The Heir

chapter 21

“Enough! Here you go again, Franklin. Have I not thought you a lesson before?”

“Grandma, please listen to me first.” He fished the envelope from his pocket and slammed it on the table.

“What is this?” His father was the first to open it and looked at the pictures. “W-whoa! Mother, you should see these!”

His father handed the pictures to his grandmother. Franklin saw how his grandmother’s upper lip quivered out of anger. Her hands even clenched against the photographs.

“You see, Grandma, that wench is not worthy of what you promised her. She was relying on her body to get that deal. I wonder how Maximilian would feel if he knew that his wife, who acts like a saint, committed adultery with the new president of the LS Group.” Franklin crouched in front of his grandmother. “But of course, we cannot let the public know about this scandal because it will surely affect our cooperation with the LS Group. The best thing we can do for now is not to let Victoria climb her way up to the top. We need to punish her for tarnishing the family’s reputation this way.”

“Franklin is right, Mother. You should teach Victoria a lesson,” his father butt in. “My son is the one who deserves the general manager’s position. Don’t be swayed by Victoria, Mother. You always favor the eldest son of the family. And that is what our family has been doing for generations.”

“You must reconsider your decision, Grandma.”

“You’ve been dedicating your life to the company since your husband died. All you ever wanted is to climb to the top and make a legacy for your children and grandchildren. And I am sure if my father is still alive, he will not allow someone like Victoria to—”

“I get your point,” his grandmother said firmly. “I got overjoyed by the news and forgot to stick with my principles.”

“I do understand, Grandma.” Franklin smiled.

“We must protect our family’s reputation and the company.” His grandmother patted his cheek. “As the eldest grandson of this family, you will be appointed as the new general manager.”

“Thank you, Grandma. I know you will never fail me.” Franklin caught his grandmother’s hand and brought her knuckles to his lips. “This must be kept a secret between us three. I do not want any problems that will destroy our cooperation with the LS Group. Understand?”

“Yes, Mother.”

“Yes, Grandma.”

“Good. Then you two must head back to the office. I want to rest.”

Franklin’s father assisted her to the master bedroom while he headed outside the house and waited for him. After a few minutes, his father came out in a hurry.

“You have her tailed, don’t you?” Franklin looked at his father and laughed. “What’s so funny?”

He looked around first to check if no one was around, and when he was sure that the coast was clear, he told his father the truth.

“T-the pictures were fake?”

“Yes.” Franklin lighted a cigarette. “I hired a couple to act and have the woman’s face edited. It’s the power of technology, Father. Grandma’s too old to know about this kind of stuff. There is no way she would find out that they were fake.”

“And how about your cousin?”

Franklin caressed his chin.

“How would she know when it’s a secret between the three of us? Unless you will spill the tea to the wrong person.”

“I am not insane, Franklin. I will not let your efforts go to waste.” His father tapped his back. “I raised you well, son. You really know how to play this game.”

“Well, Victoria is the only naïve in this family. The moment she decided to marry that son of a waste, I knew she is no good.”