The Rise of Alexander Black (the Errand Boy)!

Chapter 10

Alex swirled the champagne in his glass and smiled at the couple before him—so dazzled, so unaware.

“I’d love to meet your son,” Alex said warmly. “I’m sure we’ll get along just fine.”

Charlotte Walts—elegant, graceful, and far too eager—clasped her hands with delight. “You’re such a remarkable young man, Alex. If you could mentor him… oh, what a blessing that would be.”

Alex grinned. “I’ll try my best. It’s only fair we help each other, isn’t it?”

The way they laughed, as if they had known each other for years, amused Alex to no end. Moments ago, they had tried to judge him. Now they wanted their son to become like him.

Mr. Walts, quiet and brooding beside his overly eager wife, finally spoke. “Forgive me, but you never mentioned—who are your parents again?”

The smile on Alex’s face tightened slightly. He turned to face the man directly, holding his gaze with sharp amusement gleaming in his eyes.

There was something about that look—quiet, commanding, dangerous—that made Mr. Walts shift uneasily.

“Kelvin, don’t ruin this!” Charlotte hissed, giving her husband’s arm a sharp pinch. “Can’t you see we’re building something wonderful here?”

Mr. Walts looked away, clearing his throat. “Right. My apologies.”

Alex sipped from his glass, watching them like an amused lion among startled deer.

‘So this is how the elites are,’ he mused. ‘Pushovers in pearls. They’re not bowing to wealth—they’re bowing to the appearance of it. I probably look more expensive than I am, and that’s all it takes for them to submit.’

He paused… then decided to push his luck.

“Wait,” Alex said, reaching into the inner pocket of his blazer. “I was actually saving this for someone else… but I think it belongs better with you.”

He handed Charlotte a small black box. Curious, she opened it—and gasped.

Inside sat a dazzling necklace, a brilliant halo of diamonds catching the chandelier’s light like stars. The price tag dangled freely: $50,000.

Alex blinked. He had forgotten to remove it.

But the effect was immediate.

“Oh… my… heavens!” Charlotte cried, her voice breathless with joy. She launched herself forward, wrapping Alex in a warm, motherly hug. “You’re unbelievable! We—we are now yours. Sworn allies, forever!”

Kelvin’s cold demeanor melted in an instant. He extended a hand to Alex and shook it firmly, offering a genuine smile for the first time. “I apologize for earlier, truly. You’re the kind of ally we need. What an honor to meet you.”

“We’d love to have you over for dinner sometime,” Charlotte chimed in eagerly. “Would you accept an invitation?”

“I’d be honored,” Alex said smoothly. “Before I forget… you mentioned you were shareholders at Heritage Finance?”

Kelvin’s chest puffed slightly. “We are. Ten percent stakes. We're part of a coalition trying to hold the bank steady.”

Charlotte leaned in, whispering as if afraid someone might overhear, “There’s been a recent shake-up. An anonymous tycoon just acquired 46% of the bank. No one knows who he is, but he’s trying to enforce new policies we don’t agree with.”

Alex’s eyes lit with interest. “Are these policies harmful to your stake?”

Charlotte shrugged. “Not particularly. But we don’t trust outsiders—especially those hiding behind a curtain.”

Alex nodded slowly. “What if I could offer you a deal?”

They leaned in.

“You’d have the alliance of my family and myself. And I’ll mentor your son as promised.”

The couple beamed.

“And in return,” Alex continued, “I’ll need a few things. First, complete secrecy about this conversation. And second… I need you to shift your allegiance.”

Their smiles faltered. “Allegiance?”

“Yes. I want you to stop opposing that anonymous tycoon and instead, support him.”

Kelvin frowned. “But why? He’s trying to take control.”

Alex’s tone remained calm. “He already has control. Your 10% paired with his 46%—that’s 56%. You’d be untouchable. Together, you'd control the bank outright.”

The couple exchanged startled glances.

Charlotte’s mind raced. “But… we don’t even know who this person is.”

Alex took a breath, then stepped closer, lowering his voice.

“You do now,” he said.

They froze.

“What?” Charlotte asked faintly.

“I’m the anonymous investor,” Alex said softly, a subtle smirk dancing on his lips. “Alexander Black.”

The color drained from their faces.

“You… you're—” Kelvin stammered.

“Yes,” Alex replied simply. “Keep it to yourselves. And let’s rule the bank together.”

The couple looked at each other, stunned… and then laughed with joy.

“This is insane!” Charlotte whispered. “But… we’re with you. Completely.”

“Welcome aboard,” Alex said with a satisfied nod.

Charlotte touched his arm. “Dinner, remember? Let’s fix a date soon. You’re family now.” Reminding him of her offer to host him for dinner, an opportunity for her son to meet with him.

Alex’s eyes shifted, catching a figure in the distance. Uncle Tony—standing in the corner, whispering intently to none other than Mr. Taylor, the president of Heritage Bank.

Alex’s gaze hardened slightly.

“Excuse me,” he said smoothly. “Duty calls.”

“One second!” Charlotte said quickly. “We didn’t even introduce ourselves.”

Kelvin stepped forward. “We’re Mr. and Mrs. Walts. Our son is Dustin Walts.”

Alex’s eyebrows lifted.

Dustin? ‘That Dustin?’

Of all people.

Charlotte giggled. “He’ll be here soon. He called to say he was picking up his new girlfriend.”

Alex chuckled, amused by the coincidence. “Looking forward to meeting him.”

He turned and walked toward Uncle Tony and Mr. Taylor.

Behind him, Charlotte quickly dialed her son’s number. “Dustin! Get here now! There's someone incredible you need to meet!”