Nathan took a deep breath to calm himself. He shouldn't appear anxious, angry, or even show any emotions at all.
He knew what was on the line, and he understood his family members quite well.
All of them who had come today only came for either shares of the family's wealth that they didn't work for and frankly didn't deserve, or to know who the new head of the family would be—so they could know whose ass to kiss.
His grandfather had two sons. Darren, his uncle, the firstborn, and Frederick, his father, the second son.
One of them would definitely be given the title of Head of the house today, and everyone suspected that it would be his uncle Darren since he was the firstborn.
Nathan feared that outcome for many reasons, but he was certain in his heart that his grandfather wouldn't leave lions to feast on him after he was gone.
He steadied himself and strode into the hall, all eyes glued on him as he entered. This was normal as he was the golden boy and favorite of his grandfather.
But the stares didn't come only for that reason. Oh, no. It was because Nathan was incredibly handsome.
With a body like a god and a face like an angel, dark silky hair, and enchanting gray eyes, surely you understand why people would stare.
True, the Hill family had good genes, but Nathan was outstanding.
Nathan hadn't even spent up to a minute in the hall when he heard the voice of his younger sister screaming his name as she ran towards his direction and jumped into his arms, hugging him tightly.
"I missed you so much, Nate," she said as she let go.
"You last saw me just last week. How could you possibly miss me that much, Gwen?"
"Well, I can't help that I miss my older brother," Gwen said with a smile. Nathan smiled back and was about to say something when a familiar voice interrupted him.
"Yes, indeed, Gwen, we all missed your elder brother. I, for one, haven't seen him in ages. Isn't that right, nephew?"
Nathan's jaws clenched as he turned around to face his uncle.
"Uncle," Nathan acknowledged, his voice very formal unlike how he spoke to his sister.
Darren grinned. "Nathan, my boy. So good to see you," Darren said as he patted Nathan on his shoulder.
"You too, uncle," Nathan replied coldly, to have Darren chuckle.
"Today, the steering will shift hands. Better know which side you're on before it's too late, boy," Darren said to Nathan, his voice oozing confidence.
Nathan smirked. "I'm on any side that's not yours."
"Too bad. 'Cause you see all this," Darren said, gesturing around, "soon it will all belong to me, and I'll finally put you in your place, golden boy. Grandpapi won't be here to protect you anymore," Darren said proudly with a wicked grin.
Nathan said nothing. He knew his uncle was trying to get under his skin, and he wasn't going to let him.
His uncle laughed and was about to say something else, but another interruption occurred.
It was Nathan's father, Frederick.
"My boy!" Frederick exclaimed as he walked over to where Nathan, Darren, and Gwen stood.
"Look at you! Looking very sharp as usual," Frederick said to his son with a proud smile.
Nathan smiled back, although not fully. He and his father didn't have a very close father and son relationship—not after the death of his mother.
"Dad, you look good too," Nathan replied, trying to be nice to his father.
"Thank you, my boy. You have to go say hello to Diana. She misses you dearly," Frederick said to Nathan.
Diana was Frederick's second wife, Nathan's stepmother. He had married her only a month after Nathan's mother's passing, which left room for thoughts about their relationship. And Nathan didn't like her at all, ever since he was a boy.
"Maybe later, Dad. I have to go see Grandpa first," Nathan said as he excused himself from the rest of them and headed upstairs to see his grandfather.
As Nathan reached his grandfather's room, he took a moment to gather himself. He knew his grandfather was sick, but the thought of losing him still weighed heavily on his heart. Stepping inside, he found the room filled with warmth and the comforting scent of his grandfather's favorite pipe tobacco.
"Grandpa?" Nathan called softly, his voice betraying the emotions he tried so hard to conceal.
The elderly man, propped up in bed, turned to face Nathan with a warm smile that lit up the room. Despite his illness, there was a twinkle in his eyes that spoke of wisdom and love.
"Nathan, my boy!" his grandfather exclaimed, his voice filled with genuine joy at seeing his grandson. "Come here, come here."
Nathan crossed the room in a few strides, his heart swelling with affection as he approached the bed. He took his grandfather's frail hand in his own.
"How are you feeling, Grandpa?" Nathan asked, his concern evident in his voice.
"Oh, you know me, Nathan," his grandfather replied with a chuckle. "Still kicking, still causing trouble."
Nathan couldn't help but smile at his grandfather's indomitable spirit. Despite his illness, the old man remained as feisty as ever.
"I missed you, Grandpa," Nathan said softly, his voice tinged with emotion.
"And I missed you, my boy," his grandfather replied, his eyes sparkling with affection. "But enough of this sentimental nonsense! We have a will to read, don't we?"
Nathan chuckled, grateful for his grandfather's lightheartedness in the face of adversity. With a final squeeze of his hand, he rose from the bedside.
"Let's go downstairs and join the rest of the family, Grandpa," Nathan said, his heart heavy.
Together, grandfather and grandson made their way downstairs.