Chapter8
1354 Words
THIRD PERSON’S POV
“Go get yourself fixed and take the week off,” Mr Marvin said to his secretary. “Remember, whatever happens in this company does not go beyond these walls.”
The secretary nodded in agreement and left the office, blood staining his hands and smeared around his mouth. He made his way down to the garage, where the driver took him straight to the hospital.
He walked back to his desk and sank into his leather chair. His face looked pale, and his eyes were dim. For a moment, he stared at nothing. Then he slowly raised his head to look at Russell and Robert. Both men already had their eyes fixed on him.
“I am only overlooking your mess because I do not want my company’s reputation dragged through the mud,” Mr Marvin said firmly. “And also because you still have an important role to play for this family. I need your reputation intact to get this right.”
“And my so-called important role for the family…”
Russell paused.
The room was quiet – too quiet.
He lifted his head.
“Is it to get married to a woman I don’t love?” Russell asked, staring directly at his father, his eyes burning with defiance.
“That is a small price to pay for the growth of this family,” Mr Marvin replied. “The Sandman family is a prominent one. With their backing, we will secure contracts easily. This is how big businesses protect themselves.”
“My company is doing better than yours, yet I don’t have the Sandmans backing me,” Russell replied calmly. “I may be young in business, but I understand business. Getting married into the Sandman family guarantees nothing. And besides, my happiness is priceless.”
“Russell, you need to listen to my father,” Robert said after a brief pause. “He knows what’s best for you and for this company. Just stop dragging this issue and do what needs to be done.”
Russell slowly turned and stared at him. He clicked his left thumb against his index finger, the faint sound sharp in the quiet office.
“I have no interest, junior brother,” Russell said calmly. “You can handle that since it sounds so appealing to you.”
“She doesn’t want me, or I would already be married,” Robert replied quickly, jealousy lacing his tone.
“Of course,” Russell murmured. “Who would want a selfish man like you?”
His voice was low, but it was high enough to reach Robert's ears.
“Did you just insult me?” Robert barked, his eyes widening.
“No, brother,” Russell replied with a faint smile. “That was a compliment.”
“Will both of you stop this nonsense in my presence?” Mr Marvin thundered.
He adjusted himself in his chair and cleared his throat before turning back to Russell.
“I invited your brother here so we could all discuss this matter properly,” he said. “We must help this company grow again.” He paused, studying Russell closely.
“So I am commanding you now, as your father, to begin preparations to marry the woman I choose for you. If you fail to obey me, I will make sure you lose your company and this company as well.”
Russell shook his head slowly. He rubbed his head with both hands and buried his face in his palms.
Silence fell heavily across the room.
Mr Mavin’s words hung in the air like dark clouds before a storm.
After a long moment, Russell lifted his head.
“My stand remains the same,” he said firmly. “I cannot marry a woman I do not love. I will do whatever this company requires of me, but my happiness – I cannot give that up.”
Mr Mavin leaned forward, pressing both hands firmly against the desk.
“Then we shall see,” he said coldly.
“May I take my leave now?” Russell asked.
Mr Mavin gave no response.
Russell stood up and walked out of the office. The sound of his footsteps echoed loudly against the tiled floor, sharp and deliberate, like each step was final.
He got into his car and throttled the engine immediately, speeding back toward his own company. War was now inevitable. His father held onto his decisions just as tightly as he did to his own. The thought of losing his company haunted him, and all he wanted was for it to end.
He parked in front of his company and headed straight to his office. When Patricia saw him approaching, she could tell something was wrong from the way he moved.
“Good afternoon, sir,” greeted Patricia with a polite smile.
“Call my lawyer now and tell him I want to see him tomorrow,” Russell said, ignoring her greeting. “I’ll pay double for his time.”
“Alright, sir,” Patricia replied quickly as he walked past her.
Russell entered his office and locked the door behind him. He sat on the cushioned chair near the door, his father’s threats replaying over and over in his head.
The fear of going against his father slowly crept in. He had always known who he was, but until now, he had never truly understood how powerful Mavin Anton was.
“This choice will cost me a lot,” he muttered. “But I would rather die than marry that woman.”
“I need my lawyer,” he concluded.
Mr Marvin felt deeply insulted by Russell’s boldness and stubborn resolve. Russell leaving his office without permission made him realize his son would be far more difficult to control than he had anticipated.
He appointed Robert as his temporary secretary. His first assignment was to call the company’s stakeholders for a meeting.
Robert carried out his father’s instructions without hesitation. He contacted the stakeholders, and the meeting was scheduled successfully. Mr Marvin instructed him to keep the information from Russell until he gave further orders, and Robert agreed.
But even with the trap he had set for Russell, his heart yearned for more. A part of him wished Russell would simply comply with his demands. Unfortunately, that wish felt like one that would never come true.
“What do you hope to achieve with the board meeting?” Robert asked.
Mr Marvin raised his head and looked at him.
“I plan to achieve nothing with the meeting,” he replied calmly. “I only need Russell to marry the woman I have chosen. Once that is done, you will see what I intend to achieve.”
“I cannot push Russell out of this company,” he continued. “Even if I wanted to, this is not the right time. He is a great asset. But I need him tamed, and there is no better way than tying him to the Sandman family.”
“That’s right,” Robert said, nodding his head. “But if you ever need me to replace him, I’m right here.”
His father ignored his last words.
“When you attend the meeting, speak only when you are asked,” Mr Marvin instructed. “And be careful not to insult or provoke Russell. I don’t want the two of you creating a scene.”
Robert remained silent, but his eyes spoke volumes as he stared at his father.
“You have always talked about how important Russell is to the family,” he said after a pause. “What about me? What is my position? What does this family demand of me?”
“You will know soon enough,” he replied. “For now, focus on getting Russell to do my bidding.”
He leaned back in his chair, his expression darkening.
“I will force him if I must,” he said coldly. “I will break him if that is what it takes. He will marry the woman I choose for him at all costs.”
- Writer
