The Billionaire's Nemesis

THREE

“Are you certain we've reached out to all the investors we know?” Pete asked his father, his voice soft, so as not to worsen his father's health.

“We have,” Marshall Duncan said.

Sitting on his bed, with the ugly blue robe he was forced to wear, the only thing he cared about now was how to get his company back up. Not even his health could stop him.

“Have you reached out to the Rochesters?” There was hope in his voice. But immediately he asked, his father went still and there was this distant look in his eyes.

“Dad, can you hear me?” Pete asked. He was confused.

“We can't ask them for help.”

“And why is that?”

“Some years back before Michael Rochester passed away, he came to me with an offer. Rochester Oil wanted to partner with Green Horizon, but I turned him down. The Rochesters were being investigated by the FBI for money laundering and other serious crimes, and Green Horizon was built on integrity. I didn't want anything to do with them or their money. "I don't want to be dragged into something I know nothing about,” Marshall explained weakly.

“But the charges against them were dropped, so what if you turned them down sometime ago, besides Michael is gone.” Pete said convincingly. He was very pessimistic.

“Do not invite the devil into your home, because along the line, he'll kick you out of your own house. I'm not very happy about this.”

“ Dad, we have no choice. I got a call from your financial assistant, and he said things are not looking good for us. If we don't act fast, then we're going down alongside the company."

After almost an hour of deliberating, Marshall agreed to reach out to Richard Rochester for help. Just then, the door to the room swung open, and Elizabeth hysterically stormed inside, but immediately she saw her father wasn't in bad shape. She became calm. The worried look on her face immediately returned, as she slowly made her way to her father's bedside. Marshall Duncan, who was once a vibrant man, sat on his bed, looking like a shadow of himself. Elizabeth noticed the lines on his forehead and he was looking almost ten years older than he looked the last time she saw him. Seeing his beautiful daughter lightened his mood.

“Dad, what happened? "I was so scared when I got a call telling me you slumped.” She said, looking very disturbed.

Reaching out to hold her hands, Marshall smiled at his perfect Elizabeth. “The doctor said I'm fine, maybe I was just a little stressed and tired, but it's nothing to worry about my princess." I'm fine.”

“Are you sure? Is there something bothering you, or anything I can help you with?” She didn't believe her father was fine, but she didn't want to stretch it.

“There's nothing to worry about Lizzie. Dad is fine. We just have a lot on our plate at the office, nothing we can't handle. "I thought you were meeting up with Nikki today?” Pete asked, trying to talk about something else that does not involve Dad lying here in this terrible place, the strong smell of antiseptic hitting her almost every time she breathes. She hated hospitals, and places like this made her sick.

“I was with her when I got a call from Dad's office. I had to drive down here immediately.” Just then Pete's phone rang and he excused himself from the room, and stepped into the hallway to take his call. Turning her attention back to her father, she noticed he was looking at her, his eyes held a lot of unsaid words. She knew something was not right. She thought about asking Pete, but she knew the outcome would be fruitless.

“Dad, do you think I should talk to the doctor? Maybe I could ask him to run some more tests, so we know you're okay.”

“You don't have to do all that, he checked me and said I'm fine. I just need to rest a little more, in no time I'll be up terrorizing everyone,” they both laughed. They spoke for sometime, her dad asking her about the art exhibition she attended in Paris, telling her how proud he was to have her.

Elizabeth loved to hear her father tell her how proud he was of both her and Pete. Growing up their dad was their favorite parent, after her parents divorce, herself and Pete, always looked forward to the weekends when they got to spend time with their dad. He taught her how to be kind, he was a very honest man and he wanted his kids to learn honesty too. After college, she decided not to join the company, that didn't make him mad. He allowed her to explore, free to choose her career path and he always supported her.

Out in the hallway, Pete answered his phone, he listened to the caller and after which he nodded and thanked the caller.

He hung up and braced himself for what he was about to do.

Punching his keypad, Pete dialed Rochester Oils. He didn't tell his father he was going to make this call, immediately after he consented, he knew his father might change his mind and he didn't want to take any chances. Their company needed help as fast as it came. Holding his breath, waiting for the receiver, these few seconds felt like an eternity. Finally he heard a female voice on the other side of the line.

“Rochester Oils, who am I onto?”

Taking a deep breath, he responded. “This is Pete Duncan, manager of Green Horizon investments'. I would like to speak to Richard Rochester please.”

“Is he expecting your call?” She asked insouciantly.

“No I don't, but I really need to talk to him. It's very important.”

“Alright then, hold on.”

After waiting for almost three minutes, I heard male voice on the other side of the line.

“Pete? To what do I owe this impromptu call? Am I in trouble?” There was a ridiculing tone in his voice.

“You're not in any kind of trouble Richard.” I was feeling uneasy, this was harder than I thought.

“So cut to the chase Pete, what can I do for you?” His tone, now serious and formal.

“We need to talk, I wanted to know if you'll be free to meet me up for dinner?”

“Why would I want to do that? Last time I checked your father didn't want to have anything to do with me or my company, what changed?”

“I'll tell you everything at dinner tonight, please.”

“I'm a very busy man, so I'd appreciate it if you just say whatever you want to say right now.”

Pete couldn't stand his attitude, but right now he was at the edge and he needed Richard's help. The words were so heavy for him to utter, he muttered the courage, cleared his throat and started.

“Green Horizon is facing a very difficult time, and we've lost most of our clients as a result,” he paused to catch his breath then he continued.

“We need your help Richard.” He felt like a burden was lifted off his shoulder after saying this.

Richard was silent for what felt like a long time, then he said in a low voice, “why would I do that? Your father clearly turned us down, when we came to invest in Green Horizon, stating that he wanted nothing to do with us or our money, which he considered to be illegal. I really am very busy and I have to go, so my answer is no. I can't help Green Horizon with tons of my illegal money. My regards to Marshall.” Immediately the line went silent.

Pete felt like a knife was being driven into his chest, he was surprised he actually knew Richard might turn him down so he couldn't understand why he was feeling disappointed. Standing in the hospital hallway, just outside his father's door staring into nothingness. He felt like he just failed himself and the company. A sudden feeling of anger came upon him, he hated his father for putting him in such a position. There has to be something he could do to clean up the mess they were in right now.

Hearing footsteps coming towards him, he raised his head and saw a nurse, holding a tray with both hands, she smiled at him and walked into his father's room. He didn't know if he should tell his father about the call he just had with Richard. He knew his father didn't need anymore stress right now, and if he told him about the call, it might make things worse, on the other hand, he needed to let his father know as soon as possible. He walked into his father's room, Elizabeth was now sitting on the little sofa facing the bed, and the nurse was examining his father. She told both Pete and Elizabeth that their father was good to go back home, but she instructed that he needed enough rest, they both nodded and thanked the nurse. Immediately she stepped out, Elizabeth excused herself, she had errands to run but she told her dad she'll meet him later tonight. She kissed him, picked up her bag and headed for the door.

“You were on the phone for a long time, who was that on the phone,” Marshall asked, now they had the room to themselves.

“I called Richard,” Pete hesitated.

“Richard?!! And why would you do that?” Marshall looked upset.

“I had to do something.”

“What was his response?”

Pete looked gloomy, he told Marshall about his conversation with Rich

ard. After giving his father all the details about the call, the room fell deadly silent.