Chapter 4 Getting in trouble

On the outskirts of Fort Lauderdale, a stark white home stood out, its beauty illuminating the otherwise desolate and lonely neighborhood. The yard stretched out so much that it could have held a whole squatter colony. Long, plain white walls, massive black gates, and a small white security house encircled the yard.

Various flowers covered the front yard, with a large, exquisite fountain in the middle. A large balcony divided the two wings, spanning the center. The room featured brown wooden chairs and tables, adorned with lovely artificial flowers and plants to give it a natural appearance. The enormous glass sliding doors behind the white couches and coffee table further piqued one's curiosity about the stunning surroundings beyond.

The expensive cars strewn throughout the yard and the guards stationed at every turn demonstrated the exhibit's owner's apparent wealth.

The backyard, with its small balcony, one long royal blue couch, and a modest table, resembled the front wing.

A massive garden took up the entire backyard. The yard was filled with long oak and pine trees arranged in a tidy row that resembled an aisle across the lawn. Short trees, flowers, and roses of all colors ornamented the field. The fragrances of the blossoms filled the backyard.

The workers' quarters were the smaller, equally gorgeous house after the long lawn and trees.

Upon entering, one expected the mansion to be large, considering the number of rooms and their respective areas. The moderate color scheme of the walls and furniture complemented the lingering brown carpet on the floor, highlighting the home's exquisite marble and overall elegance.

Everything cried out for power and money.

One man was the owner of all these beauties.

Noah Jones.

Like a mantra repeated every three seconds, the name rose throughout Fort Lauderdale and Miami.

As the CEO of Jones's Enterprises, he was a globally recognized billionaire, having built a multibillion-dollar firm out of Fort Lauderdale. He completely took over Fort Lauderdale. The corporate world and the streets dreaded his name, and no one dared to cross him. He resembled a god whom all sought to honor.

He owned a multibillionaire corporation, a massive estate, private jets, ships, and a wardrobe that changed females to match his outfits. He had all that money could buy. However, his wealth proved futile when he returned home to discover his house empty.

The late autumn night was filled with heavy footsteps and a chilly stillness within the deserted home.

His rage, while not unusual, captured the attention of both him and his employees.

Noah Jones's ego held greater significance than his financial accounts; he embodied more than just wealth. His unreserved and merciless demeanor further enhanced his already formidable presence. He was the most powerful individual. Although he was not a gregarious person, he did not mind occasionally greeting his staff with a few "hellos" and "how are you?" followed by his renowned curt nods. But right now, he just wanted to wring their pathetic necks.

"Hanna!" His expression was confused, and he barked as he pushed into the sitting room. His hair was drenched and sticky, his white shirt tucked out and hanging loose on his bold frame, and the black tie hanging loose around his neck. He gripped the collar of his damp suit jacket tightly. He didn't appear like the calm guy he usually was.

As the help went into the empty sitting room, her footsteps resonating through the thick silence, the only thing that remained undamaged, if any, was his stern glare. The woman appeared in her late fifties, with a slight build and tanned skin tone. She stood before the piercing brown eyes, her head slightly bent, like a robber caught with her hand in the cookie jar.

His booming voice echoed in the backyard, and she knew she was in significant danger because her employer did not usually call one of them this late at night. After five minutes, she slowly raised her head, and he had still not said anything. "Sir, I didn't mean to..." The sharp glance he shot her made her stumble over her words, and she looked hastily down at the carpet.

"Why did you do it?" With a heavy heart, he paused between his words.

It wasn't every day that he got a call from security alerting him to the fact that his most reliable employee had attempted to rob him and then run away. The woman, who had worked for him and his family for over twenty years, had practically watched him grow up.

He had even elevated her to head of house staff, granting her complete control over who she hired and fired. He had never mentioned it out loud, but she was the highest-paid maid, so he did not understand why, after twenty years of unwavering service, she would try to steal from him now.

The woman looked up with silent tears and a pink nose. "Mr. Jones, my granddaughters; Mila and Riley." Theo, Noah Jones's most dependable bodyguard and friend, interrupted her attempt to speak. His expression conveyed a foreboding sense of impending trouble.

"Mr. Jones, there's a phone call for you." He slightly nodded at the older woman in the room before turning to see his employer.

"I'm busy," Noah said frankly, without glancing at him, his gaze fixed on the woman before him.

"This is Ryan Hall. It has to do with your brother, he says. With a hesitant demeanor, Theo attempted to avoid provoking his employer any further. "He's been arrested." Noah's gaze darted to the large bodyguard a few feet away at that brief remark. "Again." The man continued, ignoring the fierce scowl his employer gave him before turning back to face the woman.

"The rehab in Tampa expects Riley to be there in a week." She gazed up at him, her eyes wide with gratitude and surprise as he spoke. "Every expense has been covered. She will be gone for nine months, and in the next three months, if she makes a full recovery, she will be released." As he firmly grasped the woman's shoulder, he spoke. One of the drivers will take you. Regarding Mila, I'll replace her phone and cover the cost of her examination." He said, looking blankly.

"I don't know what to say; thank you, son!" She broke down in tears before Hanna could think twice and encircled him with her arms. The sudden warmth of his gesture made Noah stiffen, and Hanna withdrew suddenly as if she could not get far enough away from him. "I'm sorry, sir." Observing a shift in his mood, she decided to speak. "Can I help you with that?" She inquired about the soaked jacket he was holding.

"No." With a neutral tone, he answered. "I'll take you home, Theo. Give your granddaughter all the time you require." He glanced sideways at his irate chauffeur before speaking.

"Thank you, sir. May God richly bless you. The woman spoke without masking her happiness.

With a quick nod, Noah moved away from them.

"But, Noah, what about your brother?" As Theo watched him approach the giant staircase, he screamed after him.

"He is a big boy; he can care for himself!" As he bounded up the stairs, Noah yelled back, tired of hearing about his brother, who, for some reason, could not stop getting into trouble every single second of his life.