Taken By The Mafia Lord

141 The Apple Doesn’t Fall Far From The Tree

“About the accident,” Marcel began and the hall went so silent that if a pin had dropped that moment, it would have clanked loudly across, “It was purely an accident and I’m working my best to see that all sides are settled with no hitch,” Was all Marcel said and sat down, and apparently, it wasn’t enough for everyone in the room.

“What do you mean it was purely an accident!” Lance was the first to speak up, looking livid, “Is that the attitude of a responsible leader? How is that an accident when it’s obvious that the brakes in the car were tampered with by that mercenary?!”

There was a hum of approval from some of the members but Marcel remained unruffled, asking instead, “And how did you know the brakes in the cars were tempered? And what do you mean by that mercenary? I never released that part of the information to any of you,”he asked seriously.

“Huh?” Lance was taken aback by the question. He had been so impatient to land the first strike so that his father would be proud of him that he hadn’t thought about that part before speaking in the first place and now, he had no answer. Even if he had, Marcel’s intimidation made him forget all.

Lance then looked between the members in front of him trying to seek help but they looked away like they didn’t know him at all or understood what he wanted from them.

Victor stifled a burst of laughter, did they think Marcel would let them win this battle without a fight?

Marcel went on, “Don’t tell me you’ve been surveilling my activities because I’m sure as hell would kill you if that turns out to be true,” his expression was cold and blank as he promised him that.

Cold sweat formed on Lance’s face and his palm became clammy as he thought of what to say. He heard Daniel killed his own brother, who knows what his son Marcel would do to him, just a mere second cousin? After all, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

Lance couldn’t even look his father in the eyes from where he sat knowing that the man must be utterly disappointed in him.

.....

He began to stutter, “I-I-”

“Like you said earlier... ” Arthur cut in and Lance released a breath he didn’t know he had been holding in. For once, he didn’t hate his brother for stealing the moment; he saved his life, “We were concerned about you as your family members and did some investigations, that was how we came about the information,”

“Oh yeah, I forgot about your gushing love for me,” No one laughed at Marcel’s great mild sarcastic, dry humor.

“That doesn’t excuse the fact that you hid such great information from us,” Gabriel landed his own strike with the opportunity.

But Marcel retorted with a scowl, “Mind you, I’m your boss, not your subordinate,” He warned.

“Maybe, that’s the problem,” said Benjamin’s wife, “We don’t know whether you’re still competent for this position,”

“Really?” Marcel relaxed against his seat, arms folded across his chest, “Are you?”

She didn’t reply to that but her partner in crime and supporter, Robert’s wife said, “From our reports, a shipment of weapons was stolen right under your nose by the same mercenary who tampered with the brakes on the car?”

There was a shocked gasp from them as soon as that information was disclosed or they pretended to be – they were quite good actors and actresses. And just like that, everyone in the room found solid ground to begin to throw blames on Marcel, highlighting his weakness and incompetencies.

Marcel in question didn’t say a thing, he just watched them one after the other, marking their faces and thinking of the suitable gift to give them once this was over.

It wasn’t until their complaints became a racket that Adele, who hasn’t spoken a word since the meeting began, suddenly shouted, “That’s enough!” banging her hand on the desk with enough force to silence everyone instantly.

“You spineless cowards!” She roared, the veins in her head nearly popping out from anger.

“What?!” Lance jerked up, offended, “You bitch! Who did you just call -!” But Victor who was beside the idiot simply tugged on his clothes and pulled him back down on his seat as if he had no worth.

Lance turned to glare at him but Victor spoke up first, “Let the lady speak first, manners,” He – Victor – patted him on the cheek and Lance didn’t dare to retaliate with Marcel watching him. He remained still.

Adele continued when everyone settled, “I did not come here for this! If you are all so intent on removing Marcel, our current boss, then do that and stop beating around the bush!” She thundered, her voice carrying authority, and Marcel smiled from where he was. That was easier said than done, why does she think they were chipping at him like women?

“Yes, do that!” Cindy agreed immediately after Adele, “I can’t wait for my brother to take over!” She said out loud to everyone’s hearing.

Adele gave her a warning look and she retorted, “What?! Isn’t everyone entitled to their opinion? You’ve said yours, now’s mine, so don’t look at me that way,” Cindy said brusquely, playing with the ends of her hair without a care.

And that particular hair, Marcel stared at it a little too long, some ideas forming in his head.

Finally, Daniel stood up from his seat to speak, and order descended into the hall without him asking for it. That was how much they feared him.

“We’ve all heard your opinions and I’m on the stand....” Not “we”, everyone understood Daniel’s tyranny, “That Marcel is not going anyway, not just because he’s my son but the fact that there has been a noticeable change in our family since he seized power....”

Marcel took a deep breath, the old man never forgets to point that out.

“He tripled our income and the fact that you all live fine today is out of my son’s sweat and sacrifice!” Daniel reminded them of that and one could see the uncomfortable look on their faces knowing that he was right yet they wouldn’t admit it.

Marcel was trying to figure out his father when his phone beeped with a message and he glanced down at it before turning to Victor having known that it was from him.

His cousin gestured at him to open the message and he did, only to see,

[Dude, I’m confused, is your father on our side or not?]