Chapter 22: Bossalicious Bad Boy: Chapter 22

I squint as I try to focus on the stack of papers in front of me. My thoughts race, filled with doubts and questions about my father’s past actions. The truth has been lurking in the shadows for years, like a spider waiting to strike. But now, that truth is threatening to unravel everything I’ve built.

‘Alex,’ James calls out from across the room, breaking my concentration. He leans against the doorframe, arms crossed over his chest. ‘You look like you’re trying to solve the world’s energy crisis.’

‘Ha, if only,’ I reply, rubbing my tired eyes. ‘I just… I can’t shake this feeling that there’s something more we don’t know about Dad’s dealings with Michael Williams.’

‘Are you sure you want to dig into that? It might not be pretty.’ James raises an eyebrow, concern etched in his features.

‘Maybe not,’ I say, my voice firm. ‘But I need to find out the truth. If there are any skeletons in this family’s closet, I’d rather face them head-on and make amends than let them fester.’

‘Alright, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.’ James sighs, resigned. ‘Just be careful, okay?’

‘Always am.’ I offer him a tight smile before returning to the documents sprawled across the desk.

As I sift through the files, memories of my father’s stern face and harsh words crash through my mind like waves during a storm. Daniel Blaese was never one for compassion or understanding. Rather, he ruled with an iron fist, demanding respect and obedience. But beneath that cold exterior, could there have been something darker?

Focus, Alex. I shake off the distracting thoughts and continue reading through the contracts and correspondence between my father and Michael. There must be something here, a clue to the true nature of their relationship.

With each page I turn, uncertainty and guilt gnaw at me like a ravenous beast. If my father was as manipulative and underhanded as some people claim, then that means I’ve built my empire on a foundation of deceit. The thought is enough to make my stomach churn.

‘Alex,’ James says softly, placing a hand on my shoulder. ‘You don’t have to do this alone. Let me help you.’

‘Thanks, James.’ A small smile tugs at the corner of my lips. ‘I appreciate it.’

Together, we continue digging through the mountain of evidence before us. As the sun sets and darkness envelops the office, one thing becomes clearer with each passing minute: uncovering the truth will be no easy task. But for the sake of our family’s future and the friendships we hold dear, it’s a challenge I’m willing to face head-on.

As I sift through the pages, the scent of old paper fills my nostrils. I find myself holding my breath as if the truth could slip away with every exhale. Eventually, I come across a series of emails between my father and Michael that makes my stomach churn. It details how my father had secretly sabotaged Michael’s company by leaking confidential information to their competitors. The words on the page blur as my hands tremble with anger.

‘James, look at this!’ I exclaim, shoving the email in front of him.

‘Damn.’ His eyes widen as he reads through the damning evidence. ‘This is… this is huge, Alex.’

‘Yeah, and it doesn’t stop there.’ My voice catches in my throat as I continue reading. ‘He blackmailed Michael into selling his shares at a fraction of their worth. No wonder Michael hates us so much.’

‘Alex, I’m so sorry.’ James looks at me with genuine sympathy. ‘I know this must be incredibly difficult for you.’

‘Difficult’ doesn’t even begin to cover it. I feel like I’m being torn apart from the inside, forced to accept that my father was capable of such deceit. I swallow the bitter lump in my throat and force myself to keep going. There has to be more here, something that can help me make amends.

‘James,’ I say, my voice hoarse with emotion. ‘We need to get to the bottom of this. For Clara’s sake, and for the company’s future. Keep looking, and let’s see if we can find any more dirt on my father.’

‘Of course, Alex.’ He nods solemnly, and together we dive back into the sea of documents, determined to uncover every skeleton hidden in our family’s closet.

My hands tremble as I dig through the mountain of papers, each document like a brick adding weight to the crushing realization that my father was not the man I thought he knew. The air in my office feels suffocating, and I struggle to catch my breath.

‘Alex.’ James’ voice is gentle, his hand on my shoulder grounding me. ‘Take a break. You’re overwhelmed.’

I shake my head. ‘No. I can’t. There has to be more to this. We have to find a way to fix it.’ My words come out in a choked whisper, raw with emotion.

‘Alright.’ He nods, understanding my determination. ‘Let’s try a different approach. What if we look for people who were directly involved with your father and Michael? Maybe they can give us some insight.’

‘Good idea.’ I pick up the phone, my heart pounding as I dial the number of one of the key players from my father’s old business dealings – someone who might just hold the answers I desperately need.

‘Hello?’ The voice on the other end is cautious, guarded.

‘Hi, this is Alexander Blaese. I’m calling about my father and Michael Williams. I was hoping you could help me understand what happened between them.’

There’s a long pause before the response comes. ‘You really want to dig up those skeletons, huh? Alright, kid. Meet me at the coffee shop on Main Street tomorrow at noon. And come alone.’

‘Thank you.’ Relief floods through me, followed by a sharp pang of fear. What secrets will this meeting reveal? Can I really handle the truth?

‘Who’s that?’ James asks when I hang up.

‘Someone who might know more about my father’s betrayal. They agreed to meet me tomorrow.’ Desperation colors my tone, and James studies me for a moment before nodding.

‘Alright. But don’t go in there blind.’ He shuffles through the documents, pulling out a handful of legal files. ‘Take these with you – court cases that were related to our father’s business. It might help you connect the dots.’

‘Thanks, James.’ I clutch the files to my chest, feeling their weight as a reminder of the burden I now carry. ‘I don’t know what I’d do without you.’

‘Hey, that’s what brothers are for, right?’ He gives me a small, comforting smile.

‘Right,’ I echo, steeling myself for what’s to come. Tomorrow, I’ll face the ghosts of my family’s past and, hopefully, find a way to heal the wounds they left behind.