59. Ending Negotiations

"Actually you can my share of Grams' estate is just sitting in an account in the Caymans, Almost like it's waiting for me. I am not sure what you were going to do with it. But it's easily transferable, something I expect you to do within an hour of my departure. However, you are correct that the rest of the money will take some time together since you will have to liquefy a lot of assets. 2 months should give you ample time." Grant tried not to smirk at their astonished faces. Clearly, they didn't think anyone knew about that account.

"The money left by mother can be given to you directly but it will take more than 2 months to liquidate our assets. Give us some more time." He looked sadly at Grant. "I know you are angry with us son. You have a right to be. Our family didn't always function as smoothly as it should have. And I realize that you want to punish us for what happened in the past maybe we deserve it. But this isn't the way. I don't think that making us poor will make you feel better and that's certainly not what we want. Your mother and I don't want to buy you out of our family not when we just got you back. We want to see more of you not less. Will you at least consider giving us 6 months to gather money? During that time, maybe we can try to heal the old wounds and see whether we can move forward as a family. He paused and smiled warmly "What do you say?"

Grant sat back and smiled. "The first thing I would say is that the next time you make an impassioned speech like that, you might want your co-conspirators to at least pretend like they agree with you." Cort's smile dropped off of his face. "It was a nice speech, Dad - I will give you that - but if I wanted bull shit, I would take up cattle ranching. Mom can't threaten to have me killed 5 minutes before you talk about healing old wounds and then have me believe that you are serious about reconnecting." If the moment weren't so grim. The expression on Belinda's face would have made Grant laugh. Even Christian looked a little amused.

Cort's face went ashen. "How did you...?"

"It doesn't matter how I know, it just matters that I do," Grant said raising his voice a little (feeling pity for the previous Grant). "And I don't think you all quite understand the position you are in. I spent all those years under your thumb but the worm has turned. I am the one in control now. You will do what both SHIELD and I requested and you will do it in the time frame that we have given you. No emotional appeals or negotiations will change that, so it's in your best interest not to try. I gave you two months because I think it would be enough for you to raise the price of your properties so that I can get more money and that's all. It isn't because I felt pity for you otherwise I wouldn't have given you more than two weeks."

Cort leaned forward and opened his mouth as if to say something but then shut it. His face took on a puzzled expression as if he just realize that there was, at last, someone he couldn't manipulate or control. He sat back on the couch.

Grant continued on as if he hadn't noticed this. "If you fail SHIELD, they will come to take you in the dead of Night and leave you there to rot. They will make it look good, your colleagues and friends if you have them will think that you are dead. But if you fail me - if you don't give me the money that I want or if you try to have me killed - then I will destroy you so completely that death might even look good. After I have taken everything, not just ¾ but everything down to your lost penny, then I will make sure that everyone knows the cheating, fraudulent, abusive scum that you are. After I get finished with you, no one- and I mean no one - will want to have anything to do with you. Being poor will seem like a picnic compared to the public humiliation and shunning that you will receive both in and out of prison. And don't think for a second that I can't or won't do it."

Grant walked over the doorway and looked back at the family of Grant Ward. "If everything goes well, this will be our last meeting. Someone from SHIELD will get in touch with you about the specifics of your deal with them. I will expect Gram's money within the hour and the rest of what we discussed in two months from today exactly. If that doesn't happen, then you will see me again but I won't be nearly as nice."

He walked out into the hallway and nodded at Galina who was waiting to show him out. The two navigated the stairs in silence. Once they reached the front door, Grant turned to her. "Once again Thank You for everything you have done for me. I have left my contact info in your room if you ever feel like talking or if you have any problem you can contact me through it."

"Ok, I will. Good luck Mr. Grant I hope you stay successful in your future endeavors," said Galina with a smile as the two hugged each other.

After he met with the Ward family, Grant decided to go trekking in the forest to train some of his powers as he won't be using them for the time being so it would be good if he doesn't become too rusty.

In the forest Grant trained to check where his physical limit lies without letting people see his rubber body. He found that his physical strength, along with his speed and agility has drastically improved. He could easily lift the weight of more than 8000 kg or 8.8 tons that's more than even what Captain America could lift, along with speed and agility surpassing that of Black Panther.

"Man, with this I won't have to show my rubber body anytime soon," Grant said with a smile on his face while thinking 'I may have been looking down on it because of Luffy'

Looking around he saw that the sun has already set and decided to rest for the day, climbing on one of the trees he decided to sleep there.

______________________________

"What the hell? Where am I?" Grant shouted as he looked around him in the darkness, he tried to use his Observation, but it didn't work at all.

"Well, hello there kid?"