Rebirth Of The Forsaken Son-in-law

Chapter seven.

Rapheal control his breath, maintaining a steady pace.

The early morning breeze caressed his face, moist and cool.

His feet thundered on the ground. Muscle tighten against his skin tight work out clothes which was already soaked though with sweat.

The neighborhood was silent, and there was no one around. Mainly because the Devereux family owned the whole estate. 

Hah...nothing is as good as an early morning run.

"Are you listening to what I am saying?" Vicent's voice came from the earpod plugged to his left ear.

"Right...yes...you were saying?"

"You weren't listening." Vicent sighed. Frustration spilling out of his words.

"About 20 of the writers already left. 7 staffs handed in their resignation and 15 writers are demanding their payments and don't want to work with the company anymore." Raphael stopped to catch his breath. 

He looked up at the sky that was starting to brighten as the sun rose. "What else?"

"I talked to the editorial chief and all in all you have a lot of debt." Vicent was looking through some files in his laptop. He massaged his temple with one hand. "Seriously why did you decide on buying this dying camel? I really can't tell what you are thinking?"

"Don't overwork yourself. There are more things I need you to do for me."

His best friend didn't reply, and there was a short pause that lasted about half a minute. "But, what if it fails?"

Raphael stretched his limbs and rolled his waist until it gave a satisfactory pop. "Don't worry Vicent. I won't be losing a single penny."

"I understand." Vicent clenched his fist. Raphael's confidence and trust in him touched him deeply.

At the age of 23 he was playful and a bit immature. He could sense that most people considered him as unreliable.

It wasn't hard to tell when his parents decided to let his younger brother manage their family restaurant instead of him, the elder one.

He wasn't against it, but that didn't mean it didn't hurt.

"Take it easy okay? I will send you a list of people later. Those ones even if they want to leave don't let them." Rapheal said. 

He couldn't let those golden hens escape.

Vicent replied promptly. "I understand."

"See you later." Done for the day, Rapheal turned around and walked back home.

When he entered the house he could sense the strange atmosphere.

The whole family was sitting at the living room. They seemed to be in the middle if a discussion before he walked in.

Rapheal's attention was drawn towards the slightly old man holding a news paper. A cup of coffee perched at the side.

Despite his age, there was no sign of weakness in the least. His posture was upright, a hint of white poking out from his neatly combed hair. 

His face was stern and sharp. With some kind of inborn righteousness that made him look like a good person.

Rapheal clenched his teeth. The face alone brought back many memories. Mostly that of heartbreak.

Fraudulent bastard.

[DING...-1000 DOLLARS.]

Before he could argue with the system, Noah spoke up.

"Come with me to my office." The old head stood up and walked ahead.

Dante stared at him with deep eyes as he followed. Raphael returned it calmly, and then smiled at his fake mother who was looking at him with pure hatred.

As if wanting to rip him apart.

A thick round object brushed past his head the moment he stepped into the study room.

That stinged. Rapheal tilted his head darkly.

"Are you taking me for a joke?" Noah yelled at him. The desk rattled as he slammed his fist on the wooden surface angrily.

Rapheal actually wanted to laugh. And he did.

Hands on his knees he laughed loudly.

Noah was shocked. The simmering anger he felt cooled, replaced by even something more. "You think just because I let you keep the inheritance then you can do whatever you like."

"No. Not actually. I just needed the money." Raphael stood up straight. Facing him at eye level. 

"I didn't say anything the first time. But then you went ahead to buy that useless company without telling anyone. Even a child would know that it is a waste of money."

So the news have reached him.

The old head let out a shaky breath. "Do you think I can't do anything to you?"

No, and yes. Everyone knows about the inheritance the past head left for him after he died. If anything was to happened to him, then the Devereux family would be held responsible.

It won't be much of a hassle to sweep one murder under the rug, but they cared about their reputation too much and won't risk it.

"I will let you off this time with just a warning for the sake of the father-son bond we had shared over the years." Noah sat down on his chair. His face stern and solemn. "Apart from making you disappear, there are many more ways I can deal with you."

Father and son bond? Rapheal scoffed in his head. But inside, his ending in his past life made his heart ache.

Does it really means anything to these people?

Obviously not.

Rapheal had classes at the uni from two in the afternoon. He took a refreshing bath, change into a simple daily clothing and left the house. It was still early so he decided on having breakfast at a small bakery while looking through the stocks he invested in.

Good. His babies where doing very well.

The odds were still low at the moment. And even if the price dropped he didn't panic but instead he took the opportunity to buy more.

Rapheal sipped on his hot cappuccino. He bit into his tomato-beef sandwiched and let out an amazed moan.

This tastes good. Very good.

The door of the bakery opened. He didn't look up until the man dressed in a full suit, with a bodyguard earpiece in his ear stopped by his table.

He looked up lazily, straw in mouth. 

"Young master. Our boss would like to meet." The bodyguard said respectively.

Rapheal's lips hooked up. About time.