Chapter 21

THREE consecutive knocks, and he heard the hinges creak.
“Sir.”
Francis raised his head upon hearing his assistant’s voice.
“Victor.” He set aside the papers he was reading and clasped his hands.
His assistant bowed before informing him of the news.
“The private investigator has arrived, Sir.”
“Send him in,” Francis ordered.
Victor went out of his office. After a few moments, the private investigator came in. he then rose from his seat and sauntered toward the private investigator. Francis shook hands with him and gestured at the couch.
“How is it going?” he asked as he sat down. “Did you find any lead?”
Aside from the police, Francis hired a private investigator and deployed some of his men to look for Chase.
Nicholas, the private investigator, heaved a deep sigh and shook his head.
“I’ve been going round in circles, Sir. Whoever did this, they know how to do a clean job.”
Francis gnashed his teeth. He must find his son.
Chase was still alive. If he was dead, he would feel that. Perhaps someone was holding him captive somewhere far.
“Don’t stop, Nicholas. If you have to go to the ends of the world just to find Chase, then do it,” he said firmly. “You must bring him back to me.”
His hands clenched and unclenched above his lap.
“Yes, Sir.” Nicholas stood up and bowed at him before going out.
Francis shut his eyes and took a series of deep breaths to calm himself down. He then stood up and got himself a glass of whiskey that he chugged down immediately.
And then he heard three knocks at the door.
“Sir.”
It was his assistant again.
“What is it now, Victor?” he asked without turning his gaze at him.
“The elders are here, Sir. They want to see you.”
“They’re at it again, aren’t they?” Francis scoffed and finished his drink.
He put the glass down and turned around. His assistant didn’t say a word and just lowered his gaze.
“Where are they?” he asked as he sauntered toward the door.
“They’re having tea at the main parlor, Sir.”
He went to the main parlor immediately to face the elders of the Whitewood family.
Francis couldn’t help but scoff as he overheard the elders’ conversation the moment he reached the door.
“Should I announce your presence, Sir?” asked Victor as he held onto the knob.
He raised his hand and wagged it. Victor opened the door afterward, and he came inside the main parlor, making the elders halt. Francis greeted them with a bow before sauntering toward the vacant accent chair. He sat there quietly and waited for the elders to say whatever they wanted to say.
“Your assistant said you were busy. We thought you wouldn’t come out of your office to see us,” said Uncle Charles, the eldest of them all.
“My apologies.” He cleared his throat. “I was in the middle of an important conversation when you arrived.” Francis kept his calm. It was always better to stay calm when talking to the family elders. “What is this matter that you want to talk about?”
“We’re quite worried about our family’s future,” said Uncle Harry. “Now that your son, Chase, is missing… everything seems blurry and a bit chaotic.”
He leaned against his seat and looked at each of them.
“I understand you’re worried. I’m worried as well. And please bear with Julian. As we all know, he’s not prepared for this. His role in the family’s always the underdog, behind his brother’s shadow.”
“Is he really capable of running this family?” Uncle Charles’ lip twitched.
“He’s learning. I won’t let him fail. Don’t worry about it.”
“We want assurance, and we still can’t see that,” Uncle Theodore chimed in. “Does your son know how huge this responsibility is—”
“He knows,” Francis said in a low tone.
“Really?” Uncle Charles scoffed. “And where is Julian now? I heard he’s out there having the time of his life. Really, huh? He had the audacity to go on vacation despite the happenings—”
“It’s me who told him to go on a vacation.” His fists clenched. “I told him to go with Prudence, so they’ll get to know each other.”
“Prudence?” Uncle Theodore’s brows furrowed. “You mean that lady from the Crosses?”
“Yes. Chase’s fiancée. I already informed you about it, didn’t I?”
“But what did the Crosses say about this?” Uncle Charles looked unconvinced.
Of course, he expected it. Among the elders, he always had doubts about every decision he had ever made. He would always raise concerns about minor issues as though he had no capabilities to solve them. And now, he was having doubts about his decision to replace Chase with his other son, Julian.
“Sebastian is in a coma as of now. But I informed Carlisle about it.” He rose from his seat. “Prudence said yes to my proposal that Julian must take Chase’s place, and she agreed. I think there will be no problem. And besides, didn’t you approve of this beforehand. Why are you—”
“I remember you telling us that you’ll settle this with the Crosses.” Uncle Theodore looked at him intently. “You know we must never disappoint them.”
“I know—”
Francis’ words were suddenly cut off when the door swung open.

“I CAN do it,” Julian said when he came in. “I will never do anything that would harm this family.”
“You know that we will be gladder to see you do a great job, kid,” his great-uncle Theodore said. “Show us, Julian. Don’t just tell us what you can do. Prove us wrong.”
His eyes narrowed. Of course, they would always doubt him because even in the elders’ eyes, Chase was the only one fit to rule the Whitewoods.
He turned in his father’s direction afterward. His father immediately beckoned him to get out of the room. Julian then bid goodbye with a bow and exited the main parlor.
He waited for his father at the end of the hallway.
“Why did you do that?” his father asked through gritted teeth. “Do you think interfering like that would help—”
“You’re being rousted by the elders. What do you want me to do?” He breathed exasperatedly. “And besides, it’s about time they know that—”
“This isn’t the time to show them your arrogance, Julian.” His father raised a finger. “Don’t ever give them—”
“I’m not doing anything that would compromise your plans. I just want to show them that—”
“Enough.” His father sighed and glanced back in the direction of the door. “How’s the vacation? And why are you here already?”
“Ruth called me.”