“Grandpa’s number! That’s never happened before!” Darius thought, blood rushing all over his body with panic. He was so anxious that his phone kept slipping out of his hands, so he gave in; Darius placed his phone on the nightstand and accepted the call.

James spoke on the other end of the line with an unprecedentedly austere tone. “Is there anything you wish to inform me about regarding our family company’s shares?”

Darius’ eyes and mouth rounded in shock, and he failed to utter a word. Silence then ensued forever between him and his grandfather. It was as though all courage had vaporized from Darius’ body; he dared not lift his head, so he allowed it to lower while his gaze settled on the ground.

Even his voice took on a tinge of bitter regret. “I know this is all my fault, Grandpa. All I can hope for is that things don’t affect the Reid family’s reputation because if it does, I’ve made a grave, unforgivable mistake.”

That was when James’ voice rang out, sounding even more weighed