Easton had the mindset that Nathan Stratford and Ethan worked hand in hand to safeguard their company. He didn’t know they both had different agenda and it came as a shock to him when he realised that.
“Why didn’t you tell me this long ago?”
“I apologize sir. I only found out recently…”
“Damn! Listen to yourself. I make everything available and at your disposal to enable you carry out this task without mistakes and missing out any single details and you say this nonsense to me. I will sound it as a note of warning to you. Go and find out everything, everything I say! Leave no stone unturned, is that clear?”
“Yes sir.”
Amon had come to accept fate and remained only friends with Nelly. But that didn’t save him from being in Emma’s bad books. She treated him in the same cold and aloof manner she did with Neuer.
It was weekend and the trio, Amon, Nelly and Emma were at the beach, having fun. Before that day, they always went in Amanda’s company but Amanda had left them for her newly found boyfriend. He was all that mattered to her now.
“Why do you like coming to the beach?” Emma asked no one in particular. Nelly turned to her. She was the only one Emma could ask such question but she didn’t have any answer to give her. She didn’t even like coming to the beach often. Emma repeated her question, this time, she directed it to the person it was aimed at.
“Why do you like coming to the beach, Mr Amon?”
Amon looked at her in surprise. This was the first time Emma initiated a conversation with him.
“I come here to escape from my troubles and hard realities of life,” he said within.
“Well, I like the view. It’s beautiful and it helps me to relax. Look around you, nature is beautiful and relaxing too,” he said aloud.
“Just that?” Emma probed as if she had expected a different answer from the one he gave.
“That’s the primary and most important one. The view is great, the air, and of course, the snacks we eat here,” Amon finished with a smile on his face. Emma smiled as well. Nelly just kept quiet, watching them both. It brought warmth to her heart to hear Emma initiate a conversation with Amon. She wished it would happen more often. She too didn’t understand her own daughter and her strange ways.
A notification popped up on Amon’s phone.
‘It’s time to carry out the final plan. Get rid of them as soon as possible.’
When he looked up from his phone, he met Nelly’s warm eyes. She smiled sweetly at him and he smiled back. Then he shifted his gaze to Emma. She looked at him with cold piercing eyes and a face devoid of expression, making it difficult to detect her current mood. If Emma were an adult, he could have sworn she knew something about him or something about that message but she was just a three year old! Amon read the message again and deleted it from his phone.
Ethan grinned and got up from his swivel chair. The name of the glass bar read ‘Ethan Startford, the CEO of Jace group.’
He folded the papers that were on his table and neatly placed them inside an envelope. When he came outside the building, his driver was already waiting for him in the car. He smiled again. It felt so good to be in power. He wanted more and was going to get it all.
“To the Stratford mansion,” he instructed the driver.
The car came to a halt in front of the Startford mansion after twenty minutes drive and Ethan alighted. He hurried up the stairs and knocked on Nathan’s door.
“Who’s at the door?” Nathan called form inside.
“It’s Ethan, dad.”
“Come in.”
Ethan entered upon invitation and cast a discrete glance across the room. It looked a bit scattered and there were files on the bed.
“Are you looking for alternatives? Do you think there’s a way out?”
Nathan had no smile on his face. He looked stressed and drained. He was tired; tired of both seen and unseen hands fighting for his company. He had no one to run to and the worst was that his own son rebelled against him too.
“Have you decided to do as I said, father?” Ethan continued.
Nathan glared at him with hate and anger.
“You hopeless idiot! How dare you speak to me like that. I will fight for Stratford to the last drop of my blood. I will never give it to you! Never!”
“Interesting. I think I like it more when you act though. But before you do, take a few minutes to see what I’ve got ,” Ethan said with sarcasm as he raised the envelope in his hands.
“And what’s that nonsense?”
“Nonsense? Oh yeah! It’s nonsense but I guess it will cease to be when you take a look. Here, see for yourself.” Ethan stood up from his chair and placed the papers in front of Nathan. The frown on Nathan’s face increased when he read the contents on the first page. Before he could talk, Ethan cut in.
“Maybe you have to explain in details where the funds from Tae jun enterprise went to.”
Nathan’s heart stopped beating for a second. How did Ethan find out? Twenty years ago, he had engaged in embezzlement and siphoning of public funds. The government had investigated the case, promised a handsome reward to anyone who would find the culprits to no avail. Nathan and his counterparts had covered their tracks so well. For twenty years, the secret was safe. How them did Ethan find out? Nathan put up a brave face and asked.
“What are you talking about? Which enterprise is that?”
“Ahaa. Don’t play cool with me, father. Check the fifth page of the papers before you. There is a concrete proof.”
Nathan shuffled the pages and was soon at the fifth. Sure enough, Ethan wasn’t telling lies.
“I have more. But this is just the first. Are you prepared to sign the papers now? Will you make Stratford my sole property or you want these secrets to come to light?”