NOVEL NEXT Chapter 551: Family time (2)
Scarlet and Jaden were eating Luther's precious roast after nicely forcing his guest away. Not that either of the two seemed to care: the guest had a smile on his face while leaving, and Luther was observing the twins with his usual keen eye.
Maybe the Woods had missed it, but Lara could see that he was really looking at them, with all of his attention. It had been like this for her too when she was a child. He would actually listen - and remember what she said later. It was one of the reasons why she loved him so much. He wasn't pretending to listen. Even if she was a child, he cared about what she said.
He saw what she did.
It was not much of a surprise that he had noticed something was off with the twins.
«I have something to ask, uncle,» she started when she was ready. On one side, he was scary. He could see things she wanted to keep secret.
But, on the other hand, it was a relief that he was loving her kids like he had loved her when she was little. He wouldn't have hurt them if it was in his power, and she suspected he had already found a way to get his revenge without involving them.
«Yes?» he hummed, cutting more meat because he knew the twins weren't done with their meal. That was an afternoon snack, he reminded himself. He should be careful not to overfeed them!
«Are you buying the competitors?»
«Which competitors?» he asked, pretending to be surprised.
«Clayton Enterprises' competitors. Are you the one buying them? My mother called me names a few days ago because she thinks I asked Nate to do that, but Nate knows nothing.»
«Maybe he's pretending to know nothing. Men keep secrets from their wives, you know?»
«I'm not his wife yet. And he confessed that he's working on the supply chain.»
«Oh, I see... I have noticed something odd with the prices, but I don't truly run all those companies. I just buy them when they're on the brink of failure and adjust their bad practices.»
«On the brink of failure?»
«Yes,» he sighed. He had given away that he was involved, already. There was no point to hide it anymore. «I don't have the funds to buy the good businesses.»
«And with which funds are you buying the bad ones?»
«Oh, that... Well, I have something on the side.»
«On the side?» Lara chuckled. «What have you gotten yourself into?»
«Why are you doubting me?»
«Uncle... You're buying companies with such speed that my mother assumed it was Nate. You're offering cash, aren't you?»
«It's the fastest way to buy a company: paying as soon as you sign the contract. I was a little busy helping them fix their bad habits, though. I had no time to actually do something to Clayton Enterprises.»
«Don't you feel bad at ruining your own company?»
«It just has my name. Everything else of mine has been erased, Lara. Also, what makes you think I won't buy it once it fails? Ah?»
«You would be the magnate of... I haven't asked you which part are you targeting: clothes or building?»
«The latter. I've heard your parents have started building social connections and small houses for the rich. I wanted to ruin it because there's nothing Grace loves as much as being with the elite. I'm working on the construction enterprise, right now. I'll leave the clothes for later, that business is established and stable.»
«I understand. And I'm relieved, actually. Since Nate is working on the clothes factories. He's buying the suppliers and is planning to influence the client market with the LY Corp. Or that's what I understood of it, I'm not sure.»
«We won't clash, then. I'm also relieved. Not that your young lad would be a problem for me. I'm an old fox with many tricks up my sleeves... Even if I've been fooled like a peacock once.»
«Nate is not a lamb either.»
«I know he's not lamb,» he chuckled, glancing at the kids. «A wolf in sheep's clothing, ah?»
«Uncle!»
«Are you this sensitive? Little Scarlet here kept your secrets very well. Too well, if you ask me.»
Hearing her name, the little girl raised her head and glanced at her grandpa.
«I know how to keep secrets, grandpa,» she said.
«I know. That's what I said, in fact.»
«Do you know how many secrets I know? I haven't told anyone of that time when dad bought me a shiny Kate. He said to keep it hidden in my drawer because mommy wouldn't be happy if he spoiled me too much. See?»
«That's lovely, Scarlet,» he said, chuckling. «You must be very full of secrets. What about the reasons why your mommy doesn't let you eat out?»
«Oh, that's because of the growling. But we got better.»
«Did you tell that to anyone?»
«No, grandpa. I said nothing! See?»
He almost reached out to pat her head. She was simply adorable. He could imagine her growing up into a fierce young lady. Not to mention he liked her hobby of collecting shiny stones, mostly investment gemstones.
«And Jaden, here, is very quick with his mind. He realised when I was suspecting and changed the topic, didn't he?»
«But you know, grandpa!» he said, tilting his head.
«I'm an old fox, Jaden. I've learnt to sniff it when something is going on. After all, I once was a businessman.»
«Like my daddy?» Scarlet interrupted them. «Were you also handsome like him?»
«Even more!»
«And were you a CEO?» Enjoy exclusive content from empire
«I was,» Luther sighed, remembering the good old times. «But I worked, differently from your daddy. I worked much to get my company on top!»
«And no you retired?» asked Jaden, suddenly curious.
The twins started flooding him with questions, so Lara couldn't continue the chat. She sighed, sitting there and picking what remained of the meat. Her cubs were curious about their grandpa, so she had no hope of asking anything more.