Chapter65Forming Alliances
Margaret wondered if it was truly wise to have indulged Xena's every whim and fancy. But then, seeing Xena's performance within the Sackler Group, she would dismiss such thoughts.
After all, Xena was the Sackler family's only hope. Even though she had her moments of inadequacy, with the solid foundation of the Sackler Group, Margaret was confident in handing over the reins.
Margaret sighed and reached out to wipe away Xena's tears.
"Xena, these things can't be rushed. We need a well-thought-out plan. Mrs. Francesca has already called me to talk it over, and since there's room for discussion, the outcome of the marriage is still up in the air."
Xena was still anxious. "Grandma, can I come with you, please?"
"With your current state, you'd only make things worse. Xena, stay home and wait for Grandma's return. Remember, Paige now has Raymond's support.
“She no longer lacks the power or money. I fear that she would be heading straight to the clinic. We need to arrange everything meticulously; we can't afford any mishaps.
“You know what would happen if we lost our trump card—Paige would have us in a bind. Without it, the future looks bleak. While your mother is in our hands, Paige has to play by our rules."
Xena was no fool; holding on to the incapacitated individual was the only way to manipulate Paige. Maybe, just maybe, if they gripped that card tightly, they could even force Paige to divorce Raymond.
"Don't worry, Grandma. I'll handle the clinic personally," Xena assured her.
As Margaret left, her mind was eased by Xena's reliability in tough situations despite her usual petulance.
Margaret headed off to meet Francesca, who was already waiting by the time she arrived.
Francesca greeted Margaret with a warmth akin to when they had discussed their children’s marriage years before. She rose and poured coffee for Margaret herself.
Even though Margaret held a senior position, Francesca, as the daughter-in-law of the esteemed Carnegie family, had indeed established a commendable reputation throughout the years.
Smiling, Margaret said, "Mrs. Hoover, you're too kind. The staff could have managed that."
"A lot was happening this morning, leaving no room for private words. That's why I took the liberty of asking to meet up," Francesca replied with a light smile.
Margaret understood immediately.
Taking a sip of coffee, she smiled and asked, "Mrs. Hoover, what's your perspective on our children's marriage?"
Francesca shook her head slightly, "I didn’t make the call at home. Bradley can settle things with a single word. Now, with clear favoritism for his youngest son and his daughter-in-law, he's neglecting his grandson. Poor Louis and Xena, deeply in love, turned into star-crossed lovers."
Francesca knew Louis wasn't interested in Xena, yet at this moment, she skillfully played along with the narrative.
Mrs. Grandmont sighed deeply as well, "I know, it breaks my heart. Xena has been crying her eyes out ever since she got home, and she was still crying when I left. I mean, how do you explain this, Francesca? Her wedding dress was already ordered, all her close friends knew about the big day, and then this sudden cancellation—it's humiliating."
Francesca exhaled with a sense of defeat, "Exactly. I've already informed quite a few relatives on my end. Now, I don’t even know how to break it to them. Mrs. Grandmont, what is the deal with Paige? Is she truly your granddaughter?"
Francesca's main concern today wasn’t the called-off wedding between Louis and Xena.
She was more interested in getting to the bottom of Paige's story and talking to Margaret was the easiest way to find out.
The mention of Paige instantly dampened Margaret's mood.
Although Paige was officially her granddaughter, Margaret knew all too well that Paige wouldn't hesitate to turn against her the moment she had a chance.
And if Paige held a grudge, she'd likely take it out on the entire Sackler family, too.
The young Paige used to be easy for Margaret to manipulate, but ever since getting out of prison, she seemed to have become an entirely different person.
Margaret could easily pay five million dollars in cash just to be able to understand Paige’s mind.
"What kind of granddaughter is she? She’s more like a family embarrassment. Frankly, I’d rather the Sacklers didn't have such a blight against our name."
Margaret was so agitated she trembled slightly as she set down her cup.
Francesca, sitting close by, noticed the subtle shake.
"Given the situation, I won’t pry any further. But after everyone had left today, I had to maintain some semblance of family pride and stayed for lunch. I even gave Paige a family heirloom and a diamond bracelet. But, Mrs. Grandmont, Raymond is already causing headaches for our Louis, and now he's married into your family. As for their wedding, who knows how long it will be delayed. It's just exasperating."
Hearing Francesca’s words, Margaret wondered if they hadn’t written off Xena after all.
Suddenly, Margaret's mind began to race with possibilities, and Xena's request for a divorce began to make sense.
Margaret responded carefully, "It would be a shame for many years of affection between the kids to go to waste over this. There might be a way, though. If Raymond and Paige could be persuaded to divorce, there's still a chance for Louis and Xena’s wedding to proceed."
As Margaret spoke, her eyes never left Francesca's face.
After all, if this were to succeed, Francesca's support would be indispensable.
Francesca was a Carnegie, and with her help from the inside, wouldn't everything be more effective?
Despite knowing that Xena wasn't exactly a perfect match, Francesca was aware that it was unlikely for Louis to find a more suitable partner for a strategic marriage anytime soon.
Moreover, she had always had her eye on the projects under the management of the Sackler family.
Now seemed like the perfect opportunity to make some bold moves.
With a knowing smile, Francesca said, "Madam Margaret might have a point, but it seems to me that Raymond and Paige have quite a bond. This might prove challenging. Not to mention, Bradley was the one who brought them together; a divorce wouldn't be easy."
Margaret, well aware of everything going on, knew Paige wouldn't easily let go of Raymond.
And from Raymond's side, incapacitated as he was, any man would be drawn to a young and beautiful woman like Paige.
Breaking them up was not going to be an easy task.
But Margaret smiled and said, "That girl has always been a handful since she was little. However, I do have something that can make her comply."
Francesca looked up sharply at the elderly Sackler matriarch.
"Madam is wise indeed," she admitted.
Margaret continued, "But if I play this trump card, it'll be a point of no return with her. If, in the future, she blames everything on the Sackler family, using Carnegie's influence to suppress us... You know our family is barely holding on as it is."
Margaret spoke while locking eyes with Francesca; she was forging an unbreakable alliance with her.
