The Illegitimate Heir

Epilogue

Adrian had to follow them to the capital.

That was when he realised that the Zerovia Intelligence Agency had been picking up the threads about the network for years now.

The agency reported directly to Caroline’s office, so she knew that there was a single individual who had a system that gave him access to information the government believed was too dangerous to be controlled by just an individual.

Information was power, and the Zerovian government was sceptical of an individual holding that much power in a nation.

They had been following the case but kept coming to a dead end.

Until one of the Weavers, who had resigned, gave them firsthand information.

Adrian knew when the person left. He just hadn’t thought he would take such steps.

If it had been before, even tattling couldn’t have led them directly to Adrian.

But that one time he had logged in without encryption had exposed him, and the opportunist had taken that chance to tell all, knowing Adrian’s name alone was enough to get him a nice retirement bonus.

“I still can’t believe you did not tell me,” Caroline told him after another deliberation meeting with the officials about the matter.

“It wasn’t necessary. I never knew you were interested. It helped me and others. It was never a threat to the nation.”

His response during the panel questioning echoed the same sentiments, too.

Despite some attempts to shake his confidence, Adrian remained implacable and answered each question with clarity and decisiveness.

Eventually, what could have led to imprisonment for many resulted in the agency proposing to adopt the Spider Network’s data into their system.

Adrian balked at the thought.

Still, he knew when to stop while he was winning.

The network had served him beautifully over the years. If it could help make the nation’s intelligence data fuller, he was up for it.

He agreed and added his own condition.

He wouldn’t just hand over his network without being a part of the system.

After negotiations, it was agreed that Adrian Jenkins would become the Special Director of Strategic Intelligence and Network Operations.

He would retain the ownership rights to the network while giving the agency agreed access and usage rights.

The exceptional technical skills he used with the network were something the agency wanted, too, so his title wasn’t just a phoney one.

The benefits that came with it were nothing to sneeze at.

By the time he left the capital, Adrian had secured a $20 million annual compensation package, plus a $75 million integration f*e and a separate licensing contract.

He would handle the network’s technical integration and was free to appoint its operational leadership.

The man who returned to Aurion was many times richer in money and influence by the time his jet touched down.

He didn’t even have to be on-site, yet all he needed would be provided without question.

“Gramps would be so proud,” Caroline had said before he departed. “Look at us. Two Jenkinses taking the world by storm.”

“At least this part of the world,” Adrian had joked.

But he fully understood what she meant.

Who could have thought?

He, who had been dubbed trash and a nobody, was now reporting directly to the president while still being the known owner of Echelon Inc., the gaming company giving all others a run for their money, and the silent owner of Dominion Group, the number one business empire in Aurion.

Well, it had taken some hits these past years, but Adrian was determined to take it beyond what it had ever been known for.

When he stepped out of the jet and saw the woman waiting for him at the pad, his heart swelled as though nothing else mattered more than this identity.

Adrian, husband to this incredible woman.

Seraphina ran towards him and jumped into his arms for a tight hug.

After a lingering kiss, she showed him a video.

A cargo jet taking off with the name GLENCO LOGISTICS boldly written on the sides.

“Our first. The first of many.”

“Well done, my superwoman,” Adrian complimented her with heartfelt awe.

Seraphina laughed gaily.

“This superwoman couldn’t have done it without you, my superman.”

Hand in hand, Phantom and his Phoenix left the landing pad behind, with the world spread before them as their oyster.

As they entered the car, the note Dahlia had sent to Adrian came to mind.

Richard’s note.

One particular line struck him at that particular time.

I was truly blind not to have seen it all this while. A lioness wouldn’t give birth to a sheep. You’re the symbol of resilience, just like your mother. It’s why I lose to you every time. It’s why the world has no choice but to give way for you. You are more than the label pinned on you, Adrian. You’ve always been.

THE END