ESTHER

Chapter Twenty Five

Half a month had passed since Jack Rhodes found out that his uncle and the twins had been laundering money using his company. Both he and Esther had to endure the anger and humiliation they both felt until they found a way to punish them without incriminating themselves.

Finally, the day came.

Esther walked hurriedly to Mr Haman's Office, her steps determined. Her boss had asked her to invite him for another dinner, and this time, it was going to be between Haman, the twins, She and Jack Rhodes.

She arrived in front of his office and knocked.

"Come in," a gravelly voice called out.

Slowly, she pushed the door inside

"Good day sir. My boss wants to ask you to meet him for another dinner meeting."

"What's with Jack and all these meetings? Does he think I have time on my hands?" Haman retorted.

Esther clenched her teeth. "He believes that some suspicious activities are going on in our company accounts. He wants to talk them over with you before taking the necessary actions.

"Oh really?" Haman said, leaning back against his seat. "I understand. What time does he want to meet?"

"By six o'clock this evening."

"Same restaurant?"

"Yes sir."

"I'll be there. Now move along, I have some work to do."

Esther bowed and made her way out of the room. She spat against his closed door and began making her way down the hall. At the end of the day, they would see who gets to have the last laugh.

She walked down till she reached the twins' office. When she was invited inside, the only person she saw was Kingsley.

"Oh Esther, what a surprise." He said, smirking. "I do not think you have ever visited us."

Ignoring his taunting words, she asked, "Where is your brother?"

"Oh, he had some work to do. He would soon be back." He leaned against his seat and pushed back, getting to his feet.

"Have a seat," he said, pointing to the couch opposite him.

"There is no need. I do not want to take so much of your time."

He raised his eyes. "Oh, is there a problem?"

"Mr Rhodes wishes to invite you and your brother for dinner."

"Hmm. That's odd." Kingsley said, sitting back down. "Why does he suddenly want to see us?"

"He suspects that there have been some suspicious activities going on with the company's account. He wants to run them by you before he takes it to the authorities."

If she hasn't been studying his face, she wouldn't have seen the flash of fear that crossed it.

"What does that mean? Is he trying to say we are stealing his money?" Kingsley said, feigning outrage.

"I do not know what my boss thinks sir. I guess it's best to attend the meeting so you can get  better knowledge on the matter."

"You bet I will," Kingsley exclaimed. "Email the address to me. Thank you. You may have your leave."

Esther bowed and left the room.

Then she grinned.

*****

Jack Rhodes and Esther occupied one side of the table at the restaurant they had booked. Sitting opposite them were Haman, Kingsley and Duke.

"Now what is the point of this meeting?" Haman started. "I have a lot of things to do. If not for the fact that you are my nephew, and I accord you respect, I wouldn't even be here."

Esther faced her boss to see his response to the blatant disrespect, but he simply ground his teeth.

"I'll be careful of the way you speak to me uncle if I were you."

Outraged, Haman banged the table. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"I have reasons to believe that money is being laundered from my company."

"What are you trying to say?" Duke retorted. "Are you accusing us of stealing?"

"I have every reason to believe so."

"I'll mind my words if I were you," Kingsley growled.

"And why should I?" Jack Rhodes exploded, throwing a file in front of them.

"All these have your handwriting on them."

Haman took the file and studied it. Then he placed it back on the table after he had skimmed through it.

"You can't prove anything."

"Do you take me for a fool? Just what do you see me as? Your youngest nephew who doesn't have an iota of sense? I allowed you to have a part of this company because I believed that my father was wrong in the way he treated you. But this is how you betray me? By planning my company's downfall?"

"All this is your father's fault," Haman screamed. "And I would do it again if I have the chance. Sadly, you can't prove anything using this nonsense." He grinned, leaning back against his seat.

"Very soon. The company would be mine. And you would be the one in jail for money laundering."

"I'm sorry to say sir, but that's not going to happen," Esther said, stepping in. She signalled to the police officers she had called earlier, who were then entering the restaurant.

"Officers, here they are."

Haman, Duke and Kingsley all sat up straight.

"What's going on?" Haman shouted. "What's the meaning of this?"

"Sirs," the policemen said, standing in front of them as they each brought out their handcuffs.

"You are under arrest and found guilty of money laundering and all other financial crimes. You are advised to remain silent as whatever you say would be used against you in the court of law."

"Looks like we beat you guys in your own game." Jack Rhodes smirked, crossing his arms against his chest as he watched them handcuff the evil that had plagued his company.

"Officers. This is a lie. I am innocent!" Haman exclaimed. "He..." He said, pointing at Jack Rhodes. "He planned all these. He and his father. They are the ones to be blamed."

Esther watched her former friends as they were arrested. They bowed their head in shame as they were led out of the restaurant. Perhaps they would have all been good friends, but they allowed greed to take over them.

"Finally," Jack Rhodes said, turning to face her after the criminals were taken. "We have finally gotten rid of them."

Esther smiled. "Yes, we have."

"I can't thank you enough for your help, Esther."

She blushed. "I was just doing my job."

He smiled, then stood akimbo. "Now, how about we have a proper meal? What do you say about that?"

Esther beamed widely. "I'd love that."

THE END

HEY GUYS, WE HAVE FINALLY REACHED THE END OF THIS BOOK. YES, IT MIGHT SEEM RUSHED, BUT I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO ADD TO IT. I HAD FINISHED WRITING A WHOLE BOOK ALL THE WHILE I WAS THINKING OF WHAT TO ADD TO THIS BOOK.

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