Jake Cullingham

12

Jake parked by Camilla’s mansion as they both got down and she smiled at him.

“Thanks Micheal, for tonight,” she smiled at him. “It wasn’t that bad.”

“Don’t mention it. I’ll come around to pick you up for…”

“I’m going shopping tomorrow. Don’t be late,” she said while leaving him there, bowing to her as she walked away from him.

When she was gone, he looked around to see the other house bodyguards staring at him as he entered his own car and drove out of the house.

The grand iron gates of Camilla Hendrix’s mansion slowly closed behind Jake as he drove down the long, winding driveway.

Moonlight glistened on the sleek black SUV as he coasted down the quiet street, the tension of the night beginning to dissolve as he neared his own home. His face remained impassive, but his mind was already racing. Tonight had been a wonderful moment, yet the Hendrix family had no idea just how high the stakes were.

Finally, he reached the secluded estate he called home, a grand but hidden property just outside the city. As he pulled into the driveway, the familiar figure of his butler was waiting at the entrance, standing dutifully with a respectful bow. Another man stood beside him, his face shadowed by the dim porch lights.

As Jake stepped out of his car, the other man moved into the light—Tom, the acting CEO of his company, whose sudden announcement had thrown the evening’s gala into chaos. Tonight, however, Tom wore a calm expression, his gaze steady as he waited for Jake to approach.

“Welcome back, sir,” his butler greeted, inclining his head.

Jake gave a nod and handed him his jacket. He walked past both men, heading into the warmth of his mansion. The grand interior greeted him with its usual opulence, but Jake felt little pleasure in it. The wealth, the luxury—it was all a front, an elaborate disguise to conceal the life he had left behind.

As he entered the living room, he sank into one of the plush leather couches, stretching his arms along the backrest as if he owned the world. After all, in many ways, he did—or, at least, he intended to, once his plan came to fruition.

“Is everything set?” he asked, his voice carrying a sharp, businesslike tone.

“Yes, sir,” Tom replied, his tone deferential. “The Hendrix Corporation took the bait. They’ve been shaken by your refusal to partner. The board is already speculating on Robin’s ability to handle the fallout.”

Jake smirked, a glint of satisfaction in his eyes. “Perfect. That’s exactly what I wanted. Let him flounder; let him feel the pressure. The Hendrix family has been far too comfortable for too long.”

Tom took a seat across from him, his expression contemplative. “Sir, may I ask—why the disguise? Why go through all this trouble to be close to them, when you could’ve undermined them from a distance?”

Jake’s smirk faded slightly as he leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. “Because I need to see the look in their eyes when they finally realize who’s behind it all. I want them to feel the betrayal, to feel everything they put me through.”

The butler cleared his throat gently, reminding them both of his presence. “Would you care for a drink, sir?”

Jake waved him off. “Later. Right now, I want to savor this moment.” He let out a low, satisfied chuckle, his gaze distant as he thought back to the years he’d spent crafting this elaborate revenge.

Tom’s voice cut through his thoughts, bringing him back to the present. “Camilla suspects nothing?”

“Nothing,” Jake confirmed with a dry laugh. “She sees me as a simple driver and her bodyguard, her silent shadow. She talks to me like I’m invisible, like I’m just another pawn in her world. And Robin… he barely notices me at all.”

Tom nodded, a faint smile playing on his lips. “It’s ironic, isn’t it? They think they’re so untouchable, yet here you are, hiding in plain sight.”

“Exactly,” Jake replied, leaning back into the couch, satisfaction radiating from his every movement. “By the time they realize what I’ve done, it’ll be too late.”

The butler returned with a glass of whiskey, which Jake accepted with a nod. He took a long, slow sip, savoring the burn as it slid down his throat. Revenge, he had come to realize, was a game of patience, and he was finally beginning to see the rewards.

Tom shifted in his seat, his expression thoughtful. “So what’s the next move, sir?”

Jake set down his glass, his gaze cold and calculating. “We keep up the pressure. My company is positioning itself as a major competitor, and I want the Hendrix board questioning Robin’s every decision. I want them to see him as a liability.”

“And Camilla?” Tom asked, raising an eyebrow.

Jake’s smile returned, though it lacked warmth. “Camilla… she’ll be a challenge. She’s more strategic than Robin, less emotional. But even she has her blind spots. Her loyalty to the family is one of them. She’ll do anything to protect the company’s reputation—and that’s where we’ll strike.”

Tom nodded, a gleam of admiration in his eyes. “You really thought of everything.”

Jake shrugged, swirling the whiskey in his glass. “Years of planning, Tom. I’ve had a long time to think this through.” He paused, his expression hardening. “They took everything from me. Now it’s my turn.”

The silence that followed was thick with tension, broken only by the crackle of the fire in the hearth. The butler stepped forward, his face impassive, though his eyes held a hint of sympathy. “Sir, I ask again, are you certain this is the path you want to take? Revenge can be a… dangerous game.”

Jake met his gaze, unflinching. “I’ve already crossed that line. There’s no turning back now.”

The butler inclined his head respectfully, though a shadow of doubt lingered in his eyes. “Very well, sir. I’m here to serve, whatever you decide.”