A few minutes ago,
Just as Adam wanted to leave the office and head to the manor, Malerie stopped him. She passed a flash drive to him.
"Before you go to dinner, see what's inside. She kissed his cheek before walking him to his car.
Adam had originally wanted to go directly to the manor, but he had to take a detour and head to his home so that he would be able to go through the drive's content first. Adam's expression darkened as he went through the files in the drive. Standing up, he left with strides and an angry expression.
He arrived at the Crawford manor earlier than most and made his way inside, greeting only elder Crawford and his father.
"Grandfather, Father," he said as he took his seat beside his father. He looked beside him and nodded to his mother, who gave him an understanding smile.
"Such disrespect to your elders," his second uncle, Sean Crawford, said with distaste. He looked at his elder brother, "Did you fail to teach him how to treat his elders?"
Dominic Crawford glared at his younger brother while trying not to say anything that would have their father's anger directed at him. It always wfel5 like Mr Crawford always had something against him or maybe it was because he was the Eldest and much was expected of him that was their father had always been hard on him and easily found faults on him.
"Adam is no longer a child that needs to be taught what is right and what is wrong. He is more than old enough to know that. Wha6 did you do that had him ignoring you?" Dominic asked and received a glare from Sean.
"Stop arguing like children," Mr Crawford uttered, glaring at his two sons. "Your wives are much better behaved than you two."
"We are sorry, Father," they both said at the same time but glared sneakily at each other.
"Adam, apologize to your uncle as Aunt," Mr Crawford commanded, and although unwilling, Adam apologized.
"Please forgive my rudeness, Uncle and Aunt. I was… I am sorry," he apologized.
Although they knew he didn't mean a word that he said, they had to accept his apology. "That is fine. Adam. Your uncle and I know very well that you are a busy man. You are still so young yet already managing some of the family's business. We know it ought to be hard on you," Selena Crawford, Sean's wife, said while Sean remained silent. He has spoken, and that was more than enough.
"Thank you, Auntie Selena," she said, offering a half smile that she returned.
Silence followed his words and lasted until it became uncomfortable.
"Sara is yet to arrive, and neither has Alex. Are they truly coming, Father?" Lily Crawford asked. Although she didn't want to be the one to ask, someone had to sipel the silence, and so she did since no one else plans on doing so.
"Indeed, the dishes are already ready. They'll turn cold if we keep waiting," Dominic supported his wife.
"We will wait a bit longer. Alex will come, he said so. Sara, too. She won't decline an invitation from me," Mr Crawford said with certainty. He looked at an empty seat and turned to Dominic and his wife. "Where is your daughter?"
"Liv…she got a call from her classmates she is currently in school," Lily said, and Mr Crawford just nodded his head. Although it could be a lie, school was important even though it was already late and she should be home, he thought she might have some extra work to do with her classmates.
"Very well then. Call her and ask her to come here as soon as she is done. I want our family to be together today. Even Alex is coming here."
"Yes Father," Lily replied. She looked at Selena and smirked inwardly. While she and Dominic had two children to add to the Crawford name, Selena and Sean had none. If not for the blood of Mr Crawford running through Sean and Sean's stubbornness to stay with his wife, she would have been thrown out long ago. But she was also happy about that. If neither Seen nor Alex had children, there would be no one to compete with her children inheriting the family's wealth and fortune.
"Please excuse me, Father," she said and left to make the call.
As she walked by, the butler came in and reported, "Master Crawford, Young Master Alexander has arrived," he informed and Mr Crawford nodded his head, a pleased and proud smile appeared on his lips.
"Guide him in," he ordered, and the humble butler bowed his head as he returned to accompany the young master.
Minutes later, the footsteps of Alex could be heard approaching and his figure soon after.
"Father," he greeted, and the man smiled.
"Welcome back home, Kayden," he said.
Alex nodded his head. On the whole world, only his father still called him, and there was nothing that he could do about it. The man was his father after all. "Thank you," he said and walked to his spot at Mr Crawgord's right, but the seat was occupied. "Could you stand? That belongs to me," he said to Dominic, who gritted his teeth but silently stood up.
"I didn't think you'd come today. Sorry about that," Dominic uttered, spotting a smile, but within him, he was furious. That place belongs to the next heir of the family, and that should be him, but it wasn't the case. Father's favorite had it, and that meant that he owned the Crawfords as well.
"I believe everyone already knew I was coming, Dominic. Don't fool yourself," Alex said as bluntly as he could put it.
Dominic cast a glance at Sean and found him smirking, which further angered him, but he could only smile at Alex and pretend he was alright with it all.
"Welcome back, little Al," Sean said and his Selena did the same greeting Alex as well. They may noy have the best sibling relationship with Alex, but it wasn't as hard as the one with Dominic.
"Uncle Alex," Adam greeted and Alex cast him a glance but didn't acknowledge him.
"Welcome, Miss Ambrose," the butler's voice caught everyone's attention as they all directed their eyes to the entrance of the dining room.
Meanwhile, Sara could barely move or look away from the man whom she thought she wouldn't see again until tomorrow at work.
'What the hell was he doing here?'