Never Judge

When Cedric, Ray, and Adrianna arrived back at Mountain View after a long day, Yoyo quickly ran up to them, jumping into his uncle Ray's arms.

"Why does my son prefer you today?" Cedric grumbled.

"Dad! Dad!" Yoyo called out excitedly, making Cedric forget about his son choosing his brother-in-law.

"Yes Yoyo?" Cedric asked his son as Ray passed the boy over to his father. 

"Uncle Jonathan helped me with my homework, it's too bad Dominic couldn't be here, he would have had fun too." Yoyo said with a frown.

Cedric and the others had decided that it was best if Dominic stayed away from wherever Jonathan was for the meantime in order to avoid suspicions from Lucius Ting.

He wanted to be on the safe side, if Lucius spotted the two together, Cedric knew that Lucius would be suspicious.

"That's great!" Cedric said with a smile.

"Come on Yoyo, time for your bath." Adrianna said as Ray placed the boy back down.

"Okay, see you later dad, uncle Ray, uncle Jonathan." Yoyo said as he waved goodbye to the three men as he let his mother take him back up to their floor.

"A word." Ray said as he beckoned for Jonathan to follow him.

Jonathan gave him a nervous nod as he followed the business man up the stairs.

"Are you coming?" Ray said with a sigh. He knew that he may need his brother-in-law for this, but he didn't consider that Cedric might choose to stay behind and not interfere. 

"Am I wanted or do you want to talk to Jonathan alone?" Cedric asked.

"I could use your help to explain things, so stop being dramatic and come along." Ray grumbled as he marched up the stairs and towards the office Cedric had his people set up for him.

"I swear it's as if this isn't my house." Cedric teased as he followed Ray.

"We both know that I am not here by choice, you made me and my wife stay here." Ray said, clearly annoyed with Cedric.

"You married into my family, you're stuck with me bro." Cedric said with a laugh as he ran into Ray's office like a little child.

"I swear sometimes I have no idea why he is my best friend." Ray commented to no one in particular. 

He glanced back at Jonathan who was awkwardly watching the interaction between the two men, unsure of what he should say or do.

It wasn't everyday that you saw the two most powerful businessmen in the country act like ordinary people, teasing each other and running around hallways.

"Don't worry, you aren't in any trouble." Ray said with a grin. "So hurry up."

With Ray's words, Jonathan quickly followed into the office and closed the door behind him.

This one was much smaller than Cedric's, it had the same layout with a desk at the far end and some couches to entertain guests and business partners if needed. 

On one side was a much larger collection of alcoholic beverages than what Cedric had in his office. Jonathan did not peg Ray to be a big fan of those drinks since he saw Cedric drinking a glass of wine or whisky more often than his brother-in-law.

"Sit." Ray said as he gestured for Jonathan to take a seat across him on the couch while Cedric happily helped himself to Ray's alcohol cabinet.

"Want anything?" Cedric asked as he gestured towards the collection. 

"No thank you." Jonathan said as he respectfully declined Cedric's offer. He was well aware of his place among these giants of men, and he had no intention of making a fool of himself by drinking too much.

"He has more control than you." Ray commented, to which Cedric simply responded with a laugh.

To Jonathan's surprise, Cedric still sat at the head of the table, symbolizing that despite this being Ray's business, Cedric was still in charge.

"Well, I hope he is smarter too and doesn't get caught up with your mess." Cedric said as he rolled his eyes and took a sip of his drink.

"If he is wiser he will take my offer." Ray replied.

"Well then, make it." Cedric encouraged.

Ray cleared his throat as he gave Jonathan a serious look, worrying him. He couldn't help but wonder what the two men were talking about, but he was too scared to ask.

Even if they had shown him their more humane side, they were still as intimidating as ever.

It was easier for Jonathan to deal with Adrianna, he had known her his whole life. He had met Cedric multiple times, but didn't really get the chance to know him. 

He was somewhat glad that he had never let his sister's opinions of Cedric affect him, since Cedric turned out to be the heir to the largest company in the country.

"Jonathan, do you know what line of work the Laurence family engages in?" Ray casually asked.

Jonathan was surprised by the question, everyone knew what companies the Laurences owned, but he decided to indulge Ray.

"Air Travel, Shipping, Commercial Real Estate, and the Food Industry." Jonathan answered as he thought of the business he knew the Laurence family owned.

"Ah, yes, what the public knows." Ray said with a nod as he leaned back and closed his eyes.

"The public?" Jonathan asked. "Are involved in some illegal businesses like the drug trade or like prostitution?" He said with an awkward laugh as he quickly regretted his question.

Jonathan suddenly went tense when he realized what he had said, he just accused Raymund Laurence of having dirty money.

"He is smarter than you." Ray said with a laugh as he looked at Cedric.

"I didn't mean to offend you, it just came out." Jonathan said in a panic as he tried to salvage the conversation and whatever image he still had with the two men.

"Relax, no one was offended." Cedric said as he shook his head.

"It's just like how your family secretly owns several casinos that are under the protection of the mafia." Ray said casually, making Jonathan turn pale.

"How- how- how did you know that?" Jonathan asked as he looked back and forth between the two men. 

He knew they were friends with the President's son, was his family going to jail because of it?

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