The Understated billionaire: The Ex-son-in-law's rise

Chapter three

Lucas and Camilla sat in the car in front of The Regal Crest Hotel. It wasn't merely a hotel, it was a kingdom for the elites.

The Regal Crest Hotel pierced the skyline with its glass facade. Its exterior was a reflection of polished marble and glass. Everything screamed luxury and grandeur.

"After you Miss" Lucas gestured with his right hand pointing at the hotel's entrance. He requested for her to go inside first. Lucas was still under a mission and had to keep a low profile. To be seen in public with Camilla could blow his cover and that was the last thing he wanted right now.

Camilla Adam wasn't just anyone , Her father, Mr Adam was the president of the City's Chamber of commerce. A man of great influence and that he wasn't ready to risk. 

"What's your fear" Camilla rolled her eyes. 

"I just came out of the prison, it would be best for you not to be seen with an ex-convict" 

"Why's that?"

"For security reasons. Please don't ask further" 

"You're being overly cautious if you think about it" a bit of suspense resting softly on her lips. She didn't understand why he wanted her to go in alone first. 

"That wasn't a request ma'am" he replied sternly leaving her to her thoughts. 

"I see" she was impressed, he was influential. Even when she wanted to say no, her body was bent on listening to him, it was due to the effect he had on her. Reluctantly she agreed to his request.  

Oliver kept on scanning the environment, he was always security conscious, it was an inbuilt trait. One of the reasons he was regarded of high esteem in his job. 

"Muahh" she planted a soft kiss on his cheeks while he wasn't paying attention. "My way of saying thank you" she added immediately. 

Stepping out of the car elegantly, her head tilted high, her back arched, Camilla swayed her hips to each side in rhythm as she walked into the reception.  

Lucas watched from inside the car and couldn't help but smile sheepishly reminiscing on what she did earlier. For a moment he let her fill his mind. 

She walked into the space with an aura that drew attention without asking for it. Her heels clicked against the marble floor like an explosive's countdown , each step taken deliberately.

Each floor a reflection of wealth and ambition. Only the most exclusive guest ever stepped here. The likes of billionaires, global power players and the dangerously influential. The air carried the subtle scent of oud and old money.

"Welcome back Miss Adams" the light skin receptionist smiled acknowledging her presence.

"Thank you" she tilted her head not breaking from her walking rhythm. The hallway was filled with cameras, enough to capture every heartbeat. A card was needless to have access to the room as only her biometric was needed.  

"Time to go" Lucas snapped out of his thoughts, adjusted his cuffs, shutting the car door behind him. His eyes wandered the hotel premises, scanning every possible exit, counting every step he took as he approached the elevator.

The elevator doors opened and as fate would have it, he met people that reminded him of the past. His ex mother-in-law, Stella Bryant and brother-in-law, Charlie Bryant, and for that moment he forgot he needed to use the elevator as his gaze never left them. 

"Who do we have here?" Stella asked shocked to see him. To their best of knowledge he was supposed to be in prison not in a grand hotel.

"The Almighty Lucas Oliver, Our In-law" Charlie replied sarcastically as they stepped out of the lift, letting it shut after them.

"You're out?" She asked smiling awkwardly, surprise written all over her.

"You must be wondering why. I was of best behaviour, led to me early release " Lucas answered her, his hands dipped in his pockets.

"I see" Stella scoffed awkwardly wishing he spent more time there. "How did the divorce negotiations with Bella go?" Not wanting to dwell in his world.

"Oh that!" He sighed. "I signed the divorce papers earlier today " he explained. "There were unsettled things between us that needed us to go separate ways. I was at fault in most areas and I take accountability, she had nothing to do with it "

"Of course she had nothing to do with it " A harsh scoff escaped her lips. "It's obvious you're nothing but being delusional must be so silly of you" She mocked. 

"Poor thing " Charlie added.

"We both made mistakes, it's all over now" Lucas reminded.

"Mistakes?" She spat. "The only mistake here is you. We made a mistake accepting you into our family" 

"I'm no longer in your family"

"You never were. Dumb of you to ever assume you were one of us" she had fun trying to belittle him. "Even if Bella never asked for s divorce, I would have made sure of that myself. I'd have made sure you left and without a penny. How could a Jailbird like you be worthy of her, not on my watch?" She sneered.

"The money, hand over all of it" Charlie chipped in.

"What money?" 

"The money Bella gave you, return all of it, not a dime should be left. It belongs to us." Stella confronted.

"I took nothing from her" his voice remained too controlled for the situation. "Our marriage ended because of several emotional factors we lacked and not some financial gains"

"Am I supposed to believe that? Charlie darling, search him. Everything you earned, I own. You have no right to keep my family's money." she ordered her son.

Lucas exhaled not ready to be entangled any further, he shoved Charlie's hand away when he lunged at him. Charlie fell to the floor on purpose, pretending to be hurt.

"Ouch" he screamed holding his arms. "You're going to pay for this. My medical bills are on you"

"Ooh Charlie darling " Stella ran to her son's aide. "How dare you? You didn't just steal from us , you dared to hit him" She cried dramatically hugging her suddenly fragile son. "Security! We need help. There's a thief here" she beckoned on passersby.

"This is ridiculous " Lucas laughed at the absurdity as he turned to leave , just then his eyes fell on it, around her neck, the necklace. It was the heirloom pendant from his mother he gave to Bella, now his ex-wife. That was the only thing he needed from her. 

"That necklace" his jaw clenched "Where did you get it from?" "I gave it to Bella " he frowned. "It's mine, you'd have to return it" he demanded.

"It was given to Bella, it now belongs to her. I have no intention of returning it since it's now hers" She answered with no iota of guilt. She assumed it was of high value when she discovered it was a family heirloom.

Lucas grew more agitated, rush of anger ran through his bone marrow. He bent to snatch it away from his neck when he was stopped by the security.

"Please show us your VIP card sir" one of them requested bringing him to a stop. "If you don't, you'd be detained and accused of creating havoc, harassing customers and disturbing business" 

"Look who's going back to the prison " Charlie felt satisfied.

"What good is being able to fight? You're way beneath us! Let that sink. Without money or power you shouldn't be breathing the same air we do" Stella cussed. "I know you're not smart but you should be for now, hand over the money and I'll save your ass from going right back to prison " 

"Who said he needs to give you money?" Camilla appeared asking coldly.