“Holden is a bastard child, to begin with. If my two younger brothers weren’t situated overseas, he wouldn’t have had the right to be a part of the Taylor family.” A voice rang all of a sudden. I froze for a split second before turning toward the source of the voice to see a mother-daughter pair sitting in the courtyard.
It was Kate and her mother, Archie’s third wife, who was approaching sixty years old, but she probably took great care of herself because she only looked to be slightly over forty.
On the contrary, it was Kate who looked older than her years, probably because she was often plagued with worries and problems which then reflected on her appearance.
Her mother looked at her calmly and chided, “You should be focusing on running those companies in your hands. It doesn’t really matter who’s managing the Taylor family. We’ll still live our lives as they are. Don’t tell me you’re afraid that Holden will drive us out of the family?”
Indignant, Kate scoffed coldly. “You’ve always been so passive. If only you fought harder, my brothers wouldn’t have been stuck overseas when Father died. Holden is a nobody. His mother was just a filthy escort who used her body to conceive him. What’s more, she’s such a promiscuous woman. Who knows whether Holden really is Father’s child? But Father handed the reins over to him just like that. Wasn’t he afraid that he’d destroy our family? We’ll be a laughing stock to everyone from now on. They’re going to say that the Taylor family is being controlled by an outsider. Ugh… I really can’t stomach the thought of it, Mom!”
Her mother sighed softly and looked at her with a small smile. “My child, why are you so quick-tempered? It doesn’t matter whether or not he’s a Taylor anymore. He’s only in his twenties. How long do you think he can keep his position? Be patient, alright? You’re not the only one who can’t accept him as the head of the Taylor family, and you’re certainly not the only one who wants to see him go down.”
Kate was taken aback and whipped her head to look at her mother. She was silent for a while before asking, “Mom, do you mean there’s someone else who’d take action?”
Her mother maintained her gentle and pleasant smile. “The Taylors family business is far-reaching. Besides, we’re not the only Taylors. There are still your uncles, all of whom are waiting for your father’s funeral to create a scene, so be patient and just take care of the companies in your hands. Your brothers will be back soon. Your father mentioned before to let them join Taylor Corporation to help Holden in running the company. You’re all young and have a whole future ahead. Don’t wear down your own potential by being impulsive. Wait out the storm, and you’ll be able to reap the most benefits because brute force is not always the way to go!”
As though realization dawned on her, Kate nodded subtly and looked at her mother with awe. “Mom, as always, you’re the calm and rational one. Thank God you reminded me, or I would’ve attracted unnecessary attention to myself by kicking up a fuss.”
I watched the mother and daughter with mixed emotions whirring in me. This was probably the power struggle in wealthy families. It seemed like money and influence were all that mattered to them.
Realizing that I shouldn’t have eavesdropped, I turned around to leave. Upon seeing Holden standing behind me, I was so startled I instantly broke out in cold sweat.
Then came Kate’s voice from behind. “Mom, I think there’s someone there!”
I froze in shock. Crap. Did they discover that I’m here?
Right then, Holden abruptly grabbed my arm and led me around the yard, taking me straight to the loft. After making sure that we weren’t followed, he released my arm and said with an expressionless face, “Ashton’s waiting for you in the lounge room.”
Seeing as that was all he said, I nodded and was about to leave.
Right before I stepped out, his voice rang again. “Regardless of what you heard, if you know what’s good for you, you’ll watch what you say.”
This was a reminder as well as a warning.
I nodded in understanding and replied, “Don’t worry. I didn’t hear a thing.”
After all, I had no interest whatsoever to participate in the internal strife between the rich.
He looked at me impassively and chuckled mirthlessly. “I hope so.”
Pursing my lips, I spun on my heels and left.
The Taylor residence was enormous. Hence, it took me a long time before I found my way to the lounge room. Ashton was chatting with someone, so I approached him quietly. Glancing at me fleetingly, he tugged me closer and introduced me before ending the conversation.
He studied me and asked, “Where did you go?”
“The backyard garden. I was just taking a stroll.” I paused and queried, “Are we going home yet?”
“According to the rules here, the guests who are here to mourn should stay back for lunch and send Mr. Taylor out together with his family.”
I nodded and didn’t comment.
After having lunch, Archie’s coffin was finally brought out of the Taylor residence. It was a grand and large-scale funeral. Many guests made their way to the cemetery to pay their final respects. Only after the coffin was lowered into the ground did everyone go their separate ways.
I was slightly taken aback to see Abe at the cemetery. Dressed in a black suit, he was shrouded in his usual cold and sinister aura. The somber atmosphere and gloomy weather only seemed to amplify that bleakness in his eyes.
