As soon as I reached the living area, there I found both of them talking to the cops. Perhaps it has something to do with the assassination case. I haven't heard any words from gramps about it since then.
Amongst us in the safe house, gramps is the one who needs everything under control. He doesn't want to be the last person to know about this and that thing. Not to mention those furious reporters outside that he only simply ignores. Perhaps he already filled them what they need to know. But reporters always love more. They always find anyone to get their source of the news. And that would be me as their main source. Good thing I simply ignored them. "Mom, what's going on?" I ask the second they see me approaching the living area. The cops immediately moved out of their seats and bowed before me to extend their greetings. What confuses me the most is when they grabbed a few things from the table in front of them. "I think we're done here, officers." Gramps moves out of his seat and bows to them. "Thank you so much for all your hard work on solving the case." The two cops immediately took off as though they were afraid I might ask them a question about the case since it was all about me. "Is everything all right?" I intentionally raised my voice to make sure mom or gramps would tell me what was certainly going on with the cops who just disappeared like thin air when I arrived. "The cops are here to inform us that they already found the culprits of the attempted assassination." gramps confessed. "What?" part of me felt at ease when I am starting to get worried about going outside if the culprits are still out there. "Where are they now? Did they confess about the reason they want to kill me?" "The cops said they were simply random attacks, honey." mum explained. "you don't have to worry about getting out anymore. The cops already confirmed that." John recognized those who wants to kill me back in the hospital as far as I could remember. Perhaps, if he can see those people, he can confirm it to the cops. When that would be the case, I will only feel safe then. "Get ready tomorrow, Malia. The official announcement about your appointment will be sealed tomorrow. We must move forward. I have a few out-of-the-country appointments the day after that." "Dad, isn't it too early for Malia to fill her dad's position?" mom debated. And I somehow know why she wants to. She's only concerned about my well-being since the position is too prominent for me to handle. "Are you afraid of having the position, Malia?" Gramps raised his voice. "Your dad died protecting that position. I believed he already equipped you with everything you need to know since he always brings you to his appointments." Before I could let out a word, I remembered what Uncle Robin once told me last night - that once I agree with the promotion, there will be no days that I couldn't feel being choked. He told me that it was the same thing that happened to dad while protecting gramps' businesses. And that there will be no turning back once I sealed the deal. "No. I'm not afraid of the position, gramps." I uttered back. "And it will be an honor to lead your businesses. I want to accept the challenge. However, in one condition, though." Gramps suddenly chuckled. "Did your dad tells you about negotiating when I offered you the position?" "No." he looked me sharply in the eye, so I gave him back the favor. "Once I become the president, I don't want you to interrupt my decisions in life, especially when it comes to my..." My words were cut off when Uncle Robin appeared in the living area and uttered, "Love life. Do you think dad will approve of that poor man?" he then burst out laughing. Mom and I exchanged bothered glances when we both knew Uncle Robin always have his hidden agenda every time he interrupted our future endeavors. He hates dad to the deepest part of his heart, brain, and soul. And because dad is a family to me and mom, his hatred involves us already. That's why he doesn't want me to have the position. "Our family is in extreme crisis right now," he added. "No matter where she goes, eyes and ears also followed. Don't tell me those eager reporters back there haven't asked any of you regarding John Mcwell?" "So, what do you suggest?" gramps asked Uncle Robin. "The rumor will only disappear when someone takes over the position. I'm afraid that was what the reporters want to know - if Malia married a poor man and that his grandfather didn't do anything about it." He dropped his butt on the couch next to mom before he grabbed the newspaper from the table. "The family hasn't announced the final appointment yet, dad. We still have time to fix the issue. Hand over the position to me even for a few months. And once the issue is subdued, I'll voluntarily step down from the position." Gramps heaved a profound sigh while being put into silence. I know he was thinking about Uncle Robin's advice. And perhaps he is considering it. Our family is not just ordinary ones whom the press would let go of that easily every time issues arise. They will continue digging until they could rich the deepest of my past - the time when I framed John for a crime he did not commit. "Fine. I'll agree with you, Uncle Robin." I uttered. "Good!" he exclaims. "That's our little girl. Don't worry, I'm not gonna let the company put you in a tough position." "But on one condition though." I know uncle Robin is a smart wolf. He always plans two steps ahead of us. That was one of the things dad advised me when he was still alive. "And that could be what?" he asked, partly disinterested. Gramps and mom crawled their curious gaze at me when they could not believe I agreed to hand over the position dad has been protecting for years. "You'll only serve as my interim for two months. People will not take a look at the documents to be signed during the inauguration. So, I want that to be included in the affidavit. Or else you can never get the chance to step into dad's office." It's the least I could do to make sure the company will be safe from him. Uncle Robin craved the position for years. But because gramps chose dad and me to serve the position, there will be no chance for him to experience it. I believed that once I could serve the position for another thirty years, Uncle Robin might be dead by the time I stepped down. "So, what do you think?" I added."Don't forget to bring those with you, Miss Spencer!" Uncle Romnick added. He pointed a finger toward the table. "Relax, Uncle Romnick," I said in a calm tone, trying to take control of the situation. "How can I get relax, John." Uncle Romnick insisted. "Our enemies are here. And we are caught by surprise. We let our guards down." Without hesitation, Cecelia sprung into action. She swiftly gathered all the essential documents and pieces of evidence we had been examining, carefully concealing them from prying eyes. "I'll be hiding in the guest room." Cecelia cut us in. As she disappeared into the shadows, I followed Uncle Romnick, making our way toward the main door. With a touch of apprehension, we opened the door cautiously, revealing Don Lucas and Malia standing before us. Although I already knew the purpose of their visit, I could not let them suspect that this villa truly belonged to me. Taking a deep breath, I masked my true intentions and put on a c
"I would like to apologize for the inconvenience, Mr. Roland. Let's go, John." Uncle Romnick bent half of his body toward Roland and his parents. Then he tried to drag me out of the room but I dodged him. "Are you challenging me right now, huh, Roland?" I scoffed with confidence while glancing at them, one by one. I groped my phone in my pocket and dialed Cecelia's digits which confused Roland and his parents. "How about canceling the European expansion?" "What are you doing?" Cecelia said from the other line of the phone. Good thing I did not put the call on speaker so no one could hear it apart from me. "Yes. It happens that I am confronting Roland in front of his parents for the five million dollar scheme but he denied it despite the evidence we have. Is that the kind of person are you going to be part of Mr. Stevenson's business?" Everyone's eyes, especially Roland's dilated in disbelief. He even tried to snatch the phone from me but I refused to give it to
"Are you sure about involving them in this case, John?" Uncle Romnick asked, his voice laced with doubts while looking at Chris and his friend from head to toe. "I mean, this is a crucial case in your life." I cannot blame Uncle Romnick to feel that way. He still doesn't know a thing about Chris and his hacker friend. I once informed him and Cecelia back at my office when we hired someone to be the fake Mr. Stevenson. But we already reached this far. Chris and his friend already know my secret and I was amazed by how they achieved a mission without any trace. So, keeping them on my side will be the best thing to do. Chris and I already sealed a deal that he will serve me until I say so. And their skills are one-of-a-kind. ''They are here to help us, Uncle Romnick." I smiled at them to lessen the tension. "And besides, I have something on them if they are going to betray me." Chris and his friend were taken aback in disbelief. Though it was simply a bluff, the
"I'm so sorry, John." Finally, some dare to speak up. However, it was neither Dad nor Mom but Uncle Romnick. Cecelia and I exchanged confused glances when we realized it was just the two of us who seemed to be unaware of what was currently going on. "Perhaps this is the result of what I did behind your back," he added, his voice sounding desperate and regretful. "Did I do something wrong to you in the past that I am not aware of, Unce Romnick?" I said back. "Was my monthly allowance not enough for you to betray me?" I tried to stay calm as much as possible but my nerves are showing the other way around. So I grasped the metal bars of the cell I was in to minimize the trembling of my nerves. One thing that I hate the most about trusting people is when they stab me behind my back. I already learned my lesson after what happened to me five years ago. That is why up to these days, I only limit those people who I talk and share my day with. And that includes Unc
Malia may have shown her tough side but I feel her heart was also in excruciating pain. She barely looks me in the eye even if my glace at her is quite obvious. It means to me that she still has feelings for me even if she was already married to Roland. So am I to her. Unfortunately, our love is not enough, and was bonded by a lie. As Cecelia and I left Don Lucas' dinner, the weight of her actions weighed heavily on my mind. I couldn't help but express my frustration as we started our journey back to my place. The car ride was filled with an awkward silence, punctuated only by the faint sound of the radio playing softly in the background. "Cecelia," I began, my voice tinged with disappointment. "I did not expect you to go that far tonight. Announcing our relationship in front of everyone, it's just... it felt like too much." Cecelia sighed, her gaze fixed on the passing city lights. "I'm really sorry, John, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. It's just t
Don Lucas, who was sitting next to us, coughed all of a sudden. He quickly regained his composure and asked, "Why? Did something happen, Malia?" Malia glanced at Roland with her eyes sharp. "Well, my beloved husband didn't spend a single cent before and after our one-week honeymoon. His credit cards kept getting declined every time we pay something." The room went silent as we all caught up in the middle of absorbing Malia's shocking revelation. Then Cecelia and I exchanged glances, our mouths agape in disbelief. Not that I was trying to tease Roland. However, I couldn't help myself from bursting out laughing, finding the situation incredibly amusing. "I'm sorry for laughing," I said, trying to compose myself. "It's just that I find it hard to believe that a billionaire's son does not have anything on his credit cards. Perhaps he already maximizes his credit limits. It happens sometimes, right?" Malia suddenly gave me a stern look, clearly not amused by my reaction. But despite h