Chapter 128 You Can't Force Marriage on Me
"Bryce, what is wrong with you?" Devon asked, signalling Bryce about the presence of the media and guests, but Bryce pretended he didn't understand.
"The proper question should be, what is wrong with you?" Bryce replied.
"Bryce, my love. Today is our engagement party. Why are you embarrassing me like this?" Susan cried, looking pitiful.
"Oh, am I?" Bryce asked, moving his gaze from Devon to Susan. What gave you that impression that I want to marry you?" he asked, and the people around him gasped.
"Enough! Everyone out!" Devon shouted, and the people around him began to move. "Guards!" he called out, and four men entered the hall. "Ensure everyone leaves these premises," he instructed, and the guards moved to carry out his orders.
Bryce stood there in silence, staring at his father. Susan stood there crying her eyes out while Eva consoled her. In a couple of minutes, the hall was empty, leaving Bryce, Devon, Susan and Eva. Bryce stood just a distance away from Devon, Susan and Eva.
"Bryce, I see you want to lose your inheritance. I am going to grant you that wish," Devon said and quickly pulled out his phone, but paused when Bryce's laughter travelled to his ears.
Devon's gaze scanned Bryce, wondering what was making him laugh. He was going to take everything away from him with just a phone call. The company and the house, including freezing his assets. He had the power, so why is Bryce laughing? But he didn't have to wait for long; Bryce spoke.
"I don't care what you do with your inheritance. I have my fortune. I don't need yours," Bryce said, and Devon, Susan and Eva stared at him in bewilderment.
"Wait," Devon said, smiling after figuring something out. "So you created wealth for yourself using my company?" he asked, believing Bryce might have moved funds somewhere, which is why he said he had his own fortune.
"You think I got rich from Diamond Corporation?" Bryce asked. "You think I was secretly building wealth for myself using the company?" he rephrased the question.
"You have nothing, Bryce. Everything you own today is because of me. I will take everything away from you," Devon replied, and Bryce laughed again.
"Let me save you the trouble," Bryce said. "I came here to give you my resignation letter personally. I am not managing your company for you again. My office is being cleared as we speak. You can manage your company and money yourself starting today. On Monday, I am not going to that company," he said with a serious expression and tossed a brown envelope in front of Devon.
Susan picked up the brown envelope from the floor, but never opened it as they both stared at Bryce, surprised.
"How did you make whatever money you have? Is it not from my company?" Devon said. "I will take everything away from you. If you want to be a man, how about you start with nothing?" he threw the words at Bryce.
The side of Bryce's lips curled up, and he advanced towards Devon. He stopped just an arm's reach away from Devon.
"There is something I need you to tell me," Bryce said and shifted his gaze to Susan. "Get lost. This is between Devon and me," he said.
"I am not going anywhere?" Susan replied in tears. "Whatever you want to say, say it. Mr Moore is a father to me as he is to you," she added.
"Mr Bryce, why are you doing all of this? Mr Moore here wants what is best for you. My friend here is a woman with a good heart and will help you a lot. There is a saying that the devil you know is better than the Angel you don't know. You have known Ms Susan all your life. You know everything about her. Would you not prefer a partner you know?" Eva chipped in, and Bryce stared at her with a dangerous frown.
"The devil I know?" Bryce repeated the words. "Why would I want to marry a devil I know? When there is an Angel?" he asked.
"I don't ...." Eva began, and Bryce silenced her with a raised finger.
"Bryce, stop this nonsense now, if not, I will make that call for you to be cut off," Devon threatened.
"It's funny you are still saying that for the past 20 minutes, and yet you have not made any call," Bryce said.
"I see you want me to cut you off. I will grant your request," Devon said and shifted his gaze to his phone.
"Mr Moore, please. Don't do that. He will be my husband soon. Punishing him would be punishing me too," Susan begged, and Bryce laughed.
"Mr Bryce, please stop. You are not helping," Eva said.
"I see," Bryce said, and the door opened.
Five men, dressed in all-black outfits with half of their faces covered, strode in. From the masks they wore, only their eyes could be seen. The remaining half of their face was left uncovered. Devon frowned, and Susan's eyes widened as she ceased with her fake emotional tears. Eva was torn between astonishment and admiration of the handsome men who had just strode in. They were huge due to their muscular build. The black suits they wore made them very attractive.
"Move these two ladies out of the room," Bryce ordered, and the men moved towards Susan and Eva.
"Hey, what is that for?" Susan questioned, but Eva just stared at the man holding her in a daze.
Devon stared at the men, scanning them up and down. They were very formidable as one of them walked towards Susan, who had moved to Devon for his protection. Devon's eyes fell on the crest of the guard who was now standing close to him, and his eyes widened.
"This is the crest of the Davis family. If my memory serves me right, they are mafias," Devon thought. "I thought they left after the death of their Don?" he thought again, staring at the man standing right in front of him.
"Woman, scram," the guard said, and Susan went behind Devon.
"Mr Moore, please help," Susan cried to Devon.
"Excuse me, this is my home. You can't drive my daughter out of my home," Devon defended.
"I can drive you out of this house if I want," the man replied, leaning forward towards Devon.
Devon was very much aware of the Davis family and how powerful they were during their time of reign with their Don. Their Don was ruthless and would kill with no mercy. His guards were always dressed in all-black suits and wore masks. The question on Devon's mind was, how is it that Bryce is controlling these guards? Again, these guards always carry weapons with them. They can easily make you vanish from the surface of the earth. Devon knew he was not ready to test his fate with this beast-looking guard.
"Susan, wait for me in my study. I will sort this out and be with you shortly," Devon said, sensing the danger that if he doesn't comply, someone will die. "I will be fine," he assured Susan, and she nodded.
Two of the guards exited the room with Eva and Susan, leaving three guards behind.
"Wait for me at the door," Bryce said to the remaining three guards.
They nodded before heading for the exit, leaving Bryce alone with Devon. Devon just stood there looking at what was going on. He was going to find out what deal Bryce signed with Davis to give him control over their guards.
"We will be right outside the door, boss," the last man said and walked towards the door.
"Bryce, what did you offer the Davis to have their guards at your command? Do you know what they are into?" Devon asked.
"And suddenly he acts concerned," Bryce said. "Well, nothing," he replied.
"Liar," Devon frowned. "The Davis' would never give you charge over their guards without taking something valuable. So again, I ask. What did you offer to them?" he asked.
"I said nothing," Bryce replied.
"If I found out that you sold the company and this house to them, death would be me being merciful," Devon threatened.
"I see. This is what you know how to do best. Throw threats around like they were candies for kids," Bryce said. "Since your brain is now slow to understand what is going on, I will spell it out to you," he added. "You are looking at the new Don of the Davis family," he added. "That brings me to one important question," he threw the words at Devon.
"Are you my father?" Bryce questioned.
"I am your father," Devon answered. "Whatever they told you. Is a lie. They had always wanted to have my company, and I never gave it to them. They offered a partnership, and I rejected it," Devon said, looking suddenly desperate. "Listen to me, Bryce. You are just falling into their trap. They will use you to get me," he added, looking very troubled.
"Hmmm, I see," Bryce said. "I came here to stop the engagement. You can't force marriage on me. Especially one with a woman I don't love. As for whether or not you are my father, I will find that out soon," Bryce said and walked towards the main door.
"The new Don of the Davis family?" Devon said on his lips as he watched Bryce exit the door. "I am doomed," he added. "I need to do something and fast, too," he said and walked towards the door.
Devon exited the hall and quickly found Susan and Eva sitting in his study. Devon called Mark to his office.
"I have a job for you," Devon said, and the three stared at him, waiting to hear what he had to say.
Meanwhile, Angela's trial was over, and the judge was about to announce his verdict. The evidence presented against Angela was overwhelming, but James also put up a strong fight, with the evidence gathered showing the discrepancies in the evidence gathered against Angela.
"I have heard from both sides, and this is my verdict," the judge said.