Twenty-Six - The Prides
"In the Drax Industries bankruptcy, one of the company's shareholders, E-GO Cybernetics, which is owned and operated by the Pride family of the late Katerina Drax, has offered to purchase the company. Alderige Corporation has yet to respond to the offer."
For a very long time, the Prides have kept their silence since the desolation of Catherine. They decided not to join the mayhem on her other side of the family. The Alderige was headed by the vicious woman in the underground society and they could not bear to face her with the Drax's crumbling house. Things changed when Nathalia died. People who have been hiding in the shadows resurfaced as an ally, but more foes emerged. Contrary to their name, the Prides were known for their flexibility. Always on the winning side. They have massive connections in the underground society. Even the most crucial information will not pass them. Their allegiance determines the chance of victory.
The Prides were the famous social climber. Known for their well-planned investments and perfectly matched marriages, but subtle enough to avoid the eyes of the high families. Their famous and successful plot was to marry Devonne's grandmother, Mercedes Drax to Paris Pride. The marriage lasted a decade. Tragedy fell to the couple, at least that's what most people knew. Like so many unexplained deaths in the organization, Mercedes and Paris' deaths were no exceptions. It was believed that the Prides have no longer used for their allegiance since the two families were below the council that they eliminated them, together with the knowledge of their marriage. After that event that shook the organization, the Prides, once again, made an alliance with another Drax, the illegitimate but influential Drax, Hector Exconde. With their shared view of power, they paired Mercedes' daughter, Catherine, to one of the most illegible bachelors in the High Council at that time, Renard Samira.
It was successful, but it came with a price. Catherine's betrayal. The well-articulated plan was to eliminate Renard after Catherine bore their child. Catherine was against the idea. She did all she could to keep Renard alive. She paid her betrayal with the most expensive currency of the Prides, her life.
In two decades, the underground society has wondered what the famous game players had in mind. The Prides will not sweat with their new prospect. Devonne Samira was married to a Constantine. Their power did not just double but insurmountable. For quite some time now, they've been having shady dealings using the new allegiance made.
A black Bentley parked in front of Hotel de Paris in Monte Carlo. Nathan Pride arrived. With his three-piece suit, white fedora hat, and Oxford shoes, he strolled inside. All the staff was paid for their silence. Even the butler, Axel Adrik had come to terms with his price. His visit will have to be in secrecy. He knew how hostile the two regents can be.
His most useful accomplice, Hector, needed his aid. With the extracurricular activities they did together, Nathan had no choice. If Hector decides to come clean then there's nothing left with the Prides.
"Are you here for my soul, old friend?" Hector wickedly smiled. Impressed to see no other eyes of the Constantines were lurking outside his room.
"This visit has cost me, Hector," Nathan glared at him. "I came bearing news. Your trial will start next week."
"Where?" Hector served his visitor a glass of Bourbon. "Please forgive the drink, this place makes me want to swing myself out of the balcony."
Nathan raised his eyebrow and placed the glass on the center table. "It will be held in France. My people have convinced the old Constantine to play his neutral card."
"Your people could not be more precise," Hector belted with sarcasm.
"I will not be condescended by the person who needs my help," Nathan made point of Hector's sarcasm. "My intention of helping you Hector is genuine. You have more use to me when you are alive. I have extended your possible downfall, a simple thank you will suffice."
Hector was neither intimidated nor scared with Nathan. He knew how the Prides work. But with his position, Hector needed to blend with those he sees beneficial to him. "Who will be the main jury?"
"Viktor and Iñigo are advised not to be on the prosecution given their positions against your family. They have reached out to the Alderige."
"Aberdeen Alderige will be deciding my case? This is ridiculous." Hector blurted with disgust.
"The other Alderige," Nathan corrected.
"Vincent's son?" Hector was in confusion. "Isn't he enjoying his pointless job in the bureau?"
"Viktor made him break his silence, and the Zion has reached out to him as well. The two regents have been trying to hold control of the Zion, apparently." Nathan smirked. "Also, your good friend, Sonia, is one of the prosecutors, Alderige will be the main jury. I think you can easily persuade her in your favor."
"Not her. Good God," Hector brushed his hair with his hands. "Who is the main counsel of the young Alderige?"
Nathan's smile widened. It became dark but playful, "Arthur Smith."
"Marvelous! How marvelous!" Hector emptied his glass and warily walked around the room.
"Do you have the leverage? Even only for the Alderige. We can turn the favor to you if the young Alderige has some information that will make him sympathize with your misfortune."
"My intels in Sinister Palace have told me that Luthor had captured a man responsible for Vincent's murder." Hector put down his glass slowly. "Unfortunately, the said gentleman vanished after the siege."
"Francis has him, I assume," Nathan paused. An idea hit him. "Then this is an opportune moment for us."
"How?"
"You see, a person who has the knowledge of Vincent Alderige murder was captured by the Constantine, and yet, they did not inform the council," Nathan Wiggled his eyebrows in excitement. "Magnus will be thrilled."
"Interesting, but we are dealing with the regents here. They cannot be simply be investigated." Hector was skeptical.
"Not if the Clement-Alderige house will take precedent of the investigation."
"And how do you intend to persuade the neophyte council member to be in our favor?"
Nathan mockingly laughed, making Hector snapped a sharp look towards him. "In your favor alone, Hector, not ours. As we all know, they don't even see me as a threat."
"Does it sometimes feels boring playing the game?" Hector rolled his eyes and refilled his glass.
"Not at all, especially how the events have turned. I must admit, I was not expecting Vincent's son to take over the empire." Nathan finally took a sip on his Bourbon. "I can't believe we're drinking this in broad daylight. It's only ten."
Hector ignored his complaints. "Of course, the boy was desperate for God's sake, and I know you did it."
"Did what?" Nathan acted surprise and offended.
"Chantel Davis?"
"Ah, the senator, yes! Quite a loss, don't you think? The Davis bloodline is a different kind of breed."
"Oh, please! Let's skip the part where we pretend that you did not plot her entire death," Hector smirked but Nathan remained his innocent facade. "Then you left some breadcrumbs to pin the council. But the problem is, most of them had anchored in the government."
"I neither confirm nor deny the accusation," Nathan played along.
"You're keeping secrets to your friends now?" Hector pretended to feel insulted.
"Oh, I didn't know we were friends."
Hector burst into a hysteric laugh, "Anyways, answer my first inquiry."
"Bueno, we will first reopen Vincent's case. Sergeant Newland, is he a sergeant, by the way?"
Hector shrugged showing no interest in the topic.
"Whatever! He will be implicated in Vincent's murder since he is to be implicated in the first place. Samira just made some damage assessment--"
"Samira was behind Vincent's murder?" Hector cut in.
"I did not say such a thing." Nathan confidently denied it.
"You just said Samira made some damage assessment. So it means they were behind it."
"Irrelevance," Nathan quickly looked at his cheap watch. "Did I mention that my time is limited, Doctor? Now, do you want me to finish discussing our gameplay?"