Charles’ father who is Chairman Henry, Chairman Holland Steve and Chairman Kim who is Joy’s father all gathered at Chairman Kim’s house to discuss the way further in both their politics and also the marriage that would take place between Charles and Joy, their children.
The trio had been the first to start their various businesses in Chicago and had a very tight friendship as they grew up over the years. They all have their successful and thriving business which made them the top three richest in Chicago.
They all planned to get their children married to each other in order to strengthen their bonds and also solidify their shares in the economy. Chairman Henry who was planning to run for the mayor of Chicago’s position wanted the marriage to hold before the contest season so the support of the two families merging would be helpful in his mayoral race so they decided to talk together and conclude on a date since the children already agreed to get married and were already engaged.
Everything needed for their wedding was already prepared and Joy had previously reported that she had gone for her clothes fitting.
“I can’t wait to see you in the mayor position, we have to put someone at the top so our businesses can flow better you know, the smell of money is very essential for a better old age and as you can see, I want to live long” Chairman Holland stated, series of laughter roared through the house.
“Exactly my point! We have to keep ruling the economy of Chicago and also teach our children the ways too so our families would forever lead Chicago. I mean it is a pride that we made Chicago what it is today” Chairman Henry supported, making Chairman Kim nodded in agreement too.
They discussed several issues for so long till Joy finally came home with anger obvious on her face. She only managed to greet them before marching up to her room to unleash her boiling rage at her mini gaming booth.
All day, she kept playing games even though her hands were sore and swollen, she didn’t stop until her father came to check in on her and asked what got her angry to that extent.
“I don’t want to marry Charles, dad” she declared to his surprise.
Gently, he took her hands and brought her out of the gaming booth so they could have their seats together on the bed in her room. He didn’t understand what he meant by what she had just said but he’s a father who knows his child’s every emotions.
The hurt and betrayal was evident in her voice and made him wonder what exactly Charles did for her to suddenly decide not to marry him. He might truly want to make his feet deeper in Chicago’s economy but not at the extent of his child’s happiness.
The only reason he allowed the marriage was because immediately he proposed it to her, she happily agreed so he had thought she must have really liked Charles until few minutes ago when she made those firm declarations.
“What do you mean by you don’t want to marry him? You were happy to have him back then so what is happening now?” he asked gently and she slowly disengaged her hand from his to remove the scarf on her neck.
The choking mark was boldly red on her skin, her delicate skin had gotten scratched, swollen and reddened due the effect of his choke on her neck. She also turned her cheeks to show her father the scratch Charles’ nails made when he slapped her back then.
Anger rose quickly within Chairman Kim as he saw the abuse marks on his daughter, he almost went crazy due to fury. He could not believe that Charles would do something like that to his precious daughter.
“What insolence” were the words that flew out of his mouth immediately and his voice rose in anger.
His grey beards were swaying with every words, within seconds he was on his feet growling about how Charles was bold enough to maltreat his daughter whom he had not even gotten married to.
“What effrontery? Who gave him the rights to touch you? On what basis?” he questioned sharply and she didn’t hesitate to give an answer “He wanted to sleep with me” she responded clearly and that only added fuel to the burning fire.
He didn’t even stop at sexual harassment but went ahead to abuse her for refusing to sleep with him. His head got hot beyond control, the only thought flowing through his head was how to get him arrested and tortured for what he did to his daughter without even considering the fact that his father and he are friends. He might loves money but definitely more than his beloved daughter.
“I have to get him arrested and locked up! He’s an animal who shouldn’t be in the society!” grunted her anger-bloated father who was busy fumbling with his phone in order to call the police to his surprise, she grabbed his phone and stopped him.
The next look on his face was enough to ask why she did that. Her head shook slightly several times as she knocked against the idea of arresting him.
“I don’t want to cause unnecessary rift between you and your friends so I will take care of this my own way. The only reason why I am telling you is that I don’t want you to be fazed when it finally happens. You trust me right, dad?” she commented and he was forced to nod his head at the question she asked.
With a great smile on her face, she stood up to link arms with her father and gave him a slight, reassuring nudge. “I am your daughter, Joy. You should trust my judgment but one thing is certain, I will never get married to that scum bag. He’s so sick and obsessed with women, he only sees them as his play thing whom he can handle anyhow and pay them to shut up” Joy remarked, anger rising in her voice but she managed to suppress it.
Although he was not sure if he should leave her to take care of the issue but since she has always been competent in every of her ways and decisions, he didn’t ponder for long before he agreed to let her handle her revenge. “Just know if it becomes too, I have no choice but to step in” he informed her before leaving the room.
She would have allowed him handle it if it were only for revenge but she also wanted to set herself free from the shackles of her dad. Even though her dad loves her so much, he still blatantly disapproved the person she loves, he always doted on how she must be with someone of appreciable and acceptable standard.
Earlier that day, she had met with Tom who happily welcomed her, played the recording he had with him and also stated the fact that he’s a sexual harassment criminal who will smear her reputation very soon with the increased number of his victims as the day grows by.
“I never knew he was this sick of a bastard, he’s a psychopath at this point!” she yelled as she went through the testimonies of everyone who claimed to have been harassed by Charles until her eyes landed on the team leader who seemed to have the highest number of times he had done it to her.
She also saw that the team leader has evidence they can use in arresting him alongside the testimony of others and knew the task would be very easy for her to pull off now. With the go ahead from her father, she knew getting an arrest warrant for Charles would be cup of tea because of his father’s people in the police force who would never dare defy his order.
They got series of testimonies from the other victims, some submitted the evidences that he assaulted them and gave them money and some only had the words of their mouths.
“He’s really a sick bastard” he commented after listening to all the testimonies.
They decided to meet the team leader and persuade her to be the one taking the action on the victims’ behalf but she felt hesitant. The first making her worried was her job, she knew how difficult it would be to find a job anywhere when comes out that she’s a whistle blower.
Also she was afraid Charles would not get arrested or even acquitted due to his influence but after series of persuasion with Tom offering her a team leader position at the Shellhouse mall, she didn’t hesitate to take the front lead.
Chairman Kim was carried along in their plans and Joy herself paid the event hall’s manager to play the recording in her wedding when it was time to exchange rings. The shock on her and father’s faces were just to hide the fact that they were behind everything that happened at the wedding.
As soon as Charles was arrested, Tom took the last bite of his steak and washed it down with the served wine before marching out of the hall with the smirk still present on his face.
“Charles down, you should prepare yourself for the next strike, Joseph” he muttered he zoomed off.