RISE OF THE SCORNFUL CRYPTO LORD

7. SOME THINGS JUST DOESN'T WORK

Liam's POV

Thinking about what to do, I called Elijah.

“You know you hired me as a middleman, more like a merger.” He lamented.

“I will be paying more than what you earn in a month you know?”

“Stop bragging now, what's up?”

“Put a call through to Mrs. Vivian Harrington for a private meeting with the family by 8., I said.

“Why don't you do that?” He asked.

I smiled, “Will just do your job, Elijah?”

“Oh damn you. I will.” He disconnected the call.

Five minutes later, he called again. “I have delivered your message and she says she will be waiting by 8.”

“Thank you and I want you present too. " I said.

“Me!? For what!?”

“Take notes. You are my personal assistant. I'll be waiting.” I said, disconnecting the call.

7:51pm, I knotted my tie in front of the huge mirror at the hotel I was staying at for the time being

Soon enough, I'm outside and took the Uber to their mansion where they had resented me their whole lives.

With calculated steps, I entered the mansion and into their dining hall as I watched Lila tidy up the table. I couldn't help but imagine how badly they treated me. Without saying anything, I walked towards the chair they once rebuked me because I sat down on it.

Now, everything is different, I'm their boss now and they have to be watchful with their tongues. It is good to see the blabbing Nathan now calm as possible.

I stared at him. “You're the CEO of Swiift Tech right?” I asked.

“Yes, I am. Any problem?” He replied.

“You would know that Charles wants to meet with me.”

“I don't know that,”

“Now, you know. He doesn't know who I am. Name your price to keep your mouth shut about who I am,” I said.

Nathan laughed out loud till his face turned red. I don't really care as long as Charles doesn't know who I was.

“Think you can buy me with money?” He asked.

“Everyone has a price. Name yours.”

“Would you give me 70 million dollars to keep my mouth shut?” He said and laughed out again.

Little did he know that becoming a billionaire comes with its perks. I have all their secrets; Secrets that would land them in jail. I tucked my hand into my jacket and brought a paper out.

I left my seat and walked towards where Nathan is seated.

“This was 2022,” I slammed the paper on the table with my hand. “Intellectual property infringement with two different companies. They sued, but you managed to overthrow that. I don't know how you did it, but you did.”

I dipped my hand in my back pocket. Then slammed it on the table — Pictures of Nathan and the drug Lord whom the FBI had been searching for.

“We let this out and your business career would be in the mud.” I whispered to him.

Nathan fumed standing up to meet me in the eye. He squeezed my shirt. At that moment, Claire entered.

“What's going on here?” She asked, staring at me.

I didn't respond and I'm sure no one had the energy to do that. Then I continued. “Here is my deal to you, Nathan. Keep my business out of Mr. Charles’ way and this stays hidden. I won't repeat myself twice.” I said, releasing myself from his grip ,and walked towards my chair.

“Then you won't get the file you want on Charles.” Vivian exploded.

“Oh Vivian,” I stared at her pitifully as I tilted my head sideways a little. “You’re so eager to want your family members except my wife as the CEO, right?”

“Yes,” she responded.

“Then, I'll add one more. Christopher becomes the CEO and —” I stared at Lila. “She just graduated from college, and she loves fashion. She'd do well as a creative director.”

“Are you helping or are you mocking?” Nathan asked.

“Which do you think it is?” I glared at him and turned to Lila. “What's your say, young lady? The offer stands for one minute.”

Immediately, she responded. “I accept.”

And right there goes my pawn who would take out every last piece on the board.

“See you tomorrow then.” I said, smiling.

I was walking away when I halted in my tracks. “And Christopher being the CEO, he is just occupying that space. Every project goes through the senior staff and down to me, he shouldn't dare open any folder.” I threatened.

“You're making him your slave then!” Vivian yelled.

“Exactly, you caught on fast. An expensive slave that is.” I replied, walking away. “Meeting dismissed!”

“Liam!” Claire yelled at me, but I kept walking. “Liam!” She called out again and I stopped without turning. “What do you think you're doing?” She asked as she looked me in the eyes.

I didn't respond. Still deep down, I prayed and wished she wouldn't support them. I wished she'd be neutral like she was when I had nothing. I wished she would just be a bystander —

“Why are you doing this?” She asked and it shattered me.

“Doing what?” I asked.

“You mocked my family!” She yelled and I scoffed.

I pressed my fingers against my nose. “Do you know, throughout those three years when Mr. Edward died. They mocked me and you didn't say a word. Now you are confronting me because of them?” I said as my voice began to break.

“They are my famil—”

“No! I'm your fucking family! I'm your fu-fucking family, Claire!” I felt the tears wanting to drop, but I made sure they didn't.

But just thinking about how she never went against them while they maltreated me made the tears run.

“I won't let you treat my family like trash. Because you hit a few million dollars, you feel you can treat them that way?”

“What?” I whispered.

“Yes, you heard me, they are more of a family to me than you are to me. Where were you when my father died? Now, you're rich and you think you can rub that on our faces? Who do —”

I waved my hand to stop her from talking. “It is alright. I get it. Just one question though.” I looked straight into her eyes. “Them or me? Choose one. And do that right now.”

“Liam…”

“Choose one, Claire.”

She looked towards the corridor which linked the dining table to the living room — Then right at me.

And she said slowly, “I choose them, Liam.” She adjusted her posture. “And I'll choose them again if you ask tomorrow.” She added and my heart broke as I clenched my jaw.