#157 “What is the Feud About?”
As soon as Sophia entered the villa, Caroline grabbed her in a strong hug.
“God, I lived to see you two get together,” she said happily.
“Mom,” Alexander fumed.
Sophia laughed and hugged Caroline back.
“Alexander, I’m so happy for you both, “Caroline continued.
“Me too,” he replied with a smile.
Caroline invited them into the dining room, and the table was piled high with all sorts of dishes.
“So, I haven’t cooked in years, but I hoped I still remembered how it was done. It took me two hours, and I wanted you to be honest about whether it was delicious.”
“You cooked?” Alexander raised an eyebrow.
“Of course, for my favorite people. I wanted to do something special.”
“There was no need to…” Sophia began.
“My dear, please, as far as you are concerned, the pleasure is mine.”
Caroline led them to the beautifully set dining table. The aroma of home- cooked meals filled the air, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. The room was adorned with soft candlelight, giving it a cozy glow.
As they took their seats, Caroline watched their reactions anxiously as they tasted the first bites.
“Well?” she asked, her eyes searching for approval.
Sophia and Alexander exchanged a glance, and then Alexander grinned, ” Mom, it was incredible. You haven’t lost your touch.”
Caroline beamed with delight, happy to have successfully orchestrated this special gathering for her son and his beloved.
Sophia and Caroline engaged in conversation, but Alexander was visibly distracted, his mind preoccupied with Michael’s warning. Only now did he seriously contemplate the implications.
“Is everything okay?” Caroline asked, noticing Alexander’s silence.
Unable to contain his curiosity any longer, Alexander turned to his mother, a sense of urgency in his voice.
“Mom,” he began tentatively, “tell me about Dad. What happened between him and Grandpa?”
Caroline, surprised by the sudden shift in conversation, responded, “Where does this question come from, Alexander? You never talk about him.”
“Michael spoke to me last night.”
“Michael?” Caroline raised her voice. “I didn’t know you were in touch.”
“It’s not that. He came to warn me that he’s heard rumors that our father is coming back, and he suspects he’s up to something.”
Caroline sighed, her eyes reflecting a mix of emotions. “Your father, Alex, he was ambitious. He did what he thought he had to do to keep the ball rolling. But your grandfather didn’t like the path your father chose. It drove a wedge between them.”
She continued, her gaze distant as if revisiting the past. “One day, your grandfather made a choice. He drove your father away, brought me and young you back home. I haven’t seen or heard from your father since then.”
Alexander’s brow furrowed in confusion. “Why would Grandpa do that? What is the feud about?”
Caroline’s eyes met Alexander’s, filled with understanding. “Your father and your grandfather, they clashed in ways I couldn’t control. But I know one thing: your father hates your grandfather. He holds a grudge, and I fear he might do everything to take revenge.”
“But you have no idea where it comes from?” Alexander pressed.
“I guess your father has a claim on the company. I think he believes it’s as much his as it is yours.”
Alexander absorbed this information, confusion, and concern clouding his features. The revelation about his father’s estrangement and potential return added a layer of complexity to his already tumultuous family dynamics.
“Why would Grandpa drive Dad away like that? Was it just about the company?” Alexander questioned, trying to piece together the motives behind his grandfather’s actions.
Caroline’s gaze lingered on a distant memory. “It wasn’t just about the company, Alex. Your father had his ambitions, and your grandfather had a different vision. It was a clash of ideals, and I found myself caught in the middle. Your father wanted to use any means available to take over the corporate world, but your grandfather thought his methods were immoral.”
She continued, her voice tinged with regret, “Your grandfather thought he was protecting the legacy of the family business. He couldn’t accept the changes your father wanted to bring. It tore them apart, and in the end, he made a choice.”
The weight of the unspoken history hung in the air, and Alexander struggled to comprehend the magnitude of the rift between the two generations.
“But Dad hates Grandpa so much that he would seek revenge?” Alexander asked, still grappling with the implications.
Caroline nodded solemnly. “Your father is a proud man, Alex. The resentment has festered over the years, and I fear he might not see a peaceful resolution. If he’s returning, it’s likely with an agenda.”
“Does this mean that Alexander’s father will assert rights over the company?” Sophia joined the conversation.
“It’s possible,” replied Alexander thoughtfully.
“Does he have prescribed rights? I’ve been a lawyer for years and unless it’s specifically mentioned that..”
Caroline shook her head sadly.
“Alex, my boy, he hates your grandfather very much. I think that if he came back, it is not to take over the company, but to destroy it.”
