Chapter 202 Plan In Motion

Chapter 202 Plan In Motion
\[Jeremiah’s POV\]

“Jeremiah.”

My father’s voice rings out in his attempt to sound stern even though there isn’t much he can do to me.

“What?”

What exactly would he want to go on about now?

It was already clear that he didn’t want me associating with Lilah and for the two weeks I was stuck in the hospital and then my room, I didn’t. But I wouldn’t let him keep me away from someone so important to me, not now when things were the way they were.

“Don’t make me take drastic measures.” He warns and I feel my patience growing thin. “If you won’t stay away from that problematic woman, I will make sure that you have no choice but to.”

“And how will you do that?”

Dammit. Why the hell was he even acting like this after everything? Didn’t he realize that his turning on Lilah and Donna so completely like this was a slap in the face to the family that always considered them to be someone they could depend on.

“There’s business overseas that needs to be addressed,” my father begins and I immediately realize what it is that he is planning.

“I’m not going.”

The words are leaving my lips before I can stop them, but to leave now…I couldn’t.

“I’m not asking,” my father points out. “I’ve already told you that our business is on the verge of bankruptcy, but there is a chance to save it. There is a company overseas that is willing to invest, but in return they want us to come to them to discuss things.”

“Then you go,” I tell him.

“I can’t,” he sighs. “There is too much to deal with here. If I were to just up and leave right now I’m not certain the company will continue floating. As my successor and the next president, you are the one who should be going. Consider it a test to see if you’re ready to take over for me.”

“What?” I hiss. “What did you just say?”

“I’ve been considering retiring.” My father shrugs like it is the most obvious thing. “But before I do, I need to make sure that we break even and that I’m not leaving you a sinking ship to rebuild for me.”

Why not? I wonder. It wasn’t like I wanted to be an heir. I never asked to take over his damned company.

But it is your obligation. The small voice in the back of my head tells me. And think of what will happen to Rika if the company goes belly up.

Dammit.

I was really stuck between a rock and a hard place, but…This could work to my advantage given what Collin asked me.

However, I wasn’t sure if my father would be willing to cooperate with a company that he didn’t know much about.

“How about this,” I say, deciding to take a gamble. “I’ll do as you asked, but in return you have to do something for me as well.”

Frowning, my father considers what I’ve said and when he seems to be biting, I dive in.

“There is another company that I want us to try to get a cooperation with.” I explain, not losing the chance that has been presented to me. “If I go overseas and do what you’ve asked, you, in return, must reach out to this family and convince them to work with us.”

“What company is it? Who is the CEO?”

“Reynolds Holding,” I tell him and then wait while he considers what I’ve said.

It is easy to tell that my father’s immediate thought is there is no way, but he doesn’t say it. I’m sure that he is only considering because I made the suggestion.

“Do you have any idea what you’re suggesting?” He finally asks. “The Reynolds’ are very particular about who they work with. Our company is barely standing. What do we have to give them that would benefit them?”

“A chance to reconnect with somebody.”

If Collin wanted me to stick my neck out and do this favor for him, he, in turn, needed to do something for me.

If I managed to make a connection with his father, then I would certainly try to offer him my services in getting his son to cooperate with him again and once that man was taken down, well, Collin could do what he wanted.

If he wanted to take over the company and make it rise to glory, he could that. It would guarantee a safe and secure future for Lilah and her babies.

And if he didn’t want anything, well, I could always have dibs, right?

“Jeremiah, what the hell are you trying to get at?” My father demands, his suspicion getting the best of him. “Do you think that this is some kind of joke?”

“Not at all,” I assure him. “I just happened to get lucky when it came to an opportunity and I feel like we should take it while it is being offered to us.”

I grow quiet while my father considers my offer. His brows furrowing as he thinks and when he finally just shakes his head, I know that he isn’t in the mood to argue with me.

“Go on that trip.” He tells me, his voice filled with finality. “Once you get back we will discuss this idea of yours.”

“How am I guaranteed that you will stick to your word?” I ask. “What if I go and fulfill my portion of this, but when I return you don’t fulfill yours?”

“If you want a notarized agreement,” he father huffs. “Then we can have one written up.”

“Alright,” I nod, feeling like I have a plan in motion for keeping my promise to Collin. “We will do that.”

Now, I can only hope that the business overseas doesn’t keep me for too long because I don’t know how long Lilah will be safe while with Collin, but for now, I had to hold hope that nothing would change while I was away.

“We will have the agreement completed tomorrow and by this time next week, I expect you to be on a plane.”

“Alright,” I nod, knowing that this was all I could do for now. “Let’s get this going.”