NOVEL NEXT Chapter 550: Family time (1)
Luther was almost done with preparing his dinner while listening to Gabriel's report. He had finally gotten his hands on some documentation.
It might not have been enough to clear his name, but at least he could make the public doubt the Clayton couple's version. And he could get something out of it if he traced where the money had gone.
He hadn't yet opened the folder because he was busy checking the roast in the over. He was willing to celebrate by eating meat and drinking good red wine. He had even set the table for Gabriel.
«I've waited twenty years to get out of there and stand a chance in this world,» he said. «I've learned the lesson: not to trust anyone with your secrets. And now I'll get my revenge in one way or the other.»
«One way or the other? What do you mean?»
«That if there's nothing in these documents, I'll simply find another way.»
«What kind of way?»
Luther burst out laughing. «Don't worry, nothing illegal. I've had enough of prison life. Also, even if I did cross a line, I would ensure you're not involved with it. I don't need accomplices, do I?»
«I can't imagine you sitting calmly, waiting for the results of my investigation,» Gabriel pointed out.
«I learnt patient in twenty years of waiting.»
«I still can't imagine you idle. What's going on?»
«Going on? Oh, nothing.»
«What are you doing in great secret?» Gabriel inquired, insisting on getting an answer. His friend was clearly hiding something big.
Before Luther could reply, the bell rang. They were both startled, which meant neither was expecting a visit, especially not Luther. Who could even visit him?
He went to open the door and found his niece and her kids.
«Lara?» he hummed, surprised.
«The kids missed you, so we came here to visit you. I hope it's not the wrong moment... We were strolling nearby, so... Hem...»
«Oh, it's all right! You're always welcome at my house!» he exclaimed. «Please, get in. I was just making roast. What a lucky coincidence, isn't it?»
Scarlet and Jaden were looking up at him, happy, but also sniffing the scent in the air. There was something delicious being prepared in that house.
«Come in,» he said, offering his hands to the twins.
«Isn't it early for dinner, though?»
«I had a friend visiting, so I thought of preparing something for us.»
«So, it is the wrong moment,» Lara understood.
«Not at all. What were you up to, kids?» he asked, guiding them to the kitchen.
Gabriel had closed the folder and moved the documents in a drawer when he heard the door opening, just in case. It turned out it was the right move since the woman entering was none other than Lara Clayton.
«Oh, Lara... This is Gabriel, a close friend of mine. One of the few. And, Gabriel... You know who she is.»
«It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Clayton,» he said, getting up to greet her. «I've heard a lot about you. It's nice to finally meet you in person.»
Your journey continues at empire
«Heard a lot?» she chuckled. «You shouldn't believe everything the tabloids say. I'm just like any other woman out there. Not the first nor the last having kids without being married.»
«Marriage is overestimated,» he commented. She seemed a lot happier by Nate Woods's side like that than many married women could ever be.
And the kids were just as cute as in the pictures.
«You must be Jaden and Scarlet,» he said. «Your grandpa had told me about you.»
«Yes?» Scarlet said, looking up at that stranger without moving away from Luther. «What did he say?»
«He said that you have an eye for business, just like your father. And that Jaden is a big boy taking care of his mommy.»
«That's true,» Jaden added. So, that man wasn't lying about knowing them! «What else do you know?»
«Oh... Ehm, nothing? I had just started chatting with Luther. There was no time to say much more.»
«You can continue talking about us, grandpa,» Scarlet exclaimed, pulling Luther's hand. «We won't disturb you.»
«I guess so,» he chuckled. «What do you think of eating something, though? Aren't you hungry?»
«It's early for them, they just ate,» Lara said, but the twins were already nodding.
«But you should also eat salad, okay?» Luther continued, paying no attention to his niece.
«Okay!» both replied, shining.
Luther helped them sit at the kitchen island, ensuring they were stable before walking to the oven. Lara simply sighed, sitting nearby and waiting in silence.
At least, her cubs ate properly when Luther was around, so she didn't need to work too hard around them.
«I was planning to visit quickly and go home,» she said. «Not dwelling here for too long, uncle.»
Gabriel chuckled, amused by that familiar scene. One would never guess the amount of drama and intrigue surrounding those people from the way they interacted. They looked like any uncle and niece would. Who would say one was an ex-convict out for revenge, and that the other was having a semi-illicit relationship with a powerful CEO?
And he had the feeling that the secrets he knew were just the tip of the iceberg. Who knew how much more was there to find if one dug enough?
But he had no interest in gossip. Moreover, it was his old friend and benefactor. Digging up his secrets had never crossed Luther's mind. If not for his friend's sake, of course. To stop him before he did something that couldn't be undone.
«I'll go now,» Gabriel said. «I'll let you have some family time.»
«The dinner was supposed to be for you,» Lara pointed out. «I'm sorry for interrupting you, but you also don't need to go. Unless our presence troubles you, of course.»
«It doesn't trouble me. I'm just tired after a long day at work,» he said. «We'll meet again, Miss Clayton. I'll stay longer next time.»
Luther didn't even pay attention to him as he left, too focused on his grandniece picking her slice of meat and his grandnephew counting the potatoes because he had learnt a few new numbers with Nate.