The mood at the Robinson Mansion that chilly morning was one that could be defined as saturnine.
After every one had received message notifications the previous day from Robelto and Steel Advocates that Herbert Robinson's final will and testament would be read in two days at their law firm premises.
This did not settle well with some members of the family who were expecting the will to be read by their law firm and not the competition. "That old geezer he couldn't trust his own people? How will our Clients perceive this? And that law firm wants us to go to their premises ha!" Stella Robinson declared war when read the message.
An awkward silence covered the vast luxurious dining area as all the family members quietly had their breakfast.
Stella who was in a plain gloomy mood had been harrowing the servants while ordering the chefs to change her meals because the ones they had made didn't suit her current mood.
"Ma'am, this is the sixth time you are asking me to prepare something else, could you be kind enough and be specific about what you want exactly." Head chef Tito who was a very quiet and obedidient old man hurriedly spoke although his words were quoted with frustration.
'Whack'
A hot slap landed on his bony cheek attracting the attention of every one else that was present. Scared little Romeo, the only grandson in the family dashed and hid under his mother's skirt under the table, Anna Robinson gently pulled him away from the drama.
The little boy was on the Autism spectrum and was afraid of his grandmother who had gone cold since his grandfather had died.
Thankfully grand mother Loretta Robinson, the much respected elder of the family was around to call her to order.
"Stop it Stella, why do you choose to embarrass this family at every given opportunity." She weakly clenched the spoon with her feeble hand.
Although Stella hailed from a rich family, Loretta never approved of her son marrying her. The reason she gave was that she a degenerate besides her father had spoiled her rotten. "The person you marry can either make you or break you, she's a poor choice for a wife,son."
Herbert regretted not having listened to his mother all throughout his married life.
Stella's first son Arthur Robinson, who was also presumed to be the natural heir to the King's empire was in cohorts with his grandmother.
"Grandmother is right mom, what if he sues you for causing him bodily harm." He roughly sliced through the loaf of bread like he was cutting a log of wood.
Stella pushed her hair back to reveal her newly redefined jawline. She had recently visited her plastic surgeon to reduce the appearance of a double chin and he had done an amazing job as usual. She barely looked her actual age.
"With what evidence? I hope that you all have not forgotten that you would have to pay a hefty sum of $5million if you breach your contracts." Stella pointed a knife at each one of them.
The anxious servants answered in unison "yes ma'am" their words glazed in fear, most of them were afraid of loosing such high paying jobs so they tolerated the humiliations that they were put through.
"Ma'am you still haven't told me what I should prepare for you." Chef Tito wiped cold sweat with the back of his trembling hand.
The dispassionate look he was given by Stella as a response to his question was message enough for him to dash back to the kitchen.
Arthur furrowed his brows as Megan and Logan walked in to join them at the dinning table.
"Good morning everyone, it's a good time to be alive." He smiled mockingly at Arthur.
Only grandmother Loretta was courteous enough to respond to his greeting.
"Ha! now that you've trapped my son you don't greet your elders anymore."Stella's glare was fixed on Megan whose mouth curled into a smile as she greeted.
Megan didn't want to get into it with her mother in law, she was exhausted and yet it was still very early in the morning.
She and Logan had quarreled all the way from the Island until they got home just because he gave her no attention with the excuse that he didn't like the fact that she was stalking him. They joined in on breakfast to save face.
"Are you guys okay? I could swear you had a terrible fight." Cassandra gave them a quizzical look.
"Ofcourse! we are newly weds, what could we probably fight about?" Megan hurriedly shut her up to avoid any further prying into her marriage
A cold war had been brewing between the two vice presidents of the King's group way before,their fathers death only escalated it , Herbert had made a stern decision to make both his sons vice presidents to multiply competition and creativity between them.
-
"This is a terrible idea!" Two years ago Stella had stormed into her husband's study. He and his mother had been finalizing the preparations of his late father's memorial.
Herbert rolled his eyes and buried his head in his hands. He knew exactly why his wife was infuriated.
Grandmother Loretta let out a pronounced sigh "Are you aware about what she's talking about?"
Herbert took off his round gold rimmed glasses and placed them gently on the stack of papers that was on the table.
"The two boys are both vice presidents of the group. That's the only way for me to decide on who had the resilience to be the president of the group" Herbert's voice was firm and solid, the decision had been made and it was final.
Stella banged and clenched the table so tightly that her artificial nails broke
"Since that boy came into this home, you've been putting my son in situations where he had to complete for his position as the first son." She shook her head vehemently " Not this time Herbert, this is his birth right."
"Why do you choose to challenge your husband's decisions woman? Back in the day this was intolerable!" Loretta snapped at her daughter in law who was still fuming even in her presence.
Stella laughed uncontrollably shocking grandmother Loretta who gasped "yes! that was back in the day, things are different now."
She turned and glared at her husband " If you keep pushing me to the wall, I'll let the world know that am not the mother to your bastard son."
When Logan was brought into the family, Herbert had pleaded his wife not to disclose the situation surrounding his birth but rather take him in as her child
Herbert walked to his safe and threw her the contract she signed to own the King's gallery in exchange of keeping her mouth shut. " you can keep that copy there is more from where that came from."
Feeling defeated, tears brimmed at the back of Stella's eyes although they couldn't depict half of the storm that brewed within her.
"I know what you're trying to do Herbert but as long as am still breathing that bastard will never be the heir to this fortune." She flounced off in fury.
-
"Why is everyone so glum?" Logan's voice was nonchalant although his nerves were whipping up a storm.
His sister Cassandra gave him a suspicious look " Didn't you get the memo! Dad's will is about to be read, Although we all know that Arthur will be automatically crowned as his preferred heir"
Logan smirked and gave her a simple glance before shifting it to his full plate "I wouldn't be so sure, if I were you."