THE CONSORTIUM’S HEIR BY BENJAMIN JNR CHAPTER 121

Chapter 121 "Sterling Corporations are being investigated for tax evasion worth over $150million." Hector's face became pale at the headline on the TV station. Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

His eyes widened in shock at the news Tax evasion! This was why the bank and loan companies suddenly demanded him to pay backhis loans in twenty four hours time! “You're completely incompetent, Mr. Hector.” The bigwig said, displeasure lacing his tone. “I can explain!" Hector said frantically, but the bigwig cut him short. "It was a pleasure doing business with you Mr. Hector. Sadly, our deal is off now.” The bigwig announced in a tone of finality before disconnecting the phone call abruptly. Hector looked at the phone in disbelief. He dialed the bigwig's number the next minute. It rang only once before it disconnected again. The next time Hector called the number, it didn't go through. He didn't have to be a genius to realize he'd been blocked. "F*ck!” Hector yelled angrily and scattered everything on his desk, before slumping back to his chair. His eyes were bloodshot, and veins from agitation could be seen clearly on his head. He looked to have aged ten years suddenly. Hector's mind was a mess at the moment. His company was already facing a huge decline, so it was normal for him to try and evade tax; otherwise he wouldn't have been able to keep the company running this long. Nonetheless, he was aware of how grave a crime tax evasion was in S country. As such, he made sure that the records of the tax evasion were hidden away in his personal safe. He had ensured that the entire process was flawless, so how did anyone discover that he had evaded tax? Moreover, the TV station that broadcasted his tax evasion case was the same one he used to tarnish the reputation of West Atlantics Int'l. The culprit was basically telling him ‘anything you can do, I can do better.' Wasn't this the same as slapping him in the face? There was no use calling the bigwig to help him out now. He now saw him as completely incompetent and useless, and therefore discarded him already. There was nothing he could do to gain his attention, much less ask for help. In the end, both West Atlantics Int'l and the bigwig didn't lose anything from this episode. He was the sore loser in the end. While he was contemplating about the drastic turn of events, his phone rang. He checked the caller ID quickly thinking that it was the bigwig who had a change of mind, but when he saw it was an unknown number; a wave of disappointment came over him. Nevertheless, he accepted the phone call. "Hello?" Hector

asked uncertainly. “Mr. Hector.” A voice replied. Hector tensed up the moment he heard the voice. Although the voice sounded like it belonged to a very young person, there was an undertone of dominance and authority laced in it. It subconsciously made Hector tense up. “Who are you?" Hector asked warily. “I'm Darius Reid, the chairman of West Atlantics Int'l.” Darius answered calmly. Hector's eyes widened at the revelation. The last thing he expected was for the chairman of West Atlantics Int'l, the company he attacked to call him. One could imagine the turmoil of emotions he was feeling at the moment. “Mr. Reid." Hector said in a surprised tone. “I'm sure you have seen the news by now, Mr. Hector.” Darius interjected abruptly. Hector subconsciously glanced at the TV station and sighed. Reporters were already finding their way to his company, and so were several news outlets. The police were most probably on their way to his company too. Millions of citizens in S country had already heard about Sterling Corporation's tax evasion case by this point. In comparison to the nonsense he spread about the chairman of West Atlantics Int'l, this was a far severe blow. He'd be finished by the time the police finished their investigations and found him guilty. Although Hector was slightly incompetent, he wasn't a fool. The fact that Darius called him even after gaining the upper hand meant that Darius still had a need for him. “What do you want?" Hector asked in an unyielding tone. Since he had already lost everything at this point, there was no need for him to be so reserved anymore. “Who's behind you?” Darius asked straightforwardly. Hector expected the question. After all, anyone would find out after a bit of investigation that Sterling Corporations did not have the influence to move BNC news station to report negatively on them. There had to be a more influential and powerful person behind them. “What will I gain from this?" Hector enquired. There was no way he wouldn't take advantage of this chance now that it had come to this. Using this as leverage, he could talk to Darius and work out a compromise. Nevertheless, his hopes were dashed by Darius' subsequent words. "I don't think you understand your situation now, Mr. Hector.” Darius started. "I'm not here to negotiate with you. I'm here to demand answers from you. Do you think I can't find out myself if I don't get the answers from you?" Darius asked coldly. Hector gritted his teeth in anger, but there was no denying the truth in his words. After all, he had indeed managed to discover his tax evasion crime, and bring it to light. If he truly wanted to find the company behind him, he would surely be able to do so. Yet, Hector was unwilling to

disclose the identity of the bigwig to Darius so easily; as once he did, he would lose the only initiative he held against Darius. While Hector was contemplating whether to disclose the identity or not, Darius' voice sounded again. "Tax evasion is a bold crime for one to commit in S country. I have already submitted most of the records and evidence to the police, but I kept some with me. If you tell me the company behind you, I will not disclose the last documents to the police." "That way, you will only spend five to ten years in prison, and I will destroy the documents; but if you refuse to cooperate, then be ready to spend the rest of your years behind bars.” "Don't blame me for being inconsiderate then. The choice is yours.” Darius concluded coldly. Darius' words hit Hector like a train wreck. Even though his heart was reeling with shock on how Darius managed to discover the documents and evidence of his tax evasion, his mind was quickly weighing the pros and cons of each decision. “How am I sure that you're not lying to me?" Hector asked unconvinced. “I have no reason to lie to you.” Darius replied calmly. After thinking hard for five minutes, Hector let out a defeated sigh. The choice he had to make was already clear. He was no match for Darius Reid and West Atlantics Int'l. Besides, the bigwig had already abandoned him. What was he hesitating for? “Alright. I'll tell you." Hector said in a defeated tone. "The person behind me is the head of the third largest business group in Capital City, The Gold Group."