the house, he saw his mother-in-law, Kate seated on the sofa with a bag of chips in her hands while his father-in-law was busy watching the TV. “Where the hell have you been all day? I have been starving and have resorted to munching a bag of chips. Is this how you plan to get rid of me?” Kate challenged Chris in an impatient tone, her expression disgruntled in irritation. “I'm really sorry, mom. I didn't mean to take so long before coming back but I had so many important matters to take care of.” “Save it!” Kate snapped, waving her hand at Chris' face. “I don't wish to hear the silly excuses you have. Besides, what Kind of business could a bum like you possibly have to deal with outside. Are you trying to starve us to death? No wonder everyone calls you a good for nothing when you can even properly take care of a si
As he walked back downstairs, he pulled out his cell phone and dialed Ethan's phone number. “I have a job for you. I need you to find out everything about Carlos and the Red Lounge Club." he said in a firm tone. “Chris I asked you to call down Eva, what's taking her so long to get here?” Lydia yelled as soon as she saw Chris walking down the stairs alone. “Are you so useless that you can't carry out such a simple task?” “I already did call her, mom. She is going to be down in a minute.” Chris replied. “Did you do something wrong to her?...What could possibly be keeping her from coming down instantly?....I won't forgive you if you really did something to her.” Kate continued ranting. “Calm down, Kate. You are being paranoid now.” Bruce remarked finding Kate's loud tantrum very annoying. She was always screaming at the top of her lungs and seizing every opportunity to lash out at Chris. Kate was about to lash out at Bruce as well but she kept her mouth shut as soon as she c
Eva was frustrated but she had no choice but to comply with Carlo’s ridiculous request. Therefore she collected the drink and downed it all in one go. “Are you happy now?” She said in a rhetorical tone. “Very good, miss Carter.” Carlo laughed as he was in a pleasant mood. “When are you going to make the payment for your rent? It's very clear that your business is running smoothly so money won't be a problem” “I don't understand what you are saying Miss Carter because I recalled paying a certain amount of money before acquiring this place and I also have a contract that states that I wouldn't be bothered about any further payment for the next five years.” Eva gulped hard after hearing Carlo's response. Every word that he said was indeed true and this was as a result of Eric's stupidity for signing such a contract in an intoxicated state. “Mr. Carlo, I understand your words but do you think that perhaps we can make some adjustments to the contract. We both know that renting thi
As Chris drove toward the Carter family’s new residence, the tension in the car was palpable. Chris’s jaw was set, his thoughts churning. He knew where they lived—it wasn’t hard to find—but confronting them so directly was a calculated risk.When he arrived, the mansion loomed in quiet grandeur, its façade belying the chaos within. Benjamin Carter himself opened the door, his expression shifting from surprise to unease as he recognized Chris.“You…,” Benjamin began cautiously, surprised to see Chris alone at their house. The last time Chris paid a visit to the Carter ended up becoming a tragic incident for the Carters. “What brings you here?”Chris didn’t respond, brushing past him into the house. Benjamin, caught off guard, quickly closed the door and followed him into the living room.Elliot lingered near the entrance, his posture relaxed but vigilant. Benjamin was surprised to see Elliot as well. “Mr…Mr Brown….” He stuttered, casting him a wary glance, noticing the subtle differen
Chris knew that his peaceful life with Eva would surely be disrupted. He could put Eva and her loved ones in a lot of danger. Moreover, leaving now, with Eva dealing with the Carter situation, felt equally impossible as he didn't want to leave her unprotected.“Sir?” Ethan’s voice broke through his thoughts. “What are your orders?”Chris hesitated, his voice betraying the conflict he felt. “Stay on this and keep me updated. I need to think.”“Understood, sir,” Ethan said, his tone respectful. “And for what it’s worth, I know how much sir, James means to you. We’ll do everything we can to bring him back.”Chris ended the call and sat in silence for a long moment. The thought of James—strong, unyielding James—being captured felt like a punch to the gut. But the thought of leaving Eva behind, especially now, felt just as wrong. He was at a crossroads, and no matter which path he chose, the stakes were unbearably high.---Eva, meanwhile, sat at her desk, trying to focus on the tasks in
Chris kept his focus on the road, but his thoughts repeatedly drifted to Eva seated beside him. Her gaze was distant, her fingers nervously fiddling with the strap of her handbag. He could tell the morning's encounter with the Carters was weighing heavily on her.After a few moments of silence, Chris spoke, his voice calm and steady. “Eva, I know it’s a lot to process, but you don’t have to keep it all bottled up. Talk to me.”Eva sighed and shifted in her seat. “It’s just… they showed up out of nowhere. Again. It’s exhausting, Chris. I keep wondering why now, why after all these years?”Chris glanced at her briefly before returning his eyes to the road. “People like the Carters often realize the value of what they’ve lost only when it’s too late. But you don’t owe them anything, Eva. Not an explanation, not a second chance—nothing.”Eva shook her head, frustration creeping into her tone. “It’s not that simple. They’re still my family, even if they’ve hurt me. And now with them grovel
Benjamin quickly intervened, his tone desperate. “Please, Eva, don’t let his foolish words ruin this. I’m truly sorry for everything. I know I failed you, and I failed Bruce. We should have stood by you instead of casting you out. Please, give us a chance to make things right.”“I don't think everyone agrees with the motive of apologizing for your wrongdoings so I can't believe that your apologies are sincere.” Bruce remarked.Benjamin turned to Eric, his expression hardening. “Eric,” he said, his voice stern. “You owe them an apology.”Eric's usually confident demeanor was gone, replaced by a nervous energy that made him look small and uncertain. Benjamin turned to him, his expression hardening.Eric’s eyes darted between Eva, Kate, and Bruce. “I—”“Now,” Benjamin commanded.Eric swallowed hard, his gaze finally landing on Eva. “I’m sorry,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper.Eva’s eyes narrowed. “Sorry? For what, exactly?”“For everything,” Eric said, his voice shaking. “For
Benjamin hesitated, taking in the luxurious yet understated decor that surrounded them. This was Chris’s doing—he could see it in every detail. The man had built a fortress, a sanctuary for Eva and her family.They were foolish to not have recognized his talent and worth all these years that had him living amongst them.“I came to apologize,” Benjamin said, his voice steady despite the storm of emotions inside him. “To you, to your family. And... to make things right.”Kate let out a bitter laugh. “Make things right? That’s rich, coming from you. Do you think showing up here with an apology is enough to undo everything you’ve done?”“I don’t,” Benjamin admitted, his gaze dropping to the floor. “But I had to try. I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness, but I need you to hear me out.”Eva folded her arms, studying him with a cold, calculating gaze. “Then speak.”Benjamin could see that it was impossible to get through Eva judging by the cold stare in her eyes. He stepped forward. “Bruc
As the night deepened, Eric and the two representatives sat in their car, the weight of their desperation growing heavier with each passing moment. They had hoped that Eva would still come out of the building as they didn't want to admit that she could be living in such an expensive mansion.However, it finally dawned upon them that Eva wasn't coming out after waiting for several hours. Eric felt bitter as it pained him to see that Eva was living the life of luxury….. the kind he always dreamed about.The Carter's drove back home in subtle silence and even though nothing was said the other representative could feel Eric burning rage but the main problem was thinking about how Benjamin would react when he heard the news of their discovery.****The Morning sunlight streamed through the windows of the luxurious mansion, casting a golden glow over the spacious interiors. Eva had just finished her breakfast and was preparing to leave for work when she noticed something unusual. From the l
Eva returned home that evening, her mind clouded with thoughts of the Carters' audacious behavior earlier that day. The memory of Eric's arrogant tone and his entitlement grated on her nerves, but she was determined not to let it ruin her evening. She stepped into the warm, inviting ambiance of the mansion, finding Chris seated in the living room, a glass of wine in hand and an air of calm about him.“Welcome back,” Chris greeted, his voice soft as he looked up at her. His sharp eyes immediately noted the tension in her posture. “Rough day?”Eva exhaled and sat down beside him, kicking off her heels. “You could say that,” she replied, leaning back against the plush cushions. “The Carters were at Cross Corporation again today.”Chris’s hand tightened slightly around his glass, though he kept his expression neutral. “What did they want this time?”“They were begging for a meeting,” Eva said, shaking her head. “I refused to see them, but they didn’t leave. They waited in the reception ar
As the Carters waited in the reception area of Cross Corporation, the tension in the air was palpable. Time seemed to crawl as they sat in near silence, the occasional murmur of distant phone calls and the soft hum of the building’s air conditioning system providing little comfort. Eric, his hands clenched into tight fists, could hardly sit still. The humiliation of being here—forced to beg for forgiveness from Eva, a woman who had once been part of their family, yet now was their greatest obstacle—was eating away at him. Every minute that ticked by felt like an eternity. The receptionist, efficient and unfazed by their presence, had told them that Eva was unavailable. That alone was enough to set Eric’s nerves on edge. Alan, the other representative accompanying him, tried to keep the peace, suggesting they wait patiently. “This is our only shot, Eric,” he said quietly. “We can't afford to make things worse.” But Eric was past the point of patience. The weight of their family's ru
The incident at the Carter residence had left a trail of rumors and whispers that had quickly spread through the high society of Brooklyn. Every elite family, once rivals or allies of the Carters, now speculated about the cause of the downfall. But no one dared to point fingers at the one responsible, especially not at Chris, the lowly son-in-law. After all, who would ever suspect a man living under another family’s roof? Yet, beneath the surface, Chris was the mastermind behind the fall of two once-proud families—the Ambroses and the Carters.Days had passed since the fall of the Carter family, and their reputation, once untouchable, was now a shadow of its former self. Their vast wealth had been seized by the banks, leaving them with nothing more than a dilapidated Victorian house to call home. Benjamin, the patriarch of the Carter family, sat in the small living room of their new residence, surrounded by his relatives. The room was filled with heavy silence, as each person seemed l