Chapter 99

MR JACOB POV.

“Brother Kenneth,” I said again, this time with more resolve. “I need to tell you something important.”

The room fell silent. Even the faint sound of the wind outside seemed to pause as everyone waited for me to speak.

“Don’t eat the apples,” I blurted out.

Kenneth frowned, clearly taken aback. “What are you talking about, Jacob?”

I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of my words. “The apples in that fruit bouquet… I saw something earlier that made me suspect they might not be safe.”

“What exactly did you see?” Kenneth asked, his voice laced with suspicion.

Max shifted in his seat, his composure slipping ever so slightly. Nadia’s eyes widened, and for a moment, I thought she might say something, but she remained silent, her gaze darting between me and Max.

“I was at the supermarket earlier,” I began, choosing my words carefully. “And I saw Max with the fruit bouquet. He was… tampering with it. Injecting something into the apples.”

Gasps filled the room. Daniella clutched her chest, her eyes wide with shock. Richard sat up straighter, his expression hardening as he looked at Max.

Even Tammie, who had been quiet for most of the evening, seemed visibly shaken.

“Is this true, Max?” Kenneth demanded, his voice cold and sharp.

Max, to his credit, didn’t falter. “Mr Jacob, I don’t know what you think you saw, but I can assure you, I didn’t do anything to that fruit. It’s a gift, a gesture of goodwill.”

“A gesture of goodwill?” I scoffed, my anger rising. “I know what I saw, Max. You had a syringe in your hand, and you were injecting something into those apples. Don’t try to deny it.”

Kenneth held up a hand, silencing us both. “Jacob, if what you’re saying is true, then this is a serious accusation. Max, do you have any explanation for this?”

Max leaned back in his chair, his face calm but his eyes calculating.

“Mr Kenneth, I respect you as my boss and as a man, but I think Jacob here is mistaken. Maybe he saw someone else, or maybe he’s just trying to stir up trouble.”

I clenched my fists, anger bubbling inside me. “I know what I saw, Max. Don’t try to twist this around.”

Before Kenneth could respond, Daniella, my wife, spoke up. “Kenneth, perhaps we should have the apples tested before anyone eats them. Just to be safe.”

Kenneth nodded slowly, his gaze fixed on Max. “That seems like a reasonable idea.”

Max smiled, though it didn’t reach his eyes. “Of course. Whatever puts your mind at ease.”

I watched him closely, my suspicions only growing. Max was a master manipulator, and I knew he wouldn’t go down without a fight. But for now, I had done what I needed to do. I had warned Kenneth, and hopefully, that would be enough to keep him safe.

As the maid entered the room, holding the apples Kenneth had requested, I cleared my throat again. “Kenneth, please. Don’t take any chances. Let’s get these tested before anyone eats them.”

Kenneth nodded, his expression thoughtful. “You’re right, Jacob. Better safe than sorry.”

The maid hesitated, unsure of what to do, but Kenneth waved her off. “Take them to the kitchen. We’ll deal with this later.”

I leaned back in my chair, feeling a small sense of relief. For now, I have done my part. But as I glanced at Max and Nadia, I knew this wasn’t over.

They would find another way to carry out their plan, and I would have to be ready to stop them.

As the room settled into an uneasy silence, I couldn’t help but think about what would come next. The battle for Kenneth’s life…and his empire…wasn't over yet.

'' Mr Jacob, are you trying to say that I poisoned the fruits? Don't worry about that, I will be tasting the fruit.''

Max said and immediately everyone turned to Max as he stood up from the couch and walked towards the servants holding the fruit.

They think I don’t notice. They think I’m just another pawn in this game. I leaned back slightly, watching the room, my mind racing as the events unfolded before me.

The fruit in the tray sat untouched on the center table, vibrant and tempting, its colors a stark contrast to the tension that filled the air.

I couldn’t help but smirk inwardly. Let them play their little games. I was always one step ahead.

The servant had brought the fruit in moments ago, holding it delicately as if it were some priceless treasure. I watched him closely, my mind already calculating my next move.

The moment he placed the fruit on the table, I stood and walked over, brushing past him as I picked up the bouquet myself.

"Allow me," I said smoothly, my voice calm and steady. I could feel the weight of their gazes on me, each one filled with varying degrees of suspicion and curiosity.

Placing the bouquet back on the table with deliberate care, I stepped back and glanced around. Nadia was sitting stiffly, her eyes darting toward me. It wasn’t just a casual glance; it was a silent plea, a warning even. Her wide eyes and subtle head shake were unmistakable. She didn’t want me to taste the fruit.

I gave her a quick look, one that I hoped conveyed my understanding. She remembers now, I thought, suppressing the urge to laugh. She remembers exactly what we did to that fruit.

It amused me how easily people panicked under pressure. Nadia was good at many things, but keeping her composure wasn’t one of them. I, on the other hand, thrived in moments like this.

I said to myself: Jacob thinks he’s smart, doesn’t he? Sitting there, pretending to be the hero, warning Kenneth about the fruit. But he doesn’t know that I’ve already accounted for his meddling. He’s just a piece on my chessboard, and I’m the one moving the pieces.

As I stood there, feigning nonchalance, my mind wandered back to the supermarket. The memory was vivid, as if it had happened just moments ago.