"If we give you 10 Million Pounds, what's the guarantee that you will give us the recording back and will not blackmail us again?" Andrew seriously questioned him

Bill chuckled and said, "Well, there is no guarantee. This is the risk you have to take"

​​

Andrew was so irritated with the arrogant man in front of him that he had the urge to kill him with his bare hands, he wanted to suffocate Bill and give him the most painful death ever but he couldn't as this annoying man came prepared, there was no other option right now than to give him the money they had.

"We will give you 2 Million Pounds, you will have to give back this recording to us. We can't give you 10 Million Pounds." Andrew finally gave in as he had no other option but he still decided to negotiate.

"8 Million Pounds and the recording is yours."

"3 Million Pounds."

"Fine, for 3 Million Pounds you won't get the recording back, is that fine?" Bill asked with a huge smirk on his face.

"5 Million Pounds plus the recording." Andrew offered the final amount, he was very annoyed but he couldn't act rashly, he had no choice but to deal with this man although there was no guarantee that Bill would not blackmail them again, Andrew still had to go through this deal and plan how to deal with Bill later as right now their lives are more important.

"Okay Deal"

Then Andrew gave 5 Million Pounds to Bill and he gave the recorder to them.

"What about the copy of the recording your friend has?" Andrew was talking about the recording that Bill kept as a backup with his friend in case he is killed by these two criminals.

"You two will be staying here for another day right?" Bill asked them.

"We are vacating tomorrow morning."

"Okay, it will take around an hour for my friend to come here, wait for an hour and I'll give you back that recording too."

With no other choice Andrew had to agree and Bill left saying he is hungry.

After an hour Bill asked Andrew to come downstairs by calling his room using the phone in the reception, Andrew came downstairs and Bill gave him the backup recording he had, "Don't you dare pull any stunts here, we are in public." Bill warned him in advance.

"I don't intend to harm you, just keep the 5 Million Pounds and don't bother us again." saying this Andrew turned around to leave, he remembered something and he again turned back facing Bill.

"Where is your friend?" he asked.

"He left after giving me the recording." Bill lied.

"What if he still blackmails me?"

"He has no idea about anything, there is a password to access this record and I can assure you he has no clue about it and he didn't even hear it."

"Okay and what's the guarantee you didn't make more copies of it and you wouldn't blackmail us again?"

"As I told you earlier, there is no guarantee, it is a risk you are taking."

Andrew tightly clenched his fists in anger

"And what's the password?" Andrew furiously asked as Bill just mentioned there is a password to open it.

"Oh right, how stupid of me, the password is 'MURDERERS', all capital" Bill smirked at him.

Bill's words annoyed Andrew to the point that he wanted to punch him in the face but he was helpless so he left without harming Bill but he thought, 'I'll definitely make you pay for what you did Bill, the bellboy.'

Bill smiled and was proud of himself, he sat in his car and left, he already kept the bag full of money in the car earlier and he lied about this friend, he did not have any friends, it was a gamble he took to protect himself and he kept a backup of the recording with him and pretended it was with a friend. To not let them doubt him, he lied his friend would come here in an hour but in reality he just killed some time and gave the backup recording he carried to Andrew.

Everything went according to his plan, he went back to Rye with a huge smile on his face, his plan was a success.

…

London

The next two days went in peace, James became more normal in his friends' company, it was a Friday morning and seeing that everyone was in a good mood, Anthony decided to share the good news he had been wanting to with his friends.

"Guys, I have an amazing news which I have been waiting to share with you two." Anthony announced to his friends.

"What is it?" Michael asked with a gentle smile on his face.

"Jim cracked a deal this week all by himself."

"What? Really? Jim as in that useless grandson of yours?" James asked in surprise.

"Yes that useless grandson of mine, he not just impressed the investors but he got the contract signed, they were supposed to award the contract after 2 weeks but they were so impressed with him, they gave him the contract on spot."

"That is crazy.'' Michael exclaimed in happiness and he added "congratulations, at last our Jim became a responsible and a capable person. Good to hear this news."

James also congratulated Anthony "you used to criticize him every time, see now he is handling projects. Now you can hand over everything to Harry and Jim and officially take retirement."

"There is a lot of time to hand over everything to Jim but at least he attempted, I am really proud of him" Anthony's voice was filled with joy and pride.

He continued, "That's why I am planning to throw a surprise party for Jim at our place tonight. I want to invite you two and you James, please bring Rachel along with you. It is a small get together to share my happiness, I want all of you to be there."

Michael agreed with him, "Good you have planned a surprise party for Jim, we always bully that loser, he will be surprised to see us throwing a party for him."

James asked, "Since the party is tonight, Do you need any help?"

"No, Catherine and I will look after the arrangements, just don't be late tonight, try to come early if possible, " Anthony requested him.

James then suggested, "Anthony, although you throwing a party for him is the best gift for Jim but as you have never appreciated him and always bullied him I would suggest you buy a gift too for Jim, he would be very happy to get something from you."

Anthony thought for a while, "It is actually a good idea James, can you guys help me buy a present? We can go shopping and then have lunch together" he suggested.

Other two agreed.

They then went to Hays Galleria and discussed what gift to take. At last after long discussion and roaming around every store they settled on a watch.

These three then went to have lunch where Anthony updated them about the new developing relationship between Catherine and Rachel and how happy he is that they are bonding so well.

James too was glad that Rachel was familiarizing herself with the Morris', he knew if Will and Liz were alive they would have really wanted Rachel to end up with Daniel but when Rachel said no and ran away from home he thought this dream of his will always stay as a dream and will never turn into reality but now it again seems his wishes will be fulfilled.

Rachel has bonded well with Jimmy and Catherine, she likes Daniel, she is only left to meet Harry and James was sure she will bond well with him too.

"I am just waiting for the day when Daniel and Rachel would officially start dating" Michael expressed his thoughts.

"It seems you are more excited about our grandchildren than we are." Anthony teased him.

"Yes, as I see them as my grandchildren too." Michael countered and added, "Have you forgotten how Rachel bought t-shirts for me too when she went shopping. She loves me a lot." Michael proudly told them.

"Is the t-shirt you are wearing now bought by her?" Anthony asked.

"Yes, she and Catherine selected clothes for me, they consider me family so that is enough for this old man."

"You should have gotten married Mike, don't you feel lonely?" James was concerned about his friend.

"Look at you two, you guys were married but right now you two are widowers, so what's the difference between us? You two have family but yet you two are so lonely that we all hang out together to fight our loneliness. So, how does marriage make any difference?" Michael made a strong point.

Anthony and James were speechless for a moment and were not sure how to revert back. They helplessly shook their heads, "No wonder you were one of the top lawyers in our country" James muttered but was clear enough for the other two to hear.

.....

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