The Rise Of Jack Reynolds

Chapter 8

Jack followed the doctor down the hallway to Harry's hospital room. Upon entering, he was struck by how frail Harry looked, hooked up to various machines.

Harry managed a weak smile, closing his eyes briefly. When he opened them again, he turned to face Jack.

"There will be a board meeting tomorrow in the company and I need you to represent me there," Harry said, gently touching his son. "You would make a good CEO."

"Thank you, father," Jack replied, his voice trembling. "But I don't think I will go, not when you're like this."

Harry nodded weakly. "I understand," he said. "But you can't let this stop you, Jack. You are now the heir and it would be a shame to let it go to the hands of your stepbrother."

Jack swallowed hard, "I'll try," he said, looking down at his hands. "But it won't be easy. Besides, I don't really know much about the whole stuff."

Harry smiled again. "I know it won't be," he said. " Take Tasha as your valet, she will show you everything you need to know.”

When Jack left the hospital, he decided to take his father's advice by attending the board meeting tomorrow to see how things are going in the company.

***

In the early hours of the next morning, Tasha showed him around the whole of the Reynolds estate and then took him back to the Reynolds HQ and showed him his room.

“This will be your room, Young Master.”

“Thank you so much.”

Jack walked in and saw that everything he needed was all in the suite. From the sitting room to the wardrobes.

Although, he wanted to sleep but he couldn't sleep as his mind wandered from one thing to the other.

He has his first board meeting coming up later in the day and he needs to be at his best.

As early as 6 am, Jack took his bath and wore a black suit before leaving with Tasha for Reynolds Corp.

They walked into the elevator and headed towards the conference room.

Jack strode into the conference room, with Tasha walking behind him.

A hush fell over the board members as their eyes turned towards jack.

They began to murmur among themselves.

“What's he doing here? Is he a part of us?” One of the board members asked.

“Does anyone know who this young man is?”

“Someone stop this young man!”

“I'm here to represent my father, Mr. Harry Reynolds.” Jack said.

The board members exchanged skeptical glances.

“Liar!” Mr Darwin, the board speaker shouted at him.

“It's true!” Tasha interrupted him. “This is Mr. Reynolds' first son and heir to the Reynolds Dynasty.”

The shock on the board members' face was visibly seen.

“Mr. Reynold had another son?”

“Yes.”

“That's impossible! The only son we know is Declan and he is the heir.” another board member said.

“No! Mr. Reynolds changed his will yesterday, after finding out about his illegitimate son.” Tasha said, bringing out the document to show them. “Here!”

Just then, Declan walked into the conference room and proceeded to sit at the head of the table with both legs crossed.

His mother, knowing about the board meeting, had asked him to come and deny his brother's claim.

“What's happening here?” He asked the board.

“What's this we're hearing now? Young Master Declan? That you're no longer the heir?”

Declan stood up, “That's all a lie!” Declan barked. “My father is not in his right senses now. He has dementia and these thieves are using that against us!”

“You're the one lying and I think you should reconsider your actions.” Jack replied firmly.

"F**k off."

Declan signaled, and his personal security entered the room.

Jack's security responded promptly and formed a protective circle around their young master.

"Tell your men to stand down. I'm not here for a fight." Jack asserted.

"You should have known you were asking for one by coming here." Declan said and smacked his hands on the table.

“I believe we should take a look at the will.” Mr Darwin declared, not wanting the matter to escalate.

After looking through the documents, the board members were divided. Some believed Jack, while others believed Declan.

“It's true, Mr. Reynolds has another son, I've heard that rumor before.”

“You can't be serious!

“I believe him.”

“And what if he does? This young man is an illegitimate son!”

The meeting became a mess, and Mr. Declan had to put a stop to it.

“Enough with this already! We'd need to hear from Mr. Reynolds himself after he recovers before we continue with the meeting. You may all leave!” Mr. Darwin, the speaker of the board, said and dismissed everyone.

***

Meanwhile, after the meeting, Jack received a phone call instructing him to rush back to the hospital immediately. His father needed him.

When he got there, he found his father still lying in bed.

Harry looked up and smiled when he saw Jack. "Good afternoon, my son," Harry said.

Jack smiled back. "Good afternoon, Dad," he replied. "How are you feeling?"

Harry shrugged. "I've never been better," he said. "You know that I am going to die soon," Harry continued, trying to breathe properly.

"We don't know anything, Dad."

But Harry knew that his time was up. He could feel his body slowly shutting down. "I have lived a long and fulfilling life, Jack.

I have no regrets. At Least, I've finally found you." Harry whispered, his voice barely audible.

He looked up at his son with a weak smile. "You're going to do great things, Jack. I have faith in you," he said before taking one final breath and closing his eyes forever.

Eventually, Jack got up from the bed and called for the nurse. The nurse came in and checked Harry's pulse, confirming what Jack already knew.

Harry Reynolds was dead.