Chapter 66
one Week Later
Caleb Blake's 80th Birthday celebration, The Blake mansion bustled with activity as the staff hurriedly prepared for the evening's event. By 5 p.m., reporters had already gathered outside the grand estate, eager to capture the arrival of the first guests for the party starting at 7 p.m. They wanted to be ahead of schedule to catch all the important arrivals.
"Isn't that Mrs. Kane's car coming?" asked a reporter from Aurora news Daily, turning to his senior colleague as a car approached the imposing gate.
"Yes, that's her vehicle," confirmed the senior reporter. Immediately, cameras were raised, and recording began.
"It's 5:20 p.m., and Lilly Kane has just arrived at the Blake residence for her grandfather's birthday celebration. We can also see her daughter, little Viola, accompanying her," narrated the cameraman as he filmed the luxury car driving through the gates.
"We'll go live again once more guests start arriving," the reporter concluded, noticing his colleagues' stunned expressions. "What's with the look?" he asked.
"You referred to her as Lilly Blake," one of them pointed out.
"Isn’t that her name?" the puzzled junior reporter asked, only to be reprimanded.
"How could you call her Lilly Blake! Do you understand the trouble you've just caused?" the senior reporter exclaimed.
The junior reporter, now visibly worried, stammered, "But isn't she a Blake?"
"Are you an idiot? Do you not know whose wife she is? Didn’t you read the brief I gave you? Being new doesn’t excuse such a blunder!"
Realizing his mistake, the junior reporter pleaded, "I'm sorry, sir. I promise it won't happen again." He knew he should have referred to her as Lilly Kane or Mrs. Kane, acknowledging her marriage to Aleander Kane.
"Leave now and prepare for your dismissal. I'm certain Mr. Kane is already taking action," the senior reporter stated sternly.
Desperate, the junior reporter fell to his knees, clutching his superior's legs. "Please, sir, help me. Explain to the superiors that I’m new and didn’t know better. Please, sir," he begged, fearing the loss of his recently acquired job.
The senior reporter sighed. "There’s nothing I can do. You could try pleading with Mr. Kane, but good luck finding another job. And just so you know, I’ll face repercussions for your mistake too," he said before walking away.
The junior reporter began to sweat, understanding the immense power and influence Oliver Kane wielded over the city, even though he didn’t own the news outlet.
Meanwhile, Alexander, who had watched the live report, was livid. He immediately summoned his assistant.
"You called for me, sir?" James entered the office promptly.
"Did you see the news?"
"Yes, sir. I've already addressed it," James responded, bracing himself.
Oliver's eyes narrowed. "How did you handle it?"
"The reporter responsible will be dismissed soon, sir," James explained.
"Good," Alexander replied, his voice icy. He detested hearing his wife referred to by her maiden name, insisting she be recognized as a Kane.
"When is the last meeting scheduled?" he asked.
"At 6 p.m., sir. It will end by 7 p.m., giving you time to attend the banquet," James reported, handing over the business brief.
"Thank you. You may leave," Oliver said, glancing at the document.
James bowed and exited the room.
Back at the Blake estate, Lilly stepped out of the car, carrying her sleeping daughter. "Welcome, ma'am," greeted the head maid, Janet.
"Thank you, Miss Janet," Lilly replied with a smile, observing the hive of activity around her.
"Would you like something to eat or drink, ma'am?" Janet offered.
"No, we ate already. You can continue with your tasks. I'll join you after I settle her upstairs," Lilly said, looking at her daughter fondly.
Janet smiled, "She’s adorable, even while sleeping."
Lilly nodded, "Yes, she is."
Janet then excused herself to continue her work, while Lilly took Viola upstairs to her old room, which had already been prepared. She laid her daughter on the spacious bed and ensured she was comfortable before checking that all their belongings had been brought up. After confirming everything, she instructed the guards outside the room to ensure no one entered.
Making her way to her grandfather’s study, she knocked and entered upon his invitation. "Happy 80th birthday, Grandpa!" she greeted warmly, hugging him.
"My dear," Caleb embraced her, patting her back.
"I have a special gift for you, Grandpa. I think you'll love it," she said, handing him a file.
Curious, Caleb opened the file to find a property deed with his name on it. He was astonished to see that his granddaughter had bought him an island, a piece of land he had long dreamt of owning to build a vacation home. This island, not found on conventional maps, had been a cherished wish since he first saw it while visiting an old friend in the mountains.
"How did you manage this?" he asked, amazed.
Lilly explained, "It’s unclaimed land. To purchase it, I had it registered as a government property under the relevant country. Afterward, I acquired it."
Caleb beamed with pride. "Why didn’t I think of that?"
"I’m glad you like it," Lilly said, smiling.
"This is the best birthday present ever, thanks to my precious granddaughter," Caleb declared, pulling her into a hug. "I’m so proud of you."
With tears in her eyes, Lilly replied, "I’m happy you love it, Grandpa."
"Where’s my great-granddaughter?" Caleb inquired, looking around.
"She’s napping. I’ll bring her to you when she wakes up. Meanwhile, you should rest before the banquet," Lilly suggested.
"Alright," Caleb agreed.
"I’ll supervise the staff to ensure everything is ready," Lilly said before leaving the study.
As Caleb gazed at the deed, a bittersweet smile crossed his face. He was overjoyed with the gift but saddened by the absence of his late granddaughters. Their loss still weighed heavily on him. It was this sorrow, coupled with a desire to ease his granddaughter’s burdens, that led him to reconcile with his estranged son. He wanted to ensure that Lilly had support, knowing he wouldn’t always be there.
It was time for Peter to return.
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