Not An Heir

CHAPTER FOUR

David sat slumped in the armchair, staring absently at the TV in front of him. He had always felt the weight of his father’s expectations bearing down on him, and lately, it had been particularly heavy. He was the heir to the GG Group, a company his father had built from scratch, and he wanted nothing more than to make his father proud.

But try as he might, David couldn’t seem to make any headway. He poured over spreadsheets for hours on end and attended countless meetings, but nothing he did seemed to make a difference. And now, as he sat in the silence of their sitting room, he knew his father was about to come in and give him an earful.

Sure enough, Smith walked in a moment later, his expression dark with disapproval.

“David, what’s going on?” he snapped. “I’ve been watching you, and I’m not impressed. You’re not producing any results.”

David swallowed hard, his mind racing as he tried to come up with an excuse.

“I’ve been trying, Dad. I have.”

“Well, your efforts aren’t good enough,” Smith shot back. “I’m not going to hand my life’s work over to someone who can’t even keep it running.”

David felt the sting of his father’s words. “Are you saying you’ll replace me, Dad?” He tensed up in his posture, his eyes widened in shock, and his breathing quickened.

“I didn’t say that, but you’re not giving me another option either.” Smith lashed out, flinging the newspaper he held onto the center table.

“Despite my input to the company, you want to replace me? This is about Daphne. Isn’t it?

***

As they walked out of the bar, the cool night air hit Daphne’s face. Jackson stumbled a bit, still feeling the effects of the drinks he had found solace in. Daphne caught him, and he leaned into her, his arm resting on her shoulder. She couldn’t help but feel a little thrill at the touch of his skin against hers. As they reached Jackson’s car, Daphne hesitated.

She knew he wasn’t in any state to drive, but she wasn’t sure she wanted to be the one to take him home. Jackson must have sensed her reluctance because he looked at her and said, “Please, Daphne. I promise I’ll behave.” With a sigh, Daphne took the keys from him and helped him into the passenger seat.

The drive to his house was quiet; the only sound was the hum of the engine and the occasional snore from Jackson. Daphne stole glances at him, taking in his handsome features and the way his hair fell across his forehead. When they arrived at his house, Daphne helped him out of the car and guided him inside.

She settled him on the couch, pulling a blanket over him. As she turned to leave, Jackson grabbed her hand.

“Please stay,” he said, his voice slurring slightly. “I would rather not be alone tonight.”

Daphne hesitated for a moment before nodding. She sat down next to him on the couch, allowing him to rest his head on her lap. She disliked Jackson because she had only seen him as mean and arrogant. Seeing him vulnerable and emotional gave her a different impression of him.

***

Smith raised an eyebrow. “What are you talking about, David? Daphne is a valued employee, but she’s not taking over your position.”

David rolled his eyes. “Don’t lie to me, Dad. You’re always praising her work and talking about her like she’s some sort of prodigy. You show her and her mom—Ms. Lawson—love like they’re yours. First, you made her my assistant; now this. Meanwhile, I’m struggling to meet my targets, and you act like I’m not good enough.” David fired up with tears welling in his eyes.

Smith leaned back in his chair, regarding his son with a sad expression. “David, this has nothing to do with Daphne. I love you both equally. But…

“That is precisely the problem. How can you love a caregiver’s child as much as your own? Why? Because we grew up together?” David demanded. “I’ve been working hard, Dad. You just won’t give me the same chances you give Daphne. It’s not fair.” The tears roll down his cheeks.

David walked out and slammed the door behind him, his dad’s words echoing in his mind. For years, he’d been working tirelessly to prove himself to his dad, but it seemed like it was never enough. When he was born, Ms. Lawson became his caregiver. A year after his birth, Ms. Lawson gave birth to Daphne. It was one of the gardeners who had r***d her when she went to give him his meal one night. Smith managed the situation without alerting the press. A r**e in his house would have been disastrous for the image of GG Group. Smith allowed David to grow up with Daphne, and although she was the caregiver’s child, Smith and Sofia never discriminated against their love. They treated Daphne like their own.

Sofia and Smith began to have issues when Smith introduced Daphne to the board of stakeholders at GG Group as David’s personal assistant. Sofia preferred that Daphne be one of the staff at the office, not David’s assistant. She feared Daphne would grow to forget her place and whose child she was.

In his defense, Smith only brought Daphne into the company because she was more business-savvy and more exposed than David. He hoped that she could help cover up David’s loopholes, and she did excellently. Although Daphne never wanted to or even thought about it, David and Sofia knew she wanted the company.

As he opened the door, he saw Daphne sleeping on the couch, her neck bent to the back, and Jackson sleeping on her lap.

“Jackson?” David called out, his voice sounding grumpy.