Liam stood poised in front of his company’s building. His gaze is blank as it locks on the name imprinted on the face of the building. He was fully prepared for the turbulence that was threatening to sweep him off his feet.
“Mr. Callahan” a female voice called out as she ran towards him.
“Sarah.. what’s the recent update?” Liam questioned his secretary with a look of pity. The wrinkles on her forehead were a clear sign of the stress she had gone through.
“Sir, the press is adamant about getting a piece of information from you. I think it’s best if you go through the back door. It’s clear as none of them knows about it yet” Sarah explained in detail with a serious tone in her voice.
“What about Kyle Brenett?” Liam asked with a raised eyebrow. “As he has been interviewed by the press?”
“No sir” Sarah replied, shooking her head slowly in denial. “He also walked in through the back door. I don’t know what his motives are but I can tell they aren’t in any way profitable”
Liam sighed deeply in frustration. He was tired of dealing with his ex-lover, tired of being reminded of his past life. But he was going to have to scale through with this one. “Let’s go,” he said to Sarah in a low voice who in turn, led him to the safe entrance she had suggested.
As soon as Liam walked through the elevator that led to his office, his movement was abruptly paused by an arm that was thrown across his shoulder making his skin crawl as he could tell who the intruder was without thinking twice about it.
“Get your filthy hands off me?” He felt ordered with a calm tone which portrayed an underlying eruption that would occur if his orders weren’t heeded to.
“Hahaha… Irrational as always” the man who had ruined Liam’s mood further burst into laughter as he followed Liam into the office.
“Kyle… What do you want?” Liam asked curtly immediately they had both settled on their respective seats.
“Don’t be so unwelcoming” Kyle refuted, his bright smile slowly changing into a solemn look. “I just came to see how you’re faring with the recent scandals that involved your cousin and your dear fiancee.
The mocking tone in Kyle’s voice made Liam snap in annoyance. “I don’t see how any of my problems is your business”
“What’s wrong with asking about the man I had shared with, something too good to be through” Kyle argued with a knowing smirk on his face. He was deriving great pleasure in teasing Liam but that wasn’t the main purpose for his visit.
“So, how do you intend to get out of this precarious situation?… I’m sure by now, your company stocks and employees would have been affected” Kyle questioned as he stared intently at Liam, waiting for his answer to determine his next choice of words.
“Like I said, Kyle. I don’t think my problems should be your concern”Liam replied coldly with a burning gaze that revealed his anger.
“Why don’t you break off your engagement?” Kyle dropped the bombshell. “That way your company gets to remain unaffected and Isabelle gets to be with the one she loves”
His words had tipped off Liam’s anger as the latter abruptly stood up and struck the desk with his palm in frustration. “How dare you? What makes you think she loves him?”
Kyle was enjoying seeing Liam acting in line with his emotions. “Why are you getting so worked up?…. Don’t you they already have something going on, something you never had with her?” Kyle insinuated to achieve his goal of sparking up a little fire that would erupt in his favor.
“What are you talking about?” Liam berated as he couldn’t ignore the strange feelings in his heart upon hearing Kyle’s words
“I won’t say much, Liam… But I have proof” Kyle disclosed as an evil glint flashed through his eyes. “You are very resourceful. I’m sure you’ll be able to find out in no time”
“Leave my office, now”Liam barked out, his fury at its peak. Kyle’s words had raised doubts in his heart. He was angry at himself for having second thoughts about Isabelle but he couldn’t help it.
Kyle strolled out majestically out of the Callahan company, not forgetting to pass through the back door. His lips curved into a triumphant smirk at the success of his mission. He had succeeded in stirring up Liam’s emotions. He couldn’t wait for Liam to find out about the real truth of Isabelle and Max’s relationship. That way, he could have Isabelle out of Liam’s penthouse thereby, making it easy for him to get to her.
Liam was smart enough to discern the purpose of Kyle’s visit. Fully aware that it was a ploy to lure him into his trap, he still couldn’t shake off the uncomfortable feeling in his heart. His mind was split into two- he wanted to find out if what Kyle said was true and he equally wanted to ignore it.
A sharp knock on the door interrupted his thoughts as Sarah walked in with an unsettling gaze, holding a laptop in both hands.
“Sir, you need to see this, the company stocks have fallen drastically and some of our important investors are withdrawing”Sarah revealed with a tone of severity.” you have to speak to the press, say something convincing, or our entire worth will be reduced to nothing”
Liam was lost in thoughts, weighing the pros and cons of their severe predicament. He knew his business rival was the one pulling the strings behind the scenes. A little scandal wasn’t supposed to escalate things to the point of bankruptcy.
“Alright, Sarah. Inform the press to get ready for a meeting and tell Max to see me now”Liam ordered. If making a temporary treaty with his cousin would settle things, he would do it. He felt repulsed at the fact that he was going to deliberate with his cousin over the company’s matter, knowing fully well that he was going to make an outrageous offer.
He could deal with other problems later on, his father’s legacy must be preserved till the very end.