Ashford Group.
"The shareholders are still doubting if truly you will be able to handle a huge project like this. According to them, being a good doctor doesn't mean being a good businessman. Although they haven't said it, it's obvious that they are ready to vote you out at the slightest mistake." Cedric reported, and to his surprise, Gael looked unfazed by his report.
"I have no problem with my father being the CEO; however, if that happens, then the company will fall into Diana's and Lucas's hands, and that is something I cannot allow. Set a meeting with Barrington Corporation. The sooner we start, the better." Gael said, signing the document in front of him and then handing it to Cedric.
The door to his office opened, and Samuel strode in as if it was his office.
Gael frowned at his action and asked, "Do I have to teach an old man like you basic manners like knocking before entering someone's office?"
"I see those years abroad only worsened your attitude." Samuel sneered.
Gael glanced at his assistant. "Today is my wife's first day as the director of Zarion High. Send a flower to her on my behalf."
Cedric nodded and excused himself.
The moment his assistant left, Gael's bored gaze landed on his father as he asked, "What do you want?"
"Do you think your wife will be able to last as the director of the school? The parents will never accept her, and I'm sure that in less than a month, they will all be requesting Diana to come back."
"Is this why you are here? To tell me that the school that belonged to my grandmother is unable to run without your manipulative wife."
"After so many years, Gael, you still haven't changed. Your heart is filled with so much bitterness that I wonder if having a wife and a son hasn't been able to purge you a little." Samuel said, looking concerned for his son.
"If my hatred for Diana and that fake son of yours is the reason you think I am bitter, then let it be so. My mother was the director of Zarion High, and it is only right that the position go to her daughter-in-law, not a cheap replacement of her."
"Gael!"
"It is clear the vice president of the Ashford group is so idle that he has the time to talk about nonsensical things with me."
Samuel scoffed at his son's rudeness and said, "You seem to forget that you are only in this position because Henrick had rejected his responsibility. If your brother were to come back, do you think you would still be able to speak to me with so much arrogance?"
"Leave."
"What?"
"Leave my office, Samuel." Gael said, tired of referring to this man as his father.
Samuel shook his head and said, "As your father, I have always hoped for your happiness, but I already know you enough to say this with boldness. Your marriage with that girl will not last because as long as you still hold on to your memory of the past, you will eventually be left alone."
Samuel turned to leave; he was about to walk out when he heard Gael's voice.
"When did you last hear from Henrick?" Gael asked.
Samuel turned to Gael and said, "Does that matter? Your brother does whatever he likes because he knows you will always clean up his mess for him. This wouldn't be the first time he has decided to become invisible, and even if he does contact anyone, you and I both know that it wouldn't be me."
"Have you ever thought of how much of a failure you are as a father?" Gael asked, and he could see a glimpse of guilt in his father's eyes before he walked away.
Gael collected his phone on the table and clicked on a picture of both him and Henrick during his graduation from college.
Gael could still remember how his brother's eyes had lit up when he attended his graduation ceremony. He has tried his best not to think about it; he has tried his best to numb the pain and feeling in his heart, but if Henrick were here right now, then maybe...maybe he wouldn't feel like he was just living.
The sadness in his heart was slowly consuming him; he couldn't wait to just end it, but first he must find out who had killed his brother because he refused to believe that Henrick's death was just an accident.
.....
Zarion High
Andrea still found it hard to believe that such a big and beautiful place was going to be her office.
A knock on the door made her shift her gaze to the door as she said, "Come in."
A middle-aged man and woman entered the office and greeted her.
The middle-aged man stepped forward and introduced himself as the principal of the school.
The woman did the same, introducing herself as the vice principal.
Andrea smiled gently at them and said, "I'm Andrea; it's nice meeting both of you."
The principal said, "All the students have been asked to gather in the hall for you to introduce yourself to them."
"In that case, let's go."
The principal and vice principal nodded, and Andrea followed them to the assembly hall, where all the students were gathered.
Even though she had worked as a teacher, seeing so many teenagers whose gazes were fixed on her still made her nervous, especially because her students had always been junior students.
The principal took a mic and began addressing the students.
"I'm sure some of you must have already heard that we have a new director. So allow me to introduce you all to Director Andrea."
Andrea took the mic from the principal, but before she could speak, most of the students erupted into boos.
She held the mic tightly and then remembered what Gael had told her before leaving the house.
She raised the mic to her lips and said, "You have ten seconds to behave, or everyone loses fifty points. And if that happens, I wonder how any of you will ever graduate."
At her words, the hall fell silent. Andrea smirked and began her speech.