Jake stared at the card with the logo of Earth surrounded by four stars, squeezing it between his fingers.
"Isn't this Nexus Corp, one of the Four to establish a shelter in the apocalypse?"
He turned the card over. "I wonder how Jules is connected to this company, and if there is any connection between them and the upcoming apocalypse?"
Turning the card to the back, it was blank except for a phone number embossed in silver.
Shaking his head, Jake exhaled. "I better leave this for later. There is still so much I have to do."
He pocketed the card and stepped outside. The cold morning air hit his face as people hurried past, hands buried deep in coats, shoulders hunched. Jake barely felt it as the chill brushed his skin, but he didn't feel it in the way he used to.
He frowned slightly, flexing his fingers. When had that changed?
Shaking off the thought, he pulled out his phone and dialed the number Jules had given him. He needed to reach the lawyer as soon as possible.
"Hello, am I speaking to Richard?"
A pause on the other end.
"Yes, who is asking and how did you get my number?"
"My name's Jake Carlson. Jules said you might be able to help me with something sensitive."
Another pause, but longer this time.
"Jules doesn't give out my number lightly," Richard said. His voice was deep. "What kind of sensitive?"
Jake slowed, sitting on a nearby bench, watching a mother pull her child away from a puddle.
"Let's call it legal trouble. I need to annul an adoption and there's property involved."
"I see." Richard's tone didn't change. "I'd prefer to meet in person to discuss the details. I can send you my office address."
"Let's meet today?" Jake asked. "I'm in a bit of a hurry."
"How soon can you be here?" Richard asked.
"Send the address now and I will be there in an hour."
Jake ended the call and pulled up Cronetech's stock price. As expected, it was still climbing. But shorting stock required capital he didn't have.
"At this point, the only option I have left is to take a loan."
Jake waved down a cab for the bank. Stepping out, he looked up at the big sign. "First Bank."
He pushed through the glass door. Inside the bank, fluorescent lights hummed overhead as he walked through the lobby, moving towards the receptionist.
"Hello, where do I go for loans?" he asked.
"First office on your right," she replied nonchalantly while typing.
Jake just ignored her attitude and turned to the office. Knocking a little, he opened the door.
The loan officer was a balding man in his forties with a name tag that read Mr. Brian Clark. He barely acknowledged Jake's presence, but Jake sat down facing him.
"Good morning sir, I would like to obtain a loan."
The loan officer just glanced at him and then finished typing something on his computer for some minutes before asking for Jake's information, which Jake gave him. He reviewed Jake's information carefully, tapping on his screen, pausing to adjust his glasses.
Finally, he looked up.
"I'm afraid your employment history is not helping the loan assessment." He folded his hands. "And without collateral, we can't offer you much."
"I have collateral," Jake cut in, leaning forward. "A hotel."
The officer's fingers paused over his keyboard. Brows raised, he looked at Jake appraisingly.
"In your name, sir?" he asked in disbelief.
"Legally, yes."
"Can you provide documents proving ownership and current valuation?"
Jake sat back. He had neither with him.
"How much can I get without it?"
The officer sighed and typed something before answering.
"Five thousand. Maybe seven with a co-signer."
'Five thousand, that wouldn't even do anything,' he thought as he tapped on the chair handle.
He needed at least 15 grand. He pulled up the calculator on his phone under the table. If Cronetech collapsed to even half its current value, and he could short ten thousand shares...
The numbers made his pulse quicken in excitement. Three hundred and forty thousand, maybe more. Enough to actually start. But he'd need more to be prepared for what is coming.
"I'll be in touch," Jake said, standing.
The officer, getting back to his work, said, "We're here when you're ready."
Richard Rice's office was tucked into a quiet building downtown. Inside, the space was neat but not luxurious—bookshelves lined with legal books, a single window overlooking the street.
Richard looked younger than Jake expected, late twenties maybe. Wire-rimmed glasses sat low on his nose as he reviewed the documents Jake brought. His permed hair was meticulously styled, matching the lines of his charcoal suit.
Looking up, he stood to shake hands with Jake.
"Welcome, I'm Richard Rice."
"Jake Carlson."
Pointing to the seat opposite him, "Please sit, Mr. Carlson."
As Jake sat down, "Just call me Jake."
Richard leaned back in his chair and removed his glasses, cleaning them with a cloth.
"So you want to annul an adoption," Richard said, going straight to the point.
"Yes, and I want it done as fast as possible."
"That's possible, but it won't be instant, though I can file emergency paperwork today." He set his glasses down. "If I remember correctly, you mentioned property?"
Jake nodded in reply. "A hotel named Lux."
Richard tapped on his tablet, scrolling through something. After a moment, he turned the screen toward Jake.
"The Lux Hotel," he said. "Your father transferred ownership to you two years before his death. Legally, it's yours."
Jake's breath caught, a crack finally showing in his tight face.
"He gave it to me?"
"Yes," Richard confirmed. "Full ownership. But the Carlson family still controls operations. If they find out you're moving legally, they may try to interfere."
Jake stared at the screen. All of a sudden, Angela's words finally made sense. Her confidence. Her certainty that he had nowhere to go.
"I want to proceed," Jake said, calming his emotions, his voice steady now. "With the annulment and securing the hotel."
Richard studied him for a moment, then nodded.
"I'll start immediately. But I must warn you Jake, once this begins, things may get hostile."
"I'm counting on it."
Jake stood and shook his hand with a smile on his face as he left.
Back at the Carlson house, Angela slammed her spoon down on the table. The sound echoed through the dining room.
"That idiot thinks he can just leave whenever he wants," she snapped.
Markus continued eating, unbothered as he cut into his steak with precision.
"Calm down, there's no point getting angry now, Mum," he said. "He's probably acting out because of Hailey. He'll come back."
"You heard him say he wants to annul the adoption." She faced him.
Markus wiped his mouth slowly with his napkin.
"And he won't get the chance." He replied confidently.
He stood up, leaning down to kiss her cheek.
"Dad gave him the hotel on paper, but Jake doesn't know that we know. And he never will."
Angela's eyes widened.
"What are you planning?"
"Like I said Mum, don't worry. I'll handle it." Markus straightened his cuffs. "Just forget about Jake for now and focus on planning my engagement with Hailey."
As he left the house, Markus pulled out his phone and scrolled through his contacts. He stopped on a name: Diaz.
He pressed call.
"Hello, Diaz," Markus said, his voice calm. "I've got a job for you. Meet me tomorrow. I'll send the details."
"Understood, boss," a rough voice answered.
Cutting the call, Markus slid into his car as the engine purred to life.
"Jake," he muttered, pulling out of the driveway. "You should have stayed where you were useful."
"Now it's all your fault. You have yourself to be blamed" Markus gave himself the affirmation he needed and was ready to proceed as planned.
He had something big planned out, and it definitely wasn't going to be pretty for Jake.