Page 43 of Taste Me Daddy

And Korben’s wish was very much granted as he pulled the door open and saw Michael staring back at his, a look of love in his eyes.

‘Korben, I’m sorry for not telling you about Phillip sooner,’ Michael said. ‘And I’ll explain more about that later. But right now, we have something to do. And it needs doing right this second. I’ve got a plan that’s going to get Phillip Neal out of our lives for good. And I’m going to need you to play your part to.

‘Squee!’ Korben trilled, his mind racing and his heart thumping. ‘Let’s go! Let’s go! Let’s go!’

With that, Korben shut the workshop door behind his and ran with Michael toward his sportscar. Whatever Michael had in mind, Korben was sure that he would explain on the way.

But whatever the outcome of Michael’s plan was, Korben knew that he had something very important that he needed to say to Michael later that day…

Chapter 18

Michael

The traffic was surprisingly light across town, and this allowed Michael to put his foot down and power the car toward the hotel where he had set up an emergency meeting with his Japanese contacts… who appeared to be fully aware of Phillip Neal.

‘What’s the plan, Daddy?’ Korben said, gripping the sides of the car seat as Michael swung around a corner.

‘I’m going to tell my contacts everything I know about Phillip,’ Michael said. ‘But… there’s a twist.’

‘A twist?’ Korben asked, squealing with delight as Michael dropped the car down a gear and revved the engine as he accelerated toward the hotel.

‘I’ve also invited Phillip…’ Michael replied, arching his eyebrow. ‘If I know Phillip, he’ll hear me talking about him and he’ll lose his cool. He’s always been a hot head, and there are things I can say that will bring out his worst side.’

‘But what if it doesn’t work?’ Korben said, clutching onto Jazz.

‘It will work,’ Michael replied. ‘I’ve been in this business for over twenty years. I’ve seen assholes come and go. Phillip is just another one of them. I lost my cool with him because he was threatening you and your business. I won’t make that mistake again. I’m taking back control and I’m taking the heat off us and shining it very much in Phillip Neal’s direction. Now hold on tight, this last corner might be a little bit tricky…’

With that, Michael braked and then powered out of the corner and parked up directly in front of the hotel. The looks on the faces of the doormen was priceless, and as Michael jumped out of the car and opened the door for Korben, he knew that he had to make this meeting a success.

I know Phillip will fall into the trap.

He’s too full of himself now… his ego’s gone wild.

But the plan only works if he shows up…

‘Come on, let’s go,’ Michael said, taking Korben by the hand as they entered the hotel’s magnificently ornate lobby. ‘I messaged Phillip earlier to confirm the time and location. While we wait for his arrival, I want you to go and tell the investors all about Korben’s Kandies. I’ve prepped them on the financial side, but they need to hear from the magnificently talented young man who built the business himself.’

‘But Daddy, I don’t know… I’ve had no prep time… I…,’ Korben said, suddenly a look of panic coming over his face.

‘You’ve got this,’ Michael said, taking Korben by the waist and pulling his in for a kiss. ‘I can do the numbers, the spreadsheets, the market analysis. But you’re the creative spark. You’re the talent. Korben Arnold is the superstar candy creator that the money men truly need to listen to.’

Michael could see that his words were having the desired effect.

Suddenly, Korben was brimming with confidence – and this filled Michael with pride. Korben was a wonderful boy who was smart, sassy, and sexy. But on top of all that, he was a creative and passionate young man who deserved to get to the very top based on his talent and work ethic.

‘I’m gonna do it,’ Korben said, his eyes full of passion and his smile sparkling as much as it ever had done. ‘I’m going to show them that Korben’s Kandies is the best candy producer in the whole world!’

Michael smiled as he walked alongside Korben toward the meeting room.

Once inside, Michael would let Korben do all the talking – and it would be his job to keep a watching brief to ensure that when Phillip arrived, the perfect trap could be laid…

Michael listened patiently as Korben gave a superb presentation to the Japanese investors, and then followed up by providing the investors with evidence of Phillip’s underhand behavior and unethical business approach – not just involving Korben’s Kandies, but also detailing his past indiscretions.

And right on cue, Michael saw Phillip Neal approach and burst into the room…

‘Wait, what the hell is this?’ Phillip said, flustered by the sight of the investors he had been misleading for months.

‘What you’re witnessing is Korben Arnold selling his vision of Korben’s Kandies to your former investment partners,’ Michael said, a controlled tone to his voice. ‘You spied on him. You attempted to threaten him via me. You acted in a thoroughly underhand and manipulative manner. But you forgot that I’ve been around a lot longer than you in this world, Phillip. And now I think it’s time for you to say goodbye to not only your idea of running Korben’s Kandies into the ground, but also your aspirations of using Japanese money to invest with.’

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