"Mr. Juan, you will have to tell me exactly what he said." Jake said as he waved at Ian to record the call.
Ian quickly took out his phone and began to record the conversation.
"Mr. Juan, I need to know the details. Who called you?" Jake asked as he leaned forward, listening to what Manuel would say.
"He introduced himself as Mike Robins from Krisanta Land." Manuel said, making Ian hold his breath. This was it, part of the proof that they needed. "He said that he was the CEO's apprentice and that he had some information on the employees we met with."
"What else did he say?" Jake asked as he tried to get more information from Manuel.
"He told me that the people we spoke with are not trustworthy and that you and your team have a record of illegal affairs in the company. He said that if my father and I wanted a deal truly worth our while we should speak to him." Manuel revealed.
"And tell me, Mr. Juan, do you believe him?" Jake asked.
"No, no, of course not Mr. Laurel. I would never believe him. I know who you are and what family you belong to. I doubt you would even need the money that he was trying to say you needed." Manuel said as she quickly tried to save himself.
"Did he show you any proof that we were untrustworthy?" Jake asked.
"Yes, he said he would send photos and documents to me proving that you were not as clean as you presented yourselves to be." Manuel quickly responded.
It seemed that he truly feared Jake's wrath.
"What did you tell him?" Jake asked Manuel.
"I said I would think about it. I wanted to tell you first in case there was something you wanted to do about this man." Manuel said over the phone. "He said while I was waiting I should look at the proof he was going to send."
"Very well, forward that proof to me. I'll have someone send you my email address." Jake said. "I'll contact you on what to do next, for now, wait for me to call." Jake told Manuel as he dropped the call.
"So that's it, the proof we needed." Ian said with a smile.
"Not quite." Jake told Ian as he leaned back and closed his eyes, thinking of their next moves.
Suddenly Jake got his phone and started typing, Ian assumed that he was sending Manuel his email address.
"I had him send it to you and three as well, just in case." Jake said with a grin as he got up and turned to leave.
"Wait, where are we going, we haven't even settled the bill." Ash said frantically as she watched Ian and Camilla follow Jake's lead.
They too got up and didn't even care to settle the bill.
"It's paid for." Camilla said with a smile. "We never have to pay here, come on." She said as she waved Ash to follow them.
"What's your plan?" Ian asked as they got into the VIP elevator.
"We need to talk to Hank and Marco." Jake said as he looked out the glass panel at the back of the elevator. "I have a plan but I want to run it by them."
"Will Marco be free at this time?" Ian asked, he knew that the elder assistant was extremely busy and might not have time for them.
"He'll make time." Jake said with a nod. "Uncle Emilio is already aware of the situation and he wants this as a top priority, we need to close this fast. It's not only making the company lose revenue, it's also costing us valuable people."
"You mean the others that quit?" Ash asked as her eyes lit up with the mention of the people that left.
"Yes, Mike and Armand have caused a lot of people to leave the company." Jake said with a nod. "At the moment, the Reyes Group is in talks with them to return, but the deal was for Mike and Armand to be removed from their roles."
"Can't Uncle Emilio just fire them?" Ian asked Jake as they stepped out of the elevator.
"Uncle Emilio?" Ash asked, surprised that even Ian called the CEO his uncle.
"The CEO wants him to be called uncle by me and Ian. It's awkward." Camilla grumbled.
"The Reyeses are painfully fair, also they don't want it to seem like a powerplay." Jake said as they walked through the lobby and out the door. "They want to show their employees and everyone out there that these people were fired for a reason, it will not only send a message but it will also ruin Armand's and Mike's careers."
"Isn't Mike from some rich and influential family?" Ash asked Jake as their cars pulled up to the driveway.
Jake laughed at her question and shook his head.
"Do you really think just any family could threaten the Reyeses?" Jake asked.
"No, I guess not." Ash said as she realized how senseless her question had been.
"You've been blinded by Mike's peacocking in the office." Jake said as he looked Ash in the eyes. "Ash, don't forget this, he is in no way related to the Reyeses or any family that can pose a threat to the Reyes Family."
Ash nodded at Jake's statement.
"Also, the CEO does not have an apprentice, he is only teaching one person, and that's his son." Jake said in a stern tone. "The closest thing he has to an apprentice are these two in front of you."
Ash nodded, unable to come up with a response.
"Let's meet up at your office in R Tower." Jake told Ian and Camilla. "Do you mind taking Ash there?"
"Sure, but I think it's best if Ash rode with us. I don't want her getting lost." Ian said with a grin.
"Alright. I can have my driver come back for Ash's car." Jake said with a nod. "I'll call Marco and Hank on the way and update them on the situation. God, I wish Uncle Emilio doesn't want to be involved in this. I swear if he does Ash might faint." Jake said with a laugh.
"We'll see you in the office.." Ian said with a grin as he walked to his car and waved at Jake.