He cleared his throat and looked first at the shoes of the intruder. The shoes were expensive designer shoes and looked somewhat familiar. Before he could look up to see who it was, the person sat down beside him. It was his first son, Lucien.
“Who do you want to kill next, dad?”
“Lucien! How dare you eavesdrop on my conversation!”
“I didn’t eavesdrop. I merely overheard because you were not careful. Now, I have heard what you are talking about. What do I get to keep sealed lips? The rest of your property?”
“To hell with you! Everything I have has been handed over to Ivan. You all deprived his late father, Fredrick of his rightful possession. Do you think I’ll let you do same to his poor offspring?”
“That’s no business or mine. That possession is my birthright! My inheritance! You handed it over to some losuy grand son of yours. Your possession or I’ll tell the whole world that you are a threat to people’s lives as well as a murderer.”
“And who’s threatening grandfather?” an authoritative voice spoke from the door. Both of them turned and saw Ivan standing at the door with his arms folded across his masculine chest. Suddenly, Lucien’s palms became sweaty and his knees knocked against each other.
“Have you suddenly lost your tongue?” Ivan continued as he walked proudly into the room. Lucien was way older than Ivan but the fear of Ivan was the beginning of wisdom. He was the biggest and most powerful CEO in the country and he built the company himself and out of nothing. No sane person dared to provoke him.
“I am the lousy grandson you want to contend with, right? Are you sure you want to do this? You want to drag with me, what belongs to me? Huh?”
“No.. not at all. I was merely joking.”
“Interesting. You were joking when you called me lousy and when you said my possession is your inheritance?”
“Common Ivan… you know we are family and.. and.. we…”
Ivan laughed loudly. He was enjoying his intimidating personality and the older man’s discomfort.
“We have suddenly become family. Be gone this instant and let me never hear a word of what happened here outside. If you dare breath a word of it to anyone, maybe you’ll decide your fate then.”
The older man picked his car keys and off he went without looking back.
Easton, who didn’t want Ivan to further dig into the topic quickly asked,
“How far have you gone with Jace group?” Ivan studied him for some seconds before he decided to accept the change of topic.
“Well, I met with success some days ago. I was able to get hold of 40% of the company shares. With time, I’ll get full shares.”
“That’s good. You need to be fast about that. We have just a little more time and there are a lot of opponents. We can’t give them any chance or room to strike. Again, you know…”
Ivan interrupted at this point.
“But, grandfather, why are you very interested in Jace group? Why are you hell bent on having it?”
Easton took a deep breath and responded,
“That’s because it is mine. The new owner took what belongs to me by failing to fulfill his own part of the bargain. Imagine that. Who dares to do that to Landers, I who have the powers of the underworld! Such person doesn’t deserve to live!”
“Really? Doesn’t deserve to live? What bargain are you talking about? And who doesn’t deserve to live? Who do you want dead? Is it the same person your first son came here to blackmail you with?”
“Which of these questions am I to answer first?”
“I apologize. I think I want to know who you want dead. Do you really want to kill someone?”
Easton was blinded with rage and he didn’t realize he has spoken too much.
“It’s Nelly and her child. They have to disappear. It’s a pity Aria messed up the deal!”
Ivan sprang to his feet at the mention of Nelly.
“Which Nelly? Stratford? My wife?”
“I approved of the marriage for a reason. Meanwhile, she’s no longer your wife. You both are divorced for goodness sake!”
“Is she back in the country?” Ivan asked again.
“Yes, she was spotted at the airport yesterday and the information was relayed to me immediately.”
“Grandfather Easton. Let nothing happen to my wife and daughter. I will never forgive you if anything goes wrong! I swear I won’t.”
“Are you saying that you will rise against me?” Easton asked.
“If anything happens to both of them, I’ll never forgive you! I swear on my life!”
“Then be prepared to go to hell with them!”
Ivan glared at his grandfather and stormed out of the house. He sat in his car for ten minutes trying his best to stay calm. He realised he didn’t even find out from his grandfather why he wanted Nelly dead.
“Well, that doesn’t matter,” he muttered. What mattered most was the safety of his wife and daughter. He wasn’t going to let anything happen to the one girl that he loved. No! She had saved his life in the past. He owed his life and heart to her and there was no way he was going to sit back and watch them have even the least scratch! Six years ago, he had failed to recognise her as the girl he loved. Now that she was back, he would do everything within his power to make it up to her and love her the way she deserved. He would also give his daughter the perfect life she was expected to get! He gulped some water and took short but deep breaths to keep calm. He turned on the ignition and drove off. He was going to Nelly’s house. He needed to see her, to tell her how sorry he is and to pledge to love and protect her with his life. He was in so much hurry that he jumped the traffic light and took the VIP route to their street. He was in front of her house in no time. He honked his horn and the gate was opened.