The Heir

chapter 18

WHEN Maximilian entered the Griffith mansion, a butler met him at the foyer. He immediately hid the unlighted stick of cigarette inside his pocket.

“Mr. Lee,” the butler greeted nonchalantly.

“Daniel.” He tapped the butler on the shoulder.

“Is she home?” he asked, referring to the old Mrs. Griffith.

Maximilian was alone. He did not tell his wife Victoria that he would visit her grandmother because he did not want her to know what he secretly did for her.

“Yes. Madam is in the parlor right now, drinking her tea. She has been feeling quite weak lately. Perhaps she was really, really getting old,” Daniel said in a low tone.

He made him laughed at that.

“But then, she still holds power in this household.” He pocketed his hands and sauntered to the right- wing of the Griffith mansion where the parlor is located.

Maximilian knocked on the door twice. Mrs. Griffith’s secretary opened it for him.

“Mind if I join you?”

Old Mrs. Griffith turned in his direction. The moment she saw him, Maximilian saw that sour expression on her face. There was never a time that this old woman would be happy to see him.

“And you really dared to come over here unannounced.” Mrs. Griffith took a sip of her tea.

He plopped down on the chair across from her.

“Well… this is more like a surprise visit, Grandma.” He grinned.

Old Mrs. Griffith looked at him with a crooked brow.

“I doubt you care for me so much you—”

“Nah! I’m sorry to disappoint you, but that is not the case why I came here.” He picked a piece of Danish cookie from the can and popped it into his mouth. He munched it first before speaking again. “Well, it has been a week since the Griffith Group signed a deal with the LS Group. I am here to remind you that you promised my dear wife Victoria that she will be the general manager.”

Old Mrs. Griffith cleared her throat. “I haven’t forgotten about that. If that is what you mean.”

“Oh. Great!” Maximilian clasped his hands and leaned against his seat. “Then what is taking you so long?”

“How bold of you to ask me such a question?” Mrs. Griffith sneered. “It is my company, Maximilian. As long as I am the president, I call the shots. Victoria will be the new general manager soon. And besides, she is on vacation with you at the farmhouse.”

“Hmm… right. She’s been through a lot lately, and she deserves a vacation.” He rose to his feet and exited the parlor.

Maximilian went back to the farmhouse, where he found his wife still tucked under the blanket in broad daylight. Victoria was awake, though.

“Where have you been, Max?” She yawned and sat up afterward.

“Well…” He leaned against the door frame. “I drove to town and bought you your favorite bread for breakfast.”

“Ah… how sweet of you.” Victoria blew him a kiss.

“Come on, let’s eat.” He beckoned her to leave the bed.

“Coming!” Victoria said as she eased from the blanket.

Maximilian had prepared the bagels and coffee when his wife arrived at the kitchen. She sat on the stool and grabbed half of the bagel with cream cheese from the plate.

“We are leaving the day after tomorrow,” Victoria told him after a bite.

“Yes. Do you want to extend our vacation?” He sat on the stool beside her.

“As much as I want to, we need to go home. I still have piles of work to do.”

VICTORIA was busy assisting her husband at their barbeque party. It was their last day at the farmhouse, so they decided to throw a small banquet for the staff who had been with them on their one-week stay.

“Ma’am.”

She turned behind her when she heard Linda, the housemaid, called her.

“Yes?”

“Your grandmother is on the phone. She is looking for you,” Linda informed her.

“Oh.” She glanced at her husband.

“Go on. I can manage here,” Maximilian said as he gestured to the front door.

Victoria removed her apron and rushed inside the farmhouse. She wondered why her grandmother called her in the middle of her vacation. She just hoped that there was no problem.

“Grandma,” she said as soon as the receiver reached her ear.

“I’ve been calling you on your mobile phone, but I couldn’t reach you.” There was a hint of irritation in her grandmother’s voice.

“I’m sorry about that, Grandma. I was outside the farmhouse. Why are you calling, anyway? Is there a problem?”

“Oh, there is no problem. I just want to inform you that I decided to host a banquet,” her grandmother said excitedly. “We will invite the bigwigs and then announced the new general manager of the Griffith Group, which is you, of course, and brag about our cooperation with the LS Group.”

Victoria smiled even though she could not see her grandmother at that moment. Now she could really feel the worth of everything she had done for the family and the company for the past years.

“That’s great, Grandma. My husband and I are coming back tomorrow. I can help you with the preparations for the banquet—”

“There is no need for you to help me with that. I already asked your cousin Iris to do the necessary preparations. However, there is something that I want you to do for me.” Her grandmother’s tone was a bit low, which made her a little anxious. That tone never fails to intimidate anyone.

Victoria took a gulp before she could talk back. “W-what is it, Grandma?”