The Twisted Obsession-Chapter 248: Find Dirt

Otis smiled faintly. "That’s what friends are for. I’ll start looking into it right away. In the meantime, try to keep things calm with Alex and Lily. They don’t need to be dragged into this mess."

James agreed, feeling a small weight lift from his shoulders. As Otis left the room to make a few calls, James sat back, deep in thought. Whatever was happening with Abby and her mysterious companion, he was determined to uncover the truth.

Otis returned to the living room a short while later, noting the tension still etched on James’s face. He approached with a sympathetic smile. "You look like you could use a drink."

James nodded appreciatively. "A drink would be good right about now."

Otis poured them both a generous glass of whiskey, handing one to James. "Here, this should help take the edge off." freewebnøvel.coɱ

James took a sip, feeling the warmth spread through him. "Thanks, Otis. I needed that."

Otis sat down across from him, watching his old friend closely. "You’ve got a lot on your mind. Care to share?"

James sighed, swirling the amber liquid in his glass. "The board has given me two weeks to sort things out. They’re getting restless, and I need Abby’s shares to secure my position. If she won’t give them to me willingly, I’m prepared to take them by force."

Otis raised an eyebrow, surprised by the intensity in James’s voice. "By force? What exactly are you planning, James?"

James leaned forward, his voice low and determined. "I’ve considered every angle, and I have a few ideas. But I need your help to pull it off. Abby’s resistance is a problem, and this mysterious man by her side only complicates things further."

Otis took a slow sip of his drink, contemplating. "Alright, let’s hear it. What’s the plan?"

James set his glass down, the outline of a scheme forming in his mind. "First, we need to find out everything we can about this man. His weaknesses, his past, anything we can use against him. If he’s the reason Abby is holding out, we need to undermine his influence."

Otis nodded. "I can get on that. I have a few contacts who owe me favors. We’ll dig up whatever dirt we can."

"Good," James continued. "While you’re doing that, I’ll focus on Abby. If we can’t sway her directly, we need to find leverage. Something she cares about, something we can threaten."

Otis’s eyes gleamed with a hint of malicious intent. "You think she has any skeletons in her closet?"

James smirked. "Everyone has skeletons, Otis. We just need to find hers. Once we have that leverage, we can force her hand. She’ll have no choice but to sell her shares."

Otis leaned back, a calculating look on his face. "This could get messy, James. Are you sure you’re ready for that?"

James’s expression hardened. "I don’t have a choice. The board is breathing down my neck, and if I lose control, everything I’ve built could crumble. We need to be ruthless."

Otis raised his glass in a silent toast. "Then ruthless we shall be. I’ll start digging tonight, and I’ll keep you updated on what I find."

James clinked his glass against Otis’s, a sense of grim determination settling over him. "Thank you, Otis. I knew I could count on you."

Otis smiled, a dark glint in his eyes. "We’ve always been in this together, James. Whatever it takes, we’ll make sure you come out on top."

As the conversation shifted from their immediate plans to more personal matters, James took another sip of his whiskey, feeling the alcohol dull his anxiety. He looked at Otis, considering his next question carefully.

"Otis," he began, his voice more casual, "when are you planning to let Alex marry Lily? They seem pretty serious about each other."

Otis leaned back in his chair, his expression thoughtful. "James, you know how much I care about our children. But when it comes to marriage, especially between families like ours, it’s not just about love. It’s also about timing and the right conditions."

James frowned slightly. "What are you getting at, Otis?"

Otis sighed, setting his glass down. "Look, James. I want Alex and Lily to be happy, but an alliance between our families would be most beneficial once you have full control over your business. Right now, with things so uncertain, it’s not the right time."

James’s displeasure was evident. "So, you’re saying their relationship is conditional on my success? That’s a bit cold, even for you, Otis."

Otis raised a hand to placate him. "It’s not just about business, James. It’s about ensuring stability for our families. If you secure your position, it will be a sign that everything is under control. Then, any union between our families would be seen as strong and stable. Until then, it’s risky."

James set his jaw, clearly unhappy. "So, my daughter’s happiness is contingent on whether I can keep my company afloat. That’s a hell of a lot of pressure, don’t you think?"

Otis’s gaze softened slightly. "I understand it sounds harsh, but we both know how these things work. I’m not saying they can’t be together. I’m just saying that the formalities of marriage should wait until the timing is right. For all our sakes."

James drained his glass, his expression dark. "I suppose I should have expected as much. But know this, Otis—I will secure my position. And when I do, I expect your word that Alex and Lily can move forward."

Otis nodded, his expression serious. "You have my word, James. Once you’re back in control, we can make this alliance official. Until then, we stay focused on our goals."

James stood, the weight of the conversation pressing heavily on him. "I’d better get going. There’s a lot to be done, and I need to start strategizing."

Otis stood as well, offering his hand. "We’ll get through this, James. Just stay focused and remember, I’m here to help."

James shook Otis’s hand, his grip firm. "Thanks, Otis. I appreciate your support, even if I don’t like the conditions."

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