The Heir

chapter 20

“OH!” Vanessa almost jumped in surprise upon seeing Maximilian sitting on the swivel chair when she entered the president’s office. “I didn’t expect to see you here today.” She dropped her bag on the couch and folded her arms.

“I ran some errands for my wife, and I decided to drop by.” Maximilian grabbed a pen from the holder and played it with his fingers. “Did she call you?”

“Who?” Vanessa’s brows furrowed.

“Victoria.”

“No. She never called me since that day she came here. Why, is there something that concerns the company or me?”

“Well, her grandmother is hosting a banquet, and Victoria was given this task to invite you and the new president.” He returned the pen to the holder. “I told her to invite you.”

“And?” Vanessa arched a brow.

“You are to say yes to the invitation, of course.” Maximilian rose to his feet. He was about to leave when she spoke again.

“How about you?”

“I will be there.”

“Not as the LS Group president, I guess.”

“It is not the time yet.”

“And when is the right time, Maximilian?” Vanessa cocked her head to the side. “You know that you can’t hide your identity forever, especially to the board of directors. Everyone is looking forward to seeing you. I had to lie to them by saying that the chairman is still training you before taking over the company.”

“You did well.” He clapped his hands and stopped immediately when Vanessa rolled her eyes.

“Maximilian Lee, I don’t have time for your—”

“Relax.” He pocketed his hands. “You will be the first one to know once I am ready to reveal my identity to the public. But for now, please think of another alibi to Victoria on why Williamson can’t come with you.”

“Yeah, right,” she said lazily.

“See you at the banquet.”

Maximilian was about to head to the door when he heard the phone rang.

Vanessa sauntered to the table and picked up the phone.

“Who’s that?” he mouthed.

But she did not respond to his question and remained silent as she listened to whatever the caller was saying on the other line. And then, he realized it was his wife when Vanessa started speaking.

“I am flattered by your invitation, Victoria. Of course, I will attend the banquet. My schedule is free on that day. So, there is nothing to worry about.” Vanessa laughed shortly. “Oh… Williamson?” She glanced in his direction. “I… uhm… I will definitely inform him of your invitation. Yes, yes, of course. But I cannot promise you his attendance at the banquet. He is quite busy these days because of his training. Hmm, see you there. `Bye.”

Vanessa turned to face him after the call.

“Happy?”

“Satisfied.” He beamed. ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

“Goodness gracious, you’re making me feel like I am on an acting workshop.”

FRANKLIN raised his head when he heard the door creaked. His secretary holding an envelope, went in.

“Sir, here is the thing that you asked for.” John put the envelope on his table.

“Really? Oh, that was fast.” He smiled wickedly and looked at the pictures.

Franklin was satisfied with them. It was perfect for his shenanigans. Ah, he just hoped his cousin Victoria and her son of a waste husband would enjoy every second of their vacation because their sweet success is about to come to an end. Of course, he was up for revenge.

“Shall I call the driver to get your car, Sir?” John asked after a while.

“Yes, please.” He put the pictures back in the envelope and put them in the inside pocket of his suit. Then he got his car key from the drawer and hand it out to his secretary.

Franklin then made a call to the general manager’s office, who happened to be his father.

“It’s me, Franklin. Tell my father I want him in my office now,” he ordered the secretary.

“I am sorry, Sir, but your father is not here in the office right now,” the secretary informed him.

His forehead creased. “And where is he?”

“He went to the Griffith mansion—”

Franklin did not let the secretary finish and ended the call. He hurriedly went down to the lobby and exited the building.

His car was already parked in front of the door when he came out.

“Did you notice when my father left the office?”

John just shook his head in response.

He got inside the car and told the driver to bring him to his grandmother’s residence.

When he arrived at the Griffith mansion, he found his father having tea with his grandmother.

“Franklin, what are you doing here?” his father asked upon seeing him.

“Well, I should be the one asking you that, Father.” He gave his grandmother a side-way glance, who was busy blowing her tea.

“I summoned him,” said his grandmother. “Why don’t you have a seat and join us. Your father and I were talking about the upcoming banquet. I am about to ask him to invite our friends—”

“A banquet for what?” Franklin smirked.

“To announce our cooperation with the LS Group. We need that.” His grandmother calmly sipped her tea.

“And how about Victoria?”

“Just as promised, I will give her the—”

“You can’t, Grandma.” Franklin’s voice raised a little, but he was able to control his emotions now. “If Victoria will be promoted as general manager of the Griffith Group, it will ruin the company’s reputation —”