Rise Of The Disgraced Heir

Ian knew that he had to stay focused today. He couldn't let his argument with Jas cloud his mind.

Today he needed to push his personal problems to the back of his mind and work as he was expected to.

"You could have taken the day off." Camilla told Ian as they waited outside in his car. "We all would have understood." 

"I wouldn't have forgiven myself if I placed my personal problems ahead of my job." Ian said with a frown. "It's not even a big deal. After you and Seth left my place I was able to calm down and think things through." 

"So how are you feeling?" Camilla asked as she gave him a worried glance..

"I won't lie and tell you I'm back to how I was before I spoke to Jas." Ian sighed as he checked the audio coming from Manuel's mic. "But I am better than I was last night."

The phone on the dashboard suddenly vibrated, prompting Ian to pick it up and read the message.

"John said someone is approaching Manuel and his father." Ian told Camilla as he handed her the phone.

She read through it and nodded, but instead of commenting on their task she continued their conversation on how Ian was fairing. 

"That's good, at least you aren't trying to hide the truth and you are staying honest to yourself." Camilla told him as they began to hear a conversation starting over the wire.

"Sir, someone would like to speak to you." Ian and Camilla heard a waiter say to Manuel and his father.

"John is also texting, he said that the father and son are now walking towards a private room." Camilla told Ian as she read the message on the phone.

"Too bad John can't join them." Ian said with a frown as they continued to listen to the wire.

"I'm asking him if he could get to an angle where he might be able to take a photo of the people leaving the room." Camilla told Ian as she typed on the phone, texting John.

"That's a good idea." Ian said with a nod as noise once more came from the wire on Manuel.

"Mr. Juan." Mike's familiar voice greeted.

"That's definitely Mike." Camilla pointed out as she checked to see if John had sent them a message again. 

"Mike Robins?" Manuel asked in a cold and aloof tone, making Ian want to laugh. So this was what Manuel sounded like when he was speaking to other people who he looked down at.

When he spoke to Ian it was more of a disgusted tone, but with Mike, he sounded like he wanted to tell the salesman that he was better than him.

"Thank you for making time to meet with us." Mike said in a respectful tone. 

"I thought he was supposed to come from some rich and powerful family?" Camilla asked as she listened intently to the conversation. 

"It seems that they aren't that rich." Ian said with a slight chuckle. "I mean, the Juans are not the cream of the crop. They are rich and they are an old family but not rich enough to get invited to most of the events they crave for."

"And you get invited despite having lost everything." Camilla said as she smiled at Ian.

"What are you trying to say?" Ian asked.

"Your position cannot be bought and at that level, it's your pedigree and breeding that matter." Camilla said as she tried to encourage her friend.

"It still doesn't stop the vultures from gossiping about my family and plotting against them." Ian said as he rolled his eyes and sighed.

"You'll come back like a phoenix rising from the ashes." Camilla said with a cheeky smile. "You'll prove them wrong." 

"So supportive today." Ian teased.

"Just trying to cheer up my partner in crime." Camilla laughed as they heard the conversation continue.

"And who is this?" Ian heard Manuel's father ask.

"This is my boss and my uncle, Armand Rivera." Mike said as he introduced Armand.

"And in what capacity do you offer us a better deal?" Manuel asked. "Your colleagues Miss Ashley and Mr. Laurel gave us quite a good deal, I would hate to refuse it."

"Mr. Juan, Ashley and Jake are not the best people in the company to deal with, as a matter of fact they are sly individuals that will sell you one price and add and add on the charges." Mike explained. "Those charges will not go to the company but rather to their own pockets."

"Mike and I are the best people in the Reyes Group you can talk to on this sale." Armand said as he joined in on the conversation. "I am the head of the sales department of Krisanta land, I would never lie or cheat you."

"And what about him?" Manuel's father asked. 

Ian assumed that he was pointing at Mike, for whom Armand answered.

"Mike is one of the rising stars of the Reyes Group." Armand praised. "As a matter of fact, this is a secret that I will let you in on. Mike is personally being mentored by the CEO of the Reyes Group."

Ian heard as Manuel faked a gasp.

Of course he would know that Jake was more reputable than Mike, he was related to the Reyeses, so whatever Mike and Armand were saying were probably lies.

"It's an honor to work with you then." Manuel's father said. "From what I have heard Mr. Emilio Reyes does not take apprentices. As a matter of fact he has been heard declaring that he will only ever train his own son."

"I am very fortunate that the CEO has made an exception for me." Mike said in a faux humble tone. 

Ian had to give it to Mike his acting skills were top notch, he could easily fool anyone that didn't know the truth. 

"You are a lucky one, so what is this deal that you wish to make?" Manuel's father asked as he signified his interest in shifting sales agents.

"Well, I will show you the prices and they are much higher than what Ash has shown you because we don't hide any fees." Mike said in a happy tone.

"That ass hole, he's taking money from the Reyes Group too." Camilla hissed as she began to text Marco, giving him an update.