At two PM, Robert came to the hospital. Precisely on time.Eleanor met him in the lobby and she looked exhausted. Aged ten years in a week."Thank you for coming." She hugged him. Robert stood stiffly. Didn't return it."How is he?" Robert asked."Physically stable. Emotionally fragile." Eleanor said quietly. “Well, doctor says he is all right. But he's deeply depressed.""He should be." Without sympathy Robert said.Eleanor flinched. "Robert, I know you're angry"“This does not even look like being angry.” Robert interrupted.They were riding the elevator quietly. The room of Phillip was in the fourth floor. Private room. Expensive.Robert wondered if Phillip was paying for it with stolen money.Eleanor opened the door very gently. "Phillip? Robert's here."Phillip was sitting up in bed. He looked terrible. Pale. Thin. Hollowed out."Robert." The voice of Phillips was a mere whisper."Uncle." Robert stayed near the door. Didn't sit.Eleanor touched Robert's arm. "I'll give you privac

Robert woke to his phone ringing. Seven AM. Roxanne calling again.He'd blocked her number twice. She continued to use various phones.He answered. "What?""Please. Just meet me. One time." Roxanne's voice was hoarse."I've heard you out." Robert said tiredly."Not really. You've dismissed me." Roxanne said. "I need you to really listen."Robert sighed. "Fine. One meeting.""Thank you." Roxanne sounded relieved. "When?""Today. Noon. Neutral location." Robert said."Where?" Roxanne asked."Riverside Park. The bench by the fountain." Robert said. "If you're late, I'm leaving.""I'll be there." Roxanne promised.Robert hung up. Immediately regretted it.In the morning he was at Zenco going through contracts. Dave came by with coffee."You look tired." Dave observed."I am." Robert admitted."Roxanne?" Dave guessed."And Sandra. And Gerald. Everything." Robert said."Want me to come to the meeting?" Dave offered."No. This is something I need to do alone.” Robert said.Robert pulled up t

Two weeks later Sandra had left in a dramatic way, Loretta went to the office of Robert and made an offer."The publicity photos are ready." She said, sliding a folder across his desk. "The marketing team wants to release them next week."Robert opened it. Professional photos. Loretta in elegant dresses. Zenco products prominently displayed. She looked stunning."These are good." Robert said. "Approve them.""There's something else." Loretta hesitated. "They want to do a lifestyle piece. Me talking about working with you. Maybe some candid shots of us together."Robert looked up. "Together? Like what?""Lunch meetings. Corporate events. Nothing inappropriate." Loretta said quickly. "But it would generate buzz. Make people talk about Zenco in a positive way.”Robert considered it. Positive publicity would assist in regaining investor confidence. And if Roxanne saw photos of him with Loretta..."Fine." Robert said. "Set it up."The images were published the next Monday. They were initia

Margaret appeared in the office of Robert a week after Maxime was arrested with something strange to tell him."Someone's been buying Zenco shares." She said, spreading documents on his desk. "Quietly. Through multiple shell companies."Robert frowned. "How many shares?""Almost fifteen percent." Margaret said. "Another five percent and they'll have enough to demand a board seat.""Who is it?" Robert asked."That's the problem." Margaret said. “The shell companies are registered in the Cayman Islands. Very difficult to trace."Robert called Marcus immediately. "I need you to investigate something."Marcus worked for three days. Finally called Robert back."I found your mysterious investor." Marcus said. "You're not going to like it.""Who?" Robert demanded."Victor Chen." Marcus said. "Owner of Chen Industries. Your biggest competitor."Robert's jaw clenched. Victor Chen. Ruthless businessman. Known for hostile takeovers."He's trying to take over Zenco." Robert said."Looks that way.

The Monday morning began as usual. Robert reviewed reports. Approved contracts. Managed his empire.Then at ten AM his receptionist buzzed. "Mr. Jackson, there's a man here to see you. Says it's urgent. His name is Thomas Whitmore."Robert frowned. The name was well known yet he could not put his finger on it."Does he have an appointment?" Robert asked."No, sir. But he says you'll want to hear what he has to say. Something about your oil fields."Robert's stomach dropped. "Send him in."A man entered. Late forties. Expensive suit. Confident stride."Mr. Jackson." The man extended his hand. "Thomas Whitmore. We have known each other about six years or so.”Robert shook his hand. Still trying to remember. "I'm sorry, I don't recall.""That's understandable." Thomas sat without being told to. “It happened during an investment conference. You were pitching your oil field project.”Memory flickered. Robert remembered vaguely the conference. Hundreds of possible investors."Okay." Robert