Never Judge

Cedric grinned as he leaned back against his seat. He was already expecting this, and it was a good thing that Katerina had already arrived. This meant that he could at least start working on his plan while waiting for Seth to arrive.

"Do you want us to say something in reply?" Ian asked Cedric. 

When they finished discussing the matter the night before Cedric hadn't decided yet if he wanted to make this a private or a public affair.

"People like them should be revealed to the public." Cedric told the people in the room with him. "Tell them to come and try." He said with a grin as he took his phone and quickly called Ram up.

After a few rings his friend picked up.

"Got anything fun for me to do?" Ram teased, making Cedric smile. 

"Actually, I do." Cedric told him. "Someone has decided to accuse me of bribing a government official." 

Cedric could hear as Ram laughed over the phone. 

"Really, you need to bribe a government official?" Ram asked over the phone. "Did these people even do any research into your background?" Ram said as he continued to laugh.

Clearly the young entertainment executive found this whole scenario quite amusing.

"Well they clearly did, they assumed that Alexi and uncle Jose were taking payouts from under the table. They thought I would be okay with it." Cedric said as he rolled his eyes. Ram was way too entertained with the matter.

"Do you really think that the public will care?" Ram asked Cedric. "They already assume that you get political favors, they wouldn't believe that you need to bribe someone. What were you supposedly bribing them for anyway?" 

"A piece of property." Cedric grumbled, making Ram laugh even more.

"Really? You are the richest man in the country. You can literally buy anything, why would you need to go through people like them to purchase a piece of land." Ram asked, he was still quite baffled about the situation.

"It's owned by a mining company that will not sell." Cedric explained.

"You spoke to the mining company?" Ram asked, surprised that someone would not accept an offer from Cedric.

Ram knew for a fact that his friend was quite the negotiator and it would be difficult to refuse his offer. Those that did were either very stupid or what Cedric was buying meant more to them than money.

"No, look, it's a long story. But basically I went to that place and visiting such a remote area seemed suspicious, so I said I wanted to buy it." Cedric told his friend, trying to keep the story as short as possible. 

"How were you so sure that the mining company wouldn't sell?" Ram asked Cedric in a very confused tone.

"Will you let me finish my story?" Cedric asked Ram. His friend was way too impatient. 

"Fine, fine, go on." Ram grumbled.

"The mining corporation has been a tool that corrupt politicians have been using for generations to get businessmen to bribe them." Cedric explained. "Then after they get the money, they use whatever evidence they have to blackmail the businessman." 

"How has this remained a secret for so long?" Ram asked. "I mean if they threatened enough businessmen someone was bound to say something." 

"That's the thing, they know the system quite well." Ceric said as he frowned. "They keep changing the company name, and from what I can see they also don't abuse the blackmail material that they have. They like to pace things."

"They are quite smart." Ram said as he silently analyzed the situation.

"Smart and experienced, if I'm not mistaken they are what survived of the Rajas." Cedric explained to Ram. 

At an early age, they were all told stories of their family's past. The elders wanted the next generation to learn from their victories and mistakes. 

There was a reason why these families remained on top despite the changing times. They learned and adapted or learned, despite families like the Abads and the Chans remaining quite traditional, they still recognized the need for change. Something that they could never escape.

"I wouldn't be surprised if they were active until now." Ram said over the phone. "If they are then this is something that our families need to be informed about." 

"I'll tell them, after I deal with the Baron Family." Cedric said in a cold and harsh tone. "Right now I want to deal with this family first."

"So what did you need on my end?" Ram asked.

"Let the media talk about me bribing an official. I have a recording that will completely refute what they said." Cedric told Ram. "I never promised to pay them, they only offered to be bribed."

"And what if they turn the story on you, asking why you didn't report it?" Ram asked Cedric as he began thinking of what angles the media and the public could take.

"Tell him dad and Alexi are aware." Katerina told Cedric.

Cedric repeated her words to Ram.

"So you will pretend to be bait?" Ram asked.

"Yep." Cedric responded.

"It could work." Ram said as he began thinking of the implications.

"I've considered every possible result of this Ram, don't worry." Cedric said as he tried to calm his friend's worries.

"I feel like you are plotting more than just what you've told me." Ram said on the phone. 

"I plan to make them and a few other people an example of what happens to people that cross me." Cedric said with a grin.

"I'll come over tomorrow then." Ram said with a laugh. "I don't want to miss this." 

"Remember the politician that helped Aiden hide from me?" Cedric asked.

"Yeah, didn't Ian have him killed yet?" Ram asked.

"See Ian, everyone thought you had him killed." Cedric said as he looked at his assistant.

"I didn't." Ian said in a loud voice making sure Ram heard him.

"Well, he will stand as an example to the Barons. Then they will suffer the same fate." Cedric announced.