A Tall Glass of Revenge

The phone rang incessantly on his large, brown mahogany desk. Just as Matthias was about to pick it up, his personal secretary, Julius, barged into his office. The color was drained from his face, like he had seen a ghost. Mathias frowned in displeasure. “You've got to see this, sir,” Julius pleaded, and passed him the tablet, his hands trembling. The headline was flashed on the wide screen, written in bold capital letters. As his eyes scanned over each word, their pupils expanded, till only the rims of his irises were visible. He slammed the unfortunate device on the table, and sent Julius a furious stare. “When was this released?!” Matthias yelled, and Julius shrunk away, lowering his gaze. “Five minutes ago. Liam posted this on his i********:. I guess the paparazzi turned this into a gossip-milking headline,” “Contact Jamie Lawson, and put an end to this foolery, and next, get my goddamn son and the rest of my family in the boardroom.” Julius nodded, and walked away hastily, eager to leave Matthias’ presence. He was a breathing inferno at this point. “I want this done in thirty minutes. Liam must know that if he's not here on time, he will forget about his demand.” Matthias’ voice rings out, and Julius nodded before he shut the door behind him. * Matthias headed towards the boardroom, with Julius skulking beside him. His employees hushed about and avoided his glances, indicating they had known what had happened. “Has the post been taken down?” Mathias asked suddenly, smoothening his tie. “Yes, sir. Mr. Lawson pulled the necessary strings.” “Good,” he replied curtly, his face grim. The door was opened, and they stepped in. Matthias’ eyes scanned the room. Only his wife, Anna, was present, with a sour expression plastered in her face. The rest of his children had not arrived yet. “Amber and Adrian?” He asked her, and walked towards the head chair that Julius had drawn out for him. Anna rolled her eyes at Matthias and clicked her tongue. “They are adults, Matt,” she snorted, adjusting the rims of her rose-colored glasses. “Surely you don't expect me to act as a personal bodyguard, no?” Mathias stretched his elegant fingers across the long table, drumming faint sounds that formed a rhythm. “I assume you are aware of the situation, Anna.” “And I would say it was about time.” She replied curtly, crossing both legs. Mathias raised an eyebrow. “Hmm. Tell me more, Anna.” Anna's eyes carried an unsure gaze as she glanced at him warily. This was what kept her on her toes around her husband. He was too calm, too calculating. This situation would naturally bring someone a bit over the edge, but as he sat there, dissipating a calm and cold aura, she wondered if anything could affect Matthias at all. “You assumed we were one happy family,” She finally spoke, clearing her throat. “We are a happy family.” Matthias corrected, holding his chin with his right hand. “We raised our children with love.” She was about to speak, when the door opened. Amber, her only daughter, rushed in, with Adrian trailing slowly behind. “Dad, this meeting has to be quick. I have delayed the interview of my life for thirty minutes.” Amber drawled in a thick chic accent, and set her huge birkin bag on the table. She was draped in a brown suit, and her blonde golden hair was slicked back tightly into a bun. Adrain sat on the chair next to his sister, while acknowledging his mom's presence. Anna flashed her children a warm smile, before a shift towards her grim expression. Mathias shifted back on his seat, drumming his fingers again on the table. The silence between them was heavy, like thick ice. “Any of you heard from Liam?” He inquired, staring intently at Adrian. Adrian equally returned his gaze, his eyes narrowed into slits. “No dad,” Amber answered on behalf of Adrian. “We are honestly surprised, you know.” Matthias’ face relaxed as his eyes glanced over to his daughter. “There was no prior discussion between you three concerning this?” “No. And now I'm thinking about it, as strange as it is, I haven't talked to him in the last three months,” “Adrian.” Mathias commanded sternly, folding his arms as he leaned back into his chair. “If you have something to contribute, lay it out on the table.” Adrian ignored him, and Anna slapped her hand on her forehead, in exasperation. The door opened, and Liam, the star of the moment, strolled into the room. All eyes rested on him as casually sat two seats away from Adrian. He had a blank expression on his face. “Explain yourself,” Matthias ordered calmly. Anna flinched in her seat, knowing that Mathias was furious. She couldn't help but notice that Liam looked surprisingly tattered, with dark lines circling his eyelids. She narrowed her eyes at her observation. “It is as I demand. I want to be reinstated as the heir to Imperial Heights, dad. It is my right, and I worked hard for it.” Anna chuckled softly, and Amber looked away, surprise written all over her features. Does he realize what he is demanding for? “Your right?” Matthias taunted, and released a small laugh. Then his expression became grim. “What happens to Adrian's right?” “We are born from different mothers. Our rights are equal as the firstborn son. Adrian does not give two shits about the family business, but I have poured in my all since I was fifteen. Is it not natural to pronounce me heir?” Liam argued, and ruffled his hands through his hair. “Adrian is the older son, Liam,” Anna explained in a soothing tone, hoping to get through to him. “Talk to us. Is something else the problem?” “He is your son, you will defend him. But I have no one to defend me, right? I have to defend myself.” “For God's sake, stop this, Liam.” Amber interjected, clicking her hands in the air, an exasperated look on her face. “We love you, and always have. You did not have to run to the media first. Look at the mess you have created.” “It was the only way. She said so–” “Who was that?” Amber questioned, glaring at him. Every person in the boardroom had their eyes fixed expectantly on Liam. “I owe anyone no explanation,” Liam declared, his tone rising an inch. “What do you say to my request, father?” “I'm saying no to your demand, Liam. I'm grateful for your years of service to the family, but that is your duty as a son. I could compensate you with another role– but not that. End of discussion.” Matthias stated, with a hard glint in his eyes. Liam nodded his head in disappointment.