The Perfect Gentleman ✔

38: Partners in Crime

What is Lucas doing here? Why is he here of all places? Donald panicked despite himself.

He instinctively grabbed the file and tugged it into his jacket even though he doubted the ingenuity of the plan. On a normal day, he would have shrugged off Lucas's appearance as coincidental but this was not a normal day. He wouldn't be here right now in a run-down bar in the middle of the slums just because he needed a drink. He must have suspected him for snooping around confidential files and the bar was too much of a dead giveaway. He was toast, and they both knew it.

His eyes still locked on the man, he pushed his chair backward instantly and stood to his feet, hoping to make a dash for it. His life really depended on it. From his peripheral vision, he almost did not see the large burly man hold him back down into his chair, effectively trapping him in place. He swallowed hard around the lump in his throat, still clutching his jacket tightly.

"I can give you money, how much you need. I have lots of it." He heard himself stammer helplessly and realized he was nervous. He gritted his teeth sharply to prevent it from clattering.

The burly man kept mute, obviously having been instructed to not talk to him.

Lucas stood from the bar stool and walked in purposeful strides to come take the seat opposite him, unbuttoning his jacket. Making sure to sit comfortably, he stared at the young man in front of him in disgust.

"You don't scare me, Caspian-Asiegbu," Donald scoffed, trying to appear brave despite still clutching his jacket in a death grip.

Lucas smirked at him. "Really. Tell me, why should I scare you? I'm a businessman not a mafia leader."

Donald glared at him defiantly. He would not cower under this man's stare. He had nothing to hide.

"May I see those files?" He asked, stretching out his hand. "They are the confidential files from my office, right? The ones I hoped would remain top secret."

Sadly, he did not share similar opinions with the man before him. "Go to hell!" He spat out. The nonchalant vibes rolling off Lucas irked him.

"You first!" Lucas retorted, trying to appear calm. "You were working together with that stupid man to swindle and steal from me. Right now, I'm writing a case that you'll send your ass off to jail the minute we step outside of this bar, first for selling company secrets and second for stealing confidential information from me."

Donald's eyes widened at the information. That stupid old man had let himself get caught, and hence led Lucas here to him. He would not go down that easily, he thought frantically. He decided to play coy.

"Information that should be out there, you mean? I read that document, Lucas and I must commend you on the tight hold on your money but don't you think Sara deserves to know she's a very rich woman?"

The man in the suit was unfazed by his outburst. "Please, enlighten me."

The man was trying to sweep the matter under the rug, Donald realized with rage. "Does Sara know she owns ten percent of your whole company shares? Something that she should have a hold of right now, living in luxury because of it. I'll also bet she doesn't know the real reason why you let her easily into her son's life is because you don't want to lose so much money if she were to demand for custody rights. A custody battle will bring to light every single kobo you owe her and you don't want that. So you allowed this ridiculous arrangement every Saturday so you'll have enough ammo to use on her when you finally decide to fight for custody. You don't fool me, 'cause I know everything!" He finished, smiling smugly.

He expelled a heavy breath at this admission. "I must say, you really did your research well. Frankly, I thought you had found a way to run me and the whole of CAPPEL bankrupt. Mr. Archibong made it sound like you did."