Rise of the Rich and Powerful Jamie Ashford

Chapter 9

Ray motioned for his men, and they moved swiftly, stepping out and clearing everyone outside the store with military precision. The manager, Ms. Tricia, returned, her face pale with fear. She trembled as she approached Jamie, but there was no longer any hint of defiance in her gaze—just an overwhelming dread.

"Please, Mr. Jamie," she begged, her voice shaking. "Let me settle this with you. You can pay for what you took... and I am sorry for my misconduct earlier and those of the girls."

Jamie didn't even blink as he swiped his card, clearing the five million-dollar bill without hesitation. Ms. Tricia stared at the receipt in disbelief, but there was nothing she could do. Her hands trembled as she handed Jamie his purchases, and with a nod, he turned and walked out of the store. Questions filled her head to ask but she wouldn’t dare, Ray Fenix was very clear with his instructions, the consequences of disobedience would be dire. 

He lingered at the plaza’s gate, the sun glinting off his haul, waiting for a taxi. Then came the rumble—three black G-Wagons, sleek and menacing, screeched to a halt before him. Doors flew open, and ten men spilled out, clad in tailored suits and earpieces. 

Their leader, a lean figure with a hawkish face, dropped to one knee, the rest following. "Young Master," he intoned, voice steady. "We’ve been sent by your grandfather to escort you."

Jamie was momentarily stunned. "My grandfather?" he asked, the words barely escaping his lips.

“Yes, Young Master. We are here to serve you. You will no longer need to worry about anything.” 

Jamie eyed the cars—$2 million each, customized with military-grade armor and tech, pocket change to the fleet Raymond had promised. A grin tugged at him—his life was a campus fable now, rags to riches in a heartbeat. 

“I’m Tom Yates,” the man said, handing over a sleek tablet. “Your PA and head of security—a squad of nine special elite forces under me.”

Tom was a tall, imposing figure, his suit tailored to perfection, and his demeanor exuded a sense of authority. Jamie followed him into the middle G-Wagon’s plush interior, his mind still processing everything that had happened.

As the car drove through the streets, Tom filled Jamie in on the details. "Your grandfather is watching over you," Tom said. "And he will not allow you to suffer the way you have in the past. Everything has been arranged. You have security, wealth, and influence beyond your wildest dreams. But the most important thing is... you are never alone in this anymore."

Jamie nodded, his thoughts still swirling. This was a new chapter in his life, one he hadn’t been prepared for, but he was determined to take control of it.

Soon, they arrived at the Clayton Skyline Hotel—a luxury 12-star property that looked more like a palace than a hotel. The penthouse suite, which Jamie was told was now his, was worth over $2 million a night and $79.9 million to own.. It was nothing short of extraordinary. Tom led Jamie inside, showing him every detail of his new home. There was a private helipad, a massive swimming pool, and a collection of cars that would make any billionaire jealous. 

“This is yours, Young Master,” Tom said, gesturing to the entire penthouse. “Everything in it is yours. And when you’re ready, we can fly you to the Lady Goodwin yacht for Sonia’s birthday party. You are the special guest.”

Tom passed him a velvet box. Jamie cracked it open—an invite to Sonia Goodwin’s yacht party on the Lady Goodwin. “A high-ranking Ashford subordinate was the special guest,” Tom explained. “The Goodwins and Crooks were so thrilled when we honoured the invitation. Now you’re taking his place as the special guest.”

Jamie smiled. For the first time in years, he felt like he was finally in control. He had been brought here for a reason, and he wasn’t going to waste it.

Jamie’s smile widened. “And after?”

“Your granfather has ordered us to fly you to one of your late father’s private islands in the Maldives. You’ll meet there—officially, and get proper answers to all your questions.” 

Jamie leaned back, the leather cradling him. A private island—his father’s—while he and his mother had scraped by in squalor. If only she’d told him. Soon, Raymond would explain it all.

Before he could say anything further, his phone rang. It was from the hospital. St. Mary’s General—the one he now owned. He answered, and a crisp voice greeted him, the new head doctor. “Sir, per your instructions about your stepfather’s checkups, Ben Reynold’s here today. Routine visit.” 

Jamie’s lips curled. Ben’s biweekly ritual at St. Mary’s—treatment for a creeping illness he couldn’t skip. If he misses a week, and his odds of dying spiked over 60%, a clock he never dared test. Jamie knew it well, he had seen the man’s diligence and commitment to this routine at St. Mary’s. But after the cruelty, the party, the corpse—Ben deserved to squirm. 

“Keep him there,” Jamie said, voice cold. “No treatment till I say. Stall him.” Jamie was yet to decide what punish Ben deserved for all he did to him and his now-late mother.

“Yes, sir,” the doctor replied, and the line went dead. 

Jamie tapped the phone against his chin, plotting Ben’s punishment—something slow, fitting. Just then, another call cut through—Ray Fenix. “Momentuum’s shut down, boss. And we have Mick with us, bound to a chair. Waiting for your instruction, boss.”

“Good,” Jamie said. “I’ll come when I’m ready. Just keep him there.” He hung up.

Jamie smiled. Things were moving faster than he had expected. Now, it was time to take back everything that was rightfully his—and more.

For now, he had a party to attend, he couldn’t wait to see the faces of his nemeses when they see him land on that yacht in a private helicopter. Hahaha!