The rise of the forgotten son-in-law

Chapter 7

"I'm confirming a private room reservation for Adrian Vale and John Lewis," She said.

She paused for a brief moment, then smiled at me. "Follow me, Sir," she said, walking in front of the same path I had come from.

She walked through the corridors, then she pressed a button on the wall that blended in with the yellow paint.

 A door slid open. It looked like the wall was splitting open. This was the upgrade I had missed.

She stepped in and I followed behind her. From the corner of my eye, I spotted someone ahead waving at me.

 I squinted through the blue lighting to recognize the person, but I couldn't. It was like his face was blurred from within. 

Now that I thought about it, the other people in the room were well spaced, but I couldn't recognize their faces or hear what they were saying.

We walked a bit, and it turned out the woman was leading me toward the person waving.

 Could it be Brother John? Suddenly, the blurriness from his face disappeared and I instantly recognized him. It was Joe. How did that happen?

As if he could read my thoughts, he said, "After three years, a lot has changed while you were away. Welcome back, Adrian.

"

"Have a seat," he gestured. The woman pulled out the seat opposite Joe and left us.

I sat opposite him. "My, my, I thought I'd never see you looking this young again in my life," he said.

We both laughed. "Come on, knock it off, man. You know how life gives us surprises," I said.

"Come to think of it, when you left, it was unbelievable. It was like a dream, Adrian," he said. 

"I too couldn't quite wrap my head around it. Yes, I got the whole thing about you being betrayed by your brother, Michael, but you've bounced back from worse situations.” 

“I couldn't help but spy on you when you said you were getting married into the Williams family. I thought you were plotting a secret revenge.”

“But from what I saw and heard, no one in the organization would ever believe that's what you went through."

I smirked, rubbing my palms together.

There has been a lingering question on my mind since I got here. I couldn't hear any voices, nor did I see any faces, so I asked John.

"There's something strange about this room; it's not like I remember," I said, leaning in closer. 

"You can see people sitting far off, but I can't even hear a whisper and their faces are blurred. It happened to you, so you should have an explanation for that."

He laughed for a while, then started, "Where have you been, under a rock?"

"This place just got upgraded," he said. 

"It's a new feature that allows you to get maximum privacy. Once you sit on this chair, it's activated. And once you put on this ring…" he paused, then slid a ring from the side of the table. 

"it stays active until you leave the room."

"Well, that's interesting," I said.

He straightened up, and the expression on his face became serious. "Well, look, as much as you loved this game, Adrian, a lot of things have changed. I wished you never came back," he said.

I jerked my head back, surprised by what I heard.

"Yeah, you heard me," he continued. 

"Staying in that toxic marriage, as you damn well know, is less risky than coming out here. Something changed in the power system when you left. Something even I couldn't control, Adrian, The Blood Moon organization."

He took a deep breath and then continued, 

"They turned this city over, and I'm sure you haven't noticed it yet, but soon it will become clear.”

“Their power doesn't stop here, they've taken control in five other cities, and Miami is their headquarters. 

“I know you must've checked the news. Why do you think the state leaders called for an emergency meeting?”

“They've always been involved in this. But with you gone, they had more power. That's why they attacked you this morning. I watched you, Adrian.”

“I was the one who told Marcus, and he sent help immediately."

My gaze dropped to the table. Did he really do all that? Was Joe really worried about me this much?

 It made me feel like a stubborn son stressing out his father. He wasn't even related to me biologically; we just had history.

I looked him in the eye. "Brother John, how long have you been keeping an eye on me?" I asked.

He cleared his throat. "Adrian, you know I can't stop you from making decisions. 

That's why I always guide you," he said. "When you walked into the Williams family, I watched them spit on you and let you lie on the cold floor. 

With everything you have, you could have fought back, but you stayed calm. I asked myself why, and I figured it out. 

You wanted to feel loved by a woman. Ada was good, but her family spoiled her mind toward you. And now you're back here, trying to get it all back in the name of redeeming yourself."

I raised an eyebrow at him.

"Don't act confused. I know what you're aiming at: to feel the power you once had, and I'm not against it," he said.

 "You're already making moves that are shaking the currency market and making people lose their jobs.

 Yes, I know they're quiet. But what about those who have access to information like we do? I'm sure they already know you're making moves, and that's the exact reason they tried to kill you before you started. 

They know you're going to be a threat to them. Unlike last time, they have grown in power, even more than you have achieved. So, what's it going to be, Adrian?

Are you going to put your life on the line fighting the shadows that will stop at nothing to consume and bury you?

 Or would you stay and let people die until it eventually gets to your turn?"

"Look at you, Adrian," he said. "You're already set for life. You've got people like me who have your back. 

“You've got money, houses, fast cars, and you're handsome. Any man would give up their life to be where you are. Don't let that waste away. You've got to think before you make decisions, and that starts now."

I leaned back in the chair and exhaled slowly. John was right. At this stage, if I made any wrong choices, not only would I suffer the consequences, but they would too. 

I wondered how the Blood Moon organization got access to so much power that they controlled six states. 

They really made a lot of improvements after three years, and with me out of the picture, it must've been easier for them.

Going up against them with the little resources I had would be…