The tense atmosphere in the dining room was a cauldron, with emotions burning and churning beneath the surface. Sparks and embers of resentment danced around in the air as Liam and Isabelle as well as Victoria, Liam’s mother had their eyes glued to their dinner, with the intent of not having a conversation that would be unfavorable.
Victoria Callahan’s greed was insatiable, her obsession for materialistic things was like a cancer eating away her humanity. When Liam’s father was at the brink of losing every penny he had worked for all his life, she had left with no feeling of guilt, no turning back, unbothered about the reality that she had a little poor child to cater for, a child who needed her love and care at the most critical moment of his life. But her love for wealth was a corrupting influence that had led her to abandon her blood and flesh to the cold arms of loneliness thereby disrupting what was supposed to be, a proper upbringing.
Liam’s hatred for his mother knew no bounds but he had made an oath to his late father to treat every member of the Cahallan family right. That was the weapon that his supposed mother never hesitated to exploit.
Victoria’s facial expression crumbled in disgust as she feasted on the first bite of the meal served to her “This is terrible… Don’t you have a maid? What about Penelope?” She grumbled endlessly unaware of the displeasure written on the face of the two people seated with her.
The incident surrounding Penelope’s absence was still fresh in their memory. An unpleasant matter they had unspokenly agreed to keep in the box.
“You wouldn’t mind out of goodwill, to permit us to enjoy our meal, would you?” Liam uttered in a calm but chilly tone with fury lit up in his eyes. “And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with the food, maybe you need to get your taste buds examined”
Victoria’s face was ashen at her son’s statement.” How dare you?… You unfilial…”
“Unfilial son, yes. My eardrums are tirelessly drained from hearing that insult from you over and over again” Liam interrupted her words. ” You might want to devise another strategy if you want to get to me. I’ve gone past that”
His mother’s words were a constant reminder of his dreadful childhood days. He could only sigh helplessly as he kept on recalling his promise to his father.
Victoria was infuriated to the core, her anger rising instantly “What gives this bastard the effrontery to talk back at me” she screamed in her head.
“All I’m saying is that you should get a maid. I can’t stay here if all I have to eat is this bi…” She paused as her gaze lingered on Isabelle for a short while before completely reversing her words after thinking it through”I mean your fiancee’s food”
“Hmph….” Liam scoffed. “Don’t you dare insult my wife-to-be unless you are fully prepared to leave my house”
Victoria’s face was red with rage, her resentment palpable” What!… You’re sending me out because of her, I’m your mother, you…” She clenched her teeth in anger as she desperately tried to find her words.
Isabelle just sat, unmoving from her seat. Her heart was in turmoil as a disturbing feeling swept over her. She was torn between permitting the bantering between the mother and son duo or stepping in to resolve their issues. She was ignorant about the personal grudges they had against each other. Of course, she had a firm grasp on how cold their relationship was but the deeper matters were all new to her.
“Um… Ma’am, please calm down. Your health can be affected” Isabelle stated hesitantly, searching for the right title to call her soon-to-be mother-in-law as her gaze lingered with deliberation on her.
Victoria hissed loudly at Isabelle’s words and attempted to ignore her but the latter was strongly persistent.
“If the food doesn’t suit your taste, another one can be prepared” she offered with a concerned expression on her face.
“I didn’t ask for your opinion, you shouldn’t speak when I’m talking to my son” Isabelle snorted with her tone laced with obvious dissatisfaction. Liam gritted his teeth in fury at the belittling tone in his mother’s voice “Don’t lose the last string of respect that I have for you”
Victoria raised an eyebrow at his words”You’re my son. It’s your duty to cater to my needs… You speak of respect, have you ever shown me a bit of it?”
Liam desisted from answering her questions and ate the scooped morsel of the food with a solemn look as a nostalgic feeling hit him.
Victoria wasn’t done with her bickering and decided on something that would annoy her son further.
“I need money” she proclaimed with no hint of shame laced in her voice. “I have a lot of necessities that need to be purchased”
Liam sighed at her request which was never a surprise to him. The only reason she’d ever decide to stay or come look for him was when her pockets had run dry.
“Fine… I’ll send the money to your account… Don’t pester me” he mumbled incoherently
At that same time, Liam received a phone call and stomped out of the dining table to receive it.
“Hello…. Adrian. Any News?” Mr. Cahallan inquired from the caller on the other end as he sat tensely in his study room, his barotone voice laced with a mixed feeling of anticipation and apprehension of what the information would be.
Hello sir..????” the other caller greeted.”I’ve found some trails left behind by the disruptor of the press conference, but we haven’t found the person yet”
“Good job, Adrian” Liam complimented him as his lips curved into a smile” Now, tell me.. what about the project Phoenix, what progress have you made?”
Adrian abruptly rose from the spot he was immediately she heard her boss ask such questions “boss, I discovered something really urgent, that we really need to attend to” his eagerness was visible in his dark grey eyes.
“Get straight to the point, Adrian. I am currently occupied already”Liam felt slightly irritated from the suspense”What is it, Adrian?”
“Boss… It’s Penelope” Adrian revealed with a tone hinting a something urgent.