The Heir

chapter 32

EVERYONE was looking at Maximilian with sheer shock on their faces when he stood up. A few seconds of silence ensued before the onlookers started whispering to each other again.

“Who is he?”

“Isn’t that Maximilian Lee?”

“I think he is one of Griffith’s son-in-law.”

“I heard he is a loser. Is it possible that he is that mysterious president?”

“Maximilian, what the hell are you doing?” Franklin scolded him when he went to the end of the makeshift stage. “Sit down!”

But instead of following Franklin, he went up to the stage and grabbed the microphone from his wife’s cousin. Text © 2024 NôvelDrama.Org.

“What are you doing? Are you nuts?” Franklin snarled at him.

“I came up here on stage to tell everyone that I have seen the new president of the LS Group myself. And all I can say is that…” He paused and looked in Vanessa’s direction. “The president is someone you don’t expect him to be.”

Franklin tried to take the microphone away from him, but he did not let him succeed. Maximilian moved away from him and continued with his speech.

“If you are wondering how someone like me who is a son of a waste and a low-life creature met him, well… how do I put this?” He cocked his head to the side and sneered. “We are good friends.”

“Stop this, Maximilian! Aren’t you ashamed?” Franklin sauntered towards him and grasped his arm. “Stop this stupid act of yours and go back to your seat. Do you really think the guests will buy your story of friendship with the new president of the LS Group? Well, let me tell you this. You should stop dreaming,” he said through gritted teeth.

He shoved Franklin’s hand away from his arm and sneered.

“I don’t care whether you believe it or not. All I care about is Victoria.” He grabbed Franklin by the collar of his suit and leaned near his ear. “Prepare yourself, Franklin. You and the rest of Griffiths will regret this. Why? Because I am going to tell my dear friend what you did to my wife.”

He let his collar go and fixed it for him. Franklin was looking at him with his jaw and hands clenching.

“Ah, I am going to leave the floor to you because my dear wife needs me.” He inserted the microphone into Franklin’s front pocket and went down the stage.

He fished his phone and texted Vanessa on his way out. Now, he has to find his wife. Maximilian knew she needed comfort. Victoria needs him above anyone else now.

He checked all the restrooms and every hallway, even the lobby, but he could not find his wife. Maximilian tried calling her too, but she would not answer until he could no longer contact her phone. He was worried about her. God forbids, but if ever she did something to harm herself, he might kill Franklin. Victoria was her everything, and there is nothing he could not do to protect and avenge her, no matter what it cost him.

VANESSA remained in her seat until she received a text message from Maximilian telling her what she has to do once he was out of the hall. He wants her to tell the Griffiths that the cooperation between them and the LS Group was terminated.

When Franklin and the old Mrs. Griffith came down from the stage, she rose to her feet and strode towards their direction to deliver the news.

“Excuse me. Can I have a word with you, Mrs. Griffith?” Vanessa said as she stood in front of them.

Franklin looked at her from head to toe. “And who are you?”

“Oh, sorry for not introducing myself first. Vanessa Smith of the LS Group.” She stretched out a hand to the old Mrs. Griffith.

“Oh…” The old woman gladly accepted her hand. “Where is the new president, anyway?” Mrs. Griffith’s eyes wandered around the hall.

“He is busy right now, preparing for taking over the company works.”

The members of the Griffith family started to gather around her.

“This is Vanessa Smith, the representative from the LS Group,” Mrs. Griffith introduced her to the family.

It was a little awkward because she must break bad news in front of everyone in the family.

“I would like to apologize on behalf of the whole family for Maximilian’s attitude a while ago,” said Franklin Griffith in a firm tone. “He is Victoria’s husband, and he did that to sabotage—”

“About Victoria,” Vanessa cut him off.

“Hm?” She turned to Mrs. Griffith. “What about her?”

“Well…” Vanessa heaved a sigh. “The president told me to relay a message to you. The cooperation between our companies is already terminated.”

“Wait. What?!” Franklin exclaimed in disbelief.

“W-why? W-what happened?” Mrs. Griffith palmed her chest. Color immediately left her face. If not for Iris attending to her grandmother, she must have fallen on the floor.

“How come this is about Victoria? And why are you terminating the contract when we didn’t do anything wrong?” Franklin complained.

“Right!” the family members said in chorus.

“We signed the cooperation with you because of Victoria. If she is not to get the general’s manager position, then there is no reason for the LS Group to continue the cooperation.”

“So, you are telling me that everything will go in vain?” Mrs. Griffith asked in a cold tone.

“Grandma, maybe we can talk to the real president and ask for reconsideration.” Franklin scowled at her.

“I am sorry, but the president will remain firm in his decision,” Vanessa told them.

“I don’t believe that there is no other way to solve this,” said Franklin as he ran his fingers through his hair.

“Victoria is the only answer.”

Old Mrs. Griffith tapped the end of her cane to the floor.

“Everyone, we need to find Victoria. Now!” the old woman ordered.

“Grandma—”

“Take me out of here. We need to find Victoria.”

Franklin blocked his grandmother’s way. “Grandma, remember what I told you about Victoria. It is making sense now, isn’t it?”

“I don’t care about it anymore, Franklin. What I need is Victoria! Can’t you understand that that cousin of yours is the only answer to all of this? Find Victoria now!”

Old Mrs. Griffith reached for her hand and tightly pressed it. “Tell the president that Victoria will get what she deserves.”

She gave the old woman a nod in response.

Vanessa watched the Griffith family went out of the hall one by one to look for Victoria. Then, she fished her phone and sent a message to Maximilian, informing him of the news.