Rise Of The Disgraced Heir

"I know it isn't the best terms." Jake said as they left the restaurant through the kitchen door. 

"It's fine." Ian said as he shook his head. "I already knew he was going to ask for something at par with that. Hearing it for myself and agreeing to it though just sent a different chill down my spine."

"Uncle Emilio will not be happy when he finds out that you agreed to that deal." Jake said with a sigh as Ian's car pulled up with John driving it.

The pair quickly got in, making sure no one had seen them come and go.

"How was it?" John asked as he drove them back to R Tower.

"Ian here jumped the gun." Jake said with a sigh. "I wanted to delay the talks till we could get a better deal, but he agreed to it immediately."

"It wasn't your decision to make. It was my sacrifice, so my choice." Ian told Jake as he rolled his eyes. 

"Calm down." Jake said as he laughed at the younger man. "I'm just saying, uncle might have preferred it if we didn't risk your plans. But since you made the decision he will accept it and be grateful."

"So when will you be setting the trap for Mike and Armand?" John asked as they neared the R Tower parking entrance.

"We should be ready in a few days, we can't wait too long. If the Juans are seen to hesitate, Mike and Armand might back out." Ian explained to John.

"Is there anything you need from me?" John asked.

"Actually, we do." Jake said as he smiled at John from the backseat. "Mike and Armand know all of us. We can't be there when they meet up with Manuel and his father, but they've never seen you."

"Manuel has though." John said as he glanced at Jake through the rear view mirror. "What if he freaks because I'm there. It won't be good for anyone." 

"He won't." Ian said as he shook his head. "He'll be too focused on his task that he will ignore you."

"Alright then, why not. It's not like I have a lot to do." John laughed as he drove them into the parking lot.

When they finally made it back up to the CEO's floor everyone was anxiously waiting for news.

"Did they agree?" Marco asked as soon as Ian and Jake stepped into his office.

Ian gave Jake a hesitant look, he knew that Marco would also not be happy with his decision. But the act had already been done and there was no changin the terms of the deal.

Jake sighed and shook his head.

"They did." He said in a somber tone.

"But?" Marco asked as he raised an eyebrow at Jake and Ian. "There is a catch, isn't there?"

"Yup." Jake said with a nod as he sat down on the couch and pinched the bridge of his nose.

"It was Ian, wasn't it?" Camilla asked as she looked at her fellow assistant. He already had a guilty look on his face the moment they walked in and it didn't take much for her to piece the two chunks of information together.

"Yeah." Ian said with a frown. "Look, they wouldn't have agreed if I didn't say yes to their terms. I know how important it is to a lot of people for Mike and Armand to get caught for what they are doing. I will not be selfish with this."

"So what did they ask for?" Seth asked Ian. "Maybe there is a way around it, like a loophole."

"They asked for the Reyes Group not to help me to harm the Juan family or any of its interests." Ian said with a sigh as he shook his head.

"Then I can get the Dean family to do something." Seth said.

"Seth, if you ask your father to do something for a friend, he will use that as an opportunity to ensure that you take your position as the future head." Ian scolded. "You should know this."

"I do know it and it's fine." Seth told Ian with a sigh. "It's not like I'm not going back. Working here has just been an excuse for me to prolong my freedom. Despite everything, I'm still involved in mafia politics, I still join events, and I still fix my brothers' mess."

"Seth, don't do anything till it's our last resort." Camilla told their friend in a much calmer tone. "You might not have to act if the Juan Family is already crumbling as it is."

"My father will be too scared to even risk going against the Reyeses, but I'm afraid my brother will do something stupid again." Seth said with a sigh. "Using Ian as an excuse not to do anything is perfect."

"Just wait." Marco said as he shook his head. "That's the problem with you young ones, you are impatient and you want things done as quickly as you can. Some things take time, lots of time." 

"Very well, I won't talk to my dad till it's the last option." Seth promised.

Ian could see that Seth was not happy with what Marco had asked him to do, but he clearly understood that there were consequences to every action. To ask a favor from his father risked his freedom and his chance to dictate his own life.

This was something Ian didn't want a friend giving up for him. Ian knew what it was like to be trapped in a future prepared for you, he also knew what it was like to have no options at all. 

"So how are you planning to get Armand to join Mike? Normally it's just Mike that meets with the client." Ash asked.

It was common knowledge among the lower employees that Mike was up to no good whenever he met the clients.

They all knew that the head of the sales department rarely accompanied him, so trapping Armand as well was quite tough.

"Despite everything, the Juans are still a very influential family, plus I've also allowed them to use the Laurel name as an associate just this once. They will demand for Mike to bring someone of a higher position with him." Jake explained.

"That will have to be Armand, I don't think anyone else is in on it with them." Ash  said as she tried to recall if anyone was involved.

"It will work, I know it will." Ian said in a determined tone, he was betting everything on this. He had given up his revenge for this. It better work.