Meanwhile, in the police station, James was kept in a private torture room.
The room was completely dark with no windows in it.
Ten minutes later, two policemen came into the room to question him about the crime he didn't commit.
"Hey Listen up, Mr." One of the policemen, the one who appeared to be their leader, said to him. "I know you know why you have been arrested. Yes?"
"But I didn't steal anything," James replied calmly.
The other policeman said, "Well, the evidence says otherwise. We have you on camera, and your key can open that strongbox."
"That's a lie! Tell you what, here's what happened ok…"
"Better don't start cooking up stories."
"I had no place to sleep that night, and the only place I could think of was my workplace. I only slept on the veranda and I did not break into the building."
"But you were the only one the CCTV camera captured last."
"Did the CCTV capture me breaking into the building or exiting with the safe?"
The policemen were at a loss but they knew they had to pin him to the crime in one way or the other.
James continued to deny any wrongdoing, "I assure you, I haven't stolen anything. This must be a setup."
He knew it was Jaxon and his boss that was behind all this.
And he couldn't wait to get out to teach them all a lesson.
He knows his boss never liked him for one day and has always treated him badly but not to this extent of setting him up for stealing.
In his life, he hasn't in any way or by mistake taken what's not his. Why will he now?
The past few days have been really frustrating for him. First it was a Divorce and now an arrest.
The first policeman raised an eyebrow, "A setup? Do you need some beating to confess to your crimes?"
"Like I said I'll cooperate fully, but I need you to investigate this further. I'm innocent."
"You better start talking soon, or things could get much worse for you."
James replied firmly, "I'm telling the truth. I didn't steal anything, and I won't confess to a crime I didn't commit."
He knew if he showed any sign of fear, the policemen would use it against him.
"You can make this easier on yourself if you confess now. We have evidence against you."
"I'm not admitting to something I didn't do."
They exchanged glances, clearly growing impatient. "Well, we'll see about that."
Then Jaxon and Henry, his soon-to-be in-law, entered the room.
Jaxon said in a mocking manner, "Well, well, well, look who we've got here. James! The thief in the flesh."
"Seems like you've fallen quite low, James. Stealing from your own workplace? Shameful." Henry said, grinning from ear to ear.
James ignored them all together; he didn't even act as if somebody entered the room.
He knew they came to make trouble and so he ignored them completely.
But Jaxon and Henry are not giving up yet.
"Yeah, he's a real piece of work. Alisha dodged a bullet with this one." Jaxon said while laughing out loud.
Henry couldn't contain his laughter, ridiculing James without restraint.
"Look at this sorry excuse for a man. Alisha sure knows how to pick 'em. Thank God mom finally found the rightful husband for her."
"Finally someone whose d*** is worthy to ride Alisha. She will be under my d*** tonight while you rot in jail." Jaxon said to piss James off
He began laughing out loud.
James couldn't bear the taunts any longer. His frustration boiled over, and he suddenly stood up and punched Jaxon.
The atmosphere tensed up as James and Jaxon scuffled briefly, but the two policemen quickly intervened, pulling James away.
"Look at this loser! Can't even control his temper." Henry said snickering.
"You're really asking for it I see." One of the policemen said.
Jaxon clutched his bleeding nose, and signaled to the two policemen and they started beating James.
"I didn't do it. You're making a big mistake."
"Confess, and maybe we'll go easy on you." The Policeman said as they continued to beat James.
"I know you guys have been bribed to frame me and I promise you will regret this." James said boldly.
"Regret you say!"
Out of anger Jaxon gave James a hard punch while the Policemen held him.
He punched him severely and James began to bleed from his nose and mouth.
"Calm down, Sir. Let's stanch your nose before we finish him off."
Before they left, the policemen secured James to a chair and cuffed him, leaving him battered and bruised.
As they left, James was the only one in the dark room.
He thought about what people would say about him when the news spread throughout the city.
Then someone walked into the room with a light laugh. He had heard all the information, knowing James was framed.
"Looks like someone's in quite the predicament." The man said.
"I didn't do it!" James shouted at him.
"I know," The policeman said calmly.
"Please, you have to help me. They're trying to frame me for something I didn't do."
"I wish I could, my friend, but these crooked cops won't listen to reason. They have all been bribed."
James chuckled and requested, "Could you please dial a number for me?"
It was his uncle's number.
The man contemplated for a moment and finally agreed to dial the number.
They heard the approaching footsteps and voices of Jaxon, Henry, and the other policemen returning, the man quietly slipped out of the room.
A few seconds later, they entered the room with the intention to teach James a lesson.
"Let's end this loser and throw him into a pit," Henry said, bringing out a dagger.
"No, I suggest we bury him alive. Let him suffer. No one messes with the Sterlings and goes scout free."
James was shocked as Henry and Jaxon discussed how to end him in the presence of the police men without them doing anything.
"First of all, give him a well befitting beating to my satisfaction."
This confirmed the fact that every officer in the station has been bought.
He only hoped that the other police man whom he asked to call his uncle would do so in time.
***
When Alisha descended the stairs, she encountered a gathering of her colleagues and superiors, all eagerly anticipating the arrival of the new CEO.
"I heard it's a man from one of the first class families who has a very wealthy consortium."
"Wow! I can't wait to see him!"
"Whoever pulls this off within a space of a day must really be rich! Even richer than the Sterlings."
The colleagues were eagerly discussing among themselves.
They all knew this would bring a new managerial development in the company.
Before long, a sleek Royce Rolls automobile accompanied by several other black SUV's pulled up in front of the company, and from it emerged a striking woman, approximately 25 years old and her bodyguards.
"Oh! It was Lana Wane!"
"Oh my God! She's so pretty"
"Yes. She's the daughter of Ryan Wane."
Her beauty was breathtaking. She was even more beautiful than Alisha herself.
She had long curly hair that reached down to her hips which are very curvy.
Her eyes were like the deep blue sea, matching the blue office suit she wore.
Everyone's spoken words turned into murmurs as they considered how goddess-like looking she was.
"Welcome, Madam," Mr. Thomas Sterling, the former CEO respectfully welcomed her and invited her into the company.
She smiled and waved at everyone as she followed Mr. Thomas into the company.
Just then, one of the bodyguards called out to her respectfully.
"Mistress, you have a call."
She took the phone from him.
"Hello."
After a few moments, the smile on her face changed into a frown.
"How could it be?" She asked the person on the line.
Everyone wondered what could happen suddenly and they all began to give one another inquisitive looks.
She noticed it and began to address them.
"Hello, everyone. I just got some disturbing news that the new owner of this company has been delayed on his way down here."
"Huh?" They all murmured.
"But don't worry, he'll be here soon."
They all relaxed.
"In that case, show me around the company." She demanded.
"Alright, come on in, Madam." Mr. Sterling said, leading the way in.