The next day, early in the morning, there were several black cars which surrounded a sedan in the middle, were passing by on the main boulevard. It was an eye-catching scene. The people who were driving along-side this group envied them.
Jennifer was sitting in the sedan with her personal secretary Amanda Nelson, who was in her late-twenties, a gorgeous brunette. From a glance anyone could tell that she wasn't a usual lady. Vibes of full-grown mature lady came from her. Amanda was personally selected by Jennifer a few years ago because of her achievements. She swore loyalty to the Guryon family and became second in command in Guryon household.
"Is this everything I asked for?", Jennifer asked Amanda while going through some documents in her hands. "Yes Ma'am!", replied Amanda.
Jennifer slightly nodded her a few times. She closed the file and leaned back a little to relax. Staring blankly at the sky through the window, she sighed and said despondently, "I think this much will suffice in exchange for my grand-son!"
Seeing Jennifer, a bit doleful Amanda tried to reassured, "Don't worry ma'am! This loss could be compensated through other deals. I have already arranged—"
"It doesn't matter anymore Amanda." Before she could finish Jennifer cut in. Hearing Jennifer, Amanda didn't continue instead she listened to the latter. On the other hand, Jennifer continued while staring at the sky, "No matter what deal you bring me after this transaction, it could never compensate this loss forever."
Amanda's heart skipped a beat when she heard Jennifer. She couldn't see Jennifer's face because she was looking on the other side, but Amanda could feel the weight of her words. Even though Amanda served the Guryon household for a few years with all her heart, and due to her efforts, Guryon family prospered very well. But the words came out of Jennifer's mouth struck her so hard that her mind was in a predicament. Amanda felt helpless, therefore she asked in confusion, "Why is that Ma'am?"
Jennifer glanced at the file that was resting on her lap and said with an absentminded face, "Because, this is where my father started this business."
Amanda was taken back when she heard Jennifer's reply. She wanted to know the reason but Jennifer had already predicted the outcome and said with the same absentminded look on her face, "Like I said it doesn't matter anymore. I am doing this for my grand-son and I regret nothing." Jennifer turned to Amanda who had a shocked look on her face. Jennifer smiled sadly, "It's fine. Don't blame yourself."
Jennifer sounded dishearten which made Amanda agitated. Her forehead was covered with wrinkles, she pursed her lips and said, "But ma'am you should have told me beforehand about this. I would have done something and—"
Seeing Amanda in such a state, Jennifer heaved a sigh of regret for not telling in her advance. She slightly raised her brows and forced a smile, "I am sorry, for not telling you in advance. I hope you'll understand and forgive me."
Amanda was speechless, she lowered her head after hearing Jennifer. She didn't say anything and accepted the reality. Amanda closed her eyes and began thinking, after few breaths she unlock her phone screen and began tapping it.
After few minutes later, they reached the main building of the White family. The driver stopped in front of the main entrance. Two guards came out from others cars and opened the door for Jennifer and Amanda. Jennifer noticed her surroundings, because she came here for the first time in her life. An extravagant and huge tower was before her. It contained one hundred and seventy floors and their main office was on one hundred and sixty-eight floor.
"Welcome my humble guests! Or should I say, welcome my dear mother-in-law!", while Jennifer was busy in noticing her surroundings along with her lawyers a voice came from behind. Jennifer was familiar with this voice so she wasn't surprised. Whereas, Amanda's face was filled with contempt. She looked at the owner of the voice with disdain. Because, it was none other than Lucas White who was walking out of the building to greet them at the moment.
The reason, why Amanda had such a scornful look on her face because she had a bad history with Lucas.
He stood in front of Jennifer and smirked, "It's a pity that your daughter left this world before you. If she hadn't, I would have learned more about you from her. And I would have greeted you more respectfully. But I think this much respect given to you by none other than the heir of the GREAT~ White family should be considered a privilege." He moved his gaze from Jennifer to Amanda and continued, "Don't you think so?"
"How dare you to say such words—" To his surprise before Amanda could finish Jennifer raised her hand and cut in, "Indeed, but I think you are one lucky son of gun who wasn't able to know my daughter neither me. If you had then you would be running with the tail between your legs and hide yourself behind your father's back instead of coming down and greet me like this!"
For Lucas it was a mistake to take this old lady lightly. He planned to mock her from the start but to his surprise he got himself mocked instead. This incident did teach him a lesson that grown-ups are not someone who you could easily mess with. He gave a forced smile in return.
Seeing his reaction after her reply, Jennifer understood that this guy didn't have anything else to say she raised one of her brows, "Now shall we get down to business?", and asked coldly.
Lucas flinched, "Yes! Please follow me!", and replied instantly. He cocked his head and gestured with his hand towards the building behind him and guided the lot inside the building.
...….
In a large conference room, Jennifer and Amanda along with their lawyers were sitting across Lucas and his board of directors. While the guards who were stationed against the wall on both sides. The environment was tense.
"So, can the Mistress of Guryon family tell us about her visit to our office?", Lucas asked while pretended to be unaware of the reason of their sudden visit. He wanted to break the tension between both sides. The people in the room became attentive. Jennifer leaned forward and asked a question instead of answering the reason. "Before we begin, I'd like to know where is George, your father?"
Lucas was taken aback by sudden mentioning of his father. He narrowed his eyes, "My father has nothing to do with this meeting anyway. Since I have become the heir of the family, all the matters are handled by me. But if you're interested in knowing his whereabouts then I think I should inform you that he is bed ridden after getting sick a week ago and can't attend the meeting right now."
Jennifer leaned back and nodded towards Amanda. Amanda understood and opened the file she was holding for this long and began explaining, "Mr. Lucas White, as you know that our arrival to your company is a big opportunity for you. And we hope that you will think about this very carefully after listening to our offer."
Lucas and his people were listening to her very attentively. He tilted his head and said, "Alright. Please go on."
Listening his reply Amanda continued without any delay, "We are here to offer you our finest port harbor which connects to the East Empire."
With that said, all the people along with Lucas were flabbergasted. Even Lucas was speechless. He cocked his head and asked in confusion, "Are you referring to that legendary port of all time?"
"Yes. That's correct." Replied Amanda.
He wanted to confirm his doubts and with Amanda's affirmation, all his doubts were clear. The port which their family yearned for, for many years was now in their hands. To him it was like a dream coming true. His eyes were gleaming from excitement after hearing the confirmation but he restrained himself. He sighed and said, "Alright. And what is it you want in return?"
Lucas understood that their offer should not be taken for granted because what they wanted in return would be something equivalent what they offered. He had a vague idea for what they came here for but his gut feeling was warning him that their objective was not simple as it seemed.
"We want full parental custody of Mistress grand-son, Leonardo Guryon along with the assets his late mother Jasmine Guryon hold in your family." Amanda replied.
With Amanda's demand even Jennifer was stunned however she remained clam on the surface. Jennifer never thought of this in million years that Amanda would claim such a thing without her consent. Jennifer wanted to reprimand Amanda for speaking nonsense but she rather got interested in the reason that why would her secretary claim the future assets of her daughter in return.
Lucas brows twitched when he heard Amanda. He slanted back and directed his gaze downward. Lucas remained like this for a few seconds then tilted his head, leaned forward and said, "I know, what you offered is mouth-watering. If anyone else was beside me, he would have accepted your offer right away but after thinking for a moment, I think, I have to decline your offer."
Amanda wasn't so surprised after hearing his answer, neither was Jennifer. Because both of them had predicted this, but the onlookers seemed a little surprised.