CHAPTER 52: BANK

Seeing the awkward situation Adam hesitated for a moment. Then he remembered that he had to hide from Sophia at any cost what he was doing with Smith. He could not tell her about his grand plan.

He could not tell her that he was about to make this young boy the CEO of a multi-billion dollar enterprise. Who knows what Sophia would think about him then. So Adam immediately put his hands forward in a placating gesture.

"Sophia Smith is a very smart kid," he said his voice a little too cheerful. "Seeing his dedication to his studies I wanted to help him. That’s why I’m giving him some extra tuition for now."

Sophia’s worried expression immediately vanished. She was very happy to hear this. A bright smile lit up her face. She looked at Adam with a new admiration in her eyes. "So all those rumors about you in school are false," she said her voice filled with relief. "I knew it. I knew you were a good person."

Adam was a little surprised to hear this. He was also very confused. "Rumors?" he asked. "What kind of rumors?"

But Sophia just shook her head. "You don’t need to worry about this," she said. Saying this she smiled a shy smile.

As she was leaving she said "I’ll see you in a little while." Saying this embarrassment was visible on Sophia’s face. She did not want to talk about the nasty things people were saying about him. She quickly went back to her room.

Adam was a little surprised. He thought Sophia is behaving very strangely today. But he ignored this and went back inside his apartment. Smith was still sitting on the floor surrounded by papers. He had a small smile on his face.

"Director I didn’t know that teacher Sophia lives in the apartment next to yours," he said.

Adam was a little embarrassed by the comment. "You focus on your work," he said a little too sharply. Just then he remembered that Sophia had mentioned some rumors. He was curious. He looked at Smith. He hesitated for a moment.

He went into the kitchen and started preparing some food. "Do you know what Sophia was talking about?" he asked his back to Smith. "What rumors?"

Smith immediately looked up from his papers. "You are asking about your rumors sir?" he said. "Yes there are many rumors about you in the school. But there is one biggest rumor that is circulating in the whole school right now."

Adam was very surprised. He was curious to know what kind of things were being spread about him in the school.

He turned around and looked at Smith carefully. "What kind of rumor?" he asked. He was a little excited to hear what wild stories the students had made up about him.

Smith said "The biggest rumor is that you don’t pay any attention to the children at all. And that you are a number one scoundrel. A very selfish person. People say you don’t care what condition others are in. You just have to see your own benefit. And also that you are very boastful. You think you are better than everyone else."

After hearing Smith’s words Adam immediately looked down. His earlier excitement vanished. He said in a low voice "Oh is that so?" He turned back to the stove and started cooking again. He did not say anything else.

Smith did not see that Adam’s mood had suddenly become very down after hearing all these things. He had just been reporting the facts. He had no idea how much those words would affect his new director.

Just then he realized why Sophia had not told him about these things.

Adam let out a deep sigh. He turned away from the stove. "It’s okay," he said his voice now steady and calm.

"I know what I’m doing. One day everyone will know the truth. But that day will come only when I am so confident in my influence and my strength that I am not afraid to go out in the open." He was speaking to Smith but he was also speaking to himself.

After they finished their meal Adam left his house with Smith.

Today was a big day. He had to inaugurate his bank. However Adam was very clever. He would not come in front of everyone as the owner of the bank.

He would remain in the shadows.

In fact Adam had already told Andrew to choose a person for this very job. A public face. A puppet. And Andrew had already finished that work.

He had found the perfect candidate and created a fake owner. A man who would be the owner of this bank in the eyes of the public.

Adam and Smith were going towards the bank building in the city center.

Just then Smith said "Director you have so much money. So you can at least get a vehicle for your travel." After hearing this the thought arose in Adam’s mind that Smith was right.

I should get something. It would be more convenient than taking the train everywhere. But then he remembered the apartment building where he lived. There was no parking space. He would have to think something about this later. For now he ignored this and they continued on their way towards the bank.

Just then Adam saw that many people were present outside the bank. There was a small crowd gathered for the opening ceremony. Adam was not wearing any special clothes. He was wearing his usual casual clothes. He looked like any other person in the crowd.

He went there and saw that Andrew was talking to a man at a short distance from the main entrance. The man was tall and handsome. He was wearing an expensive suit. He looked like a successful businessman. Adam and Smith went over to Andrew.

Andrew’s eyes fell on Adam. "Adam you have come at the perfect time," he said with a bright smile.