The Rich Life

40

"What...What is this?" Adam questioned incredulously. Caesar, Halima, Krish, and I surrounded Francesca, Zane and him in a loose semi-circle.

The room was ultra plush. It's clear that Francesca has been milking Adam for all it was worth from the bags of designer clothes littered around the bed. One ironically from Sayuri Miukie too.

Halima stepped forward, a thunderous look on her face, "Aadam. I'm taking Zajmi from you. And I'm giving full ownership to Caesar. Effectively immediately,"

She pulled out a sheet of paper, handing it to Caesar to sign it with a flourish. Adam stood up, towering over his Grandmother, harsh rage twisting his features.

"And WHAT is the reason for this? And what am I supposed to do?" He demanded, his tone of respect barely disguising the complete and utter hatred.

"You stupid boy. How dare you ask such an insolent question? When will you realise that you are not ready for this company. It is failing under your rule and I will not see decades of blood, sweat and sacrifice be reduced to nought. All it took was one baby with a common slut for me to realise you will never be ready," She paused, savouring the tension in the atmosphere, "And as for what you will do. I do not care anymore. All your assets and properties are being seized at this very moment. You are virtually penniless"

For the endless span of a single moment, I thought he would murder Halima right there.

"This company is my birthright. You have groomed me to take over since I was a teenager. Now you're taking it from me?"

"This is unfair! This is all of Adam's work. You can't just ta-"

"Francesca Johnson, I advise you to stay quiet or you will sincerely regret it," Halima ordered. She gestured to her own bodyguard and she brought a wicked gun to her head. Francesca gasped, "One more word and I will not hesitate to kill you," She said silkily.

No one moved. This wasn't a part of the plan. But I didn't dare to object.

"It is not any of your concern. I'm handing it over to someone with more stability and will think with a clear head," Her face looked in adoration at Caesar. Adam clenched his fists.

"I will get every lawyer, every single person I know to sue you. I will drag you to court. And if that doesn't-"

Halima waved a hand through the air, silencing Adam, her face returning to its fury, "My boy. When will you realise? Everything you have, everyone you know, is all under my influence. They will not waste a second with you. Power, that is so tenuous, that you think ebbs and flows out from you, is all mine. Never ever forget that,"

Adam didn't respond and instead turned on me, "And are you in on this? Taking the one thing that means something to me?"

He realised a second too late.

Understanding hit me. I smashed the nearest vase, full of flowers, on the floor, making Zane cry. My voice turned deadly, "The one thing that means something to you?" I echoed, pushing his chest, sending him stumbling over the shards, "This is why you need the company taken from you. Look at you,"

I watched as the man I loved and knew, transformed his shocked and angry face into something too distant to comprehend.

He collapsed on to the nearest chair.

"How could you! After all we've been through..."

I turned myself away from him, "We did what we have to do. This is for your own good. And I will make the same choice over and over again. This is right,"

Adam sat, refusing to look at me. Finally, Francesca spoke, quivering.

"W...What will happen to Zane?" She stammered, "Can Adam not provide for him anymore?"