chapter 2.22
Winter
“No, no, no...this CANNOT be happening,” I muttered at the screen not believing the headlines. Surely there was something wrong here. How can someone like Knight Richardson screw up so badly as to lose billions of dollars?
And then I saw an interesting article underneath the main one: “Sister, Lana Richardson, is set to inherit.” Inherit what? If Knight Richardson lost everything, what is there to inherit? Scrolling through the article, it stated that Lana had gained a deal with investors to reclaim Knight Industries.
Something was rotten in Newcrest, and I was determined to find out.
After hours of researching, I realized Antonio Richardson must have been the force behind this “loss”. Somehow, he had to have influenced Knight to make these bad choices. I mean, how can, with so little effort, Lana Richardson be able to recover everything?
“Jackson, my sweet hubby, I will not allow your inheritance to be stolen from you. I will get to the bottom of this, if it’s the last thing I do.”
Ro
It had been two weeks since I’d seen Jackson. He said he needed some space from me. That he wanted to spend more time with Celia, but I knew she was threatening him or some shit like that. In all the years I’d been friends with Jackson, we hadn’t gone more than a week without seeing each other. It was so messed up, and I was sick of it. The only person I knew who could help was Winter. After all, she was Celia’s friend. Maybe she could talk some sense into Jackson, too. He sure wasn’t listening to me.
Winter
I was about to go to my father with my plan. He would be more than happy to shell out thousands of dollars if it meant his little princess’ prince would be saved. Having a legacy of his own, it was to go to my older sister. But to have me as the matriarch of the Richardson legacy? It was too much to pass up.
And besides, I loved Jackson with all my heart. I couldn’t see this evil done to him and his family. Knight Richardson should not be a pauper. Not in my lifetime.
Suddenly, my phone buzzed.
“Hey, Ro. What’s up?”
“Hey, Winter, can we talk? Celia is driving me nuts. She’s forcing Jackson not to spend time with me. Is there any way you can talk to her? Or Jackson? I mean, she’s a nightmare. I know she’s your friend and all, but the girl is so controlling. Jackson almost broke up with her because she was so jealous of him spending time with me, but then instead, he just did what she asked. It’s crazy.”
Shit. I brought Celia over to the edge of the cliff, but instead of diving off, she pushed Jackson into a hole of doom. It was time I shoved her over then. Wouldn’t take much, it seemed.
“Calm down, Ro. I’ll see what I can do. In the meantime, don’t you have that basketball club with Jackson?”
“Yeah, but he won’t go. He’s spending every moment with Celia.”
I shook my head. The little cowplant was more diabolical than I thought. “Okay, well, how about I ask Celia over to my house on the night of your club? Then he’ll be free to hang out. I’ll talk to her, too. Hopefully, she’ll listen and lighten up.”
“I’ll do that, but I don’t think it will help. Will you talk to him at school?”
“Who me? You know Jackson won’t do what I say. Don’t worry, though. I know Jackson, and if Celia is with me, he’s free to do whatever he wants. He’ll go.”
“Okay. Thanks.”
After he hung up, I sighed. “Oh, Jackson, my hubby, only I am allowed to control you. Celia, you are going down.” I texted her to come to my house for some yoga on Thursday, basketball club night, and she instantly said yes.
Now...it was time to speak with my father.
Knocking on his door, he told me to enter.
“Well, Princess! What brings you to my office?”
Putting my hands together, I said a little prayer that he’d go for my plan. “I have a problem that I thought you’d like to help with.”
“Of course. Anything for my little princess. Come here. I haven’t seen you in a while.”
Giving him a hug, I tried to stop the nervous butterflies in my stomach.
“You know Jackson Richardson-Day?”
“Yes. I know the Richardson family very well. They’ve had a bit of trouble but things are looking up for them. At least for Jackson’s aunt.”
“Yes, well, it might surprise you to know he loves me very much, Daddy, and his inheritance has been snatched away. That legacy is his by all rights, but I know Antonio Richardson had something to do with it. How could his daughter recover everything instantly like that?”
“What are you proposing, sweetheart?”
“I need money. I want to hire the best private investigators. Lana Richardson should not be able to get away with my love’s legacy. If it is true, she will go down. I’m sure what she is doing is illegal. Once she’s arrested, Knight will regain the legacy and it will be Jackson’s eventually.” I raised an eyebrow. “And your little princess’ as Jackson will definitely be my husband one day.”
“If you are right, Lana Richardson shouldn’t even hold an office in the city like she does. I actually have a firm I use. I’ll give you their card. Do you want me to take care of this for you?”
“No...I can do it. After all, it will be my inheritance, too, that’s at stake. Thank you, Daddy!”
I jumped into his arms. He was such a great father.
“No problem, Princess. If you have any trouble, just let me know.”
