NOVEL NEXT Chapter 561: Bad writing
After their adventures with boys' and girls' parties, the cubs could finally spend a whole day with their mommy. And Luther!
They loved visiting grandpa Luther. He would always have tasty food in the fridge, and he would tell them interesting stories about his youth. For example, his first failed investments or how he had beaten their daddy's dad quite a few times.
Even though business was supposed to be boring to kids, those two were CEO's pups. They could handle the stories surprisingly well. And, deep down, Luther knew they were taking notes for the future. They might not know how all that information could become useful but, at the right moment, they would know what to do.
It was especially true for Scarlet, who was starting to grasp the concepts of investment and return. She had shown her collection of shining rocks to Luther, and the latter had to admit she had a talent for choosing good pieces. Even some which wouldn't shine as much but had enough value to exchange them for a house.
And Jaden was silent but could grasp everything Luther said. He would understand, truly, while Scarlet was moved by instinct first. The little boy could then apply the concepts to other aspects - like beating Nate or getting his mommy's attention for longer.
Together, those two could become scary. But that was part of why Luther loved them.
When they visited, that afternoon, he had yummy sandwiches ready for them. Ham and cheese and, of course, a little salad.
Scarlet had explained to him what they liked, very much in detail. So, every time, he would ensure there was enough food the twins would like.
That day, however, he couldn't talk about business. Unfortunately, Lara also wanted a bit of his attention.
«Let's talk,» she said and, by the tone, Luther knew something was the matter.
«Yes?»
«I found this schema you gave the twins,» she said, unfolding a piece of paper in front of him. It was about financial ratings... Since the kids were grown-up and knew letters, he had sketched the ratings and connected them with smiley faces to explain which one was better.
The hard challenge, back then, had been explaining why the best rating ever wasn't L.
«Oh, that... They were curious about As and Bs. And triple As, for that matter. I just hope they don't get discouraged when they get a simple A at school instead of... Oh, whatever,» he chuckled, suddenly nervous.
Lara's face was so solemn that he wondered whether she was unhappy he was teaching the twins.
«I found it interesting,» Lara said.
«Oh, yeah? You can listen to our chats if you're worried,» he said. «I'm not teaching anything ethically or legally ambiguous, Lara. I promise! But you can listen to what we talk about if you don't believe me.»
«Uh?» she hummed, surprised. «That's not the matter!» she then exclaimed. «It's something else. I mean, Nate also tried teaching them business, so it's okay. If anything, they seem to listen to you more than they do with Nate. Your lessons have some effect while Nate's...
Well, let's not talk about it, okay?»
«It's not the lesson? Then what is it? The pen colour?»
Scarlet had only pink crayons with her, that day. Two of them, light and dark pink.
«It's about your calligraphy,» she said.
«Oh, that... I'm sorry... I know that kids that age should be exposed to good examples, but I've never been able to write well. But I worked hard on making the letters readable, see? That's my best version.»
«Can you just listen to me for a second?» Lara scoffed. «It's not the calligraphy as it is. And it's not that bad, come on. It's readable. It's about where else I've seen it.»
«Yeah?»
«Yes,» she sighed. «There's this Pike selling paintings in Norwich, and I was so curious about him because the twins like the paintings. I investigated a bit.»
«Investigated?» Luther repeated, his brows folding as he narrowed his eyes. «What do you mean?»
«No one knows a thing about this Pike, except that he's been gone for a few years and is now selling paintings at such a rate that it's unbelievable.»
«Really?» Luther murmured, even though he knew where she was going.
«He would send the paintings to trusted galleries with instructions printed on paper. So, there was nothing useful to track him back. The paintings would be delivered through the mail service, and the money would be deposited in an anonymous bank account. He worked so hard to make him untraceable.»
«But?» Luther sighed.
«He printed everything, and probably left no fingerprints either. But there was one thing he had to write by hand. The address on the envelope. That was difficult to print. Also, the postmark was from Norwich.»
Luther scratched his head. Was there any reason to continue the charade? He could find a reasonable excuse as to why there was his calligraphy on the envelope, but would Lara believe him?
Also, why was she so fixated on those paintings? Just because her kids liked them?
«They sure have keen senses,» he commented.
«Sorry?» Lara hummed. «Who has?»
«Well, everyone. Including you. The writing is mine, true. I sent them, and I also got the payment on a bank account I can use. But I am not Pike.»
«That's what I wanted to ask you,» she revealed. «Who is Pike?»
«It's a long story,» he said. «But just know I'm not hiding because I want to enjoy the money on my own.»
«Do you have permission to sell his drawings?» Continue your adventure with empire
«Oh, I do. Pike gave me his paintings long ago and told me to sell them when I needed to. In exchange, he just wanted to keep his identity a secret. He didn't want his real name under the artwork.»
«Why?»
«Oh, who can tell?» Luther chuckled. «But one thing is sure: I'm not going to put his name anywhere. I promised, and a promise shouldn't be broken just like that.»