From Prison To Billion-Dollar Empire

Chapter Eight The Wealth and The Grand

“You son of a bitch, what did you do?”

Liam smirked as he stared at his phone screen, unbothered. 

The text had come from Betty. He understood it perfectly. It was obvious she’d learned what had happened to their prized warden dog, and judging by the rage dripping from the message, she was texting him to wail, threaten, or both.

Liam’s smirk deepened. He didn’t reply.

Instead, he slipped the phone back into his pocket with deliberate calm. 

The very first moment Berry came into his life, he had been the one who handed him a phone and a SIM card, insisting that Liam needed a clean, private line. He was still using that same SIM, and it was through that line Betty had managed to reach him. 

“Sir, we will be arriving at the first location in one minute.”

Edwards’ eyes flicked up to the rearview mirror. He studied Liam carefully, respectfully. 

There was no panic on Liam’s face, no trace of worry, only composure. 

***

On the other side of the city, chaos reigned.

Betty paced to and fro across the room, her heels clicking sharply against the floor. 

Her heart pounded violently, her emotion swirling like dangerous waves of the sea, threatening to pull her under at any moment. She clenched her fists, her nails biting into her palms as she struggled to breathe evenly.

“How did the fuck did that son of a bitch get so lucky?!”

Michael blurted the same words as he slammed his palm on the desk, his chair creaking beneath him. Papers scattered slightly, but he didn’t notice. His face was twisted with disbelief as he sat behind his desk, staring into nothingness.

The plan had been well executed. Or so he thought.

Two hours ago, he had personally called Markson and lied against Liam without hesitation. His instructions had been clear and cold. Markson was to throw Liam back in jail and make sure he never walked free again for the rest of his life. It was meant to be final. Clean. Foolproof.

But then… the feedback came.

“Sir, Chief Warden Miller interrupted Markson. Markson has now been sacked with immediate effect and arrested for unjustly sending innocent people to jail.”

Michael froze.

“Also, many innocent prisoners’ files are currently being gathered and will be laid before Chief Miller for their immediate release after they have been vindicated of their alleged crimes,” a lower-rank warden added as he stepped cautiously into the office.

Michael’s chest heaved up and down as if he were panting heavily. His breath came unevenly. Sweat gathered along his temple. This wasn’t supposed to happen.

Chief Warden Miller was a principled man incorruptible, rigid, and feared for that very reason. 

At the same time, he was notoriously busy and almost never involved himself directly in day-to-day prison affairs. Yet on the very day Liam was supposed to be unjustly sent back to prison, Miller had shown up. Worse, he had personally vindicated Liam.

“Sir,” the warden hesitated, lowering his voice, “I heard that he even bowed to Liam.”

“What?”

Betty and Michael blurted together, their voices colliding in disbelief.

“Is he using some voodoo or something?” Betty snapped, her voice shaking despite her attempt to sound strong.

“The same affection grandfather had for him,” she continued bitterly, “Miller also has the same likeness for him?”

Michael clenched his jaw.

“How is he doing all of this?”

Silence followed, thick and suffocating, until Betty’s voice cracked through it.

“Dad, will this stop my wedding with Lucas?”

Michael shut his eyes tightly, turning his head slowly to the left and then to the right, as if weighing the consequences pressing in on him from all sides. His fingers curled inward, pressing painfully into his palm. His hands trembled despite his effort to steady them.

If Liam could not be thrown into jail for life and was now freely walking the city, it posed a serious threat to their reputation. Allowing Lucas to marry Betty under such circumstances could enhance public resentment towards them which was bad for their family business. 

“No,” Michael finally heaved, opening his eyes.

“It shouldn’t stop you getting married to our destiny helper.”

Betty exhaled sharply.

“Instead,” Michael continued, his eyes narrowing as a dangerous thought formed, “we should find an alternative.”

A slow, calculated smile crept onto his lips.

***

The limousine rolled to a smooth stop.

Liam stepped down from the limousine with measured confidence. He lifted his gaze, his eyes settling on the gigantic high-rising building towering before him. Glass and steel reflected the sky, commanding attention without begging for it.

“Primus International Wealth,” he muttered under his breath.

He recognised this bank instantly. Who wouldn’t?

For over a century, this bank had existed in nearly every part of the world, untouched by scandals or collapse. They were known to serve only the wealthy, the untouchable elite.

The minimum account a customer could hold at this bank was no less than ninety-nine million dollars. Anything less wasn’t worth their attention.

“Please follow me, sir.”

Edward interrupted Liam’s thoughts. He bowed politely and stepped forward.

Liam followed behind him as they walked through the front automated doors.

“Welcome to Primus International Wealth, sirs.”

The security personnel bowed flat instantly, their movements precise and rehearsed.

Before they could reach the reception desk, hurried footsteps approached them.

An elderly man in his sixties appeared, grey hair covering almost half of his head, a spectacle perched precariously at the edge of his nose.

Reaching them, he bowed deeply, his head nearly touching his knees.

“Welcome, Sir Ryder. I’ve been waiting for you.”

Edward leaned closer to Liam as the man continued bowing.

“Master, this is CEO Harold Sterling. He is here to serve you,” he whispered.

“I see.” Liam smiled faintly.

“Please rise, Harold.”

Harold rose immediately. “Mr Ryder, permit me to show you to your Wealth Vault transferred to you by the late Grand Master.”

“I am happy to serve you, sir.”

Harold bowed again and led the way.

As they moved, Edward followed behind Liam, bowing subtly as Liam stepped past him.

“Master,” Edward said quietly, “Mr Harold is a very busy man. He has never left his office to attend to any customer directly. But for you, you are not just a customer. You are a major shareholder of this bank, which means this is also your bank, sir.”

“While Mr Harold is the CEO, you are the president. You allow Mr Harold to oversee operations because you are too busy to manage the bank yourself.”

Harold bowed again at Edward’s words.

In the same manner, Edward bowed once more.

“Welcome to your first property, Master. We will continue to serve you loyally,” they chorused.

Liam smiled, though the moment made him uncomfortable. He understood that the sooner he got used to this constant bowing, the better it would be for him.

“It’s okay now,” he said calmly.

“Let’s proceed to the vault,” Liam commanded, his voice firm but gentle.

“As you wish, sir,” Harold replied respectfully.