CHAPTER 27

Kyle King

Attorney Smith had failed to convince Mr. Allen to drop the lawsuit, so I made up my mind to book a meeting with him. Attorney Smith felt it was a bad idea, but I didn't care. The king`s reputation was on line, and if I failed to defend it, there would be trouble in paradise.

I instructed Christine not to divulge any information to the heads of departments in the company. I didn't want them speaking to the shareholders and clients until I fixed it. If they knew, they were likely to inform the press, and they would roast me again.

I read through the lawsuit again before sending a letter to Attorney Smith to schedule a meeting with Mr. Allen by noon. Then, I called Xavier. I knew I had promised myself not to reach out to him on this matter, but he's the only one I could talk to.

`Hello, bro. Please, I need you right now at the office. Where are you at?`

He yawned, making an irritating sound. `I`m just waking up, Kyle. I worked all night preparing the business quota for that client I told you about. What's the problem?`

`Oh, sorry.` I apologised.  `It's not a matter I can discuss over the phone,please. I can send my driver to pick you up if you are tired of driving.`

'You've got to do better than this. I need a good reason to leave my house, Kyle, and honestly, I am exhausted. I really need to rest, so you can just say why you need me or bribe me to come.`

`Alright, I will order your favourite meal from Burger`s place. Can I send the rider now?` I asked, giving in to his bribe request. 

Xavier could be a child at times, but I had to play to his tunes because I needed him at the moment.

`Okay, I will get dressed. Please tell your driver to buy a box of doughnuts and coffee. Thank you, bro,` he laughed, cutting the line.

Xavier! When he gets here, I am going to remind him why we are friends and the reasons he shouldn't be demanding bribes when I need his help. I rested my eyes on my laptop screen. A letter had come in from the real estate agent. According to the mail, Tessa had not signed the document, so the transfer of the condo process could start.

Poor Tessa. She was still stubborn and, maybe, shocked that I had decided to transfer her ownership to Ava. Well, she shouldn't be. After all, she gave up on her ownership years ago, and I promised her I would ensure she never smelled the condo again. I had the urge to send her a message, but that would just create room for unnecessary back and forth because I was sure she was going to respond. Well, another loss for Tessa Robert and a win for me and Ava.

I smiled, getting back to work. I needed to build a spreadsheet for the bills incurred after the engagement party. After an hour of checking and calling Christine to check the unpaid salaries of employees, I was able to get the total amount that I owed. I couldn't believe the amount! Almost twenty million dollars! 

`Hey, what are you doing?` Xavier asked, helping himself to my toasted bread, which I had forgotten about.

I smiled, looking up. He looked better than the last time we saw him. That was good. `When did you get here?`

`Few minutes ago. I made a detour to check up on the team members and also the ladies at the administrative department. They've missed me,'he winked, smiling.

Xavier and ladies. Would it ever end? Maybe when he gets married.

`You should focus on getting a lady you can settle with and build a happy home, friend. I don`t want any lady reporting sexual assault here. I won't stand up for you, so be careful,` I warned, giving him Mr. Allen`s file.

He scoffed, collecting it. `That's far, bro. I won't do that. I am not a pea, so don't get riled up over nothing. You should also know that I take consent seriously. If the lady says no to my cute face and advances, I am taking a walk.`

I nodded. `I hope you do. What do you think about the lawsuit? He refused to settle for something outside the court.`

He whistled, "This is deep, Kyle. When is this the case? Did Attorney Smith say?`

`Yes, by next Wednesday. However, I don't have that kind of money, so I proposed to settle him with my shares at Mint Bank. It's just five percent, and when converted into cash, it covers what I owe, which is five million dollars.`

Xavier swore, `Damn, Kyle! What was going on in your head when you spent his money?.` He dropped the file. `Never mind. What's he saying to the deal?`

I sighed. I couldn't defend my stupid decision at this point, so I ignored his attack. 

`Like I said earlier, he refused to settle outside court. I told Attorney Smith to book an appointment by noon with him. That's why I want you here. You have good persuasive skills, and I am sure once Mr. Allen listens to you, he will change his mind immediately.`

`I don`t think my persuasive skills would work. Mr. Allen is a hard man to convince, and he must have seen how your engagement party went. He knows you have money to pay; that's why he included the physical assault.` 

`Of course,` I said drily. `Attorney Smith also said so, but I am sure every man can be persuaded to change his mind. I will add my golf membership card as a bonus, and I think that will get him off my back. What do you think?`

He hummed, `It's almost noon. Let's prepare ourselves then, and I hope this works. Also, I know you don't listen to my advice but avoid any outrageous expenses until we hear from the Roberts family, okay?`

I shrugged, preparing the document for the settlement. Xavier stood, watching me and dropping suggestions on how to make the offer seem fair. He knew Mr. Allen better than me, and according to him, the latter would never settle for anything less unless it aligned with what you owed him and there were extra profits.

The meeting ended around two o'clock due to Mr. Allen`s obnoxious and arrogant attorney. He refused to accept the settlement until we almost exchanged heated words. Thankfully, Xavier was able to save the day by adding an extra settlement: a trip to the Maldives, which will be sponsored by me. If I ever saw a quick change of heart, Mr. Allen`s own would beat it. He had a thing for the Maldives, and he wasn't ashamed to let me know.

I ended up losing my golf membership and Maldives ticket, but I was able to save the family`s name and my slot in Robert`s family. I knew they wouldn't know about it because the press in Nashville had been kept in the dark about it, yet no one could be trusted with confidential information.

Xavier`s last words before he dropped from the car were that I should be careful, or else I would end up falling into a deeper debt. I had promised, but right now, lying on the bed with Ava`s head on my chest, I was beginning to rethink my promise.

Ava's birthday was in one week`s time, and she wanted a car as a gift. A convert, to be specific. I had stupidly promised to surprise her with something bigger because she brought up the dinner she prepared days ago. I couldn't say no to that. Could I?

According to Carmart.com, the Corvette was 25 million dollars and was limited. I scrolled through other vehicles and saw the latest Buggatti: thirty million dollars, but there was a discount.

I sighed, switching off my phone. What would love do to a man's mind, especially one who was tied to fulfilling his partner`s dream by all means?

Thankfully, the Roberts project`s selection list would be out next Monday, and then James Robert would be coming to Nashville to begin the project. They were selecting three companies this year, unlike the regular two companies. If the King`s project managed to scale through the list then I would have to worry on completing the agreed project and working hard to impress Mr. Robert.

I knew James wouldn't be biased, and according to what Tessa told me then, James had never liked her or her opinions. So, I had a chance with James, except he had changed due to Tessa`s return.