From Roots to Riches

Chapter3

Nancy rushed to her father’s office, like someone being chased. She arrived just in time to see a strange-looking man exiting through the door. He had the build of a giant and a daunting aura about him, like he was ready to snap anyone in two if necessary.

He gave Nancy a menacing look before walking out the door. She immediately closed the door after him and hurried to her father, who looked like he was about to pass out in his chair.

“Dad? Are you okay?” Nancy asked, filled with worry as she searched her father’s body for any signs of attack. “Who was that man and what did he want?” she cried out. Her father always had a way of landing himself in trouble.

Donald waved off her concern with a trembling hand, “I’m fine, don’t worry about me. Go check on your brother. Now.”

“What? But…”

“Go!” He commanded sharply.

Nancy broke out in a run, taking the elevator to her brother’s office on the top floor.

With a racing heart, she pushed his door open, anxiously scanning the room for any sign of him. When she didn’t see him at his desk, she panicked, cold sweat breaking out in her forehead. “Henry!” she screamed.

“Jesus Christ, Nance!” Henry emerged from his adjoining lounge, a coffee cup in hand and annoyance written across his features. “This is an office for goodness sake, not a stadium.”

Nancy breathed a sigh of relief, “Oh thank goodness you're okay,” she said placing a hand on her chest where her heart still raced.

“What’s gotten into you?”

“Dad... there was this man in his office. He looked like something out of a nightmare, and Dad, he looked… he looked defeated, Henry.”

“What?” Henry’s coffee cup clattered onto the nearest surface as he bolted for the door. Nancy hurried after him, her legs struggling to match his stride.

“Who was the man?” Henry asked when they were inside the elevator.

“I don’t know, I’ve never seen him before.”

The elevator dinged open just then, and they hurried to their father’s office. He was still sitting in his chair, but this time he had his back turned to them as he faced the window, staring at nothing in particular.

“Dad, what is going on?” Henry asked, coming forward to take the seat opposite him. Nancy took the one next to him. They both sat down, waiting for their father as he rotated his seat to face them.

“That was Mr. Burke, the owner of the gambling house, where I made that stupid mistake,” Donald replied solemnly.

“What? What was he doing here?” Nancy rushed to ask.

“But you have two weeks left to settle him,” Henry said.

“Yeah. He just came around to make sure I remembered, and to make his point clear.”

“Oh my God, did he hurt you Dad?” Nancy asked, concern etched in her voice.

“No princess, he didn’t. He only threatened me a little”

“What did he say?” Henry asked quietly.

Looking at Henry, he revealed, “He said that if I don’t provide his prize in the allocated time, he’ll come for you.”

“For Henry? But it’s supposed to be West! That was the arrangement!” Nancy screamed.

“Hey, lower your voice. Someone might hear you.” Henry scolded.

Donald sent her a warning glare then asked, “ What are you doing here anyways? Weren’t you working from home today?”

“I had something to tell you,” Nancy replied, suddenly feeling small under her father’s scrutiny.

“Something so urgent you’d risk running into someone like Burke? What if he changes his mind and demands for you instead?”

Nancy gasped, the color draining from her face, “He can’t do that,” she said shaking her head. Looking at her father’s unwavering gaze, then she asked in a whisper, “can he?”

“He absolutely can, Nancy, if he wanted.” He replied.

“I’m sorry. I had to get here as fast as I could. West is already speaking of an annulment!” she cried out.

The silence that followed was deafening until both men exploded in unison: “What?”

“I think I pushed him to far,” Nancy said, wringing her hands. “Now he is thinking about it,”

“Thinking about it?” Henry’s voice rose dangerously. “After the stress I went through bringing him into this family to pay off father’s debts. Is he crazy!?”

“No, no, no…this is very bad,” Donald muttered, grabbing his phone. He gestured for them to leave. “I need to make a call. Nancy, stay in your brother’s office. I don’t want you leaving this building. Mr. Burke still lurks outside.”

Nancy left with Henry, her heart pounding with fear and anxiety. Donald hastily dialed a number on his phone, his hands shaking slightly.

At the first ring, the receiver picked up. “I have a job for you. I’ll send you a location and time.” he said briskly before ending the call.