The rise of the forgotten son-in-law

Chapter 5

And when I did, I heard him laugh through the mask.

"So the rumors are true. I never thought we’d get to see you again," he said cheerfully. "And I’m sure you know who I am."

"Yeah, Bigi, I know it’s you," I said.

"Good, very good. You don’t look like yourself anymore. I guess those three years away from the organization really took a toll on you," he said.

"And that’s why you had to come with so many men to find me?" I added.

"Oh, come on. It’s been a while since any of us saw you in action. We were hoping for a bit of that." I glared at him, and he kept quiet.

 "You’re welcome back, Adrian."

"Yeah, I know you were going to find me eventually. So, how’d you do it?"

"You know I’m not one of those tech guys, but I’m really going to advise you to ditch your phone, the non encrypted one."

"Ah, shit. I should have known." I bit my lip, then took the iphone out of my pocket.

I stared at it. 

The only reason I had gotten it in the first place was so I could stay away from this world and move toward having a family. 

But that didn’t work out. I had endured so much humiliation and insults from them. I had Ada on my side for a while, but slowly, things started changing. And now, she was gone too.

That meant everything else had to go. I took the ring out of my breast pocket, too.

"Hey, Bigi, hand me a gun." He didn't ask any questions. He handed me his pistol, and then I opened the car door. 

I placed the phone on the ground and fired two bullets, destroying the phone completely.

Then I handed the ring to Bigi. "Get rid of this for me immediately."

He nodded, then walked over to the side of the road. His huge figure obscured what he was doing. 

When he stepped away, a small explosion happened behind him.

He gestured to the other men. They bowed, then raised one hand up like they were cheering before placing it on their chests. 

That was their hailing greeting. I stepped out of the car and raised two fingers in acknowledgement.

Then they walked back into the SUV.

"Welcome back, Boss. If there’s anything you need, we’re at your service," Bigi said.

I gave him the peace sign with my fingers, and he walked over to the Escalade. As soon as he got in, both cars sped off into the distance.

I breathed in slowly, then exhaled through my mouth. That was quite a meeting, and I had gotten a gun, too. 

It would be useful at any moment since word had spread fast, and noon hadn't even come.

I continued my journey, and in a couple of minutes, I was able to locate the house Marcus directed me to through the navigation panel on the car.

I stopped in front of the building, and before I could honk, the gate was already opening. So, that meant they were expecting me.

It was a nice place. The building was white, and so was the tile and even the Lamborghini out in front. It was like Marcus had this place set out for me. I liked it already.

I stopped the car and got out. I was welcomed by a female staff member who led me into the building.

 The living room was quite spacious and had a luxurious setting. 

Then I climbed up the steps, and she showed me my room, the kitchen, and a guest room, with an office at the corner of the building.

I just needed a place to stay, but this was perfect.

I thanked her, then excused myself to my room. I lay on the bed and shut my eyes for a bit. 

Adjusting to everything felt so overwhelming, but it’s what I wanted now more than anything, to be in power once more.

I wasn’t going to rush in without a plan. My residence had been secured, now I had to get my funds. 

It would have been easier to ask Marcus for a hundred million dollars, and he would run it up instantly, but I couldn’t depend on him for everything if I wanted to get back to the top.

I had to climb up with my own resources.

And I knew exactly the man to call for that. I took out my phone and scrolled through for a specific number.

I found it, my lawyer. Then I placed the call. After the second ring, he picked up.

"Hello, Jeffrey. It’s been a while," I said.

"No way! I never thought you’d stay away for so long when you said you needed a break."

"Yeah, I know. But the good news is, I’m back," I said. "So, without wasting any time, I need your assistance."

"Oh, yes sir. I’m ready to be of service," he said.

"Good. My three bank accounts were frozen. Could you get the documents for those accounts and the exact details of what's left over?"

"Yes, sir. I can do that. Give me a minute."

He didn’t hang up the phone. He just moved around, and I could hear the opening and closing of big lockers on the other side.

"Alright, I’ve got it," he said. "So, for your Express Bank account, you left five hundred and forty million there.”

“In your Nexus Bank, there’s one billion dollars. And for your Gemi account..." He paused and cleared his throat. 

"There’s a total of eight billion dollars there, but they are divided into stocks and property, which leaves the main account balance at two billion dollars."

A small smile formed on my lips. "So, we can get it all unfrozen today?"

He paused for a moment, and I heard him flip through papers. 

"Yes, we can, but it would require some assistance from very influential people. You know that kind of money would shake the market, Adrian."

"Of course I do. Besides, it’ll be a little fun to watch it on the news. So, you should start working on it now. I also need a card for each account. Anywhere you get stuck, call me."

"Yes, sir," he responded. I hung up.

I opened my contacts list again, and when I dialed Marcus’s number, he picked up instantly.

"So, tell me, do you like the place?" he said before I could speak up.

"You definitely had this one planned out. I appreciate you, bro," I said. "Could you run a backup for me? I need another encrypted device, something I could easily work with. It seems like I’ve almost forgotten how to use this one."

"No problem, gee. Expect it in a couple of minutes."

I hung up the call, and an SMS came in. It was from my lawyer.

“The assets in the Nexus and Express accounts have been released. I will send the details to you shortly.”

“But the manager of the Gemi account says that your records have been wiped out and your assets now belong to the government.”

I inhaled to calm myself before typing back. “Can I have a name?” I sent it.

“His name is Justin Dee.”

“Alright, no problem. Try again in five minutes. The funds should be released.”

I knew exactly what Justin Dee was trying to do. Because Gemi Bank was the biggest bank in the city, most things they did went under the radar, and they embezzled funds without consequences. I was aware of all that.

I opened my contacts. I could call Marcus for this, but he was already busy. I needed someone else.

My advisor Brother John. He was like an older brother to me. I’m sure hearing my voice would come as a surprise to him.

I dialed the number, and it beeped only twice before he picked up.

"Hello?" he said, sounding unsure.

"Yes, it’s me, Adrian. Brother John."

He gasped, and then there was silence between us. "You... you..." he stuttered.

"Where are you? Are you okay? I've been keeping an eye on you. Has the situation improved?"

"I’ve found a better place, Joe," I said matter of fact. "I’m back in the game, and there’s a little pest who’s trying to get in my way. Justin Dee, the manager of Gemi Bank."

"It’s good to have you back, brother. This city has been dry without you. And about that pest... hold on a second." I heard the beeping of another phone call on the other end.

Then Joe spoke up, but not to me. "If the manager of your bank isn’t going to be compliant, then replace him instantly. Huge figures need to be released immediately."

"Yes, sir! Yes, sir!" I heard the other voice say.

Joe hung up that call and spoke to me.

"You see? It’s no problem. Besides, you have a lot of catching up to do. Meet me at our spot in the Grand Kitchen."