“Sasha, you should talk to Francis about this.”
Old Master Garcia did not want to explain as it would not hold any meaning to her.
“All I can say is, I love my grandchildren equally. I have never biased or sidelined anyone.”
“If you claim to be fair, let Francis assume his position as the CEO of Garcia Corporation!” Sasha stared at him with a sad expression as the cold wind continued to blow against her body.
“Joseph was the Vice CEO for three years and then CEO for two years. Let Francis be Vice CEO for three years and then CEO for the subsequent two years too. It would only be fair to judge his ability to make money for the shareholders then.”
That was what one would call fair!
Old Master Garcia’s blood started to boil. “Sasha, are you trying to cause trouble? Do you see Garcia Corporation as a small private company where we can change the CEO and Vice CEO on a whim?”
“Dad, even though the company is listed on the stock exchange, you still hold most of its stock.”
Sasha knew that she had acted up, but she wanted to do that for her son!
“You have absolute power. We may need the shareholders’ approval to replace the CEO, but who would dare to go against you if you initiate it?”
The other shareholders were, but a minority as Old Master Garcia was the largest shareholder, and the others were also members of the Garcia family. It was different from other public listed companies as it was still a family business.
It would only take a word from the old master to appoint the CEO. Since he had refused, did it not prove that he did not want to help Francis, and he only wanted to protect his beloved Joseph?
The old master started to cough, and as it turned severe, his breathing labored. It was as if he could not breathe.
Sasha thought her father faked it so that she would drop the discussion. However, his face was flushed, and it had almost turned a shade of purple. Sasha started to panic and rushed to pat her father’s back.
“Dad, you… Don’t be like this! I was only speaking my mind. Are you trying to scare me?”
Nevertheless, the old master could not breathe and was unable to speak. His cough sounded hoarse.
“I won’t mention it anymore, okay, Dad? Stop coughing. We are at sea, so it’s a long journey to land.”
She patted his back more intensely. “Dad, stop coughing. I won’t mention it anymore, okay?” Perhaps it had been too windy that day.
“Let head inside, Dad.” Sasha quickly helped the old master to the interior cabin of the boat.
Sure enough, the old man’s cough had calmed due to the lack of sea breeze. There was also some color to his complexion.
Sasha poured a glass of warm water and watched as he drank it. She was only relieved when his cough subsided. However, she still felt uneasy about the situation. Did he do it to avoid the topic with her? How could she let it go?
Old Master Garcia took a few more sips of water and a few more deep breaths before he looked at her. His daughter sat across from him, and her hands were at her sides. She did not look too well, either.
He had a lot to say, but he chose not to say anything.
“Have a chat with Francis. Come and discuss it with me again when you’ve done that.”
Sasha ignored him. She picked up a magazine and slumped onto the couch.
The old master glanced at his phone again, but there was still no signal. His heart remained heavy.
He looked at Sasha. “Have them turn the boat around and head back. I’m not going anymore.”
“I’m afraid I have no say in the matter. Ava hired the crew.” Sasha did not even look up from her magazine.
The old master was confused. If Ava had hired the crew, why would they not listen to their request to head back?
He stood up. He wanted to tell the crew to turn around and head back to land.
However, Sasha said, “Do not bother, Dad, we will be there soon. Another half an hour, perhaps.”
“But I…” He wanted to go home.
“Didn’t you say you wanted to make it up to Ava? How do you intend to do that if you are not even willing to grant your granddaughter her wishes?”
The old master could feel that his younger daughter had treated him poorly that day. However, based on their earlier conversation, he understood why she would feel that way.
It was only a misunderstanding.
The old master felt helpless, but he knew that he would not be able to fix it with a few words.
It was only another half an hour. So be it. He would wait for another half an hour.
He sat back on the couch and drank the rest of his water. He was not sure when he started to feel drowsy before he finally dozed off.
…
“Grandfather, Grandfather, wake up.” A girl’s voice rang in his ears.
Grandfather?
Old Master Garcia opened his eyes slightly.
The light in the room was so bright that he could not see everything clearly. However, he could sense a young lady next to him, and she had addressed him as her grandfather.
Grandfather…
The old master inadvertently blurted, “Elena…”
Ava’s expression sank. She knew that the old geezer adored Elena, but did not expect it to be on such a deep level!
Nevertheless, he should not have discovered that Elena was his biological granddaughter yet. His every movement that day was under her control, and he would not have the chance to figure it out.
“Grandfather, it’s me.”
The girl’s tone of voice was cold. It was not what he expected, but it was familiar.
“Ava?” Old Master Garcia finally realized who was with him. He sat up sluggishly.
“Yes, it’s me.” Ava nodded and helped him sit up.
Old Master Garcia’s head felt heavy. He looked around and realized that he was in a room that wobbled slightly. It was not obvious, but he realized that he was still on a boat. Nevertheless, it was much more stable than the previous boat. It had to be a much larger boat.
“Ava, where am I? Where’s Sasha?”
Was his daughter still angry with him? Why was she not around? Was she sulking somewhere?
He had fallen asleep, and then Sasha was gone and replaced with Ava. He did not know why, but he had a bad feeling about it.
“Younger Aunt is resting in the next room.” Ava smiled so brightly that anyone would have let their guard down for her.
However, Old Master Garcia felt uneasy.
“Ava, why have you asked me to come here?”
Even though he was old, he was strong, and that was what troubled him. He had slept all the way, and they had even moved him to another boat. Had he ever slept that soundly before?
He was a light sleeper, and a slight movement in the room would have woken him up. What had happened to him?
He looked at Ava. He had countless questions in his mind, but he did not want to make the situation awkward.
“Ava, why do I feel as if everyone is acting strangely today? Are you hiding something from me?”