Rise of the big bad son-in-law

Chapter seven.

Jamal stepped out of the bathroom, a white towel draped over his shoulders, his hair still damp from the shower. 

The day had been long... too many cameras, too many congratulations, too many faces smiling for their own advantage. Yet the memory of Mrs. Smith and Eva’s mortified expressions when he exposed them still made him chuckle softly. That look of humiliation on their faces was priceless... It was enough to erase the hell they made him go through living with them, even though he wasn't done with them yet.

He picked up his phone from the nightstand, intending to check the time, but froze when the screen lit up.

27 missed calls from Eva.

Jamal blinked amusedly, scrolling through the notifications. There were also seven text messages, each more desperate than the last.

"Jamal, please answer my call." 

"I didn’t know, okay? I was wrong. Please let’s talk." 

"You didn't have to out us like that, and terminating the contract wasn't necessary, but I forgive you, let's talk."

"I miss you, Jamal. Can we meet for dinner?" 

"Please. Just one evening. You owe me that much." 

"You used to love me so much right? We can start over."

"I’m sorry for everything." 

He stared at the last message for a long moment, an incredulous smile tugging at his lips.

 “Unbelievable,” he murmured.

The same woman who spat on his name, who called him worthless in front of her family, now wanted dinner? Missed him? How shameless can she be? 

He tossed the phone back onto the bed, shaking his head. “Shameless doesn’t even begin to cover it.”

Just as he was about to turn off the lights, a knock sounded on the door.

He frowned slightly. “Evelyn?”

No answer.

He called again, louder this time. “Evelyn, you can come in, the door is open.” 

The door opened slowly, but it wasn’t Evelyn.

Adolphus stood there, a smile plastered across his face that didn't seem too genuine.

Jamal straightened slightly. “Adolphus,” he greeted cautiously. “It’s late.”

“I know,” Adolphus said smoothly, stepping into the room without invitation. “But I needed to speak with you. Something important.”

Jamal gestured toward one of the armchairs near the window. “Go ahead.”

Adolphus didn’t sit. Instead, he walked slowly across the room, examining the decor.

"Grandpa never let anyone into this part of the estate,” he said finally, glancing over his shoulder with a faint smirk. “he certainly left you the best of everything.”

Jamal folded his arms. “He left me his responsibilities too, not just his luxuries. I intend to treat both seriously.”

Adolphus chuckled quietly, turning back toward him. “That’s exactly why I came.”

He clasped his hands behind his back. “You see, Jamal, since you’re now officially the CEO, it’s time to establish a proper structure. You’ll need people you can trust in the right places.”

Jamal’s brows lifted slightly. “And you’re suggesting what, exactly?”

Adolphus smiled wider. “I’m suggesting that you position me properly, perhaps as General Manager of one of the top departments. I’ve been around the company long enough to know how things work. It’s only fair.”

Jamal’s gaze hardened just a bit. “That’s not how this works.”

Adolphus blinked. “I’m sorry?”

"It's not proper to hand out positions like that,” Jamal said calmly. “There are people already occupying those roles... qualified people. Firing them for family politics isn’t how I intend to run this company.”

Adolphus’s smile faltered. “You’re the CEO now Jamal, You can fire as many people as you want.”

Jamal shook his head. “I could, yes. But I won’t. Grandfather seemed to trust these people for a reason. If I start firing staff without cause, the entire structure will crumble, that'll affect us, I'm sorry but I can't do that to soothe your ego." 

Adolphus let out a cold laugh. “Ego, huh? Now that’s rich coming from the man who suddenly inherited everything overnight.”

"You really have to stop saying that, I'm sure you can see that I didn’t inherit just fortune,” Jamal replied. "There's a great deal of responsibility too." 

“That’s the same thing,” Adolphus snapped. “Don’t play the humble card with me, Jamal. You think I don’t see through that quiet act of yours? You sit there pretending to be noble, but deep down you’re enjoying this. The sudden wealth, the attention and power. Don’t pretend otherwise.”

Jamal sighed softly, walking toward the minibar. He poured himself a glass of water and leaned against the counter. “You’re entitled to your opinion. But I’m not firing anyone. I can, however, have the account manager send you some funds." 

Adolphus’s jaw clenched. “I don’t want your charity.”

“It’s not charity,” Jamal replied calmly. “We are family, I'm sorry for not doing what you asked, it's just not a good idea." 

Adolphus’s eyes has gone cold now. “You really think you can stand on that stage and act righteous? That you’re better than the rest of us because Grandfather chose you? You think that crown on your head means you’re untouchable?”

Jamal set the glass down gently. “I think it means I have a job to do. And I intend to do it right.”

Adolphus’s face darkened. “Listen to me, dear cousin,” he hissed. “You may have the title, but you don’t understand this world yet. If you don’t start playing by my rules, you won’t last here.”

Jamal chuckled quietly, unflinching. “Is that a threat?”

Adolphus smiled, but his eyes were cold. “Call it… advice.”

He straightened his jacket and turned toward the door. “Enjoy your little moment of glory, Jamal. It won’t last.”

As the door closed behind him, Jamal exhaled slowly, rubbing his temples. "What is it with this family and threats?" He mumbled to no one in particular.

He walked back to the bed, sat down, and glanced once more at his phone screen. Eva’s messages still sat there, desperately.

"Pathetic, this one." He chuckled.