Chapter 11

*Lucas*

For several minutes, i was dumbfounded. What exactly were they talking about? That my father had left a small fortune for me and Stewart was somehow in connection with it? This was too hard to believe and i found myself doubting it but still, there was a nagging feeling within me that something was amiss and all these could be true but still, the chances were very low.

''I don't understand.'' i said.

I couldn't hide the confused look on my face. How on earth did my father know Stewart Barclay? My father had died long before i ever gained a sliver of wealth so what exactly were these men talking about. This was insane and very creepy.

''You might not know it but your father and the late Barclay were long time friends. In fact, they were business partners and had began a business venture long before you were born. Heck! They hadn't even gotten married then.'' the taller one said.

Everything was confusing and i felt the sensation of my head swimming in a pool of water only me could see. Was this even possible? I didn't doubt it but yet finding this out from men i thought i would never see again in my life made it worse.

''I think you have your father's will with you right?'' the shorter one asked.

''Yes, i do. What has that got to do with it?'' i asked.

''Just read through it but this time, pay closer attention to the details. You will find what we are talking about.''

I tapped my fingers on my table, trying to make sense of what they were saying. This was very surprising, how on earth did my father and Stewart meet? This was something i never thought would happen in my wildest dreams.

''If you could tell me all you know about my father and Mr Barclay, i would really appreciate it.''

I preferred hearing it from them. I knew there was a link between all of this and i really wanted to know what that link was especially since it seemed Stewart knew me long before now but somehow, he didn't tell me. Or wait? Was that why he insisted i take over his company and get married to his daughter, Kiara? What was really happening here?

''I'm afraid we both have to go now but Logan will fill you in on everything.'' one of them said.

I had come to know Logan as the taller of the two men. They left soon, leaving both Logan and i alone. As it stood, i would have to reschedule that meeting i intended to have. This was far more interesting for me to pass on. The meeting could wait.

''Sorry, i have to inform my personal assistant to reschedule my meeting.''

''Sure, please take your time.'' Logan said.

It was then i noticed that he had been holding a small file ever since, i just didn't notice it. I gave instructions to Jasmine to shift my meeting to a later date when i had this all sorted out. For now, i needed to focus on this because i had a feeling that i was connected to this more than i could ever imagine.

''Let's go on.'' i said.

''So as my friend and i were saying, your father and the late Stewart Barclay go way back in time even long before you were born but i'm afraid the story wasn't always so pleasant. As a matter of fact, your father and Barclay were sworn enemies until they both died.'' he sighed.

''What the hell? How? But Stewart and i were very good friends before he died and why didn't inform me about he and my father's relationship?''

So many questions were swelling in my mind. There were so many of them but so little answers. I needed to find the answers to it before i finally lost it. This was getting too much for me to handle.

Logan smiled, opening the file that was placed in front of him. He picked up a single paper, looking through it briefly before handing it over to me. I scanned through it and i didn't need a sage to tell me that it was some sort of agreement between my father and Stewart. I had seen both of their signatures too many times not to know it.

''This is some sort of a business agreement.'' i said.

''Yes. That was the business your father and Stewart were involved in, infact they were both young and were just starting out in life. They had dreams and as you know as young and eager men, they were very enthusiastic about suceeding in life. Now, what i can not tell you is how both of them had crises and when i mean crises i'm talking about deep financial crises.'' he said.

He stroked his beard, looking at the table in thoughts. I looked through the paper again but this time, much closely and i saw where the bone of contention came from. There had been an agreement but Stewart broke it, leaving with all the money he and my father had labored to earn. I gripped the paper tightly in anger. This only meant that Stewart had been fooling me and he had been a fake friend. He knew i was his old friend's son and he had played on my innocence.

''I understand it now.'' i clipped.

''So you see, Barclay and your father had things going good for them but Barclay broke the agreement, leaving with all the earnings while putting your father in years of debt. This is why your family was in a deep financial mess until your parents died. But now, what i do not understand is why Stewart was overly friendly to you when he knew what he had done years back.'' Logan said.

''Oh, i know. He was friendly because he knew his time was almost up and he needed someone who could keep an eye on his daughter and his precious empire he had cheated my father in but not anymore, i know what to do.''

In that moment, a plan was taking shape in my mind and i knew this was the perfect opportunity to get back at Barclay and his daughter. Kiara was going to be very instrumental in my revenge plan. Stewart Barclay was a bad man, cheating my father out of his hard earned sweat and now it was time for pay back. I would get married to Kiara, that was certain but i would make life misreable for her just like how her father had made mine and my parents many years ago.