CHAPTER THIRTY

Jack watched as different families came to congratulate Josiah, including Lia and her partner.
He wondered how he could lose face in just one night. He and Mabel left, not feeling like staying any longer.
It looks like Jack was still too much of a coward to confront his father.
"Mr. King, meet my son Josiah" Mr. Griffon introduced his son.
"Nice to meet you, Mr. King, Mrs. King, and Mr. Black," Josiah said as he shook their hands, except Lia.
He knew better than to stare at her for long, how much more, skin contact.
"Are you already familiar with Mr .king?" Mr. Griffon asked.
" I do, they are my best friends," Josiah said.
Mr. Black scoffed.
" Mr .king has decided to form an alliance with Griffon's Group, For a year. To support our friend here" Mr. Black said.
Mr. Griffon was shocked, in all his years of knowing Leo he had never been able to convince him to work together.
" I always knew you guys love me," Josiah said while placing his hand on his chest.
" This is good news, we have to celebrate," Mr. Griffon said.
" How could you do this to me, to our son?" Mrs. Griffon came screaming.
" Please excuse me" Mr. Griffon excused himself.
He grabbed his wife's arm and dragged her outside.
" What's wrong with you? Have you lost all self-respect" Mr. Griffon scolded her for the little stunt she pulled.
" Doesn't our son mean anything to you?"
"What about him?"
"You didn't even spare him a glance while you praised that bastard child all night"
"Watch your mouth" Mr. Griffon warned.
"It's because of that woman, right?"
"You know full well that your son isn't capable of handling anything. You want me to give him the company, so that it can fall overnight, huh?"
"You didn't even give him a chance"
"I've given him many chances and he always proved me right"
"He just needs more time"
"Stop fending for him. That's why he is a rotten child, you pamper the boy too much"
"Maybe I wouldn't have if he had his father there for him"
"And abandon my child? He didn't have his mother anymore, he needed someone"
" Of course, it's always about that woman. You still love her don't you?"
" I do, you knew from the very beginning that she was the one I love"
" And that's why you are punishing me?"
" I'm not punishing anybody, you brought this upon yourself"
" Is this how you repay my love for you"
" I told you that I will never be able to return your feelings. I begged you that day not to agree to this stupid marriage proposal, but you still did"
" What did she have that I didn't? Was she prettier than me? Was she good in bed? She didn't even have a wealthy background. She was just a good for nothing"
" Just shut up" Mr. Griffon yelled.
"Twenty-seven years of marriage, and only once you have touched me. I had to shamelessly force myself on you when you were drunk"
"..."
"You preferred to spend all your time warming her bed. I hate that slut so much"
" She was your friend"
Mrs. Griffon laughed.
" She was never my friend, I only used her to get closer to you"
" What do you think she would have felt if she heard everything you have said today?"
" Then thank God she is dead"
This angered Mr. Griffon. He raised his hand to hit her and she flinched. He stopped mid-way remembering his morals.
" Hit me," Mrs. Griffon said trying to provoke him.
" Don't be a fucking coward and hit me" He didn't respond.
" show me the monster you truly are"
She yelled.
Mr. Griffon did nothing but step away from her.
" My lawyer will come to see you tomorrow"
" What for?" Mrs. Griffon asked.
" To sign the divorce papers"
Mrs. Griffon's heart completely shattered. She had lost both her husband and son in one night.
" I will give you the house as Alimony"
" What about my son, what are you going to give him"
" I will give him his fair share, you don't have to worry about it"
" I hate you, you bastard. I pray you rot in hell"
Mrs. Griffon yelled as he made his way back to the banquet hall.
"I'm sorry sir, I eavesdropped on your conversation with your wife" His secretary informed him.
" What did you hear?"
" Are you really not going to give your son another chance"
" I will. I would give him money and if he does anything creative or even as little as investing it, Then he can come work in the company"
" And if he doesn't?"
" Then I no longer have a second son"
Josiah and Lia were busy conversing and laughing at each other's jokes.
" Mrs. King, the driver has arrived. We are leaving"
" Where is Leo?"
" He is already waiting for you in the car"
" Oh"
Mr. Black escorted Lia to the vehicle and opened the door for her to get in. He wouldn't dare mistreat Leo's wife in front of him.
He opened the door to the passenger's seat and was about to enter.
"Where are you entering?" Leo asked.
"The car"
"Close the door and find your own ride"
The driver laughed at Mr. Black's situation earning him a glare.
Mr. Black shut the door and moved away from the car.
"Drive" Leo commanded the driver.
"Why did you chase him away?" Lia asked.
"I've been too good to him for the past few days"
" So?"
" He might get too soft"
Lia will never understand the relationship between those two, no one will.
Lia hated how the ride was always silent. She was bored and decided to admire the man sitting a few inches away from her.
He had his arms crossed and his eyes closed. He must be asleep, Lia thought. He looked so peaceful.
She noticed how his muscles were threatening to pop out of his shirt, she felt like exploring, but controlled her hands.
She also noticed a shiny blue object almost at the brim of his sleeves. She leaned in to take a closer look at it.
It was the cufflinks she had bought for him.
"Are you done staring?" Leo asked, his eyes still closed.
"I am" Lia blushed and turned away to look outside the window. That became her new source of entertainment for the rest of the ride.
***
"You are back"
Mr. Black just glared at the nuisance in front of him. It seems like Mr. King's harsh treatment affects him a lot.
"I saved dinner for you"
"Where is it?" Mr. Black asked without wasting another second.
"Over here"
Mr. Inhaled the smell of the food.
"I'm only going to eat because you persisted I did"
"Sure"
"You don't have to feed me to ask me questions," Mr. Black said as he ate.
"How did you know?"
"I'm smart"
"It feels as if you know everything"
"I don't, there is still one puzzle I haven't been able to put together"
" Which is?"
" Where you fit in the picture"
" You know, I don't understand what you say sometimes" Lia said.
" I don't expect you to, now tell me why the long face?"
" It's just, I kind of feel remorse for Jack. He has been anticipating that moment his whole life"
" Well then, brace yourself because his karma has just begun"