CHAPTER 17

Ralph greeted James with a smile. "Good morning, James. This looks great; thank you."

James forced a smile, placing the tray in front of Ralph. "Good morning, Mr. Thompson. Enjoy your breakfast."

Ralph nodded, picking up his fork to take his first bite. Just as he was about to scoop up a mouthful of eggs, his phone buzzed insistently on the table. He glanced at the screen, seeing that it was Marlene, his secretary at JFlier Group.

Ralph set his fork down and picked up the phone. "Yes, Marlene?"

"Mr. Thompson, I’m sorry to disturb you so early, but there’s an urgent situation at the office. We need you here as soon as possible," Marlene said, her voice strained with urgency.

Ralph frowned. "What’s going on?"

"Ambassador Lin from China has arrived unexpectedly. He wants to discuss the new aerospace partnership we’ve been working on. It’s critical that you’re here to meet with him."

Ralph’s eyes widened. Ambassador Lin was a pivotal figure in international business, especially in the aeronautics industry. His visit was unexpected but incredibly significant. This was a chance to secure a partnership that could propel JFlier Group to new heights.

"I understand, Marlene. I’ll be there immediately," Ralph replied, his tone resolute.

He ended the call and quickly rose from the table, barely glancing at his untouched breakfast. He grabbed his suit jacket and headed towards the door, his mind now focused entirely on the urgent matter at hand.

James Carter stared at the empty breakfast table, his disappointment growing with each passing second. The untouched plate of food mocked his effort, and the glass of orange juice that should have rendered Ralph weak sat innocuously. Ralph’s unexpected departure to attend the urgent meeting had foiled his plan. But James was determined. Twenty million dollars was life-changing, and he wasn’t going to let this opportunity slip away.

As the day wore on, James couldn’t focus on his work. His mind kept returning to the task he had failed to complete. He knew he had to try again, and this time, he couldn’t afford any interruptions. He decided to wait until Ralph returned later that evening. He would find another opportunity to slip the tablet into Ralph’s food or drink.

**********
The Toni family house was alive with jubilant laughter and the clinking of glasses. The grand dining room was filled with family and friends, all gathered to celebrate the news that had just electrified their lives. Through Jaden Thompson’s connections, the Toni Group secured a multi-million-dollar contract that promised to catapult their family business to new heights.

Cecil Toni, Sauna’s mother, was in particularly high spirits. She held a glass of sparkling wine, her face glowing with pride and happiness. “Bless the day Sauna married Jaden,” she exclaimed, her voice full of emotion. “He’s been nothing but a blessing to our family.”

The guests murmured in agreement, raising their glasses in a toast. Cecil continued, her voice carrying over the crowd. “Since Sauna married Jaden, he’s never ceased to bring us good luck. This contract is just the latest in a series of amazing opportunities he’s opened up for us.”

Sauna, seated next to her mother, had travelled for the weekend all the way from Doxel to Cebana City to spend time with her family, especially on Toni Group's recent achievement.

Laura and Gabe, Sauna’s younger siblings, agreed with their mom.

“Do you remember, Mom, how Jaden helped us land that investment deal last year? It was his introduction to that venture capitalist that made all the difference.” Laura added.

Gabe, who had recently graduated from business school and was already making his mark within the family company, nodded vigorously. “And don’t forget the marketing strategy he helped us develop for the launch of our new product line. Jaden’s insights and connections have been invaluable.”

Cecil beamed at her children, feeling a deep sense of gratitude. “Indeed, Jaden’s influence has extended far beyond what we could have ever imagined. His connections in Cebana City have not only brought us fame but also solidified our reputation as a formidable business entity.”

Sauna squeezed her mother’s hand, her eyes shining with tears of happiness. “Jaden truly cares about our family. He’s always looked out for us and made sure we had every opportunity to succeed. I’m so grateful to be his wife and to have such a wonderful partner.”

Cecil nodded, her heart swelling with pride. “Yes, we are truly blessed. Jaden’s support has been unwavering, and we’ve achieved things we never thought possible. This new contract is a testament to his belief in us and his dedication to our success.”

As the night wore on, the celebrations grew more exuberant. Music filled the air, and the sound of laughter echoed through the house. The Toni family and their guests danced and enjoyed the feast laid out before them, reveling in the joy of their accomplishments.

As Sauna stood by the window, taking a moment to catch her breath amidst the festivities, her phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out and saw an unknown number on the screen. Her heart rate quickened, and she felt a knot tighten in her stomach. She stepped outside onto the balcony for some privacy and answered the call.

"Hello?" she said, trying to keep her voice steady.

A gruff voice responded, "This is from Charlie. We found out Ralph is still very active at JFlier Group, and nothing has changed."

Sauna’s blood ran cold. "What do you mean?" she whispered, glancing back into the house to make sure no one could hear her.

"You know exactly what I mean," the voice continued, laced with menace. "You have 24 hours to influence Jaden’s decision to transfer the company to Charlie. If you fail, your secret will be exposed. Jaden will know about your child with another man, your extramarital affairs, and the six abortions you’ve had. Do you understand?"

Sauna began to shake, her mind racing. The weight of the man’s words pressed down on her, and she felt a wave of nausea. "Please, don’t do this," she begged. "I need more time."

"24 hours," the man reiterated before abruptly hanging up.

Sauna stood frozen on the balcony, the phone still pressed to her ear. The world seemed to spin around her, and she struggled to steady her breathing. She had always known the day might come when her secrets would surface, but she had never been prepared for it. Now, everything she held dear was on the line.