CHAPTER 7

At the same time – construction site.

Andrew finished up his practice and realized there were still a few hours of daylight left.

He flipped open his cell and called Jackson.

“Sir.”

“Jackson, this site will work fine. I have a few hours of free time. Is there anything that needs my attention?”

“Well sir if you are free, it would be good for you to meet Mr. Liam. Right now, I have him running the Dreadnought Investment group. There is an office prepared for you there on the top floor, that will run the whole Fire Dragon Corp. I have assigned a vice President for you, who will also act as your secretary and liaison for any business needs. She is extremely capable. Her name is Arya Croft,” said Jackson.

“Very good, I will pass there within the hour.” Andrew said as he hung up.

Jackson quickly called ahead to Mr. Liam.

Liam was packing up his office for the day when he saw his phone ring. That number… 5 years ago it was that number that has set him on the path to where he was today, at the top of the Dreadnought Investment, and now directly under Arya Croft who was a legend in the business world. Seeing this number now made him have a cold sweat.

“Liam, you are at your office, correct?” asked Jackson in a rush.

In a very respectful tone, Liam replied. “Yes Sir, Mr. Jackson, I am still here.” His voice was even tinged with piety and some fear. Liam’s persona could be considered huge in the city of Durres, but Jackson…. Jackson’s name alone could instill fear even in the top families.

“Good! the head boss of the Dragon Corporations is heading to your office. You must be utmost respectful.” Jackson said this with his own sense of reverence.

When Liam heard that the top boss was coming to see him, his whole body was suddenly shocked. He quickly nodded, then realizing he was on the phone and not visible, he said: “I Understand. I will be on top alert and do everything I can to impress him. May I ask, who is it that is coming to see me this evening?”

Jackson was not sure how Andrew would choose to introduce himself, so he said, “The man is named Andrew. He is in charge.”

Liam knew it was not wise to offend Jackson in any way. A single word from him could end everything. So, to hear that Jackson actually called someone his boss and this big boss was on his way to see Liam in person, it was like a noncommissioned officer being told by the General of the army that the Commander in Chief was coming for a troops review! Little did Liam know or understand just how accurate that sentiment really was.

“Liam, did you think that it was I who has given you everything you have in Durres City over the past five years?” Jackson asked.

Liam quickly said: “Mr. Jackson, If it wasn’t for you cultivating me, I would be nothing. I was nothing but a street bastard, today I am a CEO of a huge corporation. But sir, when you placed me here, you said it would be a woman who came to claim ownership. I am confused, now Mr Andrew is in charge?”

“When you met me, I showed you the insignia of Cobalt blue. This was my color and signate of authority. I told you, one day, the one of Fire Red insignia would claim the Fire Dragon corps, for it was for her this corporation was established in Durres. The one who comes now is the purest gold.” Jackson continued.

Liam suddenly froze.

This answer startled him. Both Jackson and the mysterious lady each have colored insignia as their personal crest, but the one to come uses GOLD?

Liam knew it was indeed Jackson’s help over the years through gentle pointing in new directions with a few words here and there that let him win at a few key businesses and contracts. It had been Jackson who laid the foundation so that in one fell swoop Liam was able to develop Dreadnought Investment to the level it was at today!

Without the gentle instruction from Jackson at key times of the business’s development, Liam knew that he could not have made it this far in the short amount of time he had accomplished it in.

Suddenly, his throat slipped, and his voice trembled: “This Andrew, you say his color is gold? Andrew is master of all the dragon corporations?”

Jackson’s reply was simple, “You grasp the fringes of the dragon order that is forming. Gold leads us all. Everything you have been given was given by his command, and as such, a single word, and all can turn to dust on the wind. Do you understand?”

“I understand!” Liam said immediately, “Thank you for explaining. I will be sure to do my part well!”

Jackson hung up the phone without saying anything more.

Liam felt that his legs were a little soft, and he walked to the sofa, sat down with a PLOP, and let out a long breath.

On his forehead, there was cold sweat, and his body was tight with tension.

It turned out that the man behind Jackson was the real master of the chessboard, even because of this Andrew’s words, Liam had his own company today!

What a terrible strength it is.

It took a long time for him to calm down, but his inner shock did not weaken in the slightest.

In his mind, this master who controlled Jackson was only a shadow for now, but even this shadow was enough to make him worship! That fact that he was about to meet this person face to face, Liam was unsure how he would react. Awe, wonder, or sheer terror? Each seemed a valid response.

Next, Jackson then called Arya Croft, the one he had appointed to be the face of the Fire Dragon Corp.

“Hello, this is Arya.”

“Hello, Miss Croft. How is business these days.”

That voice. Just as it had with Liam, the cold sweat broke out on Arya's back.

Jackson.

That voice had set her on a path shortly after her thesis on revolutionizing business. Now several years later she was renowned throughout the providence as a queen of the business world.

“sir how may I serve today?” asked Arya. It was rare that Jackson ever interacted with her, and only once had they met in person when he first recruited her. Since then it was all digital communication with very few calls. But every one of the communications had rocked the business world around Durres because it set forth new directions and new commands for the businesses under her control. Not one order had failed to produce millions in return, and even now she was seeing how small actions years ago were now causing multi-billion dollar deals to snap into place thanks to acquisitions that made no sense at the time.

“miss croft, shortly a man by the name of Andrew will enter the Dreadnought Investment tower. He will meet with Liam, and then it would be beneficial for you to meet him. From now on His word is law. You are to liaison with him, and be his face, voice, and power in all things.”

Silence.

“Sir, may I ask? Who is it that is to command the Fire Dragon with such authority? When you established this corps, you said only the one of Red insignia would claim it. I am confused.”

“I told this to Liam, and now I tell it to you. The chess master is in town and planning to settle in the area. The one of Red may be with him or at least around shortly but understand the difference. I am cobalt, she is Fire red, but Andrew is the gold dragon. You are to render all aid and reverence to him in as much as you are able. There is nothing forbidden to him and all resources are his. Serve him well.”

“Ah and, he is fresh into town from many years away. He may be a bit…. Unfamiliar with current norms, and he may need access to funds. We did not carry currency while abroad. Please take care of it.” And with that, Jackson hung up.

Cold, instinctual terror swept through Arya. She was a humble but capable caretaker of this corporation but coming to the door was a dragon. No not a dragon, THE DRAGON.