The Marvelous Elijah's Return novel Chapter 104

Twenty Five years in prison 

Frowning Bryan rubbed his temple with his index and middle finger, and then let out in anger at Joey‘s remarks, “Get out.” 

A look of disbelief fell over Joey, who started to laugh hysterically at the request. 

“Out?? What the hell is wrong with you?... You are seriously choosing that... over me!” Joey shouted, pointing at him accusingly. “This is bullshit man!!! I trusted you!!” 

“Fuck off, Joey!!” Bryan screamed back at him. 

“That will not be necessary.” Elijah casually said, making everyone turn to look at him, stunned by his comment 

Calmly, Elijah walked past the two, sat down on the black leather couch, and crossed his legs over the other, looking Joey directly in the eyes and adding, “You are desperate for money, ain‘t you?... The ego of one can be very blinding. So you can either sit and let‘s talk or walk out. Your choice.” 

A look of reluctance covered Joey‘s face as he clenched his jaw shut tight, and then he scoffed, mumbling, ‘What can you offer me?” 

“Nah, it doesn‘t work that way... Try the other way around.” Elijah said calmly, staring at him with a blank look 

“What can I offer you?!” 

“Good. You are getting the hang of it.” 

As a sense of arrogance and pride took hold of Joey‘s face, he puffed his chest and said, “Delphi Oil Co. is one of the top three companies in the state, and our products sell well and fast. And our company also has some pretty damn decent sales internationally...” 

“Okay, so if you are that successful, then why are you so desperate for my money?” Elijah asked plainly, folding his arms over his chest. 

A scoff escaped Joey‘s lips as he raised an eyebrow at Elijah and mumbled beneath his breath, “What money...” 

Then he suppressed his sense of frustration with Elijah and continued, “We suffered a huge loss by investing in bad products recently, and the penalty was high. So, naturally, we‘re trying to get more cash from an investor. Someone who‘s willing to...” 

“Drown their money with your sinking company?” Elijah interrupted, a small smirk playing on his lips.” Take your mind out of the past... the glory that lasts there, and talk to me from the present... Because right now, you are just a man with a stupid debt problem.” 

Immediately, the pride that once clouded Joey‘s face disappeared, replaced by a mixture of calmness and embarrassment, as he muttered, “I know where I stand.” 

“No, you don‘t. If you did, you wouldn‘t have sat on a Pedestal in the ruins of your company, acting high and mighty with me when you barely knew shit about me, past all the rumors and gossip. Now climb down from your cloud and let‘s talk business.” 

Never in his life had Joey been humble so quickly by someone who didn‘t raise his voice or fist, and he found himself nodding his head obediently as he said, “I agree. I shouldn‘t have judged the book by other‘s reviews, and get to understand it for myself... but can you really help my company?” 

“If I couldn‘t, Bryan wouldn‘t have thought to call me.” Elijah said, glancing towards Bryan. “So, I will lend 

the three of you my time, and if your business is something I can profit off of in the end, I can invest. Deal?” 

Taking his time to think it over, Joey looked around, seeing the other dudes nodding, and then he looked back at Elijah and said, “Deal!” 

“Good… Now, convince me why your companies are worth my money.” Elijah calmly said, resting back in his seat, crossing his leg over the other, and Bryan just stood there, amazed at how Elijah got Joey in the grip of his thumb. 

Watching Peach from where he sat, Ryan crossed his arms over his chest, seeing her sitting across the table from him as she continued writing down her transaction. 

Then he eyed his watch, seeing that hours had passed, and she was still going over one document after the others, and all he could do was watch, wondering if he should tell her that it was past three o‘clock. 

“How‘re things going?” Ryan called out, interrupting her writing. 

“What?” Peach asked, lifting her head. 

“The documents...” 

“There‘s a lot of indication that a foe play was done in these documents and the more journal entries are worked through, I think Elmer and the board of directors have been doing some dirty work since the very beginning.” 

For a moment, the silence dragged on for a while, and then Ryan‘s phone buzzed, making him reach into his pocket to pull it out. 

• Raising his gaze, Ryan watched Peach for a second, noticing that she was engrossed in the document, her brows furrowed, deep in concentration. 

“Is everything okay?” Peach asked with a slight frown on her face. 

Studying his sudden drowsy eyes, she gave a faint smile and then said, “Sure. We can grab something to eat and then I can finish this up.” 

Hesitantly, Elijah looked up with a calm expression, and said, “No, just as I am down with working with Bryan, you three seemed to have a solid standing in the Oil, gas, and Insurance fields and my only demand is that I will have fifty–one percent of the shares.” 

Silently, Elijah watched the others nod in agreement, before turning his glance back to Joey.