Chapter 16: Twisted Alliance

At precisely four o'clock, the sun cast a warm, golden glow across the city. Missis Natalie sat patiently on the plush chair by the glass window; anxiously awaited the call from her trusted man to finalize the fate of Miguel and Marcus. Her fingers tapped impatiently on the polished surface of the desk, eyes fixed on her phone.

Finally, the screen lit up. Taking a deep breath to compose herself, she answered the call. "Yes?"

"Ma'am, it's Davis. Boss wants you to prepare the huge payment for the heads of the two. We've got them." Davis' voice was cold and detached, the weight of his words chilling to the bone.

"Excellent. Where is your Boss? I'd like to speak with him; I have a task for him," Mrs. Natalie responded, an insidious smile creeping onto her face.

"I’m listening," came the reply from the other end.

"You've done well, Conte. Now, you can avenge your father. Miguel's head is yours. But Marcus... he's a rival to Edward for Simon's position," Mrs. Natalie's eyes gleamed with malice.

A mocking laugh echoed through the line, "What do you want us to do?"

"Keep him hidden," Mrs. Natalie commanded, her voice unwavering. She didn't want Marcus to attend the 50th annual celebration of the company the next day, potentially overshadowing Edward. She knew Don Arthur would favor Edward given the chance. She continued, "After the celebration, eliminate him. Stage it as a car accident to avoid suspicion."

"And if his family starts looking for him? His father is a renowned lawyer. Are you sure your plan won't fail?" Conte's voice dripped with sarcasm.

"I'm paying you to do a job, Conte. I've got my end covered. I know what I'm doing, I can handle them. Just remember our agreement!" Mrs. Natalie responded coldly.

"Your money is ready. Just don't forget the full extent of the plan. Once everything is done, lie low with your group. I'll call you when needed." With a sharp tone, she ruggedly added, ending the call.

As she hung up, Mrs. Natalie felt a chill creep up her spine, a cold reminder of the dark path she had chosen. The 50th annual celebration of the company was meant to be a night of joy and triumph, but for her, it was the beginning of a dangerous game, where the stakes were higher than ever.

In the twisted game of power and ambition, alliances were formed and loyalties tested. As the night of the celebration approached, Mrs. Natalie knew that the true battle was just beginning, and she was ready to do whatever it took to come out on top.

Waiting for Edward, Mrs. Natalie leaned back on the comfy sofa of her son’s office. Though, it’s weekend, but her son is still busy working for the preparation of the big event the next day. Earlier, Edward has already informed her that it would be a longer time for him to come back at his office, because he would have a lunch meeting outside the company with the potential clients and investors.

Looking out through the glass window where the shadowing lights seemingly mocking her, she proclaimed; “There’s no turning back!”

Little while longer, Missis Natalie’s deep thoughts and gazing into emptiness was disturb by Edward’s greetings.

“Mom!” Edward called as he threw light kiss on her mom’s right cheek. “What brings you here?” he suddenly asked.

“Of course, to give you a hand. To give you my full support.” Missis Natalie asserted. Noticing Edward’s silent response, she sulked and added, “why? can’t I come here? You’re not yet the CEO, yet you already forbid your mom to come and see you.”

“Of course, that’s not what I mean mom, it’s just that my lunch meeting turned out to be wasted.” Turning his back and forcedly sitting, Edward explained. Looking at his mom’s eyes, he fumed and stressed, “These useless investors have already committed to Miguel, that though he’s still nowhere to be found, yet they steadfastly remained their support for him!”

With a sigh, Missis Natalie sat beside him. Tapping his shoulder, she persuaded and said, “Son, don’t worry, Miguel is not your competitor here. As long as your dad got your back, then I’m sure you can win over Jason and Marcus.” 

Edward silently turned sideways and looked at his mom into the eye.

“Just focus working on a proposal for a long-term partnership strategy that could position us as industry leaders. Through this, I believe that you can secure not only the Board, but also your Grandpa's recognition and endorsement for the CEO role.” Mrs. Natalie affirmed.

Turning his head straight, Edward nodded persuasively.

***

Early Monday morning, as the Villaren’s couple first arrived and sat around the brunch table, Alexander received a message from his son. The words on the screen hit him like a breeze of wind on a serene morning.

1 SMS received:

"Dad, please cover for me if Grandpa asks. There's been a glitch in the construction project at GreyHills West. I need to be there. Don't worry, I'll catch up with the company celebration later, Dad."

Alexander's brow furrowed as he read the message.

"Why?" Mrs. Sabrina asked her husband, noticing his sudden silence as he held his phone.

"Nothing," shaking his head, Alexander replied, his voice strained as he patted his wife's shoulder and rose from his seat. Stepping away from the dining table, he dialed his son's number, but the incessant ringing on the other end only deepened the lines on his forehead. He halted, abandoning the attempt to reach his son, and instead dialed J&V Construction Firm, the architectural, construction, and interior designing company established by his son, Marcus—a partner with Jackson Corporation in the business of making new structures and ventures.

As the call ended, Alexander let out a sigh.

"Is there a problem with Marcus?" Mrs. Sabrina immediately inquired, her eyes fixed on her husband. She heard him chatting with one of the J&V Construction Firm project managers.

"There's a significant issue with your son's firm at the construction site in GreyHills West. The problem started yesterday, but things still aren't sorted out," Alexander replied to his wife.

"So, that's why I couldn't reach him yesterday? And why he didn't come home?" Missis Sabrina expressed her disappointment towards her son. "I thought he might have stayed at his girlfriend's place again instead of coming home. He never seems to change, always making me worry."

"What about Simon's party and the company celebration? Is he going to attend?" she asked suddenly after a few seconds of frustration.

"He said he'll catch up with the celebration. Just – don’t tell Dad," Alexander responded to his wife's sudden question.

“Oh, hi, you’re still here? You’re not yet gone for some work?” Their conversation was interrupted by a welcoming smile and greeting from Missis Natalie, followed by the silent presence of Simon and Don Arthur.

“Yeah, of course. Today is a big day, right?” Smiling back to Missis Natalie, Missis Sabrina reluctantly answered. Shifting her attention to Simon, she added, “Brother… Happy birthday.” She greeted while walking past at Missis Natalie and gave Simon a hug.

“Where’s my gift?” returning his sister’s embrace, Simon jested.

“Hmm… later at your grandest party, you can open it.” Missis Sabrina reacted as she directed her way back to the dining table.

Later…

“Happy birthday uncle Simon.” Carl and Cali greeted in unison. They arrived together with their parents and Adam. Afterwards, Missis Selena and her husband, Ezequiel uttered their greetings too.

“Adam, you’re not going to greet your dad?” Missis Natalie insinuated, blissfully.

Moments of silence engulf the atmosphere, as if waiting for Adam’s response.

“Happy birthday, dad.” Slightly looking at his father, Adam responded hazily while pulling a chair next to Don Arthur.

“Dad!” A call from Edward made the people from the dine table to pause for a while. “Happy birthday. Here’s my first gift for you.” Reaching at his father’s side, he added ecstatically as he gave his gift.

“Wow, first, so there’s still a second huh? Simon chuckles as he received Edward’s gift.

“Absolutely!” with a nod and a wink, Edward replied.

Tapping Edward’s left shoulder with a smile, Simon responded, “Thanks Son.”

Watching Edward and Simon made Missis Natalie's eyes gleamed in victory. However, this triumph was interrupted by a sudden question.

“Has Marcus gone to the office already?” Don Arthur inquired, fixing his eyes on his daughter, Sabrina.

“Uhm… yeah, yes Dad.” Nodding her head, Missis Sabrina answered hesitantly.

Shifting his gazed to Simon and then to Edward, Don Arthur probed, yet shut his mouth.

"Go ahead, lie! Soon, my plans will come to completion." Missis Natalie's quiet thoughts echoed in her mind as she secretly observed Marcus' parents.

“Sister-in-laws, you know what I have a suggestion… why not we go to the salon after our meal to beautify ourselves before we set foot for the party later? You know, it's kinda of girls' bond … What do you think?” Out of the sudden and with a warm smile, Missis Natalie suggested to the Jackson sisters, Selena and Sabrina.

With a shrugged, Missis Selena answered, “Hmm… yeah, why not? You can go with us. We already have a VIP appointment later at Kelly’s Wellness.”

“Okay. Thanks Selena.” Missis Natalie responded, a smile is still shown on her face though her mind buzzed with dark intentions, hidden behind her friendly facade.

Surely, Missis Natalie had carefully planned her every move. She knows what she’s doing – pulling strings in secret like a puppeteer. With just a word to Conte to take Marcus' cellphone and fabricate a message to be sent to his father, Alexander, was a task that's easy to carry out.

And to think, this was merely a fraction of her plan before wrecking GreyHills West. She can't help but to reminisce how she had successfully executed her scheme to sabotage the major construction project managed by Marcus' architectural firm in that distant city. For her, paying off a worker to mess up the project at GreyHills West was just a piece of cake. Among all the firm's projects, this was the one she had targeted deliberately. It was her hometown, so she knew exactly who she could bribe and trust in that area. Money was the key to those who struggled hard for their families. When push came to shove, they would surely bite the bait of the money she offered.

Once the dust settled and the board made their decisions, she'd make her move against Marcus, ensuring he was out of the picture for good.

Curving up her lip's corner, she thought, "Almost there! This day will end with Edward as the new face of the Jackson Empire.”