Chapter 8 Just You Wait

Lucian arrived in the rented home early the next morning to pick Freya up and ran into Minnie who was on her way out to school. She shot him a look before leaving with no intention of stopping to speak to him. It was a normal routine for Minnie to go to school on her own but Lucian, being a worrywart, trailed after her. He began to speak just as she was about to set foot into school, “I’m taking Mom to get some work done. Wish us luck.” Disgust surfaced in her icy gaze. “My mother is amazing at running businesses. She doesn’t need you. Even if she succeeds, her success has nothing to do with you.” Minnie then walked into school. The teacher by the gate asked, “Is he your father, Minnie?” “No, I don’t have a father. I don’t need a father,” she answered and disappeared inside. Lucian happened to catch her words. Guilt washed over him. He knew that what he had done had left a mark on her childhood. Getting her to forgive him was going to take time. Freya was ready to leave when he returned to the rented home. “Let’s go.” Her eyes were much less cold compared to Minnie but the nihilistic look in them was undeniable. She looked like someone who would end her life at any time. It struck fear into him. What if Freya chose to end it all one day? He nodded and brought her to the Infernal Group. She was once just like everyone else, dressed smartly in a suit and working in a towering office building but now she only had a wheelchair as her lifelong companion. The value she brought to her work meant nothing when she couldn’t even stand on her own feet. The duo had just entered the building when they ran into two familiar faces. It was Nadine and Felix Harrison. They were both Freya’s cousins. The Harrison family had exhausted all avenues yesterday to get in contact with the project director of the Infernal Group. They had to fork out thirty percent of the total profit of the project to get the director’s support. In other words, it meant the project director would receive thirty percent of the overall profit should the Harrison family get it. The project director could not resist the temptation and was more than ready to hand it off to them. He was just a second-tier family after all. Where else was he going to get such high returns? “Oh, what are you doing here?” Lucian asked them with a smile. “To sign the contract obviously. We already have the urban village demolition project.” Nadine was all smug smiles. “Here I thought you were all-powerful. If you hadn’t reported my husband, I wouldn’t have been able to contact the project director. He’s going to give the project to us. Let’s see you try the same trick again, son of a b*tch.” Felix shot Freya a hateful look. “Stop talking to them, sis. Grandpa prepared a feast to celebrate back home. Let’s go once the papers are signed. Don’t keep him waiting.” “Alright, let’s go.” Nadine nodded and left with her brother. Freya was gasping for breath in her wheelchair. She asked Lucian. “This is what you mean by having the project in your grasp? My family is done for if they get it back. They are bound by a contract.” “There’s nothing to worry about, Fay.” Lucian fell deep into thought. “Let me make a call.” He carefully wheeled her to a corner and left to make a call. It took him two minutes to return to her side. “Are you okay? Everything’s fixed now. Let’s go to the project director’s office.” That fast? She was in disbelief but before she could even ask, they were already at the door. With things as they were now, she had no choice but to bite the bullet and enter the office. Her spirits lowered the moment she caught sight of Nadine about to sign the contract. They were going to lose everything the moment Nadine’s name was on the papers. “Hold it…” Lucian called out. “Mason Bishop, you are not to let them sign that contract.” Mason Bishop was the director in charge of the demolition project. He frowned when he looked up to see Lucian. “Why not?” Lucian wheeled Freya into the office. “I was in contact with the chairman. He’s agreed to hand the project off to Freya. Are you actually going to risk the chairman’s ire if you let her sign that thing? You won’t be able to shoulder the consequences.” “He’s bragging, Mr. Bishop,” Nadine retorted. “His name is Lucian Gray. He was disowned by the Gray family. His father was the one who died in the streets. Can a guy like that claim to know the chairman of the Infernal Group? Don’t believe his bullsh*t.” “Ah, I see. The abandoned son.” A trace of contempt surfaced on his countenance. He signed his name on the contract without saying another word. It was clear from his actions that he wasn’t taking Lucian seriously at all. Nadine excitedly put the contract away and bowed to thank Mason. “Thank you for trusting the Harrison family with the project, Mr. Bishop. We’ll make sure to live up to your expectations. My grandfather will drop by to thank you in person soon.” “Alright. Manage it well. Don’t disappoint me.” Mason waved her off. Nadine and Felix were elated to finally have the project in hand. Their words were sarcastic as they passed Freya. “The project is ours now, b*tch. Just wait, Freya. Grandpa hates you for nearly costing us the project. Be good now. We’re coming for you. Hahahaha.” Freya turned white as a sheet. Her worst fears had come true. Causing them to lose the project was far from scary but watching them get it back after losing it was terrifying. My family is done for! Losing the project to the Harrisons meant that her family was now in hot water. “Is there anything else I can help the two of you with?” Mason looked disgusted. “I still have work to do. Please leave.” “I said the chairman was going to give the project to Freya and I. Why did you sign that contract with Nadine?” Lucian was dissatisfied.