Filed to story: Dumped by Scumbag Adored by Billionaire
George loved his grandson with all his heart and for him to insist on pairing Isabella, his daughter with his grandson Julie meant he had a plan?- a plan he just ruined.
Amid his gloomy state George sensed someone’s intent gaze and glanced up only for his gaze to connect with Niles. They stared at each other for almost a minute and then, it was decided – there was more to the engagement than everyone knew.
“Oldman, would you mind having a drink with me in my office?” Niles said to George, stunning everyone.
They had been rejoicing at the likelihood of the engagement being canceled only for Niles to arrange a private meeting with the foxy old man who had orchestrated the engagement in the first place. Moreover, the both of them had been at loggerheads earlier, what was the possibility they weren’t about to kill each other inside.
That was what Reina must have been thinking as well because she tried to say, “I don’t think that’s a good -“
George raised his hand, stopping her, “It’s no problem,” he faced Niles, “Lead the way,”
One of the military personnel stationed in the room tried to follow but the old man motioned him to stop as well.
“I’m in safe hands,” He said.
Really? Everyone was as puzzled as the military. Why hire them if he was in safe hands? The confrontation earlier, what was it for then?
Yet, George gave them no further explanation, following after Niles to his study with everyone’s gaze trained on him.
Once inside his study, Niles produced two tumblers and a bottle of whiskey, pouring a drink for the both of them. Clicking their glasses, both men gulped the whole thing down, setting the glass back down on the table.
Niles poured another round.
They finished.
He poured another drink.
They finished.
The routine continued until the drink in the bottle was almost exhausted when Niles finally asked, “So what’s the catch? Why Isabella?”
George poured himself a drink, the liquid scorching down his throat before he said, “Isabella has protection and Influence and courage,”
Niles rubbed his jaw, thinking hard, “You want your son to be protected. Isabella has me, then support from Reina’s side and her growing forces in the future and by marrying her, Julie is entitled to the same benefit. But the question is why,” His gaze bore into George’s eyes, “You’ve been doing a good job of protecting him all this while except…..” it finally dawned on him.
Niles’s eyes widened slightly, taking in the man with a tinge of compassion, “You’re dying, aren’t you?”
George chuckled as if death was something to be laughed at, “I see who Isabella completely took over,” He sighed, “It has been a huge privilege having lived this long. When my son died from my carelessness, I had numerous thoughts I would join him soon but I guess, taking care of his son was my redemption,”
He went on, “I don’t have much power as before but Julie is bright and I see him reviving the glory of our family. However, it’s like leaving a lamb amid wolves, he has so many enemies and no helpful relative on his side,”
Niles finally understood the old man’s plot, Isabelle would have been his grandson’s armor. After all, they ruled the city plus the fact he was in-law with Sakuzi, no gang would dare to attempt an attack on them. No one wanted a fate worse than death.
Sakuzi was not a merciful clan, once stirred, they hunted even to the last descendant. A whole generation wiped out from the surface of the earth. Who would want that?
“I don’t have many years left, you have?to agree to the engagement,”
The third point of view:
They say great powers come with great responsibility. Niles had spent all his life garnering enough power so his kids wouldn’t be forced to face the same hard choices he had to make, but it seems life always had its plans.
“I don’t have many years left, you have to agree to this engagement,” George told him, knowing Niles had the decision making power this time around, “Do this old man a favor,”
For over a minute, no one said a word, the both of them going over the decision and the consequences in their head
Finally, Niles opened his mouth to say, “No,”
George’s face fell immediately. He had been hopeful.
Niles went ahead to explain, “I’m a man who believes in love and ended up with the love of my life, why then would I do the opposite to my daughter?” he leaned closer to his desk, “Living in a loveless marriage is agony and I have seen firsthand what it turned my father into, I can’t do that to Isabella of all people.
“Moreover, she’s made it clear to you that she would skin the life out of your grandson – you can take her word on that. So sorry George, I cannot help you with that engagement. I’m saving my daughter’s life as well,”
George pursed his lips, nodding his head in understanding. The message was clear to him, the engagement was not going to happen. For a moment, the man wanted to just cry out his heart at a corner. He has failed his son and his grandson, Julie. He was a worthless grandfather.
“However,”
That single word lifted the man’s crestfallen face. He saw a faint light at the end of the tunnel.
“W-what?” he choked.
“I would love Julie to be my son and receive all the benefits of being a Sparks – including protection – but would keep his family name. In one word, I want to be his godfather, not his father-in-law,”?Niles asked him, “Would you grant me that?”
George was dumbfounded, and the next burst into tears of gratitude which made Niles groan and hide his face. He hated tears – all except Reina’s. There was something weird about a man older than his father Adam, crying in his study, all because of him. Not to mention that they were pointing a gun?at each other earlier – Niles preferred his strong side.
“Thank you… thank you so much,” George sniffed, trying to compose himself, “Now, I can die in peace knowing my grandson is in safe hands,” He knew Niles never goes back on his promise.
“Please, don’t die yet,” Was Niles’ response, “at least not without taking away the military you brought into my residence,”
If anything happens to George in here, there was no second guessing the war that would happen. After all, everyone would point fingers at him – George died in his study and he was the one who invited him in. He must have done it with evil intention, People would judge.
Meanwhile…..
Everyone was beginning to get anxious, but the most uneasy was Isabella. Her hands were clenched by her side, her brain working at an unbelievable pace as she tried to think of what had elicited that sudden meeting.
But no matter how hard she thought, she came up with nothing. However, she knew one thing, her father was dead meat if he went contrary to her plans – all of her sacrifices would not be for nothing
Everyone’s head whipped around when Niles returned with the poker-faced George. One by one, they waited for the final judgment, their heart thudding against their chest. To make it worse, Niles didn’t have the best of expression heightening the tension, until they heard.
“I’m sorry,” Niles said and their faces fell at once. Bitter tears stung Isabella’s eyes, how could he? After everything? She was so close to bursting out of the place in anger when Niles completed,