Mr. Lincoln squeezed his face, annoyed by how Charles had hit the right spot. If he hadn't found the right word to use against him at this moment, he wouldn't have had to pay. “Alright, I'll pay.” Mr. Lincoln grudgingly agreed, and immediately paid for the premium card before anything important was done without him. They were all here for shares which all the influential men who were here, were interested in investing in, including Charles. They were interested in registering as a shareholder for the investment. “Alright, so you can all invest depending on how many percent of shares you want to attain.” The person who was put in charge to conduct this, spoke up. Charles had it in mind to attain all the shares completely, but as he checked the points he had, and converted them into money, they amounted to 3 million dollars. “Shit! Why did it have to be now?” He uttered in his mind. “Mr. Charles, how many percent of shares would you like to acquire?” The man asked, and Charles bit his lips as he stared at the list before him on the table. “I'll only be able to take on a quarter of the shares listed here.” Charles replied regretfully. Then Mr. Lincoln burst out into laughter, cruel enough to make Charles feel defeated, and to be on his nerves. “As for me, I'm going to buy the remaining 75% shares.” Mr. Lincoln said, looking proud, and then the man in charge, nodded. Then after doing the necessary registration and signing, Mr. Lincoln stood up with a wide smile on his face, and glanced at Charles. Charles felt furious deep inside him and he wished he could just do something to make his father feel pained, but there was nothing he could do presently. Even Carlos made it worse by scoffing and sneering at him. They were embarrassing him right now in front of everyone, but that would only make the level of their embarrassment more. “If you ever thought that you would be richer than me, I hope this proves you wrong. You can never outrun me, Charles.” His father laughed out loud, and walked out of the conference room. “Who do you even think you are?” Carlos added, and walked out as well. Charles balled his hand into a fist, and tried his best to supress his anger. As he glanced at James, he decided to calm down as James had signaled for him to.After everything was done, Charles and James headed out of the company, and got into the car. “Your father and step brothers are really annoying.” James voiced out, breaking the brief silence between he and Charles. “I know right? They'll certainly still pay for the bad deeds they've done. Definitely.” “But what's the next step on them, boss? First, they have taken over 75% of the shares you intended to invest in, is there any plan you have against them?” James asked, out of curiosity and concern. “Regarding that, I'll think about it. For now, I need a time to myself.” Charles replied, and shut his eyes as he leaned on the car's back seat. James understood immediately that Charles' ego was crushed back there, and that he needed some time to recover from it, and to probably strategize. Soon, they got to his home, and met Vera waiting in the living room. “Welcome, how did the shareholders' meeting go?” She asked as she stared at Charles and James as they took their seats. James glanced at Charles to see if he was going to be the one to respond or he didn't mind him responding on his behalf. When he noticed Charles wasn't ready to speak, he decided to speak out instead. “Actually, it didn't go so well. We were meant to acquire all, but we were only able to acquire about 25%.” James informed Vera. Vera looked at Charles with a shocked expression. She couldn't believe that it was only 25%. If it was over 75%, she could still be calm, but hearing that Charles got only 25% was shocking. “Was 25% the highest? Or what?” “No. Mr. Lincoln got 75%” James fluttered his eyelids as a signal to Vera for her to stop acting so shocked as it could be adding to Charles’ frustration. “That investment is one expensive one, but I believe I can still lay my hands on it.” Charles finally spoke up, and tapped his fingers on the arm chair. Then he looked up at Vera. “Vera, what are the reports you have on the project so far?” He asked as he crossed his legs.Vera cleared her throat and adjusted herself on the seat. “There has been a lot of progress this week, and I'm certain when you come to the company to check it out, you'll be proud of your employees.” Vera reported with a smile. “Alright, that's nice.” “Also, we'll be needing over a million dollars for some upgrade in one of the tech products. If you want, a preview of what they visualize for it, can be prepared for you.” Vera added. “Hmm. I'll like a preview first. You can set up a meeting for it, tomorrow morning. So, they ought to have prepared it before then.” “Alright, noted.” After the brief reports Vera made, she stood up to leave. James also wanted to use that opportunity to leave, but he was held back by Charles. After Vera had gone, Charles finally spoke again after a brief silence. He picked up the wine bottle which was on the table, and poured it into a glass cup. “Do you want any?” He asked, so James could get himself another glass cup. “No, I'm fine.” He turned it down politely. Charles sipped his wine, then exhaled. “I can't let my father get away with what he did, and today's occurrence has prompted me to think hard on a perfect idea to avenge my mother.” Charles said, and James listened keenly. “Okay, and what's the plan?” James inquired, ready to listen. “I’m going to penetrate into their lives, and get closer to them.” “How will you do that, especially as they perceive you to be an enemy?” James asked, curious about what Charles had in mind. “I am going to get a strong disguise.” “Wow. This sounds more interesting. When you're talking about a strong disguise, can you give me what you mean exactly in details?” James inquired. “I want a moustache, poor clothes, wig. At least, I can make use of that to make me look nothing like myself.” Charles said as he tapped his feet. “Wow. This sounds like a mind-blowing plan. If a disguise is what you need, then I got you covered on that.”“Good. So, you'll need to work out a vacant post for me in the Lincoln company. I'm going for the most prestigious one they have.” Charles notified as he placed his index finger on his philtrum. “Okay, what position would you like me to work on?” “I need one that would make me work outside the company, and around the lobby. In short, something that would make me easily noticeable.” Charles demanded. “Hmm… I think I understand your plan. Uhm… it could either be as a security personnel or a lawn mower. What do you think?” James asked, reasoning the best option. “I think I'll go for the position of lawn mower. I should be able to get their attention easily, that way.” Charles smiled as he visualized the success of his plan. “Alright, I'll work some things up, and get back to you as soon as possible.” “It has to be soon enough. I want to start working there tomorrow. Time is ticking and we have to utilize it well.” Charles uttered, and exhaled. “Alright, I'll note that. Is there anything else you'll like me to take note of?” James asked, noting all Charles had demanded, on his phone. “Yes, that's all for now, I believe.” Charles spoke, and released his legs which he had crossed. “Alright then. You can consider it all done.” James said to him, and rounded things up. “Good. Alright, you can now leave. You also need some rest.” Charles released James, and James stood up and gave Charles a head bow. Then he walked out of Charles’ house, and headed home. Charles stood up, and walked into his kitchen. The dishes were in the basin, dirty as he had not had the time to wash them. Charles’ maid was still in detention as he was still delaying the usual process. More like he was trying to get better from the heart shattering betrayal she gave him before he would face her. He wanted his heart to be cold enough before he meets with her so he would ensure she got the cruelest jail term. He picked up the sponge, and soap, then soaked them into the next basin which was filled with a little water for washing. Then he began to wash the plates gently. Right there, he had a walk down to the memory lane. ~flashback~ Charles and his mother were doing the dishes in a wealthy woman's house on an empty stomach as they had to do the dishes to get paid to eat. Charles was downcast while rinsing the plates his mother had washed, and he wished that his mother didn't meet someone like his father. “Charles.” His mother called his attention. “Yes, mother.” Charles responded, looking up at his mother. “I want you to know that one day, if you'll be doing the dishes in a house as big and extravagant as this, it would be your own house, and not on an empty stomach, but a fillee and satisfied stomach.” She said, and smiled at him. Those words made Charles to have that burning desire to make it happen just as his mother had assured. ~back to reality~ “That did happen, mother. But what you never thought would happen which is me avenging you and making those who mistreated you to bow, is what would happen next.” Charles thought to himself. After washing the dishes, he walked up to his bedroom, and pulled off his clothes then had a shower to wash off all that made him feel a bit dirty, then he plopped down on his bed. His eyelids felt heavy to open each time he opened them just to stare at the curtains while he laid on the bed, and the next time he closed his eyes, he didn't open them anymore. The next day, he rose up from bed, and got a reminder call from Vera about the meeting he had today with his tech workers. After the call, he walked into the bathroom to have his bath, and when he was done having his bath, he put on a button down shirt, his tie, a suit with matching pants, and dress shoes. He stared at himself in the mirror and adjusted his tie a bit more. “Perfect.” He complimented his look, and picked up his brief case. Then he headed out of the house. His guards were outside the house, so when they saw him, they greeted him and opened the car's door for him. Charles got into the car and his men followed suit. He laid back on his car seat, and checked the time on his watch. He wasnt late yet, neither was he running late. “I need you three to send in your account details to Vera. I'll like to give you a token for the good job you've been doing so far.” Charles spoke out, and his security men looked at him in surprise.“Thank you so much sir. We really appreciate.” His driver was also thanking him while ensuring his eyes was on the road. “You're all welcome. Let's ensure you do a better job.” Charles said, and they promised to do a better job. Charles loved to make his employees feel cared for, and didn't want to come out as a strict and miser boss. Due to what he had gone through with his mother, sometimes, he could tell what some of his employees wished he would do for them. Just when he was almost at the company, a call from the station, came. “Hello.” “Good day, Mr. Charles. Miss Angela said she has something to say about the poisoning you had.”