Jessica took a deep breathe while considering Davis words. "Yes, I think I know some bits and pieces of her though I may not recollect unless triggered by an image or emotion." She answered with all seriousness.
Davis shook his head lightly in denial. She never talked her mother’s Family. "What about her family?" He asked.
Jessica’s breath hitched in her throat. Her family, her people she don’t know much about them but only had a connection with her grandmother who she had learned medicine from. Still contemplating her answer, there was a knock on the door "Dinner is ready." Came the quiet voice of the maid.
"Alright, set the table." Davis instructed and casting a glance at Jessica on the bed "don’t bother on it, let’s eat so you can sleep." He said, worry and concern evident in his tone.
After several minutes, they both exited from the room and headed downstairs taking the revamped stairs for Davis movement. As they stepped into the sitting room, it was quiet except for the faint hum of a news broadcast coming from the sitting room.
There, lounging on the large velvet sofa, was Richard. He looked worn out. His shirt was slightly rumpled, the top button undone, and his sleeves rolled halfway up his arms. Papers and a half-empty coffee mug sat on the table in front of him. The stress of the day was written plainly on his face.
When he saw Jessica wheel Davis in, he sat up immediately, alert. "You’re back?" he asked, his eyes flickering with surprise and concern as they moved from Davis to Jessica.
Jessica gave him a soft nod, clearly exhausted. She didn’t have the energy to speak, but her tired smile said enough. Richard, however, wasn’t used to seeing her . The fact that Davis had gone so far as to cancel her entire schedule today was not just unusual—it was unprecedented.
They moved to the seat opposite him and sat down. Jessica picked some of the papers and quickly scanned through.
Davis leaned back slightly, his eyes sharp. "Any updates on what’s going on at the Allen Group?" he asked, his voice calm but commanding.
Richard nodded quickly, as if he had been waiting for the question. He reached for a folder on the table and opened it. "Yes. I have a scheduled meeting with Desmond’s representative tomorrow morning. The documents are all in place, and everything has been prepared. We just need your signature, Davis."
Davis frowned slightly, confused. He had expected updates but not that his signature would be required. His gaze flicked to Jessica, who sighed deeply and leaned a bit closer to him.
"It’s a bit complicated," she began, her tone laced with tiredness. "Desmond is in a bind. The Investigation Bureau is breathing down his neck over the discovery about financial irregularities.
He’s desperate to clean up the mess before it escalates and for him not to lose his position. Luckily, We have a contact in the Bureau, someone who helped us get the accountants in. They reviewed everything and confirmed a massive deficit. To cover the losses, Desmond agreed to sell part of his shares."
"Sell his shares?" He asked, his gaze boring into her as though seeing her for the first time.
"Yes, the financial situation of the group is in dire straits and funds cannot be pulled from it working capital. To tidy it up, he needs to inject fund and no investor was willing to walk with him." She analyzed seriously.
Davis nodded slowly, piecing it all together. "So... you gave him money to cover the unpaid taxes. In return, we get some of his shares."
"Exactly," Richard said. "It’s damage control for him. A huge loss, but it’s his only choice if he wants to avoid being prosecuted."
Davis’s jaw tightened. He didn’t like Desmond—never had. The man was cunning and power-hungry, always circling for an opportunity. But now, he was finally cornered. Davis felt no sympathy.
"How much of his shares are we talking about?" Davis asked, his voice low.
He still remembered the structure clearly. Before the accident, Desmond had controlled 20% of the shares. Their grandfather held 35%, making him the majority holder. Aaron had 5%, and Davis owned 15%, with a verbal promise from their grandfather that he would eventually pass down his shares to him as part of the legacy as well as his late father’s share.
Richard cleared his throat and responded, "According to our investigation, Desmond sold off 5% of his shares quietly last year—probably when things started getting messy. That leaves him with 15%. He’s now handing over 10% to us to settle his debts. That leaves him with only 5%, and guess what? Aaron and Vera are already circling that remainder like vultures."
Davis narrowed his eyes. "They want that 5%?"
Richard gave a smug smile. "They’re desperate. With Desmond weakened, everyone’s scrambling for control. Aaron sees this as his chance to climb higher. Vera—well, she’s always been more cunning than people give her credit for. She’s working angles quietly. But that’s not all."
Jessica looked over at Richard sharply. "What do you mean?"
Richard flipped a page in the file and continued. "Desmond tried to approach our grandfather behind the scenes. He wanted to sell that last 5% to him under the table and disappear clean. But the old man refused. Said it was time the younger generation learned from their mistakes."
A ghost of a smile touched Davis’s lips. Grandfather Allen was a hard man, but fair. He never tolerated betrayal, especially from within the family.
"That was the right move," Davis said, his voice firm.
Jessica leaned her head on the armrest, her eyes closed briefly. "It’s a win, but the situation isn’t over. Aaron’s been rallying support from minor shareholders. Vera, too. They’re not just interested in Desmond’s fall. They’re hoping to shift the balance of power completely."
Davis looked toward Richard. "So with the 10% from Desmond, I’ll control 25%, right? If grandfather hands over his 30%, that gives me 55%. Enough to take full control."
Richard nodded. "Exactly. And that’s what we’re trying to do. If they get even a sliver more influence before you sign the documents, they could try to force a board vote, besides you are missing."
"Missing, really missing." A low chuckle escaping his lips at the thought of how he had gone missing.
Davis reached for the pen Richard had placed beside the document folder. His hand, sliding across the pages of the document at every point Richard pointed to.
Davis stared at the freshly signed document. he sighed deeply with gratefulness in his gaze. He never expected that he will ever reclaim anything from Desmond staying behind the scenes.
Richard carefully went through the signed documents before he leaned back with a grin. "With this, Desmond’s out of the picture but not entirely because they are so many other forces waiting for this change and will surely react." He explained seriously.
"I know, investigate one of the board members." He said quietly, Richard and Jessica’s gaze snapped at him.
"Who?" They asked in unison.
"Mr. Thompson." He chimed, Richard and Jessica took a sharp breathe. Looking at their reactions, he rested his probing gaze on them.
"Don’t worry, we talk about him later but let’s eat." Jessica smirked with a smile diverting the conversation.
"Alright, get Ethan back to the Allen group. He has a lot to do, I think he’s had enough rest rather idling away here and going after Bella." He said with seriousness.
Ethan who had just came down for dinner couldn’t believe this plot.