94) Smile, Baby, All Is Fine

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"If you can only convince your children that you love them, that your soul goes out to them for their good, that you are their truest friend, they, in turn, will place confidence in you and will love you and seek to do your bidding."
-Joseph F. Smith

***

Levi took a cold shower. Examined his wounds in the mirrors and then dressed in a suit, hiding them from the world.

His phone had multiple missed calls from his business partners and he returned them all. The maid knocked on the door and came in with his breakfast.

He was on a call so he simply smiled at her and mouthed a thank you.

As he drank coffee and appreciated the taste he had so dearly missed, he checked all his emails and replied to a few.

He was only half done when Jenkins came in the room again.

"Mr Whittaker wants to renegotiate our terms for the Ohio project. The government hasn't allowed access to the land to the men we sent. If you call them back, we'll lose many investments. But buying the property from Whittaker isn't wise because the taxes are too high."

Levi sighed. "Uh, I don't know. Get someone on it. Didn't Whittaker sign a contract? How is he backing away now?"

Jenkins paused. "The deal wasn't finalized, Levi. It was a proposal, Whittaker didn't sign the contract yet."

"And you didn't think about this before sending our people there?"

Jenkins' lips tightened in a straight line. "You asked me to. You said it was an offer Whittaker won't refuse and if he did, you'd persuade him easily. Those are your words."

Levi leaned back in his chair at the computer desk and threw his head back. "Ah, right. Okay.. uh, I'll talk to him again. Fix a meeting next month."

"Next month?" A laugh escaped Jenkins' mouth. "Joking, right? You have to finalize everything today. Our people are ready to start the work now and have you forgotten we took a loan from Mrs Anderson's company? They won't like the delay in work."

"She'll be repaid with interest. Rest is none of her concern."

"Levi. Do you hear yourself?"

Levi buried his face in his hands. He got up on his feet. "Jenkins, I can't work today. Just.. call the Great Council, I have an announcement to make."

"The Council can wait, Whittaker won't. If we delay now, someone else will present him a better offer. He's a high shot right now and many would jump in to-"

"Jenkins, I gave you a task. Do it. Now."

"But-"

"My brain is not in these things," he said. "I don't care right now. I'm not productive enough today. One day won't harm. I have to get a few things off my chest fast."

Jenkins couldn't believe this. What is wrong with him, he thought. Reluctantly, he agreed.

As he was about to leave, Levi stopped him. "One more thing."

Jenkins looked back.

"Pull every resource you have, and get me Alyssa Lauder's phone number. Thank you."

"Wait, Alyssa Lauder!?"

"Yes. Alyssa Jane Lauder. Heiress of the Western tribe. I'm sure you know who I'm talking about." Levi finished with a smile and walked out of the room before him.

"But you haven't talked to her in years!" Jenkins shouted but Levi was already gone.

....

Robb was sitting next to Ian and filling him in on everything he had missed.

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