Chereads / RISING: The wealthy Business Tycoon / Chapter 2 - CHAPTER TWO

Chapter 2 - CHAPTER TWO

Peace before the storm

As the sun rose gently above the clouds, the city of Sherrington didn't look as if a storm was brewing, the day looked normal, but little did they know that it was just the peace before the storm.

In the University of Sherrington, deep within one of the halls of residence, there laid a young man who was deep in his sleep. James have had an uneventful day, a day prior to this and he used this sleep to wash off all the feelings he felt. Before he slept, he had wished that the new day will bring to him a sense of vitality, he didn't want the previous day's events to cause him from doing things right, or cause his head to be muddled. He had wished and prayed that the new day will bring him joy and not gladness.

Still sleeping peacefully, James was awakened from his wonderful sleep by a call that came through. He checked the number that was calling and noticed it was the same number that his mother used to call him the previous day. A flash of surprised crossed through his face before he calmed himself down to pick the call. At first, he thought it was his mother, but upon answering, a sweet, angelic like voice sounded through the other side of the phone. This voice made him to sit straight up, this action resulted into him hitting his head on the bonk bed above his.

Since he entered into high school, he had always preferred to sleep on the down bonk bed, because he found it easier to access his bed, this is because, naturally for him, he hate climbing bunk beds.

As his head collided with the top bunk, he let out a soft growl, which caused the lady at the other end of the line to let out a soft chuckle, she was laughing because she was happy about the impact she have had on him, just on the very first day of work.

James on the other hand didn't hear he soft chuckle as he was busy rubbing his head, trying to reduce the pains he felt. After sometime, he gradually felt the pain reducing. It was only at this moment he remembered that he was on a call and he didn't end the call. He felt his body go rigid, he sincerely hoped she didn't hear him acting like a child. As he was silently praying, the person on the other side of the call, called out to him again.

"Hello-" she called softly. The voiced went through the over two thousand acupoints present in his body and through the seven pressure points of his body. This caused him to react spontaneously, as he wished the voice would never stop calling out to him.

"Hello Sir-" This time Nancy said a bit loudly, fear that he might not have heard her previously, at this moment, James snapped out of his world of solitude and reality done on him.

Blushing, he replied, "Hello please, Good morning to you.." .

"Good morning , Sir, Please this is Nancy, I am calling you from the Ka-el conglomerate located in Sherrington city."

Confused, James was wondering what business he had done that has involved the mighty Ka-el. Thinking back, he noticed that he shouldn't be able to cross path with the massive company, but why then was he contacted with the number that his mom used the previous day- , "wait, does Clearlake tower also belong to Ka-el? If that is so then the Humphrey's should be in charge of Clearlake right? Except….

He trailed off, as he connected the dots, "bingo", when realization dawn on him, he exclaimed.

"Did the Bush family ask you to call me?" James voice turned frosty as he asked.

Sensing the change in his voice, the temperature of the room Nancy was in dropped by several degrees, James was seething in anger upon remembering the previous day. "Answer me!" He shouted on the phone as his patience was wearing thin.

"Mr Langdon, please calm down and let me explain" Nancy replied almost in whispers, as she was truly terrified of her new boss.

" You have Five minutes, if you can't give me a reasonable answer, I will particularly come to Ka-el co-operation seeking explanations from your superiors."

"Sir, please calm down, I am Nancy, the secretary to the Chairman of Ka-el conglomerate in Sherrington, and I have been assigned to you to specifically work you through the processes on assuming your role as the new chairman of Ka-el conglomerate in Sherrington. You are the new chairman appointed to head the companies in Sherrington, sir. This was the order given to us this morning from the Headquarters. Also, Sir, Twenty-five percent of the entire shares of the Ka-el and Jo-el groups of companies has been transferred to you with all paper works already done. This makes you the second most powerful person in the company; this is Aside from The President of the entire company, Mr. Jackson Bush, Sir."

"What did you just say, did you just say that cranky old man have given me twenty-five percent of the shares in the company?" James asked with shock written all over his face. How is this possible? He abandoned me and my mother but just in less than twenty-four hours, he had made me the second largest shareholder in their Bush enterprise, which means I have control over a lot of things. No am I in a dream? James wake up!! He thoughts as he pinched himself.

"Yes, Mr. Langdon, He had transferred twenty-percent shares of the entire Bush company to you, making you not just the second most powerful person in the company, but the second most powerful person in the entire Bush family, he is planning on retiring, and when he retires, he is planning on handling the entire family to you, But he told me to tell you this, If you decide to take up the responsibility, the road won't be easy, and you have to carve your path yourself. He would only intervene when the matter is dire, sir."

"Can I refuse?" James Blurted out

"Sir, he said there is no room for negotiations as all paper works on his side has been already completed. It either you accept or everything will be transferred to charity" Nancy replied immediately.

"Call me in an hour, I want to think about this carefully and thoroughly, will that be fine by you?" James asked with a sincere heart. He knew this was a big opportunity to turn his disastrous life around, and he also knew this was the way the old man is trying to apologize and also test his resolve. He also knew the dangers accepting this opportunity. Once he accepted this, enemies will flock around him, turning his life into a mess. Though he has undergone intensive training and real life threatening situations, he still cannot risking his and his mom lives. So he has to thoroughly analyze everything.

Upon agreeing to his request, Nancy ended the call. James stood rooted at his for nearly twenty minutes after the call, staring at the scenery of the university, lost in thoughts.

He didn't even realize his roommates have joined him and were calling out to him. He was in a big dilemma on what to do. Deep down he felt hurt at how his family treated himself and his mother, but he also know that his mom really loves her family and will do anything for her family. He also know that his grandfather is quite sincere in his apologies, because how he reacted the previous day should have landed him in deep trouble with the old man, but he was so magnanimous not only to overlook his behaviour of the previous day but to also sincerely apologize by gifting him twenty-percent of the total controlling shares. With all these thoughts flowing through his head, he didn't even pay attention to the shouting and tugging of sleeves that was ongoing physically by his roommates.

After a half an hour of carefully analyzing everything, he returned back to reality, that was when he found his guys staring at him weirdly. Looking at their weird faces, he gave a sheepish grin, knowing fully well that they might have thought he had become a log of wood.

"How long have I been standing here" He asked them smiling full faced

"Mister Man, you have been standing like a log of wood for a whole thirty minutes. What on earth are you thinking about?" Tyler, his bonk mate asked with a worrying look in his eyes.

"Oh champ, I was just thinking about my life, yesterday, Jasmine dumped me in a gruesome manner, by now, I know it is flying all over the school forum sites. So I was just trying to strategize how to make my first move" James replied quickly, lying to them. He didn't want them to know about the content of his call, so he told them the perfect lie to cover up.

Hearing the lie, they got convinced and started giving their advice on how he can go about the matter. After about twenty minutes of planning and strategizing, the roommates left him to get ready for lectures.

He waited for ten more minutes at the balcony, waiting for Nancy to give him a call. When the clock hit the one hour mark, Nancy call came in. Looking at the caller ID, he smirked as he said under his breathe, "What a punctual lady".

Picking the call and bringing the phone to his ear, he uttered, " I have made my decision, but I won't tell you about it just yet. Where will you be at four, We can meet up at a restaurant near my university to discuss about my decision and the way forward from there. Is that fine by you?"

"Yes, Sir, that is very much fine. Please what time is the meeting and can you give a detailed location?" Nancy asked

"I will leave the location to you for you to decide on which is best, I don't want something grand, let meet somewhere inconspicuous, so we don't attract attention, and let meet at 5pm this evening insteadas I will be done with school by around 4:00 pm." He replied calmly.

"Alright, Got it Sir-" Halfway through replying, Nancy was cut short by James.

"Can you stop calling me Sir and Mr. Langdon please, My name is James and I want you to call me by my name please."

"But-"

"No Buts, it is James and nothing else ok"

"Yes Si-…. Ok James"

"Great great, see you at five then. I got to rush to attend lectures" James said hurriedly as he cut the line. His roommates have called out to him to remind him he have lectures by 9am, he checked the time and he saw that the time at the moment was ten minutes pass 8am. So he got to hurry and shower, he must not be late for the class because the lecturer hates lateness.

The day went by smoothly for James Langdon, He got scolded for coming a minute past 9am, but nothing major happened afterwards. In class, he wasn't attentive as he was looking forward to his meeting with Nancy.

At exactly 20minutes past 4pm, His lecturer brought his last class to a close. As the lecturer exited the class, James was almost in cloud nine out of happiness; he quickly cleared his desk, picked his school bag and hurried out of the lecture room. His destination is the little Haven restaurant which has been booked by Nancy.

He rushed there without waiting to speak to the few friends that tried approaching him nor his classmates or even his roommates that he crossed; reason being that he wanted to get the matter settled as soon as possible and also he love punctuality and he cannot afford to be late for today's meeting and get in the wrong book of everyone.

Two minutes to 5pm, James appeared in front of the entrance of Little Haven restaurant. When he looked up at the sign board hanging up against the small building that serves as the restaurant, he had a complicated feelings, this was the restaurant that he first brought Jasmine to when they started dating, this restaurant also have memories of his childhood, he worked here whilst he was still very young as he tried to earn some money to cater for his mother when she fell ill due to overstress.

Memories kept flashing through his mind as he entered through the door. With a smile, he knew a new dawn await him by the time he comes out of the restaurant.

As he walked through the entrance, he froze on the spot, as what greeted him was a spectacle of amazement, he told Nancy that they should meet and she should be low key, but what on earth is this charade.

Seated at the far corner of the restaurant sipping her tea leisurely, Nancy looked up at the charming young man that has entered the restaurant with a smile. She already knew who he was, the next Helmsman of the Bush family, the mighty James Langdon, the revered grandson that has been the only one to oppose Mr Jackson Bush. When she set off from the company earlier today, she received a call telling her that she should ensure to receive the next Helmsman with utter reverence or she will be dealt with; this caused her to get the 21 elite assassination squad and the 18 Elite body guards to come along with her. She knew that from that day onward, a storm will pass through the entire world.

The Assassination squad and elite body guards lined up in rows from the entrance of the door, welcoming their master, the next helmsman of the Bush family.

As James entered, all the men donned in black all bowed their heads with utter reverence as they greeted him welcome.

He paused for a moment, frozen in shock, he never expected such occasion. Even with shock overcoming him, he quickly pulled himself together as he strolled towards Nancy with all eyes in the restaurants peering at him.

Nancy was watching him very carefully, watching how he was going to handle such occasion, after seeing the way he strolled towards her with air of a king and a lord, a warmth smile spread on her face as she made a vow silently to serve him still she die. After uttering the vow, she looked up to face him again, as their eyes met, she uttered under her breathe, "Finally, someone of the Bush family have finally being able to win me over and to win my loyalty."

When Langdon reached her table, he sat down hurriedly as he peered at her with a bit of anger and astonishment. When they spoke earlier that day, he knew she must be beautiful, but he never expected her to be this beautiful and young. But he was angry at the fact that she didn't do as she was told.

"I thought I told you to keep things low, what is with this entrance?" James asked her solemnly after some few moments have passed.

"Mr Langdon…" She got interrupted before she could even proceed.

"I thought we agreed you will stop addressing me as Mr. Langdon or Sire." James retorted with a raised eyebrow.

"Sorry, but it feels weird calling my suprerior his name" She said shyly as she tried to maintain eye contact with him.

"Nevermind about that, I want you to call me my name because I don't want us to work as superior and subordinate, but I want us to work as friends, we should be friends and having my friend being there for me is better than exacting superiority" James said as he took up his glass of drink which have been served him.

The manager knew him very well, infact he was one of the founding members of the restaurants, so the owner knew everything he liked and when he saw that he was meeting such distinguished guest, he knew he had to serve him something.

"You keep amazing me James, you are different from the rest of the members of the Bush family, infact you intrigue me more, I am glad I was able to be chosen to serve you" She replied smiling at him. Her smile made his heart waver and he almost lost composure, but he was quick to gather himself.

"You want to enchant me err?" He asked with a mischievous smirk spreading across his face as he chuckled slightly before he continued, " You know, this trick cannot work on me ever again, my girlfriend just broke up with me yesterday and today you want to enchant me, erh women are in did mischievous" He said laughing lowly.

"What is so mischievous about women? Any lady that let go of a man like you is likened to leave diamonds in pursuits of gathering stones" she replied grinning as she picked up her tea to drink.

"Heh, you are on cheeky enchantress… how many guys have you managed to capture under your wings?" He replied laughing out loud

"Well, let say I am planning of capturing one or maybe he had already been captured by me, who knows, and let me give you a nice clue, He hit his head on the bonk just by hearing my voice" She replied chuckling.

"Is he such a weak-…. Hey!!!!!! You!!! You look like an angel but I really doubt if you are indeed one, what a cheeky enchanter" He replied glaring at her softly whilst shaking his head.

"I am both the devil himself and the angel herself, it depends on the side you want to see" she replied looking at him flirtatiously…

"Wait I thought this supposed to be a business meeting" he asked smilingly, he knows if this should continue then he will surely fall for this cheeky lady sitting opposite him.

"You should lead the discussion then, James; I am here to listen to all your orders." She replied as her face turned serious on the mention of work.

"Alright then, we will continue our other discussion another day, now I need to clarify something and you have to tell me the truth" James said with seriousness replacing the playful look of earlier.

"What is it you want to know please, I will try my best to answer your questions." Nancy replied

"What is my Grandpa up to? How are the people in the Bush family handling the situation? If I accept the offer, won't my life and my mother's life be at risk? Also, How many people are there in the Bush family that will cause problems if I should accept this offer?" James shot barrages of questions at her.

"Hmmmm, now we have reached the topic of the day, let me answer your questions, your grandfather plan have been laid down since you were born, back then, he was trying to steer the Bush family from the nasty waves that hit the family hard, back then he had to send his favorite grandson away, this was done as an act to protect you James and also your mother. Reason being, she just gave birth and he didn't want her to be dragged into the chaos, back then, he was feeling conflicted though about sending you away, until you were kidnapped just a week before your 1 year birthday. This caused him to fridget and that day, he caused blood to flow, that was the day he took down one of the most powerful families around then, he wiped them out, though that time he lost considerably on his own path, but he was glad that his efforts paid off. Then after the scare, he sent you away with your mother, he couldn't stand anything happening to you and the only way to do this is to keep you far from the family. The day he sent you far, he vowed that you will return back to the household as his successor. Then he went on to go head to head with all his enemies, after years and decades of the war, he managed to weakened his foes, and put the Bush family ahead of everyone" Nancy paused as she took her tea to sip, allowing the story to sink in before she continued answering the question.

"Even with sending you away, he was scared something will happen to you," she continued, " So, he sent your father's family to keep an eye on you and for you to change your name to Langdon, James Langdon. Actually, Langdon isn't your surname but your middle name, Your Full name is James Zachary Langdon Bush. With you bearing only your first and third name, he was able to hide you away from the wolves clutches. He also sent these 21 assassination squad to protect you and your mother all through the years and the 18 Elite body guards were there to intervene if you were ever targeted. Your grandfather loved your mother and you so much, that was why he did all these things discretely, not wishing to raise alarm and cause your safety and your mother's own to be compromised. Now to your second question, how the Bush family are handling the situation at the moment… this is really tricky as I don't know how to put it, some are elated that your uncle won't become the Helmsman, he has been a tyrant for a long while and people have become really afraid that if he takes hold of the family, then they will suffer a lot, and it will be detrimental for both the Bush family members and the external threats. But some are not convinced in your ability to handle the family, so they are trying to convince your grandfather to change his mind, unfortunately, the old man is stubborn and no one can stand up to him. And this brings me to the third question, if you accept the offer, will your life be at risk? Of course, your life will be at risk from both your external enemies and internal enemies, but your grandfather have a backup plan for you. But you also have to set up your own team to ward off the threats. Let me be sincere, from my short interaction with you, you sound like a capable man and you know what it means by not accepting to be bullied, you are strong, sharp minded and well handsome, but jokes apart, Your grandfather sent me here to be your backup, I am not just a secretary, I am also a trained assassin, warrior and I can handle ten thousand men on my own" she paused as she saw James eyes widen in shock.

"Oh yes, so I can protect you, with me and the men are here, you won't need to worry about anything, but you also will need to set up a web of assassins that will be on standby to retaliate should in case of any misfortunes…" before she could continue, she was interrupted by James hands.

"Don't worry, I am not a weakling, I grew up on the streets, I have life and death occurrences, so I can handle myself in case of attacks…. But let continue" James said as he crossed his legs.

"Ok, James, I know that you are not weak, but I didn't know that you were this though, well, your Grandfather have a good eye though. Well, to answer your fourth questions, it is uncertain about how many people in the Bush family wants you dead, but of course, the Mr. Bush children will surely be after your life for you rising up to take away their position as they have been fighting each other for a while now, to get their hands on the wealth of the family, never did they know you of all people whom they thought was dead would rise up to steal everything from them in this manner, so expect that they will cause a lot of troubles. Don't worry, your mom is not a weakling, she has her own wealth that can rival that of the Humphreys, your father's family, and as your father who is the helmsman of the Humphrey have gifted your mother twenty percent shares of the family group, your mom have more than enough to go against the Bush family, so no one would dare to touch her. But you, you need to be ready for the storm that will come inevitably, whether you decline or accept the offer. I hope I have been able to answer your questions?" She replied with all seriousness, showing that whatever she had said is not something to be joked with.

The whole place became silent, the clock ticked slowly as James sat immersed in thoughts while Nancy sat sipping her third cup of tea, watching how he will response from there on, he is a wise man, he knows there is a storm brewing, and it is better to jump on the best ship available to tide through the storm.

Sighs

"After everything said, I cannot back down on this, the storm have already starting gathering and I can't keep running away from the inevitable. But before I accept anything or sign any paper to authorize anything, I will like to say something; you have to also help me in relaying this to my grandfather" he paused as he saw her bringing out a diary notebook, after the short movements, she looked up at him nodding for him to continue with what he has to say.

With affirmation, he continued "Ok, first of all, I won't be returning to the Bush family anytime soon, the day I will return, I am going to ask the family for explanation on what happened previously. Secondly, I will accept the offer made by my grandpa but only after few conditions have been accepted. The conditions are, first of all, I should be given the opportunity to carve my path, he should let me lead Sherrington independently, afterwards he can access me if I am still worthy or not. Secondly, because of the high risk involved, I want my mother to be sent away from Sherrington to a save place and she must be protected from the storm coming, I can't be protecting and be on the offensive at the same time. Thirdly, He should allow me to be able to set up my own team that will protect me from attacks. This is very essential, and lastly, I will be setting up my own company distinct from the Bush family group, and growing it alongside, he should not interfere in the process, I will merge the company later on when I am ready to take up the helmsman position. Oh I forgot, I won't be attending the Headquarters board of directors meeting until I am well settled in, for the main time, he should control matters there and prevent further issues from arising, while I handle matters here. Once these conditions are accepted I will accept and sign every paper work that needs my attention. Oh you can relay this to him now, so I will know where he stands." James finished as he sat back, eyes closed.

Nancy took a deep look at him the moment he sat back and relaxed, she has come to the realization this young man is not someone to mess with at all. Apart from being smart, he is a strategist, he is courageous and he is a leader. His attitudes reminds her very much of his Grandfather, the authority he spoke with was familiar, indeed this man in front of her is destined for great things, and he will definitely head the family after the storm passes.

After a while, she took out a gold plated phone and made a call to the only number stored on the phone.

After brief exchanges on the phone, Nancy has passed the conditions to Jackson. Upon hearing the conditions set by James, he was quiet for some moments before he solemnly accepted all conditions but still ended up reminding Nancy to keep an eye on James and nothing should happen to him. With that the call ended.

James knew that the call was over, and he was waiting to see whether the old man will lower his pride and accept his conditions or he would try and control him. James was smart, he needed to test his grandfather allegiance to him and the only way to test this allegiance is through the conditions that he had laid before him. If he accept, then it shows he trust James and he is ready to support James and if that happens, then James will be more than happy to accept this offer knowing fully well that he has the backing of his grandpa, so he will be safe for the time being. But if he reject his conditions, then he will know that he is really alone, and he will have to make a plan B going forward. The decision of the old man really determines his future going forward. He has been thrown into the center of the storm that he can't back out from, so the best he can do is to forge forward, with or without his grandfather help.

Nancy returned back to the table with no expression written on a face, as she approached the table, James opened his eyes slowly, sitting upright, looking at her expressionlessly, he waited quietly for her to sit down and tell him the results of the discussion.

Giving him a glance, Nancy sat down gracefully. When she got seated, she waved her hand for one of the elite 18 to come, she whispered some instructions into his ear, when done, the man stood upright as he gave a slight bow to the man seated in casual clothes gazing expressionlessly at Nancy, then walked out. He approached the convoy that was packed on the opposite side of the road and retrieved a red file.

While that was ongoing, the two people having their meeting kept staring at each other while Nancy also placed an order for food to be served.

When the body guard returned, he was holding a secured file metal case. He dropped it on the table carefully as he returned back in position, forming a covering around the two people, causing people not to see them.

Nancy stood up and inserted the codes of the box and also used her palm and finger prints to open up the box, afterwards, she took the first file and flipped it open.

The file contained the agreement of transfer of the companies in Sherrington under the Bush family to James. She placed the file infront of James and took out a special pen from the file box, handing it over to James. He stared at her for some seconds, before he picked up the file to read, as he read the file, his eyes widened, he was wrong all along, he was not just made the chairman, but he was handed the companies in Sherrington, meaning his Grandfather meant even if he doesn't want to return, he will still give him this inheritance. He was moved in his heart.

After reading through the file thoroughly, he looked up to look at Nancy, who responded with a nod. He then hesitated a bit before appending his signature on the document. After that, eight more documents were placed in front of him to sign. The documents contained real estates handed over to him, hospitals, schools and many more that was allocated to him both within Sherrington and beyond. He signed all the documents without uttering a word. Then the Tenth file was placed in front of him, the file was divided into two sections, the first section stated that twenty-five percent shares of the entire conglomerates found under the Bush family will be handed to him with immediate effects, while the second part was the shocking aspect, the second part bore a contract that states he will be allowed to be the Helmsman automatically if anything happens to Jackson, or when Jackson retires or within the next 20years. When he read it, he finally understood what Jackson meant all these while. He Knew Jackson has already decided his successor.

James hesitated once again, this time he looked at Nancy with querying eyes as he asked, "Did my Grandfather agree to my conditions?" He needed to find out before he appends his signature because he needs to start planning for the days ahead.

Nancy face broke into a warm smile as she expected his question, she replied solemnly, "He has agreed to your conditions, he agreed to everything after some seconds of thinking, and he also made sure to remind me to protect you. He really does love you and dote on you."

James was quite surprise though that his grandfather didn't even bother to question his conditions but rather accept them hastily. He is really ready to support me? Well I have to pay back his faith in me. Even though he was angry with Jackson and the entire Bush family, he was moved by the sincerity of his Grandfather. Thus he took up his pen, and signed on the last page of the contract.

After signing, Nancy brought out an Ipad and placed it in front of James, which he took and also appended his digital signature on it.

With that he rose from the chair as he shook his hands with Nancy, finishing the process. Then they sat down to enjoy their sumptuous meal that has been served.

When they were done, they parted ways, with James saying he will be in the company the next day. Also Nancy handed him a phone that had the Bush Family Logo customized on it and also the black card with the World Bank signature signed acrossed it and a diamond located at the edge of it.

He left the restaurants when the clock ticked 8pm on the dots. Before he left, Nancy offered to drop him off at his Dormitory, but he couldn't afford to go in such entourage to the school. Eye brows will be raised and questions will be asked, which he isn't ready for. So to avoid any problem, he stopped a cab and rode back to his dormitory. On his short ride back to the school, he noticed a girl sitting on the road pavement crying. His heart ached when she rose her head and their eyes met. Immediately, he ordered the Taxi to stop, he paid the taxi man and then walked back towards the young lady crying.

"Hello please" He greeted her politely, as he approached her cautiously.

The girl looked up to glance at him hastily as she started getting up preparing to flee. Noticing her movements, James thought to himself that he needed to act fast or else he wouldn't be able to help her.

"Please don't run away, My name is James Langdon, I am a student of this university, I am in the department of Business, Economics and Finance, I saw you crying just now while I was seated in the cab and my heart ached, I decided to stop the cab to find out what is wrong. If there is anything you need I will be willing to help you" James hastily called out.

But the girl was in frantic state as she began to flee. While running away, her Identity card fell to the floor. James eagle-like eyes was able to notice something falling from her. She also knew something fell, but out of fear she decided not to turn back for it. James on the other hand had arrived quickly to where she dropped the object as he tried calling out to her to wait, that he was not going to harm her.

Unfortunately, his calls landed on deaf ears. So he picked up the object on the floor and to his amazement he noticed that the lady has dropped her card holder that housed her identity card and some other value cards.

Lifting up his head to the sky, he said under his breath, "Heavens it seems you are on my side today, huh?" Smiling to himself, he walked back to the street light as he examined the name on the cards.

"Arizonia mcBury, interesting, whosoever you are, I will help you" He said quietly as he took out the phone that was just handed over to him and made a call to Nancy.

"Hello, are you that bored James, it hasn't been even up to thirty minutes already and you are calling me" Nancy said teasingly.

James on the other side wasn't in the mood for this cheeky enchantress at that moment, so he replied sounding extremely serious, "Hey cheeky enchantress, I need your help immediately"

"My lord, what happened? Did someone attack you? Are you fine?" she asked worriedly, as James could hear her order the convoy she was in to turn around immediately.

"Tsk! Why are you so worried, relax and hear what I have to say, no it is better I meet you up. I am waiting on the road, the road leading to my dormitory. I know you already know where my dorm is right. Please how fast can you meet me up? I got test tomorrow and I have to go and prepare for my test." James asked hastily.

Nancy said some few words and hanged up the call. She then called the Vice president of the –EL group of companies in Sherrington to be on standby.

As the entourage reached the school gates, the gatemen were surprise to see such entourage approaching entering the school. One of the guards wanted to go up to ask what they needed, when out of the blues someone pulled him back.

He was shocked when he turned to see who pulled him back, he was surprise to see the chief himself, standing behind him, watching the entourage pass by on full speed. When the cars finally passed by, he turned to face his subordinate sternly.

"Do you have a death wish? How dare you try and go and question the people seated in that car? Are you really tired of living?" He questioned with a stern face.

"Errm… Sir please I don't.... But….. Sir why, why did you ask me that question?" The guard asked.

"Didn't you see their logo? Didn't you see their car plates, the person seated in middle car isn't a small figure? I have a feeling that the person must come from one of the powerful families situated of the south as the north don't have such car plate numbers. Were you really thinking of stopping a member of those families?" The Chief questioned.

Upon hearing the analyses, the young guard froze in horror. He had heard about those families, he had heard about how ruthless they are. What would have happened to him eventually if his chief hasn't pulled him back? As he was still thinking, the chief guard continued, "Looking at the speed that they were driving, something must have happened… Hurriedly, call the security headquarters of the school now and inform them to track where those cars are headed to immediately."

Snapping back to reality, the guard hurriedly went to carry out his work.

While the tracking was ongoing, Nancy was racing towards James Dorm with a worried face. While still giving out instructions, she lifted up her head and it was at that moment she saw James standing under the security light. She quickly issued an order for the car to stop.

The cars hastily pulled up just right near James, who opened the car door and entered. Then turned to look at Nancy with a smile plastered across his face.

" Thank you for caring about me cheeky Enchantress, I am quite happy to see someone care this much about me" He said in a playful tone.

Nancy didn't even bother to mind him as she kept examining if he was fine. It was after she had given him two rounds of check-up that she finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Tsk! I was raised on the street, I can handle myself if something happen to me on the streets, besides it would be too early for anyone to make their move on me. So relax. I called you because I want you to investigate something for me. As I was on my way to my dorm, I saw this lady crying profusely sitting on the road pavement. When she looked at me, I was reminded about the hell I went through while growing up. She gave me this feeling no one else has given me in a long while and I got attracted to help her out. I tried approaching her, I even told her who I was but she ran away. As she ran, she accidently dropped her card holder. She wanted to return to pick it up but she was really scared. I don't know why, but I want to help her, so I have an order for you to carry out Nancy, please are you willing?" He asked the last question with his face facing towards the window, looking into the darkness. He was worried Nancy won't accept. Nancy on the other hands read his expressions and attitudes and smiled. She knew she can't turn down his request.

"What is it you want me to do?" She asked gazing at him.

"I want to track her down, I have a feeling something must have happened to her family or someone she holds dear, she looks like she have been fighting to survive and also rescue someone, I want to know exactly what happened to her. I need you to use your connections to find out everything I can about her situation, please I am begging" He begged Nancy with all sincerity.

Looking at the young, handsome man in front of her lowering his pride to beg her to help him, she was moved, without answering him, she whipped out her phone and made a call to the Vice President of the –EL groups in Sherrington, "Please Mr. Lark, I need all information about a person called Arizonia McBury and please can I get the information in 10minutes time."

"Sure Miss Nancy, but may I ask why you need information about such person?" He questioned puzzled.

"The Chairman needs the information with all urgency, so please can you kindly stop asking questions and get to work. He needs the information in ten minutes or less. So speed up investigations, Is that understood?" She replied looking a bit annoyed.

She could have worked on getting the information from her own end, but it will alert the people in the headquarters and she doesn't want that. So she had to make do with this.

"Understood Miss Nancy, My men will begin digging up every information you need to know. You will get it soon" Mr. Lark replied with urgency as he heard the new chairman needed the information.

Though he didn't approve of the new chairman, he was scared about the man backing him up, so if information get out that he stood up on the chairman, he shivered at the thought of what the beast of a man called Jackson will do to him for his actions.