Unfinished Business

At that moment, Tyler’s phone rang. "Who is it? I am busy!"

"Tyler, it's me, Britta. I have information about your father's business. Come to GlobeMall."

After the call disconnected, the young man shot Trent a last murderous look, making the latter cower in fear. "We will continue this later."

Tyler turned around and left the way he came. It was time to focus on more important things.

Erica had been holding her breath while watching the scene unfold. She exhaled and murmured to herself, "That is impossible. How did Tyler punch away a car as if it were nothing?"

Trent scampered to his feet and looked around, feeling utterly humiliated. Everyone had been witness to his display of cowardice and unmanliness. They had heard his feminine yelps and shrill shrieks.

Erica came to the Cooper's scion's rescue. "Trent! Are you alright?"

When the young man did not reply, she came up with an explanation. "I think I saw a detonator in Tyler's hand. He must have planted a bomb in your limousine! What else would you expect from an ex-convict? He must have learned such tricks from his fellow prison inmates!"

Erica's version appeared to convince Trent and the others.

"Indeed, the car exploded by itself."

"Is he a terrorist?"

"Let's call the cops!"

"What a filthy trick to play on your ex!"

Trent's haughty expression returned. "You're right, darling. That pathetic runt must have used explosives to destroy my limousine."

Erica threw herself coyly into her fiancé's arms. "Thank you for protecting me! If you weren't here, Tyler may have attacked me! Shall we inform the police and media?"

Trent was delighted with the conclusion since he was touted as the hero. "No need. Let's not spoil our wedding day by involving law enforcement and the media. I'll deal with him in my own way."

***

Tyler took a deep breath as his mind settled on new priorities. Erica had betrayed him for Trent, but he felt nothing. However, he would give the rotten woman a taste of her own medicine at the right time. Trent Cooper would also get what was coming to him. Before that, there was another important matter to attend to.

Tyler's father, Hugh Grant, used to own a small business—a mini-mall. After his son was imprisoned, Hugh's manager, Ricardo, betrayed him by flocking to the Coopers.

Together, they forged his signature and drafted ownership transfer papers. With the help of shady lawyers and bribed judges, they ousted Hugh from the business and propped up Ricardo as the new owner.

The poor man's shares were usurped, and he was kicked out from the premises with utter public humiliation. It was time for Ricardo to answer for his actions.

When Hugh Grant was GlobeMall’s owner, it was a bustling mini-mall. Big and popular brand stores occupied every rented space. It was frequented by family and friend groups alike from different social classes, thus generating consistent profit year after year. Hugh had also planned to induct a multiplex cinema hall on the third floor, among his other ambitious ideas.

Three years later, Tyler had expected GlobeMall to have grown by leaps and bounds, with expansion into a mega-mall. However, barely anything had improved since Tyler last visited. Moreover, many stores were not even rented out and appeared shut down. Hugh’s absence and Ricardo’s takeover seemed to have dampened the business.

GlobeMall was still frequented by the youth and middle-aged alike because of its past popularity. Wealthy people hung out in its arenas, which gave the impression that it was still doing well. However, the financial rot had spread, and things were going south.

As Tyler entered through the main revolving door, he found a security guard blocking his path. The uniformed man eyed him with suspicion.

Tyler had a scraggly beard, and his clothes looked quite ordinary. The guard had been instructed to keep out homeless ruffians like him.

“Hey! GlobeMall is open for paying customers only!” he called out. “It’s not a place for bums to hang out. You can sit outside on the steps if you’re looking for charity.”

Tyler was mildly annoyed and directed his fiery eyes at the security guard. Ordinarily, such an insult would warrant a punch in the face. However, Tyler simmered down because he recognized the middle-aged guard.

“You are Abe, right?” he asked with a glint of familiarity.

The man gave him a quizzical look. “Yes, how did you know my name? Have we met before?”

“My father used to own this mini-mall. His name is Hugh Grant. When I was younger, I visited this place often, and I remember you working here.”

The guard’s expression softened immediately. “So you are Mr. Grant’s son. Tyler, isn’t it? I barely recognized you. By the way, I’m really sorry for what happened to you and your family. All employees, including me, held your father in high regard for his business acumen and integrity.”

Tyler nodded. “The last time I visited, you were in the position of an Assistant Manager under my father. Why are you working as a security guard three years later?”

Abe lowered his gaze as his eyes moistened. “You have a wonderful memory, son. I was indeed working as an Assistant Manager with a good salary. But everything changed when Mr. Ricardo betrayed your father. He plotted with the Coopers to dismiss him and steal his shares. I opposed the move vehemently during that time. However, instead of listening to my pleas, Mr. Ricardo punished me, demoting me to a security guard. I wanted to quit immediately in outrage. But a man my age can’t start looking for a new job in this economy. I have a family to feed.”

Tyler nodded his sympathy. He pointed at the closed shops. “Three years back, the mini-mall was doing so well. Why is it worse off than before? Is it going bankrupt?”