Chapter5
1110 Words
Shadows of a Hidden Fortune
Sir Liam Harrington stopped Lady Agatha from bullying anyone as the deed had been done.
He advised her to meet them in court if not satisfied. He carried his briefcase and left after he had delivered his assignment at the estate.
“We shouldn't take it, Grandma. Why would someone from nowhere pack all the profits of our sweat? Maya added.
“Your sweat? Not a drop of your sweat generated a penny in that business.” Tessa said to Maya angrily.
Fiona ran quickly to Tessa, dragging her with her left hand and covering her mouth with her right. Trying to stop her from creating a greater conflict.
“Damien Whitlock or what are you called? Good for nothing beggar.” Maya sneered, her eyes narrowing in disdain.
“What a coincidence of names. I hope the great Whitlocks of Whitlock Automobile Industry don't know a destitute like you who shares the same last name as them. I'm sure they'd have done something about it.” Lady Agatha ridiculed him.
“Please, Mum, take it calmly,” Fiona interrupted.
Without delay, a loud slap sounded as Lady Agatha struck Fiona's face with her palm.
“Take what calmly? This is the result when you watch your daughter get married to a church rat whose aim is to acquire other people's wealth without working for it” Lady Agatha spat at Fiona, her tone laced with scorn.
“I just can't fathom why all of this is happening. Of all the properties my husband had while he was alive, he willed out the only one that generated more income for the family. That's not enough, but to a stranger? Lady Agatha lamented.
She would sooner die than believe her eyes at the moment.
Fiona was still on the floor, struggling hard to regain her sight. With her was Tessa and Damien trying to help her stand again.
“All of this because of you?” Fiona said to Damien, her voice was barely heard, her eyes now red as tears blurred her vision.
“I'm sorry mum. I promise to make it up to you in manifolds. Please” Damien responded calmly to her.
Lady Agatha rushed at Damien wanting to give him a dirty slap, but he was able to dodge it.
“You fool, make what up? After you took away what is not yours.” She locks Damien's shirt as she throws loads of words at him.
“Enough mum! Enough!” Bruce shouted at Lady Agatha.
Everyone was flabbergasted. It was the greatest surprise of their lives. The same Bruce? Now supporting Damien instead of his mother? What a stark change in character when wealth is involved.
“You mean you talk to me like that?”
Lady Agatha was agape as she slowly walked towards Bruce; she was about to raise her hand as usual when Derek stood from where he was, caught her hand, and forced her to sit on the cold, hard concrete tiles.
“Yeee…. Ouch,” She groaned in pain.
It was like a movie to everyone. Tessa wiped her eyes to be sure she wasn't dreaming.
Damien rushed close to her to help her up, but she recoiled from his touch as if it were poison.
Derek, Bruce and Maya moved closer to Tessa, apologising for their bad deeds all this while. They all knew nothing could change the will, only if the dead woke again.
They ignored Lady Agatha and are now lobbying to be in Tessa's good graces.
“You know you're the only sister I have, Tessa; please don't leave us alone.” Maya cried out, shedding crocodile's tears.
“It's fine,” Tessa nodded affirmatively.
She held her mother with her right hand and signalled to her husband to let them leave.
“Where are we going? We don't even have an apartment yet.” Fiona whispered to her daughter.
Damien, staying closer to Tessa, could hear Fiona's words. Even though Tessa knew clearly that they had no place to stay, she still insisted on leaving the Hayes’ estate.
It has been on her mind ever since Damien left, as she couldn't bear their attitudes toward her anymore.
She’s been treated like a mere maid, where she had once been cherished like the apple of Lord Ronan Hayes’ eye.
Moreover, the whole of the estate has been inherited by her grandmother. What was left? Who knows what she might be forced to face again?
“Don't bother about it, mum. I'll get a place to stay for us.” Damien replied to Fiona.
The three left the Hayes’ estate. While discussing where to go, Damien picked up his phone and called his chauffeur. He retreated farther away to make his call.
“Preston, inform the cleaners to make every room better, we're having a great visitor soon.”
“Yes, master.”
“Bring the Rolls-Royce Phantom to the address I'll forward to you now. Immediately!” Damien commanded.
“Done master,” Preston responded.
Damien hung the call and joined Tessa and Fiona as they were patiently waiting for his abracadabra.
It was not long before a deep, glossy black Rolls Royce appeared. It slowed down and stopped at their front.
The car stood out amidst the bustling cityscape like a swan among ducks, drawing the attention of passersby.
“Good day, master”, Preston greeted Damien, standing upright like a soldier in front of Damien.
Fiona and Tessa averted their gaze, first at the car, then at each other. They were both dumbfounded. Unable to utter a single word.
“He's here to take us to where we'd be staying,” Damien said, a faint smile escaping his lips for the very first time.
“Common, let's go in. He held his wife and mother-in-law by their wrist and accompanied them into his car.”
On getting to Damien's mansion, the billionaire’s estate stood as a masterpiece of modern design. The mansion's sleek glass exterior glistened under the sunlight.
Inside, the marble floors, high ceilings, and custom chandeliers exuded opulence. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered breathtaking views, and every corner displayed cutting-edge technology.
“Wow, my eyes can't believe this,” Tessa exclaimed.
“Anyways, a friend of mine gave me this to manage in the meantime.” Damien caught in.
“Your friend?” Tessa asked. What a very kind human.
“Can we meet him, at least to appreciate him for his kind gestures?” Fiona asked.
“It's fine mum. He's far away. We could do that some other time. Please, enjoy your stay.” Damien retorted.
- Writer
