Arnold Ravenwood thought about his two sons and daughter and sighed.
Neither of his children was good enough to be the rightful heir of his shares.
And somehow, their children were even worse.
One was a lovestruck fool.
One was a serial scandal maker.
One had faked so much that people can’t fathom that she fakes.
As the patriarch of the Ravenwood family and the founder of the Carter Music labels, he just couldn’t see his hard work gone in a drain.
As Arnold was pondering what to even do about his family in his outdoor English county tea area while drinking some green tea, the butler arrived.
“Sorry to disturb you, sir, during your tea time, but the patriarch of the Lawrence family is here and is asking for you.” Butler Nolan bowed and said.
“It’s not your fault.
That man has no bone of patience, always pouncing around like some flauting tiger.
Bring him here, Nolan,” Arnold sighed and said.
Even before Bulter Nolan could announce the entrance of the patriarch of the Lawrence family, Abel Lawrence walked into the garden and loudly said, “My dear friend of the century, how are you?
Did you miss me?”
Without even looking up from his saucer, Arnold replied, “I miss the quietness already.”
“Oh, don’t be like that now, will you?
This guy just dealt with a bunch of d*ckheads this morning.” Abel drew a chair and slouched on the chair.
“Just act our age once, will you?” Arnold gritted his teeth and said.
Calling his production investors and film crew members who are involved in every part of his movie direction, filming and final editing ‘dickheads’ and now slouching on the chair like a teenager.
‘Inner peace.
I am an old man with grandchildren.
Inner peace.’ Arnold breathed in
“Oh, before I forget, for the reason I came to meet you, I must ask you something important.
Do your granddaughters have any boyfriends?
After all, it’s around time we reveal the engagement to them.” Abel sat up straight and asked the question seriously.
He was not kidding.
He was seriously considering the engagement plan they both once promised each other when they started out their own businesses.
“My oldest granddaughter is engaged to a woman.
She would rather give up the family and join her fiancée’s if I asked her to break up and have an arranged marriage.
As for my younger granddaughter, she is indeed single.
But…” Arnold said and left his words in the air.
“You still think that child is not of your blood, isn’t it?” Abel asked.
Arnold didn’t say anything, which itself was an answer.
“We can proceed with the marriage between my younger granddaughter and your grandson.
Have your family members agreed to it?” Arnold asked.
“They have given up every ounce of hope of any of their children getting married.
They will find even a guy as their golden daughter-in-law.
Not like I have any problem with people who are queer, but my son and daughter-in-law have truly given up hope.
What about yours?
Will they say anything?” Abel said.
“Initially they will, until I mention my shares,” Arnold said.
“How is it that none of your children are like sister-in-law?
All of them are like you, money-minded.” Abel spat out.
“Money, is what the world is running on.
If you have control of money, you have control of everyone.” Arnold sipped his tea quietly.
Abel grumbled.
He just had a fight with his production investors because of financial support and favouritism over an untalented actress.
“So, shall I announce the marriage to my family members?” Abel asked.
Arnold nodded quietly.
*****
A beautiful young woman was playing Ravel’s Gaspard de la nuit gracefully as her pale, thin fingers flew across the keys of the piano.
The practice hall was filled with young music trainees and music directors, whose eyes were practically glued to the piano and the woman who was playing it.
The woman looked like she was in her early twenties.
Her long, straight black hair was beautifully flowing onto the wooden bench on the piano.
She was wearing a white with soft baby pink embroidered A-line dress.
She looked like a woman straight out of a painting.
As she finished, she gave out a gentle, victorious smile.
Every single person gave rounds and rounds of applause.
“As expected of the piano prodigy of the Ravenwoods, Miss Juliette.
You truly are the worthy heir of Mrs Janet Ravenwoods,” a music director remarked.
“Like grandmother, like granddaughter.”
Juliette quickly shook her hand and refuted, “I am no way close to my grandmother in terms of calibre in music.
She is a legend.
I just am trying my level best to be worthy granddaughter of hers.”
After hearing her polite refusal and kind smile, people started murmuring.
“Wow, she is so humble.
She is so good at piano and performs along with major orchestras.
But she still insists on learning more.”
“She is extremely kind.
If you ever have any problem, she will solve it for you.”
“She is so nice.
I am a big fan of hers!”
Juliette laughed at their sweet fangirling.
Suddenly, her phone started to ring.
“World’s sweetest mother”.
It flashed.
“Guys, my mum’s calling.
Need to pick up.
If you need any assistance, call me or text me, ok?
I’ll definitely reply.” Juliette said and left the room after waving everyone a good bye.
“She looks like a flower.” People gasp at her smile.
Juliette picked up the call and said, “My lovely mumma, how are you?
Missing me?”
“Oh my lovely daughter, I miss you so much.
Where are you?” Cristina cooed at her lovely daughter’s lovely voice.
Her daughter was her pride and her soul.
She has always been proud of how her daughter grew up to be a lady worthy of the old-money family prospects.
She already had planned a perfect marriage for her perfect daughter.
She had planned everything for her perfect daughter as soon as she held her in her arms after the nanny had given her after her delivery.
“Still in the academy, Mother.
I was practising for the next performance.
Is everything alright, Mother?” Juliette said.
Author here.
Hope you have fun reading this.
-Love.