30

Just like he said, William got Henry and Jaxon released the very next day and nobody knew how.

The whole of the Carl family began to see him as a sort of God and threw praises his way, and wondered how he was able to do it.

Even Mr. Sterling was surprised when he learnt that his son was released by the Carls.

Who could believe It? Immediately he reconciled with them and began to look at them from a different light.

He even went as far as accepting the meeting proposal by Richard Carl and Pa Aaron.

“Maybe the Carl are not so worthless after all," he thought.

A doorbell goes off in a lovely big Ben kind of way in the home of the Sterling’s, and everyone knew who it was at the door before it was even opened.

Richard Carl and Pa Aaron were the ones at the door and were ushered in by a maid dressed in immaculate white and a smile white enough to be in a toothpaste ad.

Richard was holding a bottle of one of the most expensive wines in the world.

If it were up to Richard and Pa Aaron, they would have wanted for the object of their visit to be discussed before any other matter but a feast had been prepared in light of their coming and Mr. Thomas Sterling suggested they sat at table before anything else.

Over a lovely dessert of chocolate pie and iced drinks and a chilled bottle of wine, Pa Aaron was the first to speak.

“It is really kind of you my dear Mr. Sterling to see us and in such a lavish manner too. We are deeply touched and promise to return the favor soon.” he said and raised his glass in a toast.

“Oh, you are too kind. Our families have been friends and will remain so for a long time to come. What is mine is yours too.” Mr. Sterling said, raising his glass back.

That was a very generous statement made by him and besides just being a statement, it was a promise that the Sterling’s would always stand behind the Carl’s, come rain, come shine.

“Haha, I feel great hearing that.” Richard said and they all laughed. It was a good day.

The plates and dishes were all cleared up and the main object of their visit was addressed. Pa Aaron left Richard to do the talking as he and William had planned and took a stroll outside the house.

“That reminds me, I don’t see Jaxon around, having fun or just resting up?” Richard asked. Of course that wasn’t as important as reclaiming the relationship but he saw that as the perfect interlude to the whole thing.

“Oh that, we sent him to the hospital to run some tests and get checked before he comes back home to rest up, you know one cannot trust the state of these prison cells.”Mr. Sterling explained with a wave of the hand.

“I Know what you mean, we did the same for Henry. Kate saw to it that he is being taken care of.” Richard added.

“So as to the main reason why we are here. We both have been flung apart from each other thanks to that wily fox, James. He hatched a pretty good plan-I must say - and we fell for it. I want to use this opportunity for my oversight and the humiliation and stress I must have caused you and your family, accept this handshake as a welcome back to being one of the dearest friends to the Sterling's.” Mr Sterling concluded putting out his hand for a handshake.

Richard took his hand in a strong clasp and wrung it with both of his, “This calls for a celebration, I can breathe easy now knowing that a precious relationship has been redeemed. Surely we cannot possibly let this go without a fight so I suggest we find a way to get back at James for what he has done to us all, what do you think Mr. Sterling?” Richard finished. It had not crossed his mind to get back at James but it suddenly occurred to him that to further strengthen the bond between himself and the Sterling’s and just as a medium to show his authority, it would be a good idea to try and take James down. The whole family would come to respect him.

“That is a very bold idea of yours and one that I absolutely agree with, what do you suggest we do?” Thomas Sterling asked.

“If you don’t mind, I would like for you to call a press conference.” Richard answered with a malicious smile curling up his lips.

“A press conference?!” Whatever for?” Thomas Sterling asked, his surprise obvious.

“You don’t know this but an intel of mine was sent after the new CEO by me and what he found out would surely be interesting to you.” Richard said.

Unknown to Mr. Sterling, the Intel he was talking about is Morris Huggo, Mr Sterling’s right hand man who's more loyal to the Carl because he's been blackmailed by them.

Somehow, Morris Huggo got to find out that Eric is not the real CEO but is working for someone whom he suspects is James.

Instead of divulging the information to Mr Sterling, he had no choice but to relay it to Richard Carl.

“The new CEO, it’s nothing alarming surely?” Mr. Sterling asked, alarmed.

“In fact it is. The CEO you know, Mr. Eric Wood is in fact not the CEO, he’s only just a pawn put in by someone in the Wane family and while on his trail, my intel came across someone who looked like James but I binned that idea because as you and I know James, is nothing but a useless riff-raff and if there really is any connection between him and the Wane, it must be as a result of some scam carefully tailored out by James.” Richard explained , surprising Mr. Sterling with each of his sentences.

“A Pawn! So who could be the actual CEO and what does this have to do with the press conference you want me to call?” Mr. Sterling asked, half musing to himself.

“It shows everyone that you saved Emerald Multisource Corporation from such a big sham and if James is in any way related to the scam, he’ll be brought down too. He must have somehow collaborated with Mr. Wood. It is killing two birds with one stone, if it was found out that James is in fact not in any way related to this grand scheme, it wouldn’t matter much and everyone would just turn their attention to the Hero.” He finished grandly and waited for Mr. Sterling to finish processing all he heard.

“Okay then, I’ll make the call. You prepare for the press conference a day after tomorrow.” He finally said.

Mr. Carl already knew that this wonderful idea of his would be bought and he in fact wasn’t bothered much.

A little more chit-chatting here and there and both parties finally said bye to each other and wished themselves well.