HEIR TO THE DOJO

Gerald Roderick

THE RODERICK MANSION

The Rodrick mansion is a testament of wealth and power. Curtains imported from Loro piana draped over the windows, gilded furniture and fixtures glistening under the warm glow of recessed lights.

Above, a giant chandelier cast a tiny crystal to the marble floor.

Gerald Roderick.

The patriarch of the Rodrick family— the man whose temper is as hot as Magma.

In Gerald's dictionary, there is no mistake. He'd never failed.

And when he's not the one in charge, dare make one mistake and you'll have your fingers gone— He's cold and unforgiving.

He stepped out down from the staircase, a 'Samsung Galaxy S24', Ultra, custom made, pressed on his ear.

His posture imposed at six feet two. His hair was salt and pepper. Not a strand dare to waggle. A navy suit poured over his body, embroidered with tiny diamonds that scattered light on the suit lapel.

"I want the goods in my yard in the next 30 minutes, Jax!" He hissed into the phone. "I entrusted you with the delivery. The package must be intact— Complete. Otherwise, you'll pay for the mistakes with something more costly than each bottle of the medicine!"

He snapped the call and shoved the phone into his pocket.

His gaze shifted to the dining table and anger etched over his face instantly. "Where the heck is my coffee?!" He barked.

Footsteps quickened.

A maid stumbled inside from the kitchen with a steaming cup of coffee. Sweats rolled down her face, her hands shaking in fear as he approached the man with the cup of coffee.

Mr. Roderick shot her a fierce glare. "You filthy bitch," He hissed and yanked the mug from her. "What took you so long to prepare a common coffee? Get lost!" He yelled, startling the maid. She scampered away.

He sighed. "Always getting on my nerves." He moved the mug to his lips, the warmth hitting his face. But suddenly, the door of the entrance slammed open. Gerald Roderick jerked in shock. The mug wavered, spilling coffee on his expensive suit.

Whoever dared to enter his home like a mad dog must be willing to lose his finger.

He spun. "Who the...." His voice trailed off. Caspian, his son stumbled into the hall like a prey that escaped a fierce battle. His suit was rumpled, the cut on his head clotted with blood.

Seeing the battered looks of his son, the mug tilted in his hand, tumbling in the air and crashing to the floor, scattering the pieces across the marble.

"C— Caspian?" His voice cracked, raw with disbelief. He took one step forward, eyes narrowing in focus. "What the heck happened to you? Got involved in an accident?"

"Dad. No. Heck! it wasn't an accident." Caspian's voice was laced with anger and bitterness.

"Then what is it? why are you looking like this?"

"Dad," Caspian flared. "Can you believe someone did this to me?! Someone did this to my face. That bastard Slept with my woman— My Cassy!"

Dammit!

Mr. Roderick froze, his lips twitching in anger. " "Someone effing did this to you," He growled. "Slept with your woman too? Who the heck is the maggot?"

Maids made sure they stayed out of sight in moments like this— they knew better how Gerald vents his anger on everyone whenever he's pissed.

Mrs. Roderick, his wife descended the stairs. She looks gorgeous and matured in a crimson gown. Her expression froze on the, pausing mid-steps when she caught Caspian's disheveled look. "Oh God!" She screamed, descending hastily. " What happened to you, Son?"

"Some worthless punk I'll make sure he ends his life in jail."

Mrs. Roderick's eyes dilated, flashing with a mix of shock and anger. Her finger jabbed to his face, gold jewellery jangling on her wrist.

"You're saying someone did this to you?!" Her voice rumbled, her gaze shifting to his husband before looking back at Caspian. "Where was your bodyguard?! Where were they when someone dared to lay a finger on you!"

Caspian's expression faltered slightly. How could he explain to them that he was on the flight while he was supposed to be at the office.

Not willing to be caught in a tight corner, he said, "It wasn't their fault, Mum. I wanted to be alone for a while— To have some quiet time to think straight. I told the guards to give me some space."

"That was when that bastard came at me... hurling blows and fighting me with weapons. I could have single handedly defeated him, but he was armed. But I didn't let him leave unscathed."

Mr. Roderick nodded his head in satisfaction. "Good thing you fought back too, Caspian— That's more like it." He boasted, an edge in his voice. "But I'm not going to let this slide just like that. Do you have a picture of the man? Any clues? I'll have my men find him and finish his miserable life."

Caspian's expression faltered slightly. As much as he wanted his father to step in to deal with Ragnar, the lies he cooked up might get ratted along.

He'd only twisted the whole event so as to look like the brave one.

He shook his head and said firmly. "Dad, " He said. "I don't think that'll be necessary. I already got him arrested. He's not leaving the station without my command. Allow me to handle it completely, Dad."

Before Mr. Roderick could give a response, his wife chipped in, her eyes narrowing in suspicion. "I heard you saying that the same man slept with Cassandra?"

Caspian gulped. A pang of guilt hit his heart. He was the one who really orchestrated the whole thing. He wasn't remorseful, but still bittered that everything came crashing down at the last moment. "Yes, Mum." He nodded.

"What," Mrs. Roderick widened her eyes in disbelief. "Was She drunk? Under voddoo? or she willingly opened her legs for a stranger!?" She gasped, too stunned to speak for some moments. Then she shook her head in utter disapproval. "I can't allow you to marry someone who's that shameless! I can't, Son."

"Yes, Caspian," Mr. Roderick chipped in supportively. "We can't allow you to marry Cassandra anymore. She's going to disgrace our family name, and I won't let that happen. I'm cutting all ties with the Valemore family." He added firmly, pulling out his phone.

"And I'll make her regret having to Waste your time."

Mrs. Roderick agreed. "Yes, Son," She said. "She was supposed to marry you. She's cursed. Deciding you'll marry her was because of your interest in her, and we were willing to remove the curse on her head with our family's power so your marriage won't have any issues, but that's never happening again. She's going to be single for the rest of her life, or die, having slept with another man."

Caspian grinned mischievously, his mind spinning with dark thoughts. "Cassandra's life is in my hand now. Let's see how long she would be willing to beg me on her knee to have me remove her curse."