Jake Cullingham

10

Camilla invited Jake to be her plus one at an event being hosted by the Hendrix family.

Apparently in that event, it was announced that Technova and the Hendrix family were going to be business partners.

Jake, who had over the years changed the name of his father’s company and started afresh until he had built it back up to a multi billion dollar business, was ready to use his company as a weapon against the Hendrix’s.

When he had planned to do this, the butler had been against it.

“Revenge really is a disease young master. Don’t do what you want to do. It won’t lead you to make good decisions and trust me right now you are making a terrible mistake.”

“Look, as much as I love listening to you, I sometimes feel like you don’t know how much this means to me. They destroyed my family and I will do that to them.”

“But using a company that just recovered is not good.”

“It will be by the time I’m done.”

“Just follow the plan,” the heir said, pointing to Tom. “You are the heir to the company. I have to use you since I don’t want my cover blown. All we’ll do is agree to attend the event Robin Hendrix is inviting us to and agree to sign the business partner terms with him. While at the event, in front of everyone and every major business, we decline wanting to sign the contract.”

“And what good would that do?” The butler asked.

“It’s simple,” laughed the heir. “No one, not even my father, has declined working with the Hendrix family. We will be the first, breaking that record and holding ourselves down as a formidable force to the Hendrix family.”

“What you’re doing is making the company a target.”

“Exactly. When they attack, we’ll know because not only will Tom and you let me know what’s going on from the seat of the CEO, I’ll also know what’s going on from within the Hendrix company. That way. I’ll show them that they aren’t as smart as they earlier thought.”

The butler shrugged. “This is a very dangerous plan but if it would get the revenge needed, I’m up for it.”

“Micheal,” Camilla called Jake as he was brought back to the present.

“Yeah.”

“You spaced out for a second. Are you okay?”

“Sure I am. I’m just confused as to why I’m here to witness a party.”

“You’re my bodyguard, or did you forget your job description.”

“Not really.”

He took a drink as he saw Robin and Jackson closing in on him and Camilla.

He could sense that a fight would soon begin and he braced himself for it.

“I see you two are getting cozy as usual,” Robin laughed with Jackson giving him a suspicious look. That was not new and he made nothing of it.

“What do you want Robin?” Asked Camilla.

“Just… enjoy the party. The party I set up.”

That was him bragging as the two men walked away, leaving an enraged Camilla.

“Oh those two always get on my nerves. If I had knives I would stab them.”

Camilla noticed Jake was silent and wondered if anything was wrong.

“Are you okay? You’ve been awfully silent lately.”

“I’m okay. Just looking around and making sure no one wants you dead.”

“Haha,” she laughed. “Very funny. Also, what do you think of the partnership between Technova and our company? This would be the first time this company is having anything to do with an advanced company like Technova. I really am annoyed that Robin had taken my idea and turned it to his own. Did you know it was my idea…”

“I think Technova would cancel the deal,” he blurted, cutting her off as she widened her eyes in shock.

“What?! Why?”

Before he could answer, the party commences with the MC welcoming everyone and announcing that the acting chairman of Hendrix corporations climb the stage.

“Thank you all for showing up to this wonderful event, it means a lot to me,” he smiled. “For so long I have wished to partner with a tech company who makes weapons out of anything. From baseball bats with spikes, to shoes with blades.”

Everyone laughed at this.

“Yes, yes, I can say that this has been a very big dream of mine. And ever since this new company called Technova showed up less than five years ago. They have boomed in just over ten countries making them one of the fastest multi billion dollar companies out there. Now it is my pleasure to welcome the CEO of the company, Mr Tom, to the stage.”

Everyone clapped as the paparazzi and the media stood up to make sure they could get a clearer view of Tom who walked onto the stage.

He had a quick eye contact with Jake who slowly nodded to him before taking the microphone from Robin who stood beside him.

A short pause after the applause had everyone feeling awkward before Tom broke the news to them.

“Thank you all for this wonderful event. I would usually give a long speech but this time I prefer keeping things short as I know we all have things to do after this. The night is young and so are we.”

The audience laughed as the man went on.

“We arrived a few years ago to start up this company to help make the world a better place. To give our soldiers what they could use as weapons to protect themselves at home and to give the normal civilians a fighting chance at protecting themselves from thieves and robbers. In light of that… I have made a mistake on thinking I would sign a partnership with the Hendrix corporation and I hereby back out of the deal.”

Everyone was shocked to hear this as gasps flew around.

Only Jake smiled evilly at phase one of his plan working perfectly well.

Things were going according to his plan.