Seeing flashes of what the Jacksons did to his family in his mind made his blood boil. But he decided to leave that aside and face the issues at hand. His beloved mother was dying slowly.
"Mother, I will make sure that I bring the company back to its former glory. I swear, with my life. You gave me a reason to live again, and I won't let you down, mother," Liam muttered, stroking her hair.
"I know the company's in safe hands. Do all you can so that you'll be selected as the new president," Amanda smiled.
Liam could no longer control his sorrows; he wept bitterly. His mother could say nothing other than caress his back while he laid on her bosom, shedding tears of pain and anguish.
"Mother, I'll miss you so much," Liam wailed uncontrollably.
"It is alright, my dear. I am still here, so let's enjoy each other's presence while it lasts. I'll always be here with you. You don't have to worry yourself," Amanda beamed.
Liam could only nod his head and hug his mother with pain in his heart, falling asleep in her arms.
---
Knock, knock, knock. The door sounded. Who could that be? Liam thought, waking up from his sleep.
"Good morning, mother," Liam said, reaching out for his mother, but her skin was cold, her face was pale, and she was not moving.
"Mother?" Liam called again, placing his ear against her chest, hoping to hear her heartbeat and praying it was not what he was thinking, but Amanda did not respond to his calls, nor did he hear her heartbeat.
Walter, who had obviously been standing at the door knocking to be given permission to enter, could sense the pain in Liam's voice and his uncontrollable wailing. He rushed into the room to see Liam wailing and holding his mother in his arms.
"Young master, please take heart. It is a painful loss to us all, but we must be strong in order for us to fulfill her last wish of you returning the company to its former glory," Walter pleaded.
"She was the person who gave me the reason to live. Now she's gone... How am I going to live without her?" Liam cried bitterly.
"It's painful to lose her. She was a wonderful woman, beautiful inside and out, but she has passed on, leaving her legacy for you to continue. We must not fail her. We have to bring the company to its former glory, as that was her last wish," Walter encouraged.
"Walter, thank you. Now that mother is gone, I have to pay my last respects and perform her last wish at all costs," Liam muttered in pain.
Amanda was taken to the morgue, and it was all over the news that Amanda Gonzalez, president of G's Empire, had passed away earlier that morning.
Though still in mourning, Liam braced himself for the worst to come, as the tussle for power in the empire had just begun.
---
Liam was dressed and ready to meet with the CEOs of his empire for a conference meeting.
"How do I look?" Liam asked nervously.
"As splendid as always, young master," Walter praised.
Liam smiled widely.
"Young master, before you go to this conference meeting, you must know that you should never show your fear or nervousness to the CEOs and shareholders of the company. Doing so would make them underrate your abilities, which must not happen," Walter advised.
"Thank you, Walter. I can assure you that I will be the president of the company in due time," Liam smiled.
"Before you leave, I must inform you that your mother's lawyer will be coming later in the day, concerning her will," Walter stated.
"That is not an issue. Wish me good luck," Liam smiled, walking out of the mansion.
"Good luck, young master," Walter smiled.
---
The board of directors, the CEOs, and shareholders of the company were all seated, debating on who would be the next president.
Different potential aspirants were nominated, and each was given an audience to make a speech and a presentation, but Liam was at the top, making enemies for himself.
"Well, well, this is a tough decision to make. Liam, you've done incredibly well. I must commend your intelligence, but, nevertheless, the position of president will remain vacant until further notice," the head of the CEOs injected.
And the meeting ended, with everyone dispersing to various locations.
The majority of the participants threw daggers at Liam, and if looks could kill, he would have been buried six feet under the ground already.
Liam did not feel comfortable with the stares he kept getting. He knew he had many competitions ahead of him, but he did not expect the hate, jealousy, and malice to start coming already, just because his presentation was the best of all.
Liam, heading toward his car, received a phone call from Walter.
"Hope there are no problems at home?" Liam asked cautiously, knowing the enemies he had made.
"No, young master. The lawyer is here, waiting for you," Walter replied quickly.
"I totally forgot about it, but I'm on my way already," Liam hurriedly said, driving off at speed.
---
Liam got home as soon as possible, freshened up, and gave his mother's lawyer an audience to state his mother's will.
"Good afternoon, Miss," Liam greeted, respectfully.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Liam. I am Miss Julian, your mother's lawyer," Julian said, smiling.
"Oh, Miss Julian, I apologize for delaying your time. I had totally forgotten about the appointment. The overload at work took my time," Liam apologized.
"Oh, that's not an issue. I totally understand what you're going through, sir," Julian beamed.
"Thank you, Miss Julian. You can go on," Liam said, taking a seat, with Walter standing beside him.
"According to your mother's will, her assets and wealth, worth billions of dollars, were given to you, but on one condition..." Miss Julian stated while reading the will.
"A condition? Why would Madam President put a criterion in her will? She did not give us any hint about it?" Walter asked.
"Please, go on, Miss Julian," Liam said anxiously.
"That her wealth and assets are yours... on the condition that you get married first," Julian dropped the bomb.
"What?!" Walter and Liam screamed.