A Game With The Billionaire

Chapter 8:

Vivienne Hart:

If there’s one thing in my life I am good at, it’s being calm, even in times of distress. I rarely get pissed but when I do, it feels as though everything inside me is going to crumble into ashes, like right now.

The glass of pinot noir comes crashing to the wall, making the red contents spill on the floor. The maid in front of me cowers, a look of pure horror written on her face. Good, let her be scared of me.

“Who gave you the permission to speak when I wasn’t done talking?” I holler, my face reddening in anger. This is a side of me people rarely get to see, losing my cool is not something I am proud of, but sometimes, it calls for it.

The maid steps back, and for a second, I have that maternal care so she won’t step on the shard of glass. “I am sorry, Mrs. Hart. Old Master Hart excused us all so I couldn’t hear everything he was saying with Miss. Roberts.”

I give her one simple job and she can’t even fulfil it. I rest on the edge of my bed, waving my hand. “Just tell me what you heard.”

She nods her head shakily. “Old Master Hart wants Miss. Roberts to convince Jeremy to apply for the CEO position, ma’am.”

What? Lucien wants Jeremy to be CEO? Another wave of sudden anger overcomes me as I bark at her to leave; she hurries from the door and exits my bedroom immediately. As she leaves, my right hand man, Victor walks in. He’s young and competent, and that’s why I hired him to be my assistant.

“I take it you were hard on the maid?” He raises his brows which makes me sigh. “It’s unlike you, ma’am.”

I feel bad, but then I shrug it off. Victor is only twenty-three, whereas I have spent sixty-three on this planet, he doesn’t get to tell me when I can and cannot act out.

“Whatever.” I raise my hand. “My brother wants his grandson to be the CEO for Hart Finance, how is that possible when I want my own son to be the CEO?” I am an Hart, I have a place in this family and so does my son, except for the fact that he spent his time lavishing at parties, it’s not bad that I am trying to secure a position for my son, is it?

“I will go talk to my brother now.” I say, standing up from the bed. Victor follows me from behind, knowing well to keep his distance because I am in a sour mood. The Hart mansion is large, some members of the family still live here and my brother was generous enough to dedicate a whole wing to me.

Since my brother stays in the west wing, it takes ten minutes before I get to his part of the mansion, I locate his bedroom and enter, Victor stays behind.

My brother, Lucien, is perched on the bed, scrolling through his phone. When he glances up at him, his face erupts into a smile. “Vivi.”

“Lucien.” I say back, walking closer to him. Lucien and I have at least a ten year plus age-gap, but it had never for once had anything to do with our strong bond. “I heard you had breakfast with Emma, Jeremy’s girlfriend.”

“Ah, yes. I did.” Lucien says, adjusting on the edge of his bed. “She’s a delight; the whole Hart family love her. She’s even best-friends with Nicole and Emily.”

Dining with the members of the family has never really been my forte, especially when I don’t stay home much. “I met her a few days ago, and she is quite a delight.” I realize that I am smiling too much, my teeth hurts. Yes, I am happy that Jeremy finally has a girlfriend, but I am not happy that Lucien wants her butting in the family affairs. Everyone in the family seems to know and idolize Emma, saying she’s an angel, and even though I don’t doubt it, I sure as hell don’t need an addition in this family.

I do love Jeremy as if he’s my own son, that Nicole always looked at me like she knows that I am not always sunshine and unicorn. It’s hard to fool her so I don’t bother trying to bond with her.

“I also heard that you want her to convince Jeremy to join Hart finance.” I say, still standing there. Lucien looks at me strangely before chuckling.

“Yes, it was a brilliant idea I came up with.”

“You also know I want Tristan to be CEO. Jeremy doesn’t even want the position, why can’t we just give it to my son instead?” I say with frustration.

“Vivienne.” Whenever Lucien calls my full name, I know he’s no longer talking to me as his little sister; he’s talking to me as the head of the Hart family. “That won’t be fair, Tristan and Jeremy can apply as the CEO, and we’ll see who the board elects, okay?”

“Yes, brother.” I make my way towards his table, desperate to push away the current conversation. I pick the bottle of pills on the table and access it. “Do you still take these?”

“Yes, my doctor said it’s good for my high blood pressure. You know Samantha from the Morris family? She’s a brilliant doctor.” Lucien says as I study the pills.

“Hmm. Is that so?” I ask and he nods eagerly. “Well, I have to get going. I have a charity event to attend in the next two hours, see you later, okay?” I am already heading towards the door but he calls my name the exact moment that I place my hand on the doorknob.

“You know I am old already and the only thing I wish to see is everyone in this family getting settled. The same applies to your son, Tristan. Set him on a blind date or whatever, I keep hearing news that he parties day and night.”

I tighten my hand on the doorknob; I can even feel my knuckles turning red. “I understand what you mean, brother.”

“Good, good.” His smile is the last thing I see as I exit the room. I am angry as I start descending the stairs, Victor trailing behind. When we reach the main living room, I turn towards him.

“Who does he think he is? Telling me on how I should train my own son.” I roll my eyes. “How’s Tristan?” Victor helps me in my daily check-ins with my son through the phone.

“He told me he was in Canada as of yesterday; I think he’s attending a party.” Victor says humbly and I grit my teeth hard, isn’t it high time my son stops playing around and gets serious with his damn life? He’s a Hart, he better start acting like it.

“Tell him to come home tonight, else. I will freeze his credit cards, and take it all away.” At thirty-three, I still have to threaten my own son before he can get serious with his life.

“Alright, ma’am.”

I look at the portraits hanging on the wall. The Hart family has multiplied over the years, sons, daughters, cousins, aunts, uncles, grandchildren all perfectly arranged in frames.

Wives and children. Grandchildren, cousins scattered around the continents, though some family members decided to build their roots here. I step closer, examining the portraits that my brother, Lucien is.

There he is. The chairman of Hart Group, the proud patriarch, the man who holds the whole family together. He taught me how to ride a bike, how to tie a silk scarf and even how to carry myself like a Hart. Lucien has always loved this family more than his own heartbeat.

He remembers birthdays, sends out gifts every holiday season and keeps every promise.

“Love can be so close to envy, ain’t it?” I say faintly, and Victor simply nods, his face as always, unreadable.

“You have carried this family long enough, Lucien.” I say, tracing my fingertips along the frame. “Let me help.” Turning towards Victor, I say. “Tell me about pills that can weaken Lucien.”

“There’s a mixture of psychotropic and appetite suppressants, mild doses can cause fatigue, confusion, and make him forget small details. Nothing too dangerous...but noticeable.”

“Good.” I murmur, I don’t want to harm him, I just need him to rest and slow down a bit so I can re-arrange things. It’s high time I become chairwoman of the Hart Group. Lucien has always told me I had my father’s drive, he told me always aim high and that’s exactly what I am doing.

“You know I love him.” I say. “Let’s switch his pills secretly.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He bows and leaves the room.

“Don’t worry, dear brother.” I whisper. “I’ll take care of everything. You always said you trusted me.”