Chapter 88

88 88. The Fathers

Alex was surprised when Robert told him again that he would withdraw investment from his company. He grinned, between wanting to laugh and resigned. He was happy because William managed to get Paula again. At least, his son did not fail in household matters.

“So you must have known about it?” asked Alex with a suspicious look, staring at his laptop screen with a hard face. “Paula told me and asked you to threaten me?”

“Fuck! Paula and William don’t even want me to meddle in your family matters!” argued Robert, sneering at his friend.

“Then, why do you suddenly want to break off our cooperation?” Alex asked again while wiping his tired face. He had too much to handle after firing William. “What is the reason?”

“Of course. I’m angry because you belittled my daughter,” Robert replied with a face that was no less friendly. His eyes stared intently at his friend. “You think my daughter is worthless than a job.”

Even though communication was done virtually, the tension was still real. Alex didn’t want to add to the tension. He tried to calm himself.

“You know, this isn’t about Paula,” Alex replied, swallowing hard. “William is just being too careless about company affairs.”

“But he left to take care of important family matters that you should be supporting,” said Robert again.

Robert was indeed angry. He couldn’t let Alex do whatever he wanted while he still got comfortable facilities from him.

.....

“Don’t hate me like that, Robert,” Alex said with a chuckle. He picked up the magazine on the desk to read the latest news. He then turned his attention to Robert again. “Because of this, William has proven that he really loves your daughter, no?”

This time, it was Alex’s turn to be on top. He used Robert’s affection for Paula as a boomerang for Robert. Instantly, he had Robert’s undivided attention.

“Yes, right. But if William no longer has anything to do with your company-”

“Wait, I did fire William, but he is still my son,” said Alex, cutting off his friend’s words.

“What do you mean?” asked Robert, frowning in confusion. “Didn’t you say he won’t be your heir?”

“William would not inherit my company. But William and Paula’s child is still going to inherit our family business because he or she is still Montgomery, right?” Alex said casually as he turned over the magazine he was carrying.

“Oh, damn it!” Robert cursed, laughing. “I thought you were serious about kicking your kid out because Vanessa managed to persuade you or something.”

“No way, Robert, Vanessa has absolutely no desire for that,” explained Alex with a gentle smile. “She wants to be a doctor.”

Both of them burst into laughter. They seemed to forget that a few minutes earlier they had a pretty big fight.

“I am serious about William. I was annoyed because he felt as if he didn’t want to be helped. Though ...,” Alex paused for a moment. “Ah, never mind! How about we both celebrate our children’s union? Isn’t that what we should be doing?”

“You are right. Today ... I happen to be available. In the usual place?” asked Robert then, Alex answered with a nod.

That night, Alex and Robert went to where they used to spend time back then. Sometimes, on purpose, Alex didn’t invite Lisa because he really needed time to himself.

“So are you some kind of tsundere daddy?” asked Robert while sipping his drink with a light smile.

“You don’t have a problem son like William. Stop commenting.” Alex looked annoyed. He does not like the way he educates children commented by others.

Robert looked at his friend with pity. Alex, who grew up without a father figure, really didn’t have a clue about how to educate children properly. All he knew was how to get out of poverty. He met Thomas and his mother as an adult when he was already married and had children.

In contrast to Thomas, who was indeed more lenient in raising children. Thomas even let them choose whatever career they want. Like Samuel who ultimately chose to become a musician rather than having to work in the business world.

“How did Lisa respond? Doesn’t she oppose your decision?” asked Robert again. He wasn’t sure his best friend’s wife would just accept her husband’s strange decision.

Alex laughed wryly. “Of course she’s annoyed. However, after I explained to whom I would inherit this business, she relented. I think Lisa also admits that William is too naive in running the business.”

“Oh?” asked Robert, trying to listen carefully.

Alex just chuckled. He did not want to say that much of the failure of William’s project was due to him mixing his personal affairs with business. First, he called off the partnership because Martin tried to abuse Paula. Second, he canceled his partnership with Mark because he didn’t want to use Alan as an excuse. Third, he had clearly given up his responsibilities as a CEO at the Montgomery Corporation for Paula.

“I just want William to know that life sometimes doesn’t let him choose. He must be able to mediate between the two options,” explained Alex in the end. He looked at Robert with a worried look.

“In the past, I thought that I was luckier than you for having a son even though I only had one. However, I am now the one who was feeling grateful that you have a daughter like Paula,” Alex added in a hoarse whisper.

Robert’s eyes narrowed, “Why?”

“Because I feel at ease when your daughter is with William,” Alex said with a chuckle. He asked the bartender for a new drink.

“Sometimes you’re good at sugarcoating sad things,” Robert took a sip of his drink, then said, “Actually, I don’t want to interfere in your problems. However, don’t let William hate you. That’s all I’m worried about so you won’t regret it later.”

“What kind of regret?” Alex asked, squinting at his best friend.

“Hmm ... sort of, he won’t let you hold his baby,” Robert joked, making his drunk friend giggle even more.

“Let’s pray for the health of our grandchildren!” shouted Alex and Robert together.

The two happy grandfathers were drinking until late at night. Until finally they were completely drunk and could not go home by themselves.

That night, the bartender called each of the old men’s emergency numbers. Not long after, Lisa came to pick up her husband.

“Ah, why didn’t you tell me you were going to have a drink with Robert?” complained Lisa who was annoyed because she had to take care of her drunken husband. Luckily, she came with a driver who helped bring Alex to the car. Alex was heavy.

Lisa then turned her attention to Robert. That man ... who would pick him up? Wasn’t Paula home?

“Robert, do you want my men to help you get home?” Lisa asked Robert, who was barely conscious. Sure enough, the man could only answer with an indistinct mutter.

“Ma’am, we’ve called the emergency number. Don’t worry, you can go home now with your husband,” said the bartender politely to Lisa.

However, as Lisa is about to leave the bar, she runs into Robert’s ex-wife. Of course, that took her by surprise. However, they both had an unforgettable past.

“Amanda?” asked Lisa, her mouth agape at the beautiful woman. She was her age, but she looked overly confident with her beauty. “You-you’re back here?”

“Hey Lisa, how are you? Did you pick up that bad boy of yours? Is he wasted? High?” Amanda asked matter-of-factly. She looked at Lisa up and down and sneered at Lisa because that woman looked older than her.

“Ah, Lisa... I told you, working women might look old like you ... so fast. You have to take a lot of care of yourself. You must have a lot to worry about, right? Plus your problem son. How many victims has he injured?” added Amanda with a cynical smile.

Hearing William being insulted, of course, Lisa wasn’t happy at all. “Look, I admit my son wasn’t a good kid back then. However, he is good now. And don’t you forget that he is your daughter’s husband.”

Amanda burst out laughing, “Ah, he’s a man? I’m glad Paula was smart enough to divorce your son. He abused her often, no? That would make a good reason for divorce.”

“Shut your mouth, Amanda!” she snapped. “If you don’t stop, I’ll get security to kick you out!”

Amanda laughed again. Her maroon lips could only be seen faintly in the dim light inside the bar.

“Relax, I’ll be going soon. Of course, after I pick up my lover,” Amanda whispered into Lisa’s ear.

Amanda then walked in confidence like a model on the catwalk, approached the stool and picked up Robert, and helped him walk. Lisa couldn’t help but gasp at the sight in front of her. So, will Amanda get back together with Robert? Good grief! She had to prevent it for fear that his family life would turn into hell after this. She was afraid that Amanda would take revenge on William.