Rise of the big bad son-in-law

Chapter six.

This was the day the world meets Jamal Collins Lincoln... 

Not once did Andrew's threats shake him the tiniest bit, he has gone through what could have killed an ordinary man and survived, he isn't about to shy away now, and certainly not for the man responsible for his parents death.

They pulled up at the company building, and as Jamal stepped out, followed by Evelyn, Cameras flashed near the main entrance, journalists were present as well, their eyes already searching for a glimpse of the mysterious new Lincoln heir. 

But before they could reach the elevator that led to the upper floors, two familiar figures emerged from the next row of parked cars. 

Mrs. Smith. And Eva.

Ofcourse they'll be in attendance for the official introduction of the new Lincoln group's CEO, maybe even have a one or two tricks up their sleeves to win his heart... But if only they know.

They hadn’t seen him yet, too busy staring around and whispering to each other. But when Eva finally turned... those cold, mocking eyes locking on him, her laughter died for a split second, only to return louder.

“Wait,” she said, clutching her mother’s arm. “Is that..?”

Mrs. Smith turned, and when her gaze found Jamal, she let out a smug laugh. “Oh, this must be a joke. Tell me, what are you doing here again, Jamal? Why do you keep showing up at the Lincoln's events? What are you planning?" 

Eva laughed beside her. “Or maybe he’s working here now. Oh...” her eyes suddenly widened in mock realization. "you must be the new bodyguard for Grandpa Lincoln’s assistant, huh?”

Evelyn frowned, but before she could respond, Jamal lifted a hand. “Not yet.”

Mrs. Smith’s smirk deepened. “You’re telling your boss what to do now? How cute.”

Evelyn straightened, trying to speak again, but Jamal stopped her. “It’s all right, Evelyn. Let them talk. It’s the only thing they’ve ever been good at.”

Mrs. Smith clicked her tongue. “Still arrogant, aren’t you? I should’ve known prison wouldn’t fix that mouth.” She looked around dramatically. “We should probably call security. Or maybe the police. After all, escaped convicts shouldn’t be wandering around corporate property.”

Eva grinned, crossing her arms. “Relax, Mom. He’s harmless. Besides, when I charm the new CEO of Lincoln Industries, I’ll make sure to have him fired. He doesn’t deserve to work even as a bodyguard here.”

Jamal’s jaw tightened slightly, though his tone stayed even. “Still planning your next climb, Eva?”

Her grin faltered for a second. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I thought you’d already moved on to someone new,” he said. “But I guess the next rich man on the list always has your attention.”

Eva tilted her chin. “Not when it comes to the new Lincoln CEO. That man,” she said, touching her chest dramatically, “is my next goal. And when I have him, you’ll wish you never spoke to me like that.”

Mrs. Smith chuckled approvingly. “Don’t waste your breath on him, darling. He’s not even worth your pity.”

Jamal smiled warmly. “You’re right about one thing. I’m not worth your pity.”

He gestured toward the tall building. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have work to do.”

"Not so soon, I believe we have some unfinished business." Mrs Smith suddenly blurted. 

She reached into her purse and brought out an envelope. "After I ran into you that day at the funeral, I knew I'll be seeing you more often so I carried this with me everywhere." She threw the envelope at him.

Jamal couldn't get a hold of it due to how carelessly she threw it and it fell to the floor; again Evelyn made to react but Jamal held her back. "It's fine." He nodded at her, then crouched down and picked the envelope off the floor.

Pulling it open for the content, he smiled as his gaze fell on the paper inside; it had the inscription. "Divorce agreement." 

He had almost forgotten that he wasn't entirely divorced yet. 

Without uttering a single word, he slowly inscribed his signature and handed it back to Mrs Smith. 

"You're not going to beg like you used to? That's a new one," she chuckled mockingly.

Eva joined her in the laughter. "He's beginning to grow wings because he work for the billionaires now, all that changes when the Lincoln heir becomes mine."

Jamal so badly wanted to laugh at their ignorance but it wasn't the time yet.

***

Inside the building, dozens of cameras flashed as soon as Jamal entered with Evelyn by his side. Executives, investors, journalists, and employees filled the hall, all waiting for the introduction of the new CEO; the mysterious heir who had inherited the empire.

Evelyn leaned toward him slightly as they approached the stage. “Ready?”

Jamal nodded once. "A little nervous, but yes, I am ready." 

The spokesperson stepped to the microphone. “Ladies and gentlemen, Lincoln group welcomes you all to a big day. Today, we introduce the new head of this global empire, the one chosen by the late Mr. Collins Lincoln himself. Please welcome… Mr. Jamal Collins Lincoln.”

The hall went silent.

Then the applause hit, thundering through the entire building. Journalists surged forward, cameras flashing as Jamal stepped onto the stage.

Eva’s jaw dropped, and Mrs. Smith’s face went white.

Jamal gripped the podium, waited for the applause to fade, and then began to speak.

“Thank you,” he said in a slightly shaken voice. “It’s an honor to stand here today. My grandfather built this empire from nothing but vision . Those values built the foundation of everything you see here, and those are the same values I intend to restore.”

He paused, letting the quiet sink in before clearing his throat to continue.

 Evelyn stood just behind him, her expression unreadable, but her eyes gleamed with pride.

"However, there's an issue I must address right away, this is for the big investors gathered here today, I wasn't going to do this today in front of everyone present, but what better way can I prove myself to you than to save you from a mistake that'll cost you a lot... One that you must have already fallen for already." 

Everywhere suddenly went quiet as they all tried to understand where he was headed.

 “With that being said, my first action as the new CEO is to purge every trace of dishonesty from this company, every scam."  He paused. “And I’m starting right now, by officially terminating Lincoln groups contract with Smith Industries.”

The hall erupted in gasps. 

Mrs. Smith clutched her pearls, her mouth opening and closing soundlessly. Eva’s fingers trembled as her phone slipped from her grasp. "Mom, what's happening?" 

Jamal continued regardless. “I lived with the Smith family for years. I know their business inside and out. They forge data, manipulate audits, and fabricate numbers to win bids. Their success is built on deception, and as long as I lead this company, there will be no room for deceit.”

The words spread like wildfire through the crowd. Reporters started going live on the internet so the whole world outside could watch.

“I encourage every honest company in this room,” Jamal went on, “to do the same. Review your contracts with the Smiths if you don't believe me, and you'll find out for yourself.”

Within moments, the calls began; the investors had immediately started to reach their company. 

"Cancel the contract with the Smith's immediately."

"Fish out the Smiths contract and leave it on my table, I'm coming right away to review it myself." 

"By the time I get back, the Smiths contract should be terminated and they will payback every dime we've invested in them."

Jamal watched it all with quiet satisfaction. The same people who had mocked him now looked at him with fear. 

He looked directly at Mrs. Smith and Eva in the crowd, their faces pale and frozen. “Integrity,” he said making sure to hold their gaze. “isn’t negotiable. And the Lincoln name will never associate with fraud again.”

The applause came like a storm, shaking the room.

Jamal adjusted his cufflinks, eyes still locked on the Smiths. "This is just the beginning of my payback."