LEGACY RECLAIMED

Chapter 5

“I don’t have anyone to take over from me; I am a man with nothing to live for but the preservation of our family legacy.”

Adrian shifted uncontrollably, “I am sorry for your loss but I don’t understand what has this had to do with me.”

Simon’s expression softened as he stared at Adrian. “I am an old man, seventy-five years is no child’s play. My time is running out, and I refuse to let this empire fall into the hands of outsiders. People who have no understanding of the Brown’s name or the sacrifice it took to build it. Your father and I built it together before he left the world. You are the only surviving Kin, and I need someone with our name to carry on what we have built.”

Adrian stared at him in stunned silence. “You mean you are asking me to take over the family empire,”

Simon nodded, as a fainted smile tugged by the side of his lips. “I am not asking; I am offering you an opportunity most people would kill for. I have heard a lot about you, you attended the best school, Thanks to Roman Lockwood.”

Adrian furrowed his brow, “Do you know him.”

“Yes, I know him. I have my ways of getting information.” Uncle Simon replied casually

“But I don’t know much about running a business, Why me? We have never met before aside from tonight.”

“I chose you because we are family; I trust blood more than I trust strangers. You don’t have to decide tonight. Stay here, recover and take your time to think it over. But I want you to know this: if you refuse, The family legacy will fall into the hands of an outsider, and it will die with me.”

Adrian was left in a daze, with his mind racing at the possibilities. A Billionaire uncle, a sprawling empire, and a choice that could change his life forever.

At Delilah's apartment

Delilah Lockwood sat at the head of the dining room, with a vision of cold elegance as her manicured nails were tapping against the table, the sound echoing in the otherwise silent room.

The buzzing of her phone had distracted her thoughts, and without hesitation she had taken the phone, pressing her finger against the green button.

“Is it done?” She asked with an icy voice.

The caller sniffed, “There has been a complicated, Mrs. Delilah.”

She frowned, raising her brow in curiosity. “complications, what do you mean?” She repeated, with a low tone.

“Ma’am you were not the only person who wanted him dead. While me and my men were going after him, another group came out of nowhere. They chased after him, and before they could finish the job, another group came with an SUV. They seem Highly skilled; they took Adrian away.”

Mrs. Delilah’s face darkened, as her jaw tightened. “You are telling me that someone else wanted him, and you couldn’t do anything before they took him.”

“Ma’am, I am sorry but this group doesn’t look like some random group. They are professional.” The caller said.

“Do you have any idea who they are and what they want from him?” She asked.

The caller hesitated, “Not yet, but I will try my best to find out.”

Her lips curled into a faint smile, “of course, do. I don’t want him to take anything that belongs to my late husband. If you do the job, I will give you half of the one million dollars that is supposed to be given to him.”

“I will personally see to it; I will track him, ma’am. He won’t be far.” He replied smoothly.

Who would refuse such an amount of money?

“Don’t disappoint me, I will be waiting for your call.” She said terminating the call.

She sniffed heavily, the thought of Adrian’s alive, out of her reach, gnawed at her like a wound.

Suddenly, the door creaked, and Ava stepped inside, her designer heels clinking against the polished floor. A shopping bag dangling from one arm

“Mom, I am back.” She said with excitement showing in her face.

When she got where her mother was seated, a glass of red wine was clenched in her hand, though she hadn’t taken a sip.

“Mom,” Ava called cautiously, stepping forward.

“You are back early, Ava.”

“Are you okay, Mom? You look different.” She furrowed her brow.

Mrs Delilah tilted her head slightly, but she didn’t utter a word.

Ava was worried about her mom, “What’s going on, you are scaring me.”

“Adrian is still alive,” she said with her voice mixed.

Ava’s face turned pale. “what? That’s impossible, he is supposed to be.”

Mrs. Delilah cut her off, “No, the men failed. He is alive and no one knows his whereabouts.”

“Mom, this is not good. If he knows we sent men against him he might come after us.” She said in fear.

“How will he come after us, he is nothing but a pauper. He might be suffering and we are here thinking about him. I just don’t want that money to get to him.” Mrs Delilah looked unhappy.

~~~

At Simon's office

Simon Brown exuded an air of calm authority, surveying the council assembled before him.

The room was filled with high-ranking members of the order, men and women who had served under him for decades. Their expressions ranged from curiosity to impatience as they waited for his response. He walked towards the head of the table; he leaned back, watching them.

Oliver Ward, one of the board members, cleared his throat and spoke. “Simon, with all due respect, we need clarity. And time is running out, will need to know who will succeed you as our leader. We need to know the truth, and not leave in uncertainty.”

A ripple of agreement moved through the room, but Simon remained Unfazed. He held his hand, resting them on the polished table.

“Clarity, you say.” He said with a deep voice, “It will come at the right moment; whoever will succeed me must be someone with great knowledge and someone who knows about the family legacy.”

The members exchanged glances, and Amelia Kane leaned forward.

Then tell us what we need to know. Who will lead the company into the future? We all know you don’t have any family members left. We can’t keep leaving in the dark.”