The whistle-colored Andreas’ leisurely departure from Lydia’s residence, accompanied by a never-ending smile on his lips. Ah, no need to ask. He was obviously happy right now.
Lydia’s pale face remained in Andreas’ mind. He would not forget the trembling of her fingers or the paleness of her lips. It turned out to be quite pleasant. More pleasant than he had first expected.
It may seem heartless, but…
The problem is that I have no heart for her.
Andreas’ whistles suddenly turned into a playful chuckle. Now he wondered what Lydia would do.
Maybe she’d complain to Jonas.
The thought made Andreas look at his watch. It had been twenty minutes since his visit to Lydia’s house, but there had not been a single call on his phone.
Where are you, Jonas? Aren’t you supposed to contact me?
Andreas waited. It seemed impossible that Jonas would not contact him after what he had done.
Ah, playing like this is really fun.
This was only an invitation. What would happen at the actual dinner? Oh dear! Andreas could not wait until Saturday night.
Okay, time to invite the main character of this event.
Andreas’ car pulled up. He got out and was greeted warmly.
A maid approached Andreas with politeness and a friendly smile. She greeted him.
“Welcome, Master Andreas.”
The house would always welcome him with open arms. It had been the most comfortable place for him for years, although things were different now that he had a home of his own, along with the lady of the house.
“Is Nana here?”
The maid nodded. “Yes.”
That was reason enough for Andreas to go inside. He entered and called immediately.
“Nana!”
Noelle opened her arms and accepted Andreas’ warm embrace.
*
“What? Andreas came to home?”
It was not the beginning of the conversation Jonas wanted to hear after a brain-and patience-straining meeting. There were so many complaints to deal with. So, it was not surprising that he was surprised by Lydia’s words.
“Yes, Jon. Andreas came to the house and left about half an hour ago.”
Jonas glanced at his secretary, Alan Monroe Fitzgerald, and motioned for him to leave his office.
“Why did he come home? Did he do something to Mom?”
Faintly, Jonas could hear Lydia taking a deep breath on the other end. There was tension, and fortunately Lydia’s answer was not as ominous as he’d momentarily imagined.
“He didn’t do anything to me.”
Unfortunately, there was a hint of uncertainty in Lydia’s voice that Jonas caught.
“So why did he come home?” Jonas asked again. A small furrow appeared on his forehead. “He wouldn’t come without a reason. What did he say?”
“He actually came to invite us to dinner at his house.”
“Invite us to his house for dinner?”
“Yes. I don’t know what he means by inviting us, but he invites everyone.”
Everyone?
“He’s also invited his family and Nana.”
Jonas froze, but he tried to control himself.
How dare he threaten Mom. What a coward!
Unable to avoid it, Jonas’ emotions flared. His fists clenched and he realized that even without being present, Andreas was daring to provoke him.
“Mom, you don’t have to worry. It’s just Andreas playing games. He wouldn’t dare disturb us.”
“And what about the invitation? Should we go or not?”
Several possibilities crossed Jonas’ mind regarding Andreas’ dinner invitation, especially when he heard who else was invited. There was no denying that Andreas was sending an implicit warning.
Andreas wanted to show off his status.
That was the most reasonable thought. Andreas was using the one thing that Jonas could never have: recognition in the Sanders family.
It was not surprising for Jonas to think that Andreas was warning them. In other words, Andreas was saying, “You should know your place, and I have no problem helping.
No, Andreas wasn’t just warning me and Mom, but Dad as well.
Jonas’ thought was supported by the fact that Andreas had also invited Noelle. He was a little doubtful if Noelle would come, but he did not want to forget the cold war between Noelle and Bryan. They had not been in the same place in years. Could Andreas’ dinner invitation be the moment when they would finally talk again?
It was possible, but Jonas had more doubts. He knew how strained the relationship between Noelle and Bryan was. It did not seem like one dinner was going to fix everything. In Noelle’s eyes, Bryan’s mistake was substantial.
Ironically, Bryan could not really be a rebellious kid. That was the only thing that made Jonas blame Bryan in his heart.
Everyone knew who Bryan loved, only Lydia. But he could not really leave Amanda. The reason? Of course, it was because he did not want to lose all the Sanders’ blessings.
Jonas felt sorry for Lydia. The mother had to spend years in a love she could not show the world. And she had to endure accusations and insults.
It was unimaginable what a heavy burden Lydia had to carry all these years. She could shop and vacation wherever she pleased, but the label of mistress would never leave her.
Little Jonas did not understand anything at that time. All he knew was that they were a happy family. Besides, Bryan actually loved him more than Andreas.
Bryan spent more time with little Jonas. He always made sure that Jonas received the affection of a father. However, the passing of time made Jonas realize something. That every bit of Bryan’s attention was a substitute for something that would never be his destiny.
The blood of the Sanders family flowed through Jonas’s veins. He was Bryan’s biological son. Unfortunately, no one recognized him as the rightful heir.
Jonas felt down. Sometimes he blamed Lydia. If Lydia had not been a mistress, none of this would have happened.
Despised in the midst of glittering wealth. Drowned in facts. Everything Jonas had done from the beginning would never be considered relevant.
No matter how great Jonas’ accomplishments were, they meant nothing. He would always be looked down upon.
All because of Andreas and his mother. They should never have existed.
Jonas’ patience was wearing thin. He did not want to hide forever. To hell with the label of a child born of an affair. Besides, Bryan would support him wholeheartedly.
Finally, Jonas had a chance to prove himself. He proved that he had the ability, starting with his successful takeover of ElysianTwill Mills at a relatively young age.
As the years passed, fortune seemed to favor Jonas. When Noelle’s health began to fail, Bryan took over.
Jonas’ path widened, though he was not entirely at peace. At least the dinner invitation made him realize that Andreas would not stay silent.
“Of course, we have to go, Ma.”
Jonas did not want Andreas to think they could be intimidated. He had to show Andreas that his social status had no influence.
“All right, if that’s your decision, Jon.”
The conversation between Jonas and Lydia ended shortly after that. Unfortunately, the turmoil in Jonas’ heart was far from over.
“So now Andreas has the nerve to bother mom. So openly?”
Jonas snorted. His eyes shot wildly in all directions.
“You’re asking for trouble, Reas. I won’t hold back any longer. I’ll see to it that you’re really cast aside.”
It was not an empty threat. Jonas made this promise with determination. He would take everything from Andreas, without exception.
A knock at the door interrupted Jonas’ thoughts. He turned around and found Alan entering again.
From the conversation with Lydia and now the discussion with Alan, Jonas held his breath as he heard something he least wanted to hear that day.
“The shareholders are still pushing for an extraordinary general meeting, sir.”
It seemed that Jonas’ patience would be truly tested that day. From the turbulent general meeting, Andreas’ invitation, and now the rumors from the shareholders.
“Those damn old people.”
But all that was less important than anticipating Andreas’ actions. In Jonas’ eyes, that was his priority.
To hell with the extraordinary general meeting. I have to find out what Andreas is up to.
*