Never Judge

Cedric, Ram, and Nicole had been waiting for thirty minutes when Ray burst into the room.

"Hey brother-in-law, I'm so sorry, Ayanna just went on and on about the wedding details." Ray complained as his team timidly walked in.

"You'll scare your team." Ram commented as an enthusiastic Ray directed where each person was to stand and to set up their presentation.

After preparing everyone, Ray gave the go signal for all of them to present to Cedric. As his team spoke Ray pulled a chair and sat behind Cedric. His team noticed that their boss would every so often say something to the Reyes Heir who would give a slight nod. 

Ray's team was full of young talents so many of them were either excited or nervous to meet the Reyes Heir. When they were done they waited for Ray to give them instructions.

"Did you know that most of my team members were quite excited to meet you in person?" Ray asked Cedric.

Cedric just threw him a funny look before Ray started laughing. 

"Of course you didn't. Well many of them are fans. So what do you guys think, is my future brother in law good looking or what?" Ray asked.

"This is exactly why people think you're gay." Ram teased as Nicole laughed at the joke. Even Cedric who struggled to keep a straight face let a grin slip through. 

"I'm sure you've all stolen photos of him. You may go." Ray said dismissing his employees as well.

When they were finally alone Cedric took off his mask and relaxed in his seat.

"Hey Ced, you'll never guess who Ayanna and I bumped into." Ray said proudly.

"One of your exes?" Cedric teased, Ray didn't have any exes. He never really made things official with the girls he dated or liked.

"No! I don't have those." Ray said with a laugh. "Remember those guys that used to bully you in University?" 

Cedric nodded.

"Well they saw me and Ayanna and they decided to start a conversation with us. Of course the first thing they do is to talk about their dad's businesses and how they would inherit soon." Ray recounted what had happened.

"I doubt their dads will let them inherit. They're a bunch of bums that know only how to rely on their dad's money." Cedric commented.

"Aren't they on your list?" Ram asked.

"Of course they are." Cedric said.

"Well I think I have the perfect intel." Ram said with a grin.

"How do you have intel that neither Alexi nor I have?" Ray asked.

"Because it's my business to know these things." Ram said with a laugh. He took out his phone and handed it to Cedric.

"I don't know these people." Cedric said in response.

"Let me see." Ray said as he extended his hand. Cedric handed him the phone and Ray looked at the list. "I'm clueless too." Ray said with a shrug.

"Hey Nicole, are these names familiar?" Cedric asked as he slid the phone over to Nicole.

"Of course they are. I know every single one of them, Ray you should too!" Nicole said as she flashed a knowing smile at Ray.

"Is Ayanna going to scold me about this?" Ray asked hesitantly. 

"Yes. Half of this list is on your wedding guest list!" Nicole scolded.

"What? Why?" Ray wore a confused look on his face.

"Ayanna and I went to university with them, the other names are their moms, and their moms were all famous celebrities that all suddenly stopped acting." Nicole pointed out. After a few seconds she suddenly gasped, she realized what Ram ment about having intel.

"Did he Abads cover all of these up?" Nicole asked as she passed the phone back to Ram.

"With the help of your mom." Ram shrugged.

"Okay guys, enough with the suspense." Ray complained.

"As Cedric said, those bullies only depend on their fathers, if the family businesses fall into their hands they will file for bankruptcy within a month." Ram explained. "These kids here are all the half sisters or brothers of Cedric's university bullies. Their dads all had mistresses that were actresses."

"They aren't set to inherit." Cedric smiled as he realized what Ram was building up to.

"Do they know?" Nicole asked.

"Nope. But their half siblings have been working in their father's companies for some time now. All it will take is a little pressure." Ram said as he smiled at Cedric.

"Camilla, get the list from Ram. And call their father's over." Cedric told Camilla, who immediately started working.

"Ced, I noticed something." Ray said hesitantly.

"What's up?" Cedric asked.

"I was observing the market behavior when I saw that the Reyes Group's stock prices have been on a decline recently. Shouldn't you be alarmed?" Ray asked.

"We're looking into it. I feel like there is more to the stock price drop but I can't figure it out." Cedric felt he didn't need to keep secrets from his friends, even important business ones such as these. They all trusted each other with their lives. "Anyway, Ian, Camilla, and Marco are all investigating it. We should have some findings soon." 

"Sir, we're ready to take you around." Ian respectfully said, Cedric nodded in reply and stood up.

"Why are you so formal, Ian? It's just us. You can be all sweet to Nicole if you wanted to." Ram teased.

"Grow up, Ram." Nicole said, rolling her eyes.

"I'm being professional." Ian explained to Ram.

Ian and several members of the expansion team drove Cedric, Ram, Ray, and Nicole in golf carts around the Tech Hub property. Cedric would occasionally go down and inspect some of the progress himself. If he had any comments he would tell Ian who diligently jotted things down. 

When they finally got to the location of Mor Co.'s office within the hub, Cedric stared at a rendition of the final output.

"Veronica really is talented." Ram said with a smile. He had always been a proud brother, even if they weren't biologically related. Ram saw the Abad family as his true family. Despite their flaws they loved him, cared for him, and treated him as their own. 

After the tour, Camilla was on the phone when she approached Cedric.

"Sir, everything is set. The fathers will meet you in a week." Camilla told her boss.

"Good. Prepare everything." Cedric ordered as he grinned. It seemed he would be getting his revenge much sooner than he expected.

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