Third Person’s POV
“I am sorry, dad. But I am not going to let this slide.” Jefferson told John. It was over a week ago since Luigi sent him all the evidence that pointed to Noris being the mastermind behind the malicious comments on the company’s social media accounts. He only made a decision just now because he didn’t want to hurt his father.
“Can you just talk to him first? You know he is your brother,” his dad replied and he sighed heavily. He knew that this was what he was going to say. He couldn’t blame him though. Noris is his son too and it was a lot harder for him to accept it. But Jefferson decided and he promised himself to make anyone who was behind that online attack the company a punishment he deserved. He said those words without thinking that his step-brother was the one behind it.
They never fought about any money-related issues and thought that Noris knew exactly what was his. But it turns out that he really loved Celina and would fight him for everything he had now. He had a feeling that this was just going to start their endless fight unless he accepted that Celina was already Jefferson’s wife.
“Dad, you know the gravity of his action. I don’t think I will be able to consider doing what you just asked because I had a feeling that he was conniving with the board already.” he replied,
“Are you sure about that? You know that ever since, your brother has never got his hand on the company. He only does what we asked him to do, and never even bother asking about what was his.” John told him.
“Yes, I know that. That’s why it never came to my mind that he was capable of doing that. Dad, I am already thinking about this and no matter how much I tried to justify his action, you know that it wasn’t right.” he replied, “He loves my wife so much, dad. You know that it was enough to try and compete with me, I even think that he was planning something to take my wife away from me.” he added.
John knew how much Noris loved Celina. He saw how devastated he was when he found out that it was Celina who he wanted him to marry. Years had passed and he thought everything was OK now, and didn’t think that he was still holding a grudge. “I didn’t want you and Noris to be like this. At some point, I dream of you being so close to him and vice versa. I guess it was all but wishful thinking for me.”
Jefferson sighed, he knew that John would be hurt by this. That was also the reason why he didn’t bring Celina with him. He didn’t want her to see his dad being this sad. She grew fond of John and had treated him like her own father. “I’m really sorry about this, dad. I just thought I needed to give you a heads up about what’s about to come.”
John nodded his head, he had just come back from a long vacation and the issue about the company had come to his knowledge, but he never thought that it was this bad. Jefferson handled it well but was saddened by the fact that it was his other son who was behind it. He knew his youngest son as well. He would never let their differences come in between him and Noris when it came to work. He was so professional that he could smile at his older brother for the sake of the company.
“Do what you have to do, you know that we have a lot of employees who rely on the company.” John gave him his blessing. Jefferson was sad for him and for himself, surely, he didn’t like Noris. But he was still his brother and would never want anything bad to happen to him. But he thought that this was a different story. He had to learn to accept the truth and not to covet something that wasn’t his.
Jefferson went to his office after he saw his father. He will ask for a board meeting and he will let everyone attend. There were three other board members who were actually in connivance with Noris. He wanted them out of the company to prevent the incident from happening again.
He was cruel, but he believed that doing something like this to a company where they benefitted was unacceptable. Scotts Group had given them more than enough to live a very comfortable life. It has provided them with everything they have while they do nothing but wait for their profits to be deposited into their bank accounts.
“Daria, please schedule a board meeting tomorrow morning. I want everyone in there so make sure to let them know about it.” He told his assistant, who knew exactly when his boss was serious about something or not. And the way she saw him at that very moment, she knew that he was not in the mood to be ignored. She nodded her head and went back to her table to make the arrangements.
Meanwhile, Celina was worried about John. She was feeling sorry for him that he had to see his sons fighting over company, so she decided to go and visit him. “Hi, dad.” she said as soon as she saw him sitting on the bench in their mini garden. He was looking so far away that it broke her heart.
“Oh, dear, come here.” he said, smiling as he saw her. “You didn’t go to work?” he asked,
“I did, just went out early.” she replied, “Perks of being one of the bosses.” she added, and they laughed.
“I am happy that you are happy.” he said, “With everything that was going on and may happen with my sons, I have you to cheer me up.”
“I am always here for you, dad.”
“Marrying you off with my son is one of the best decisions I have ever made. You are the breath of fresh air when everything seems toxic. I just came from vacation and what welcomed me was my son’s dispute.”
“None of these were your fault. Noris and Jefferson were old enough, so let them become responsible for their own actions. You don’t have to bother yourself with them and just enjoy your retirement.” she told him, “I know, it was easier said than done. But let me tell you this, you love Noris so much, that’s why you are letting Jefferson handle him the proper way. It was for his own best because we didn’t want him to be totally consumed with hatred.”
“I guess there’s no easy way to do that, right?” he asked, and she nodded.
“We’re going to be with Noris when the time comes. He was my friend too, before all of this happened.” she replied,
“Thank you for not giving up on him.”
“I love you, dad. And now, besides my husband, you are the most important person in my life. I am thankful that you took me out of the Nicholson.”
“No, dear. I thank you for being a good and loving daughter to me.” he replied,