9. Bank account's blocked

"I got a call from Amanda that you asked her to transfer to your bank account for gambling debt. How dare you spend money on the casino!" Jessie spoke loudly, and her cane was pointed at him that shocked Drake and Aaron. "You can't use Brannet's property for your prive!"

"That's not the company's own, but my royalty from the auction I won. Our client has transferred the money to the company's bank account, so Amanda just needs to forward it to mine," Aaron replied in an angry face.

Drake restrained tightly his lips to smile watching a mother and her son arguing that he had never seen before. Afterwards, Aaron took his phone to dial Amanda.

"Have you transferred my money?"

"I-I'm sorry, sir, I didn't get approval from Mrs. Jessie."

"Transfer it now or you get fired!"

Aaron rang off the call after snapping on the phone, staring at Jessie sharply before getting out of the room with his anger.

Jessie sighed deeply, then talked to Drake. "Don't let him get the money. He doesn't deserve it."

"Yes, ma'am." Drake nodded, letting her go out of his room. Thereafter, Drake turned back to his bed to phone Amanda.

"Can you do something to hold Aaron's account?"

"Absolutely, sir, we can do it in less than ten minutes."

"Ough, that's too long. I want it shorter. Can you, Amanda?"

"I'm sorry, sir, our security system is very secure, so it takes a little time to do it."

"Alright, just do it and call me back when you're done."

"Yes, sir."

Drake ended up the call, then sat down on the side of his bed waiting for Amanda's next call. Getting bored awaited, Drake hatched a plot to hit Abraham back. Later, his phone rang again.

"Mr. Drake, I've blocked his company bank account and still await the progress from the bank as the chairman told me it would take some time."

"Good, don't address anything of his request. Let me know if you're getting any threats because he said that he will sack you."

"Yes, sir. I will surely inform you. Thank you for your kindness. Oh, wait a minute, sir, the Chairman rings me."

Drake nodded and held the line. Later, Amanda talked on the phone.

"Sir, Mr. Aaron's account has been blocked. He can't withdraw his money without your approval as per Mrs. Jessie's statement."

"Is that true that he has a debt on the casino?"

"Yes, sir, that's true. The casino manager called me not long ago, said that Mr. Aaron ran into a big amount of debt two months ago. It includes a bill of high class prostitution he hasn't paid yet. And it goes to a big number from the total bill."

"Alright, thank you, Amanda."

"Anything else for me to help you, sir? Please, feel free to contact me anytime you need an assist. I'll be ready for you."

"Thank you for being kind, Amanda. See you later. Take care."

Drake grinned when the phone screen turned off.

***

Aaron groaned just as arrived at his mansion after slamming the brakes in front of his main terrace. His sports car was taken over by a guard to be parked.

He rushed to his room to take a shower. Following that, Aaron picked up his phone to call Celine. However, before he tapped the 'dial' button, an incoming call from Jacob appeared on the screen with his remarks, which shocked Aaron.

"Have you heard the news? It affects our business cos of the gossip!"

"Gossip? What kinda gossip are you talking about?"

"Drake and my fiance, Diana. The printed media get them being the headline news to gain much money, but her company loses the money cos of them!"

"How much money did they lose?"

"It will go to ten million dollars if we don't take any action to this rumor. In just three hours! The newspapers stated that Drake's accident was an act of revenge because their marriage exploded. It's not true. Diana isn't his ex-wife and conversely. They never get married as per Diana's admission, and the horse accident, either."

"I just heard from you. Let me check it out myself!"

Aaron hung up the phone before long, rushed out of the room to buy the newspaper and back home. He hurriedly went to his mother who was talking to her personal assistant.

"Have you heard what's going on with the Morgans and the Abrahams today, Mom?" Aaron showed the newspaper before her in anger. "Read it!"

Jessie took it. Her expression turned to tense while reading the big title 'Love and power among the three CEOs' written in a bold font.

"How come we know nothing about it?" Jessie murmured and startled.

"That's what I'm asking, Mom. Jacob told me on the phone, they suffer much loss in just a few hours. I'm worried it will affect our business, too!"

Aaron was worried, taking the glass to pour the wine as awaited his mother's response about the scandal before he made a crucial decision, but nothing he found from her.

For him, the gossip wouldn't gain him he wanted to, unless got Brannet into a fix by ruining its big name. Later, he sipped it harshly.

"Who will pay for this?" Aaron placed down the glass a bit hard. "It's about Brannet b'cos they talk about Drake the new CEO!"

Then, he moved his gaze to the personal assistant. "Why don't you know this shocking news?"

"I'm hectic with the deadline to present the day after tomorrow, sir. And nobody told me about it and this newspaper went to press in the afternoon. So…"

"No excuse!" Aaron snapped as got up to go out.

"Aaron! Aaron!" Jessie called him out, but her son waved off her summoning. She turned to his assistant. "I have no clue where this hot issue will go. It's beneficial, but on the other hand it is also detrimental."

Jessie paused but then chose to meet his son in his bedroom. On the end of the stairs, Aaron emerged from his room with his new look after getting the clothes changed.

"I can't talk, gotta go now!" Aaron spoke before his mother talked as rushed to go down the stairs.

"Really… really useless!" Jessie spoke loudly as beated the cane onto the floor just as her assistant came to her. "Find out where he goes!"

"Alright, ma'am." Amanda right away down the stairs to take a device, and tracked him through the high technology digital detector. It was connected to the hidden chip camera in his supercar.

"He goes to southern Pevionia, ma'am." Amanda said to Jessie who was standing on the stairs railing.

"Alright, let's go!" Jessie replied firmly.

***

"Please stop phoning me, Celine! Give me some time to talk to my mom. It's not the time to let her know!" Aaron spoke loudly to Celine on the side of the street in the town.

He purposely stopped his Maserati Quattroporte a bit away from the crowd to make easier to talk to her. He needed to spin out time to prevent her from telling Jessie the truth.

It wasn't about his mother but his reputation. Aaron wouldn't lie about an heir he needed, but the woman to give birth to the baby had to be as class as him. Thus, he had to convince her about his seriousness.

His remarks left Celine shocked as he previously turned down being responsible for her pregnancy, and he showed his good reaction just now?

"Why is it not the ti—"

"B'cos we just get trouble from the gossip about our new CEO!" Aaron said quickly and still loudly. "The printed media gain much money from gossiping about their marriage issue being the headlines! They make money but it's gonna inflict a financial loss to me!"

Celine stared at him in hesitation, then cleared her throat to show her defence.

"I saw it earlier, but it ain't on my business, right? All I know is to struggle with what my baby should attain."

Aaron drew his breath deeply, combed his hair by fingers, and his complicated gestures and expressions showed his perplexity.

"Bear in mind, Aaron, I just want you to meet what you've promised me! My tummy grows bigger and bigger day by day. Don—"

"Listen, I'm gonna transfer you big money for your needs during the pregnancy!" Aaron spoke as grabbed his phone. "And you have your lips sealed!"

Her eyes narrowed to hear his request that she had guessed. "Why should I?"

"Because it would be good for your health and the baby. You just need to take care of your pregnancy, and…"

"I need you to protect me and this baby, Aaron! Don't try—"

"GOSH!" Aaron's heart beat faster, his eyes wider since he was taken aback the moment he found zero balance on his account after logging in. "What the hell was happening?"

His eyes movement interested Celine to ask, "What's going on?"

"M-my balance… wh-why is my balance less?" Aaron's voice trembled, and his face was as white as a sheet.

He signed out of his company account to log in to his bank account, but it failed every time he gave it a try.

"What is this?" Aaron murmured, panicked, his hands and voice trembling while signing in several attempts. He finally got his bank account blocked after typing his password repeatedly.

"Argghhh, SHIT! WHO DID THIS TO ME?"

Celine instantly stepped backwards to move away from him who turned to see red for as long as she was with him, Celine used to see his rage and roughness. Yet, this time she needed to protect herself and her pregnancy that would be her happiness.

Aaron noticed his phone and shouted, "I lost my whole money!"

Celine gasped that caused her eyes to suddenly widen and her voice trailed off.

"How come? There would be something wrong that made it gone. You can try again to check it out. Maybe you typed the wrong pin or…"

Aaron shocked his head quickly in response to her comment. "How could I not log in to my account and get blocked if I entered the right numbers?"

Aaron replied loudly when his eyes fixed on her. Earlier he was about to transfer Celine hush money for her pregnancy from the benefit of the auction winner, also to pay off his casino debts, but he was behind time to save his money.

When he exhaled deeply, a thing reminded him of things he should do. Aaron called a number and told his matter.

"Much to my regret, Mr. Aaron, your account just can be accessed on Mr. Drake's authorization. As from today on he holds the purse-strings."

"What? How come he has the authority of my bank account?"

"Your mother, Mrs. Jessie, put it on his trust."

Aaron hung up the phone as soon as the bank Chairman's statement got his blood up. He hurriedly got into the car to drive home and left Celine alone.

"Aaron! Aaroon! Aaroonnn!" Celine shouted as ran after his supercar. "JERKKK!"

***

On the way home, Aaron made up his mind to go to Drake's apartment when he remembered fuming that his mother wouldn't change anything. 

In the Lockmont building, Aaron dashed to go inside to reach the floor Drake settled on. There, he was surprised to find Jessie was sitting with Drake and the others. 

"Incidentally, you're here, Mom, so it would save my time. I'm here to ask you and Drake about the authority he has to my bank account! And why was my Brannet's account zero?" Aaron gasped out at Jessie, standing prior to them. 

They caught his fury face crystal clear. 

"Why are you asking that question? You've got the answer!" Jessie answered quickly and firmly in sharp eyes. 

"How can I live my life if you hold my money? That's mine, not yours or his! Who is he to control my cash flow on my own?" 

"He's Brannet's CEO you need to bow to!" Jessie snapped him. "Do I need to remind you of your misdeeds to take Brannet to flat broke?" 

Jessie disliked his son's manner, who was unable to manage his temper, misbehaved wherever he was, wasted money and was an irresponsible man. 

"You gamble away all the money you get from my hard work!" Jessie went on in her anger still. "You just make money down the drain!" 

"Whatever you say, I want my money, Mom. You made my company account blank and blocked my bank account! I can't use my credit and debit card. What is this? You make me broke! I'm even strapped for cash!" Aaron replied loudly then moved his gaze at Drake. "Draw it now for me, Drake! I NEED MY MONEY NOW!" 

"I'm sorry, Mr. Aaron, based on the report I received, you often have fun and charge the bills to Brannet's own. In fact, you possess your own money. So I decided to withdraw your money from the company account to reimburse the billings." 

"Ough SHIT!" Aaron cursed, instantly dashed to Drake, who sat down across the table where he stood nearby. 

Jessie and the other shocked and suddenly stood up. 

Before Aaron reached him, Drake stood up right away to move forward to deter him from roughness that would harm people. 

"Be kind, Mr. Aaron! You're now in my home!" Drake shouted as restrained his shoulder with both hands, pushing him backwards and got a defense from Aaron to fight.

He wanted to beat Drake, thus he grasped Drake's arms to get them away but Aaron and Drake strongly gripped each other. Nobody wanted to back down between them, showing their strength to each other like saying 'you are a loser!' 

"And your bank account resorts to being held b'cos it's detected having any suspicious funds," Drake eventually carried on his remarks. 

"What do you mean by suspicious funds?" Aaron frowned, spoke in a shocked voice and his clutch slowly took off. 

"It's now on the investigation team. They will inform us further of the progress." Drake totally took off his grip on Aaron. "Let them work and we'll see." 

Aaron was perplexed by the allegation charged to him. When it came to remembering the incidents, he accidentally saw the newspapers he brought. 

"And about the headline news today in the newspapers. What's that?" Aaron asked in a lower tone. 

Drake stopped while going to turn and knitted his brows. "Newspaper? About what?" 

Aaron took the newspaper from the floor and tossed it to him. Drake took it to have a quick look. 

"What's the problem? It's theirs, and it impacts their business, not Brannet." 

His remarks added fuel to the flames. Aaron abruptly grabbed the collar of the t-shirt he wore. 

"The Grench suffered a big loss in just three hours!" Aaron growled in the widened eyes. "Brannet will collapse because of you!" 

However, Drake got his hands away from his collar that clenched his neck. He was expressionless and fixed his eyes on him. 

"I'm not, but you. Because of your bad habits, but I promise you it will never happen. Let me puzzle out the case." Drake convinced him through his face, which turned to a serious expression. 

"You… you did this, right? You pay off the old score!" Aaron snapped as pointed his finger at Drake. 

"Why are you yelling, Aaron?" Jessie asked firmly as walked closer to the two men. "If it's about gossip, listen, it wouldn't be as bad as you think. Drake and I will handle it. Don't worry, it would soon be over. Leave now!" 

"MOM?" Aaron was taken aback that Jessie preferred someone else to him who was her biological son to solve the company's matter. 

"Out now!" Jessie repeated her command firmly. "Do you hear me? NOW!" 

Drake stepped back, stood holding the sofa, staring out the window at the evening. A little smile came on his lips without looking at Aaron, who furiously left his room and slammed the door. 

"Can you leave us, Laura, Amanda?" Jessie asked her elegantly. 

"Sure, ma'am. I'm going." Laura bowed a bit then moved heading to exit with Amanda. 

After making sure they had closed the door and stayed away from it, Jessie turned her gaze to Drake. 

"I know it's your deed."

Drake was stunned, his eyes moved irregularly as intrigued as how Jessie could know about his trap. Slowly, Drake turned to her to stare at her eyes, which shot his heart sharply. 

"You have done the right thing, but don't cross the line that would take my business into a big trouble," Jessie went on, pressing him to keep under her control. "I heard it before he came. That's why I'm here to meet you, to warn you." 

Drake remained standing, even after Jessie stepped out. He gasped as his phone rang. 

"The Osch gets many paparazzis in front of their mansion to confirm the hit news, sir. Diana is in the top rank on the internet search engine. Mission completed." 

Drake hung up the phone, then made a call to his secretary who welcomed the call in no time. 

"How much money did they lose?" 

"Cathy has undone her mathematics yet to this minute as the cash continuously goes down, sir. But from the data we obtained, the Johnsons lost two billion dollars because their potential investors chose to end the partnership. I think we can get them as our new partner, sir."

"Can you help me to check Diana's bank balance?" 

"Sure, Mr. Drake. Let me check it out myself for you."