Chapter 24: Rumors
The heavy oak doors of Charles Stones’ study swung open with a low groan, the familiar scent of polished wood and aged whiskey filling the air.
It was a room that demanded silence, its walls lined with shelves of leather-bound books, a massive mahogany desk dominating the far end. A fire crackled softly in the stone hearth, throwing long shadows that stretched across the Persian rug.
Charles entered first, his stride unhurried but commanding, as though every step carried the weight of decades of empire-building. Jake and Raymond followed, the atmosphere thickening with every footfall.
"Sit," Charles ordered, his voice deep, unyielding.
The brothers sank into the high-backed chairs before his desk. Jake, as always, masked his thoughts behind calm composure, while Raymond shifted slightly, restless, a nervous energy clinging to him.
Charles leaned against the desk, crossing his arms, his gray eyes sweeping over them like a hawk sizing its prey.
"Jake," he began, tone measured but sharp. "How is the company lately?"
Jake inclined his head, his voice steady. "It’s doing well. Revenues are climbing. The expansion in the fashion unit is stabilizing, and our tech partnerships are yielding strong returns."
Charles nodded once, slowly, as though confirming what he already knew. "I’ve been hearing good things. About the branch you’re heading especially." A faint glimmer of pride touched his eyes, but it was fleeting, gone as quickly as it appeared. His expression hardened. "But there is one matter that troubles me and I wish it would end soon."
Jake’s jaw tensed. He already knew what was coming.
"The secretaries," Charles continued, voice like gravel. "Your office has become a revolving door. That is not the stability I expect from the head of my company."
Jake inhaled quietly before answering. "With respect, Father, I had no choice. The first one retired after her marriage—you know that. The second—" his eyes narrowed slightly, "—turned out to be a plant from a rival company, sent to undermine me. The last two attempted to seduce me. It wasn’t my doing. They all had to go."
Charles’ gaze bored into him, weighing every word. At last, he gave a curt nod. "Very well. I’ll take your word for it. But let me make myself clear, Jake: I will not tolerate scandals. The employees are talking, calling you the devil and ruthless. As much as that doesn’t mean much, it might pose as a threat in the future—you never can tell how the world would twist it if things get out of hand," he said, keeping his eyes on Jake.
"I’ll take care of the rumors," Jake said with a reassuring nod.
"This new one.... Isabella Howells. She’s a good one, yes? If she happens to be like the others, I’m afraid you’d have to stay without a secretary or assistant."
Jake’s throat tightened at the sound of her name on his father’s lips, but his expression didn’t flicker. "I understand but Miss Howells seems to be capable and efficient. I don’t think she would be a problem," Jake said, thinking about Isabella, and considering slowing down on his taunts before she quits.
Though he wasn’t saying anything so as not to give away the fact that he knew her, Raymond was more than glad Jake had spoken up for her.
Charles studied him for a moment longer, then turned his piercing eyes onto Raymond.
"And you, Raymond. How are your lessons in HR coming along?"
Raymond straightened a little, forcing a smile. "I’m getting a hold of it. Slowly, but I’m learning."
A heavy silence followed. Charles’ lips curved into something that wasn’t quite a smile. "If you are, then why have I been hearing rumors about you and a girl floating around the company halls? And what is this? Do you know what would happen if the media had gotten hold of this?" Charles asked, tossing his phone to Raymond.
Raymond caught it, and his throat went dry when he saw a video of himself and two strippers dancing around him at the club last Friday.
"Shit!" he muttered before glancing up at his father, his face paling. He opened his mouth, but Jake leaned forward quickly.
"Father—"
"Not again, Jake," Charles snapped, his voice sharp as a whip. "Do not speak for him. He is no child. Let him answer for himself."
Jake’s jaw clenched, but he leaned back, silent.
Raymond swallowed, his voice wavering. "This.... I promise it’s just this. It didn’t go beyond dancing and—— about the company girl. It’s all a lie, Dad. They are just rumors."
"Rumors," Charles repeated coldly. "Do you take me for a fool? I thought after your last scandal—with that actress who cost this family untold damage—you would have learned restraint. But it seems recklessness is stitched into your skin."
Raymond flinched, shame burning in his chest. He remembered it well — the photos splashed across tabloids, the whispers that had circled StoneTech like vultures. He had thought time would bury it, but clearly, his father never forgot.
And now, seeing that video of him at the club with those silly girls. Who had even made the video? Now, wasn’t the time to think about that. He had to face his father now.
Charles straightened to his full height, his presence filling the room. His voice dropped lower, and colder.
"I will not risk the Stones’ legacy on weakness." His gaze shifted from Raymond to Jake, heavy with finality. "From this moment forward, I am handing everything—every branch, every division—into Jake’s care. The StoneTech Solutions group of companies belongs to him now. He is the one who will oversee it all," he said, going to pick up the file lying lazily on the table.
The words crashed into the air like thunder.
Jake froze, his heartbeat slamming against his ribs. He had known his father trusted him more, had felt the weight of expectation pressing down for years. But to hear it so decisively, so absolutely—it was more than he’d anticipated.
Raymond’s head snapped up, his face stricken. "What?" His voice cracked, raw with disbelief. "What do you mean by that?"
Charles met his son’s eyes with cold resolve. "It means exactly what I said, Raymond. Starting this moment, Jake is the owner of the StoneTech Solutions group of companies. He will carry the responsibility. He will carry the name. You will follow where he leads, or you will be left behind."