The Illegitimate Heir

Chapter 13

Richard's brow gathered clouds even more. Didn't he know that?

But did he have any choice?

The reminder of his powerlessness made his voice harsher as he said, “You are questioning my decision now?”

Patricia grew even more flustered as she automatically took a step back, stammering, “Honey, no. You know I will never…”

“I made the decision and that is final. If Daniel has a problem with it, he should come to me. Since when did I need you to speak on my son's behalf?”

“Honey, I just…”

There it was. The condescending way that Richard treated Patricia most times that made Adrian naively believe that it was his duty to stay and protect Patricia.

Not anymore.

He started to walk gingerly towards the door when Richard pointed at him. “You. There is an ointment in the last gift package the Vales gave me. I hear that it helps with bruises and will help you to prevent a scar. I will send it to you later.”

It was surely a day for surprises, Adrian mused as he looked at Richard.

He had never had access to even freebies like that before. And now, Richard was suddenly acting the caring father?

Adrian knew why.

With blood-tinged teeth clenched in a semblance of a smile, Adrian responded, “Afraid my face will scar and ruin my value as the trophy husband, Father? You need not worry. I have thick skin.”

With that, he headed out of the door.

Patricia’s voice followed him out. “Honey, can you hear that? He wouldn't even appreciate your kindness. That boy is really….”

The door closed on the remnant of her words as the fresh air outside washed over Adrian.

The clean scent coming from the pine trees lining the driveway calmed him slightly.

“Just a few more days,” he thought.

A few more days and he would have what he needed, then he could leave.

He checked his phone and saw that he had wasted precious time.

He needed to head to the shelter where he volunteered on weekends.

His phone rang as he was walking down the driveway.

Thinking it was Steve from the shelter, he immediately pulled out the phone and frowned when he saw that it was an unknown number.

He picked up and didn't say anything as he put the phone to his ear.

“Mister Adrian?” A familiar voice prompted from the other end.

Adrian immediately remembered the voice even as the man said, “It's Edward, Chairman Hex’s assistant.”

Adrian realised the lawyer must have given the man his number even as he wondered at the heaviness in the man's voice.

It was definitely different from yesterday.

“Yes, I remember. How's the chairman now?” Adrian asked cautiously.

“I…” Edward's voice broke before he continued, “I know he would want me to tell you as soon as possible. The chairman is gone, Mr Adrian.”

Adrian's brows rose in confusion. “Gone? Gone where?”

“He is dead.” Edward's voice sharpened like a whip. “Dead. We found him dead in his bed this morning.”

What?!

If healthy as a horse was a person, that was what Adrian would have used to describe Chairman Hex the last time he saw him.

Apart from the way he had seemed heartbroken from his son's actions and his pain from his fall, the man looked just fine to Adrian.

And now, he's just…dead?

Edward's statement also lodged into Adrian's chest like a burr.

“Chairman always took his health seriously. He never missed his check-ups. He was just fine in the last examination. He did not have heart issues, yet they said his heart just stopped? Just like that?”

He seemed to catch himself rambling and inhaled deeply before continuing, “I know you only met for a few moments, but you made such an impression on him. He would want you at his burial. And of course, now you have more reasons to be here. I will keep in touch with you about the arrangements.”

The man had disconnected the call before Adrian could properly give his condolences.

He stared at his phone blankly for a moment, knowing that calling back immediately wasn't the best idea.

Edward hadn't just lost an employer. It was obvious the chairman treated him like family.

Even he, who had just met the man for some minutes, was devastated by the suddenness of the death. How much more his relatives.

Thoughts of relatives made Adrian remember the man's son.

Also, something seemed off to Adrian about all this.

Could someone with no heart issues suddenly die from their heart stopping?

Could a tailbone injury cause that?

Steve's call put Adrian's thoughts on hold as he rushed off to the centre.