Ethan hadn’t showed up in the Stratford residence for a while. When his blackmail didn’t work out on his father, he decided to take a break and think up new plans. Finally, after a while, he had a well drafted plan and he was so sure it was going to work just fine. As he took his shower that morning, he was very confident that he was a step away from being the CEO and owner of Jace group. He jumped into his car, turned on the music and drove off with music blaring from his car stereo. He met no opposition at the gate. In fact, he was respected as the young master in the house. He walked into the house freely and made straight for his father’s room.
The day was boring and Nelly thought of what to do. Ash had come to pick Emma earlier that morning for a picnic leaving Nelly all by herself. She made pancakes, cleaned her room and decided to read. She went to the library upstairs and took out her favourite series. After a few minutes of reading, she thought of calling Neuer.
“Hi baby!”
“Good morning. May I know who it is?”
“Common Neuer. It’s me, Nelly.”
He screamed with joy at that. He had missed her and had waited for the call for quite a long time.
“I’ve waited for your call for a long time now. I was even thinking you’ve forgotten me.”
“I’m sorry my dear. I was trying to settle down. But no matter what happens, you have to know that I will never forget you. No, not after I said yes to your proposal!”
“Awwwwnn. That’s so sweet. Tell me, how have you been settling in and getting used to fatherland?”
“It’s been good. Just taking time to familiarise and…”
They talked about do many things until Nelly trailed off. She was seated by the window and from there, she noticed an unusual movement, a stranger was in the house! Under normal circumstances, visitors were made to wait in the sitting room while a maid went up to inform Nathan or her. But this stranger has come upstairs and was fully in the house.
“Nelly? Are you there?” Neuer was forced to ask when he noticed the long silence on the other side.
“Emmm, I’m fine. I’ll call you back please,” Nelly dropped the phone and sneaked out of the room, closing the door noiselessly behind her. She followed the stranger carefully and watched him enter her father’s room.
“What? What’s he going to do? Did he come to kill Dad?” Nelly asked no one in particular. She thought of calling the police but she decided to wait and see what would happen.
“Hello Dad!” the young man called.
‘Dad?’ Nelly was instantly alert. She waited for her father to counter the statement but she was in for more surprises. Nathan turned and stared at him.
“Ethan! You good for nothing child! What have you come here to do? Have I not asked you never to step your foot in this house again? What do you want this time?”
Ethan laughed as was very typical of him.
“It’s good that you know I’m here for something. You know it ails my heart to see my own father on his sick bed, trust me, I’m unhappy. But we both know that if you had done as I said, this wouldn’t have happened. You had all the time to hand that company to me but you chose to contend with I and Easton Landers. That’s pathetic. I dare say that if you had let me handle this, I swear Easton would be begging on his feet by now. Well, that’s all in the past. There’s a bottom line. Landers is at the verge of taking everything you worked for. I also have to bring it to your notice that the financial reports of the company is in shambles and….”
“Enough! Be quiet! Why are you here? Speak up or get out this minute!” It was Nathan. He has lost his patience and had to yell at the boy who was beating about the bush.
“I was waiting for that question. I’ll tell you why I’m here. I’m here to ask a simple question. Will you prefer your company taken over by strangers or you want your flesh and blood to have it? Right there on your sick bed, you are no match for Easton. Just give me this company and I’ll restore and build it again. If you decide not to, the remaining issues buried underneath the whole set up of the company will be blown up. I will mercilessly blow up your covers and just know you will spend the rest of your life in jail if I do that.”
Nathan sighed in exasperation and kept quiet as if he was considering what his son said. Ethan who was ever ready, was watching his moves and facial expression so he took that time to shoot his shot. He stood up and showed his father a three paged document.
“Here, read this and sign it. Do what you have to do or face the consequences. I’ll come back for this tomorrow.”
He placed it on the bed, beside the old man and patted his shoulders in a mock sympathy. He turned and made for the door.
“Huh? He’s coming!”
Nelly quickly made a dash for the next door and hid in the curtains. Ethan came out and shut the door behind him. He looked around to be sure no one was in sight. He perceived a feminine scent and stopped. He followed the scent and traced where it was coming from. Nelly hid in the curtains and held her breath. She didn’t want to imagine what would happen if he caught her in there. The basic rule of every criminal is to leave no traces and they would go any length to get rid of any evidence or witness. He stopped directly in front of the door where Nelly was hiding.