"How have you been, my dear?" Charlie asked, his voice filled with concern.
"I've been well, grandfather," Laura said, a soft smile on her face.
Charlie looked at her intently, his eyes studying her face.
"You look... different," he said, his voice gentle.
Laura just poured tea for grandpa if those who have meant her when she was out of the country saw this or other who have meant her few years back they would be shocked those who knew Laura well enough knew she was cold, indifferent, emotionless, and someone who dislike being told what to do yet here she is being kind and gentle she only does this with her twins.
Charles took a sip of tea and looked at Laura, his eyes full of affection.
"It's good to see you again, my dear," he said, patting her hand gently.
"I've missed you."
"Who are you!" Laura auntie shouted at Laura.
"Auntie Elena how can you forget didn't you say I was ugly and fat?" Laura said indifferently she blinked few times and a beautiful smile spread across Laura face but it felt like a threatening smile.
Elena's eyes widened in shock as Laura smiled at her. She had never seen Laura smile like that before.
"Y-you are Laura?" Elena stuttered, her face pale.
The rest of the family was also shocked to see Laura's smile. They had never seen her look so... menacing.
Charles chuckled at the shocked expressions on the family members' faces.
"Yes, that's Laura. My granddaughter," he said, a hint of pride in his voice.
The family members exchanged nervous glances, unsure of what to say. They had never seen Laura like this before. To everyone they were waiting for the fat Laura from six years who but now it's different after all no one has seen her for the past six years!
Laura took a sip of tea and looked around at the family members. She could tell they were all intimidated by her.
"Did you all miss me?" she asked, her voice cold and sharp.
Laura knew the only people who cared about were her Grandpa Charlie and Niva minor family which aren't here for this meeting so those words were more like a threat the cousins all sneered at Laura and threw insult at her.
"You think you're so tough now, don't you?" a cousin said, scoffing.
"Yeah, you think you're all high and mighty now that you've lost some weight," another cousin chimed in.
The rest of the family joined in, throwing insults at Laura left and right.
The room fell silent as Charlie slammed his cane on the ground. Everyone looked at him, their faces filled with shock and fear.
"Enough!" Charlie barked, his voice loud and commanding.
"Show some respect to your cousin!"
The family members quickly fell silent, their eyes downcast. They knew better than to anger Charles Frost.
Charlie turned to Laura and put a hand on her shoulder.
"Don't mind them, my dear. They're just jealous."
Laura just nodded her head.
"Now we here to talk about the Family Shares."
The family members perked up at the mention of the family shares. They all leaned in, their eyes fixed on Charles.
Charles looked around the room, his gaze fixing on each family member.
"As you all know, the Frost Family is one of the most powerful families in the country. We have businesses, properties, and investments all over the world."
The family members perked up at the mention of the Family Shares. It was a topic that was always a hotly debated subject in the Frost Family.
Laura's cousins, aunts, and uncles all sat up straight, their eyes filled with greed.
"Now, I'm sure you all know why we're here," Charles said, his voice serious.
"It's time to discuss the distribution of the Family Shares."
The family members all nodded, their eyes fixed on Charles.
"Now, as per the tradition of the Frost Family, each family member is entitled to a share of the Family Wealth," Charles said.
"However, the size of the share is determined by the contribution each family member has made to the family."
The family members all nodded, their faces filled with anticipation. They knew that the Family Shares were a reflection of their status and importance within the family.
"Now, I've called this meeting to discuss the distribution of the Family Shares for this year," Charles said.
"And I have a few announcements to make."
The family members leaned forward, their eyes fixed on Charles. They knew that the announcements he was about to make would have a major impact on their shares.
"First, I would like to recognize a few family members who have made significant contributions to the family in the past year."
The family members all looked at each other, trying to guess who Charles was talking about.
"Who are they, grandfather?" a cousin asked, her voice filled with anticipation.
"Patience, my dear," Charles said, a small smile on his face. "I'll get to that in a moment."
He took a sip of tea and looked around at the family members, his eyes lingering on each one for a moment. Laura brewed the tea leaves herself so she poured more tea for her grandfather.
Charles took a sip of the tea and smiled.
"Ah, that's good tea, my dear," he said, looking at Laura.
"You've always had a knack for making good tea."
The family members all looked at Laura, their eyes filled with jealousy.
Laura just shrugged and poured herself some more tea.
"Now, let's get to the matter at hand," Charles said, clearing his throat.
"Who would like to volunteer to go first in presenting their contributions?"
The family members all looked at each other, each one eager to go first.
"I'll go, grandfather!" a cousin said, raising her hand.
Laura was so bored she started to read a book and drink her tea. She did not care for the family share she looked at the clock damn she had been here for three hours.
Charles looked at the cousin who had raised her hand.
"Very well, you may go first," he said.
The cousin stood up and began presenting her contributions to the family. The rest of the family listened intently, taking notes and making mental calculations.
Laura looked up from her book and watched the cousin present her contributions. She was bored out of her mind.
After a few minutes, the cousin finished her presentation and sat down.
"Thank you, my dear," Charles said, nodding his head.
"Who's next?"
Another cousin raised her hand.
"I'll go next, grandfather," she said.
"Very well, you may go ahead," Charles said, gesturing for her to start her presentation.
"Grandpa they should there names," Laura said so many people.
The servant nodded and started taking notes of the cousins' names.
The cousin who had raised her hand stood up and began her presentation. Laura just leaned back in her chair and continued reading her book, occasionally taking a sip of tea.
The cousin's presentation was similar to the previous cousin, listing her contributions and achievements.
Laura looked up from her book again, checking the time. It had been four hours already. She couldn't wait to get out of here.
After a while, the cousin finished her presentation and sat down.
Charles nodded his head in acknowledgement.
"Thank you, my dear," he said, before looking around the room.
"Who's next?" he asked again.
"Grandpa I don't understand why we're doing this again," Laura said honestly she was bored and annoyed and she has more important things to do like to sleep.
Charles chuckled at Laura's comment.
"It's tradition, my dear," he said, his voice gentle.
"The Family Shares are an important part of the Frost Family tradition. We do this every year to recognize the contributions of each family member and to ensure that the wealth is distributed fairly."
Ricky Laura dad, has six siblings.
"Grandpa! What about you Laura? What did you aside from losing your weight for the past six years and walk back like it's nobody business," Erick said.