Chapter 101: Lying To Aliya
At 13:00, a convoy of two vehicles pulled up to the modest Rivers family home. Jake stepped out of the lead car, while Elias and the other five guards remained outside, fanning out with a quiet efficiency that made the neighbors peer through their curtains.
The contrast was jarring—the sleek, expensive machinery and the stone-faced men in tailored suits looked like an alien invasion in the quiet middle-class neighborhood.
The front door flew open before Jake could even reach the porch. Aliya stood there, her hands on her hips, her eyes flashing with a mix of interrogation and awe.
"You are two hours late! And why are there men in suits standing on our lawn?"
"Inside, Aliya," Jake said, gently nudging her back into the house.
The living room smelled of roasted meat and spices, a familiar scent that usually meant a celebration. Martha was in the kitchen, but she hurried out when she heard the door, wiping her hands on her apron.
Ryan was sitting in his usual armchair, his eyes narrowing as he took in Jake’s appearance. Jake gave his father a subtle wink—a silent signal that the plan was moving forward and the chess pieces were where they needed to be.
"Okay, talk," Aliya said, practically vibrating as she sat on the edge of the sofa. "The news said you’re a billionaire."
"Jake, darling, finally," Martha said, though her eyes immediately went to his face, searching for something. "Aliya has been talking our ears off about you becoming a billionaire all of a sudden. She showed us the news, but I told her to wait for you. Is it true?"
Jake took a seat, leaning forward and resting his elbows on his knees. "Uncle Darius approached me recently. He told me that now that I’ve finished college, I was eligible to receive a private trust my grandfather set up. Darius wanted to keep it a secret until the transition was complete, but the news leaked before we were ready."
Martha gasped, clutching her chest and looking at Ryan. "Did you know about this, Ryan?"
Ryan played his part perfectly, his face a mask of stoic surprise. "My father and I didn’t exactly have a relationship built on trust, Martha. I knew there were assets, but I assumed the Group had swallowed them years ago. I didn’t think Robert would leave anything specifically for the kids."
Aliya looked at Jake with huge, pleading puppy eyes. "And since I’m your favorite sister, surely I get a little... billion-mark allowance? Just enough for a new wardrobe and maybe a car that doesn’t smell like old fries?"
Jake smiled, but it was firm. "You get to finish school, Aliya. Don’t think about things you don’t have yet. Wealth is a responsibility, not a shopping spree."
Aliya groaned, throwing her head back onto the sofa cushions. "You’ve totally forgotten your humble beginnings, haven’t you? You become a billionaire and suddenly you’re the king of the world, looking down on the rest of us!"
"I told you once before," Jake said softly, his voice cutting through her exaggeration. "You are my humble beginnings. That hasn’t changed."
Aliya paused, looking at him skeptically. "If I’m your humble beginnings, why aren’t you trying to change them? A humble beginning in a penthouse sounds much better than a humble beginning in a suburban house with a leaky faucet."
Ryan cleared his throat, sensing the tension rising. "That’s enough, Aliya. Your brother has enough on his plate without you trying to guilt-trip him into buying you a lifestyle you haven’t earned. Go check on the rice."
Aliya huffed, sensing she wasn’t going to win this round, and marched off to her room. ’She really is the only thing that keeps this grounded,’ Jake thought as the door clicked shut.
Once she was gone, Jake turned back to his parents. "Thanks for chipping in, Dad. I appreciate you keeping her level-headed."
"She’s a Rivers," Ryan said with a faint smile. "She was always going to be a handful once she smelled money."
"I want to move you," Jake said, his tone turning serious. "I’ve found a place in the northern ridge. It’s a gated community, much safer than here."
"We aren’t moving, Jake," Ryan said instantly. "This is our home. We aren’t going to be shuffled off into some gilded cage just because you’ve become a target."
"I figured you’d say that," Jake replied. "But I’m worried about security. I’ve already brought people. One for each of you. They’ll be discreet, but they’ll be here."
"We already have security," Martha said, her voice calm and steady.
Jake blinked, genuinely caught off guard. "What? Since when?"
"We’re fine, Jake," Ryan added, his tone suggesting the conversation was over. He stood up and walked Jake toward the door, his grip on Jake’s shoulder tight. "I understand why you let the news spread. You needed to rattle Sterling. But make sure Aliya is protected from ’that life.’ She isn’t ready for the weight of that name yet."
"I know, Dad," Jake said. "I’ve already assigned a ghost to her. She won’t even know he’s there."
Jake began his goodbyes, checking his watch. "I have to get going. I have an auction to prepare for later today, and the partners are expecting me."
"You won’t eat anything before you go?" Martha asked, looking at the spread of food. "It’s your favorite."
Jake looked out the window at Elias and the men standing guard in the heat. "It wouldn’t be fair for me to sit here and eat while I have people outside waiting for me. I’ll grab something later."
Martha hugged him tightly. "Be careful, Jake. We’re proud of you, but don’t lose yourself in all that noise."
"Good luck in your new adventure, Mr. CEO," Ryan said, his eyes full of a pride he rarely showed. "Make sure they remember the Rivers name for the right reasons this time."
---
Back in his office, Julian Sterling was staring at a list of names on a digital display. Arthur Vale. Elena Hart. Stuart Sheele. Joseph Chen.
He had spent the last few hours trying to reach them, his desperation growing with every passing minute. Every time, he was met with the same icy response from an assistant: Mr. Vale is unavailable. Mrs. Hart is in a meeting.
’They’re icing me out,’ Sterling realized, his rage rising like a tide. ’They think I’m already dead. They think a twenty-something kid can just waltz in and take what I’ve spent decades building.’
James stepped into the office, his voice hesitant. "Sir, regarding the charity auction tonight... I’ve confirmed that someone from the Vales and several other senior members of those families will be attending."
Sterling’s eyes brightened. A sliver of hope cut through the dark fog of his anger. ’If I can get five minutes with that Vale, I can explain the risk of letting these kids run wild with that much capital. I can show him how this destabilizes the entire market. They won’t want their sons playing with a loose cannon like Rivers.’
"Get my suit ready," Sterling commanded, his voice regaining some of its old authority. "And James? Make sure we have a generous donation ready. I need to remind them that I’m still a big player, even if the board is shaking."
---
The night had settled over Veyra, turning the city into a grid of shimmering lights. Inside the Zenith, Jake stood before the full-length mirror. He wore a custom charcoal three-piece suit with a subtle pinstripe, a crisp white shirt, and a midnight blue silk tie. The fabric moved with him like a second skin.
Catharine walked into the room, leaning against the doorframe. She was wearing a simple silk robe, her hair down, looking at him with an expression he couldn’t quite read.
"You look... dangerous," she said quietly. She walked over, her eyes softening as she took him in. "But you also look like the man I fell in love with, just... with a much better tailor. You look incredibly handsome, Jake. You look like you own the night, and maybe a little bit of my heart too."
"Is that a good thing?" Jake asked, turning to face her.
"For you? Yes. For everyone else in that room? Probably not." She walked over and straightened his tie, her fingers lingering on the silk. "Just remember to come home, okay? Don’t get too caught up in being the billionaire."
"I promise," Jake said, leaning down to kiss her forehead.
He headed down to the garage where Elias was waiting by the Audi R8. Behind it, a black RS 6 was idling, its headlights cutting through the dim garage light.
"Ready, Mr. Rivers?" Elias asked, holding the door open.
"Did Alice send you the location for the auction?" Jake asked as he slid into the low leather seat.
"Confirmed. We have the location and the security protocol for the venue," Elias replied, closing the door.
Jake leaned back in the passenger seat, closing his eyes for a moment as the engines roared to life. The convoy swept out onto the street, the tires humming against the pavement as they headed toward the outskirts of the city.
When they finally pulled up to the location, Jake sat forward, a look of genuine surprise crossing his face. The venue was a marvel of modern architecture, a sprawling estate of glass and white stone perched on a cliffside overlooking the ocean.
Thousands of fairy lights were draped across the manicured gardens, and a sea of luxury vehicles—Lamborghinis, Bentleys, and custom Maybachs—lined the drive. The red carpet was rolled out, flanked by a small army of photographers and security.
---