Chapter 2 Company Shares

In the meantime, at the James family mansion, Preston was in the study room with his grandfather, Walter James. He handed over the marriage certificate to him. His grandfather smiled brightly and said, “Well done, my precious grandson.”

However, when he saw the name of his grandson’s bride, the smile on his face vanished.

He was reminded of the conversation between him and his grandson when he told him that he would marry no one but Vivica Cartwright in this lifetime.

Grandpa James looked at his grandson and asked, “What happened between you and Vivica, my precious grandson?”

A flicker of pain crossed Preston’s eyes, and he replied, “Vivica and I broke up, Grandpa. She requested that I wait for her until her twenty-first birthday.

I would have waited for the love of my life, Grandpa. However, the three-month deadline you had imposed forced me to act quickly.

I hope one day she will find it in her heart to forgive me, Grandpa, because my life without her in it is meaningless.”

Grandpa James knew that his grandson was ambitious, but he was disheartened to learn that he had chosen company shares over the woman he loved.

He looked at him and said, “I am very disappointed in you, my grandson. I would have respected you if you had told me that you didn’t want the company shares because Vivica was not ready to settle down yet.

How could you marry a random woman, Preston? Have you ever thought how devastated the young lady would feel when she realized that she was merely a means for you to acquire company shares?”

Preston looked at his grandfather with pain in his eyes and replied, “To be honest with you, Grandpa, the sight of her radiant smile as she held our marriage certificate made me regret my decision to marry her. I felt like a fraud.”

His grandfather’s heart ached when he saw his precious grandson in pain and said, “My precious grandson, you have to explain this matter to your wife before she hears it from someone else.

Additionally, you must be mentally prepared. I don’t think your mother and your sister will ever accept your wife because they loved Vivica so dearly.”

Preston looked at his grandfather and asked, “Is it possible to hide this matter, especially from my sister, for a couple of months, Grandpa? I am afraid that she will tell Vivica.

It will be a devastating blow for Vivica to learn how quickly I moved on with my life and married someone else just two months after we broke up.”

His grandfather looked at him for a long time and said, “I promise not to tell your mother and sister for the time being, on condition that you try to work on your marriage. Give this young lady a chance. Who knows, maybe she is your soulmate?

My precious grandson, please inform my granddaughter-in-law that I'm looking forward to having dinner at your mansion this coming Saturday.”

Preston couldn’t believe his ears when he heard his grandfather’s words. He looked at him and replied, “Grandpa, the mansion is a sacred space reserved for my Vivica, and I would not tarnish that by allowing my nominal wife entry.”

His grandfather’s gaze was icy cold, and he asked, “Do you want to follow in your father’s footsteps, Preston? Are you planning to keep a mistress outside like him? Why do you act as if someone forced you to marry that young lady, Preston?”

His grandfather's words didn’t sit well with him. They were like a dagger to his heart, to be compared to his father, who abandoned his family and chose to run away with a mistress.

When Preston was growing up, he swore that he would never repeat his father’s mistakes. Preston was three years old when his father abandoned the family, leaving his pregnant mother to raise two children alone.

Preston looked at his grandfather and replied, “I am sorry, Grandpa, for speaking out of turn. It will be an honour to have dinner with you and my wife on Saturday.”

His grandfather smiled brightly at his precious grandson, then he handed the share certificate to him. Preston took the share certificate with both hands, grinning from ear to ear.

Preston played chess with his grandfather until the family butler informed them that lunch had been served.

After lunch, Preston bade his grandfather farewell, and then he rushed to the company. He had a scheduled board meeting at 3 pm, and he didn’t want to postpone it.

At the Ashford Group, President Jason Ashford was seething with anger in his office. He dialed his Executive Secretary, Brandon Salt, phone number, and then he asked him to come to his office.

President Ashford looked at Brandon and said, “Please investigate which projects the James Group is currently busy with.” Brandon nodded his head, and then he walked out of his boss's office.

Half an hour later, Executive Secretary Salt placed the report on his boss’s desk and said, “President, the James Group is currently busy with the renewable energy project with the Cartwright Group.

President Ashford couldn’t believe his ears when he heard that the President of the Cartwright Group, Hiram Cartwright, had collaborated with the James Group to tackle this mammoth project.

When his best friend, Hiram Cartwright, approached him with the project, Jason turned him down because it was his late girlfriend’s third death anniversary.

President Ashford thanked Brandon, and then he took his car keys and left the office. He drove his car to the Cartwright Group.

President Ashford parked his car in his allocated underground parking lot, then he walked to the private lift and pressed the 60th button.

President Ashford nearly bumped into Executive Secretary Dominic Porter, who was carrying a tray.

Executive Secretary Porter balanced the tray carefully, the porcelain cup clinking softly against the saucer.

President Ashford smiled and asked, “How are you doing, Dominic?” Dominic smiled brightly and replied, “All is well with me, President Ashford. How are you doing, Sir?”

President Ashford indicated that he was well, then Dominic escorted him to his boss’s office.

Before Dominic could knock on his boss’s office door, President Ashford reached for the tray and said, “Let me take that from your hands.”

President Cartwright was inundated with work. When he heard someone knock at the door, he didn’t even raise his head and said, “Come in.”

President Ashford opened the door and leaned against the door frame, but he didn't utter a word. He had a big smile on his face. 

President Cartwright raised his head to see what was going on. He smiled broadly when he saw his best friend and said, “What a pleasant surprise, Jason. How are you doing?” Then he walked towards the sofa, beaming with joy.