The Ruthless Tycoon

A mistake discovered

"Are you seriously saying what I am thinking you're saying?"

"Mr. Cooper" sighed Melissa walking towards the refrigerator, "I have told you everything. It's all crystal clear. So what exactly are you asking me?"

She pulled out a bottle of orange juice and gulped it down. She was tired, she wanted to sleep, she wanted to call her best friend and celebrate her latest win with her. There was so much she wanted to do and this man had eaten up the last one hour of her life, an hour from her life gone, an hour that would never ever come back!"

"Hello?" said Ivan waving a hand in front of her face.

Startled Melissa realized that she had been talking nonsense about 'an hour' in her head and had completely spaced out.

"Yes?"

"Your father has issues with gambling."

Melissa rolled her eyes. "Well thank you captain Obvious! My father is a conman as well."

Ivan narrowed his eyes.

"He has named you his guarantor for all his debts."

"Are you serious? What- are you blind? Are you deaf? Are you mentally incapable of comprehending the fact that you have been duped?"

Ivan looked stunned for a moment but recovered quickly . Melissa saw his jaw tighten in anger and wondered if she had gone too far. She hated the fact that she had to second guess herself for standing up for herself.

"I'm sorry. Look i know its not your fault my father duped you."

Ivan let out a bark of laughter. Melissa looked at him confusion.

"Never ever apologize for speaking your mind especially when you think you're right. I mean it kind of just nullifies the whole thing. You know?"

Melissa shook her head.

"Of course you don't" he said growing serious again.

"So Ms. Summers you are saying that 6 months ago your father came to your doorstep begging you to give him a roof over your head and what he did instead is forge your signature and steal your documents while you weren't at home where as you hoped that when you returned he would be here at home waiting for you."

Melissa didn't say anything. She was trying to understand where was this going.

"You know what I think Ms. Summers?"

"What?"

"I call bullshit! You signed those papers hoping he will pay his debt off. Maybe he promised to give you a share of his winnings or I don't know what is it that he offered and you were crazy enough to accept the deal and sign those papers for him!"

"Are you insane?" asked Melissa, she was beginning to get a headache now.

"You know what just get out of here now before I call the cops. How did you get in here anyway?"

"Well aren't you the brightest? To answer your question I have my ways and by all means call the police i have papers i need to show them too."

Melissa opened her mouth and then closed it again.

"My father has been making my life a living hell for as long as I can remember but even this is too much for him!"

Her eyes were shining with unshed tears.

"Where is your mother?"

"Why do you care?"

"I don't. Natural curiosity."

"I don't know where she is and I don't care. She ran away with another man when I was 3."

"Wow your parents really did a number on you didn't they?"

"You don't say?"

Ivan smirked. "Well your sarcasm is well intact."

"Look Mr. Cooper what do you want from me?"

"What I want from you is simple Melissa. Pay your father's debt."

"What? I can't I don't have that kind of money!"

"Well then you have a problem."

"What do you mean?"

"I am a businessman Ms. Summers. I cannot let this slide."

"Are you serious right now?"

"How do I know you haven't signed the papers?"

"Didn't your guy just say he wasn't present when the documents were signed?"

Ivan's jaw was clenched.

"That doesn't prove a thing!"

"Look why are you doing this? You and I both know that I did not sign it!"

"Look Melissa you and I both know that your father owes me a huge sum and you are my only leverage against him."

"What do you mean?" whispered Melissa, fear creeping in her heart.

"What I mean is that you are coming with me and you will be under my eyes at all times until I get hold of your father!"