When James lifted his head, everyone present was taken aback by the sight of him. His whole body was bearing the physical marks of his recent torture. His face was bruised and battered.
What was even more shocking was the revelation that he was now the new owner of Emerald Multisource Cooperation. He was now the person in charge of the company.
This news hit them like a thunderbolt. Even Alisha, his ex-wife, couldn't hide her surprise.
She had no idea that the man she had once been married to, the man her family treated like a piece of shit was now the new owner of the very company where she worked.
"This can't be real!" Mr Thomas Sterling was shocked to his bones.
"You're telling me he's the big boss now?"
"No way! I thought he was just a regular loser."
"And I was even thinking the boss was going to be someone else entirely."
"Well, I guess we've all underestimated this guy for a long time."
On the other hand, Jaxon, Henry, and the other policemen who tortured James mercilessly find it hard to believe what was happening.
"I must be dreaming. Pinch me, man!"
"I need some fresh air. This is too much to handle."
"Unbelievable! Is this some kind of joke?"
"I need to sit down. My head is spinning."
Among the shocked faces in the room, there was one person who remained notably quiet. It was Officer Eric Wood, the policeman who had called James' uncle.
"Someone explain to me how this happened." Lana finally shouted and the room fell silent.
No one dared to speak, they all kept quiet.
She turned to James and asked calmly. "Who harmed you like this?"
She knew the people responsible for James' injuries were still in the room with them.
James, however, had no intention of revealing that he was the new owner of the company. His plan was to keep his true identity hidden and handle those who had wronged him secretly.
He began pretending not to recognize Lana, saying with a puzzled look, "I'm sorry, but who are you?"
Lana was left bewildered by his response.
"What do you mean now?"
"Excuse me? Have we met before?"
"Yes, James. What did they do to you that you don't remember me anymore?"
"I don't know what you are talking about."
"It's me, Lana."
"I'm sorry, but I can't place you," James said coldly.
Lana felt really embarrassed when James denied her and refused to acknowledge her. It made her look like a fool in front of everyone in the room.
Just then, James gave her a knowing glance, and she got the message. He was planning something unusual, something she couldn't quite figure out. But whatever it was, she grasped that James wanted to keep his real identity a secret from everyone in the room, and she decided to go along with it.
The whole people gathered in the room breathed a collective sigh of relief as James pretended not to recognize Lana.
"Good, this loser doesn't even know her. Why doesn't she just let it slide" one person remarked.
"Perhaps she's confused him with the new boss or something."
Alisha's heart raced and she felt a little bit troubled, but secretly, she was happy after all.
The thought that James was not the new owner of Emerald Multisource Cooperation relieved her because she dreaded the possibility of him sacking her or his revenge on her family.
She muttered to herself, "I can't believe this simpleton could ever be the owner of Emerald Multisource Cooperation."
Jaxon who was now standing beside her replied. "Yeah, I mean, look at him. He doesn't have what it takes to run a company like this."
Henry was quick to support, "Absolutely right, Jaxon. He's not fit to be in charge."
Mr. Thomas Sterling nodded in agreement. "Indeed, we were all concerned for a moment there, but it's a relief to know he's not the one calling the shots."
"I can't imagine working under his leadership."
"Honestly, it would have been a disgrace if he were the new boss."
"We need someone with experience, not someone like this piece of trash."
They were all happy that James was not the new owner of the company but the question still remained in their minds 'Who exactly could be the new boss?'
"If he's not the new owner of the company, then who is?"
"Do you think the real boss will reveal themselves so easily?"
"It could be someone we know."
"No, I heard rumors about a powerful figure taking over."
"This has become more confusing than I thought."
"We'll just have to wait and see."
Just then, Eric Wood, the police officer who had secretly helped James to call his uncle, stepped forward.
With a gentle tap on Lana's shoulder, he calmly said, "I'm the person you've been searching for."
He played his part as instructed by James, pretending to be the new owner of the company. This had all been part of a clever plan that James had asked him to do when he begged him to make that crucial phone call to his uncle.
He had been sympathetic to James. And he agreed to protect James's identity as the company's owner. So, he kept his lips sealed, not wanting to expose the truth.
Eric confidently declared, "I'm the one who purchased the company." He even showed a convincing fake ID to support his claim.
James was satisfied with the game he was playing. Eric was playing his role as the fake owner even better than he had anticipated.
It seemed that their plan was falling into place, and James was pleased with the way things were going.
But the police officers weren't buying any of the story.
Eric went ahead to give them a convincing story to make his colleagues believe him.
Everyone began to believe Eric's words. They silently thanked their lucky stars that James was not the owner, unaware of the game he was playing.
"Oh my goodness, the new boss is quite handsome."
"And he looks so confident as well."
"It seems he is from a powerful family."
Eric Wood took charge immediately. He ordered that they release James from the handcuffs.
"Set him free now."
The other officers were unmoved.
Eric gave Chief Lloyd a stern look, causing him to tremble in fear.
"You heard the new boss," Chief Lloyd declared. "Release the man."
Finally, they listened and untied James.
Then, Eric turned to James and said, "Mr. James, we have a new job for you in our company."
Hearing this, everyone in the room became puzzled once more.
One person exclaimed, "What again? This deadbeat working in the same company as us?"
Another person worriedly questioned, "What if he's given the position of Managing Director, a rank above some of us?"
"But, as usual, Mr. James, you'll be working as a janitor," Eric taunted. "I heard that's what you're exceptionally good at."
In response to Eric's taunting, laughter erupted in the room once more.
"Hahaha, looks like the janitor job is the perfect fit for him!"
"I guess we'll have a janitor who has a doctorate degree in cleaning."
"It's amazing how well the new boss knows his talents."
Just when everyone felt relieved, James suddenly began coughing very hard. His condition was getting worse because of the injuries and beatings he had suffered.
Lana quickly went to his side. She said urgently, "James! James! Are you okay?"
Some people in the room panicked and grabbed their phones to call for help. James's condition was deteriorating rapidly, and Lana stayed with him, trying to provide comfort.
Lana, beside herself with worry, called out desperately, "Hurry, please! He needs help now!"
They anxiously waited for help to arrive, hoping to save James's life.
At that very moment, just as the ambulance's siren wailed in the distance, James's strength finally gave way.
He felt his body becoming weak with each passing moment. Overwhelmed by the pain and exhaustion, he collapsed and fainted.