IAN’S POV:
Meeting Saraya was an event I was looking forward since I got to know she had stole my position from me, all thanks to my uncle, Alex.
I would be rounding my master’s program soon and return to the Newman’s mansion and most importantly join the empire.
So I figured out my uncle, naming Saraya his heiress at a time when I was planning on joining the company immediately after my program wasn’t a mere coincidence but was strategic.
It was his way of telling me, I didn’t belong here.
“You lie, Alex!” I snarled in a low tone. “The Newman’s is my father’s blood and sweat.”
My thoughts wandered back to Saraya. “How dare she throws her weight around her like she is all that when she is just a mere puppet Alex is using to hold down his position due to his failing health?” I said under my breath before stealing another glance at her door.
My thoughts were interrupted by my uncle. “Why are you coming from Saraya’s room?” He glared at me as he approached me.
“Just in time.” I thought. With just the two of us, I couldn’t bring myself to hide my disgust.
I scoffed. “I was putting her in her place, uncle. She’s in a position she doesn’t deserve, and someone have to remind her of that so I decided to do the honours.”
The words barely left my lips when Alex’s other hand clenched into a fist while he grabbed my collar with his other hand. I could feel his restraint thinning, but I didn’t care and looked straight into his eyes. He didn’t scare me. He never had and never will.
To me, he’s someone who was my dad’s shadow. No matter how hard he tried, he was nothing without my dad and nothing would he be even with Saraya’s by his side.
Alex’s hand was still tight around my neck, his fury was obvious to see, but I could tell his rage increased as I refused to give him the satisfaction of looking afraid. I kept my face calm, defiant, even as his grip tightened and his eyes bore into mine.
“You’re unbelievable, just like your father.” Alex yelled at me angrily. “You lot think you’re better than others.”
“Maybe that’s because it’s true.” I replied him.
“Do you think you have the right to decide who belongs where? Who do you think you are, Ian?”
Before I could respond, a sharp and familiar voice spoke from behind us.
“Alex! What are you doing?”
I turned my head slightly, though Alex’s grip made it difficult. My grandmother was standing a few feet away, her eyes widened in shock as she closed the gap between us and her eyes doing a quick tour between Alex and I. She hurriedly placed her hands on Alex’s.
“Are you trying to kill your nephew?” she demanded, her voice rising with each word. “Let him go at once.” She said in a tone that sounded more like an order than a request.
Alex abruptly released his grip on me, I stumbled but quickly regained my footing, glaring at him as I rubbed my neck.
“Are you okay?” She asked looking all worried.
“I’m okay, thanks to you, granny.” I said still rubbing my neck. “Thanks for showing up, I thought I really might die on your birthday.”
Turning to Alex, “what do you think you’re doing?”
“You should be asking Ian what he’s trying to do,” Alex snapped at her, his voice venomous. “Tell him to stay away from Saraya. This is my final warning.”
I gave a small laugh. “Stay away from her? Turning to my grandmother . “Can you hear him, grandma?” I asked her. “Saraya is family but he is saying she is off limits.” Turning back to Alex. “Uncle, tell me you’re just afraid someone will finally tell her the truth that she is not worthy of the position she occupies?”
My uncle surged towards me again, but my grandmother pushed herself between us, her small frame surprisingly effective in keeping him back.
“Enough!” she shouted, glaring at both of us like a mother scolding unruly children. “This is ridiculous. Ian, stop provoking your uncle and you, Alex, you should know better than this. You don’t solve problems with violence.”
Alex didn’t answer, his jaw clenched so tightly making some cracking sounds. He stared at me, his chest heaving, before turning away sharply.
“I mean it, mother,” he said over his shoulder, his voice icy. “If Ian goes near her again, I won’t hold back next time and not even you would be able to stop me.”
And just like that, he was gone. My grandmother turned to me with worry and a trace of disappointment on her face.
“What’s wrong with you?” she asked, her voice quieter now but no less piercing. “Do you really think you can take over Newman’s empire if can’t contain your emotions?”
I looked away, the fire inside me still smoldering. “This isn’t about me, I had just gone to say hi to her and what more? Uncle is restless, why? Because Saraya is sitting on a seat that isn’t hers. She doesn’t belong there.”
My grandmother nodded her head, her lips pressing into a thin line. “You’re right about her taking over a position that isn’t hers but we can’t win this fight just by exchanging words. You focus on completing your studies and by then, I would’ve make all necessary arrangements! You’d better not ruin it with your own hands.”
She didn’t wait for a reply. With one last glance, she walked away, leaving me alone in the hallway.
Her words rang repeatedly in my mind, but I quickly shoved them aside. I wasn’t wrong. Saraya didn’t belong here. And if no one else had the courage to remind her of that, I would.
“No one can take my place and I’ll see to that, no matter what.”