King Ambrose: The Rise of the Bastard Son

06: A Plan

Everything happened so fast. One moment we were just discussing the details of the wedding—one I really didn't pay much attention to. I was too stunned—too surprised to process everything. And the next thing I knew, me and Olivia married. It all happened too fast. And I couldn't believe they pushed through it. And I couldn't believe I became father's personal puppet.

It's been almost two years since me and Olivia got married. Almost two years since we started to live with each other. Our families bought a house—a mansion—that's unnecessarily huge for the two of us. Olivia and her own business is thriving and father is restless. Especially when Harold de la Fontaine kept asking about when I should take over the company.

Knowing father, he will never, ever hand me his company. Especially since I am not his son. Other than that, he's also pissed that Harold kept asking him when he should retire from the company.

"That bastard is getting cocky," he said in one of our scheduled family dinners. Darion and Henry were snickering and I know the reason why. With all that's going on, there is no doubt I will be the one who will face the wrath of Harold de la Fontaine if everything comes to worst. 

"Make sure to get his attention, Kingsley. Make him treat you like a son," Gideon said as he was meticulously slicing a slab of meat on his plate. I don't have the appetite to eat. I've lived with Olivia in the same house for months now and we had separate bedrooms. It's not that I am complaining about it. It's just...it makes me feel like a puppet. Isolated in a cage with another puppet manipulated by our fathers. The only difference between me and Olivia is that she's good at this. She's been living as a puppet for her father and still managed to make a name of her own. And now, I am tasked to impress Harold de la Fontaine so he would see how valuable I am as his son-in-law and that my marriage to Olivia would garner good results.

"I will, father," I muttered and the dining was silent after that. I said I would but I honestly don't have any idea how I would do it. Father just expects me to do something without him telling me what exactly I should do. And I think that's what makes Darion and Henry snicker at me. They didn't have to deal with this kind of shit and either of them would likely inherit the company once I save it. Just thinking about it makes my blood boil.

I drove my car home that night. Yes, I have a car. Olivia's father bought it for me as a wedding gift and my father gave Olivia the most expensive-looking jewelry. I wonder how much money he used to buy that. It probably hurt his expenses knowing that the company is close to bankruptcy.

"Why are you late?"

I almost jumped from where I was standing when I heard Olivia's voice from the living room. A glass of wine was on her hand and she was looking at the skyline in front of her. Our penthouse was at the topmost part and it shows a great view of the skyline below. The city lights are to die for.

"I was at dinner with father," I answered. Olivia's back is on me and I don't know what expressions look like. She was silent and I figured she didn't want to talk to me anymore. However, I was about to turn and walk to the stairs when she called my name. When I looked at her, she was already looking at me.

"Come here for a second. Join me," she said. Something about her voice tells me that something was wrong. I slowly walked toward where she was sitting. When I was standing in front of her, she tapped the space next to her, motioning me to sit. And I did.

I sat down next to her and that's when she handed me another glass. The instant I took it, she poured wine on it.

"Drink with me," she said. She raised her glass and tossed it with mine. The glasses produced a clinking sound and she downed the wine in one gulp.

Olivia leaned in to take the bottle to fill her glass again. Something is definitely wrong.

"How did your day go?" I asked. I didn't want to ask her what was wrong right away. One thing I learned from Olivia is that she doesn't like it when people pity her. She projects herself as someone strong and unbreakable.

"I fucked up, Kingsley," she answered and she downed another glass before going to take the bottle again. Before I could stop her, she went on, "My business... Dad closed it."

"Isn't that—"

She let out a scoff. "Harold de la Fontaine is a powerful man. You should know that by now. He knew my company is on the verge of bankruptcy. Since it's tied to his company, he didn't want to tarnish his reputation. He cut me off."

It was a cruel thing to do, especially from a father to his daughter. And I wanted to laugh when he doesn't want to tarnish his reputation. He didn't even realize that Gideon Olivieri's company is on the verge of bankruptcy and he let his daughter marry an Olivieri.

But then I realized something.

Maybe Olivia is also like me. Maybe like me, her father doesn't treat her like a real daughter too. Maybe she was being treated like an outcast by her own father.

I remembered what Harold said before: "I've always wanted a son." And then he clapped my back. Harold didn't want a daughter. He wanted a son. Which is why I am perfect to make him impressed. I just need to do something that would surely get his attention on me. At the same time, I want to help Olivia too.

Taking a deep breath, I looked at Olivia. She was about to pour another glass when I stopped her. She looked at me, puzzled, and she was about to protest when I went on, "How did your dad close your company?"

She rolled her eyes. "I told you, haven't I? He's a powerful man—"

"I know. I know. What I meant was how exactly?"

"Well, he saw the sales. And he accused me of laundering money which was absurd."

It would be hard to get back from that but I need to try. If I want to impress my father-in-law, I need to do something remarkable.

"Can you show me your books?" I asked. She was looking at me suspiciously but then eventually she nodded.

I smiled to myself as the plan started brewing inside my head. 

She furrowed her brows at me. "What are you going to do with my books? Dad already confiscated half of it."

"The remaining half is what I need. Let me have a look. Maybe we can do something about it."

Olivia stared at me for a long time before she let out a laugh while shaking her head. "You want to see if you can do something about it?" 

I gave her a nod and then she cleared her throat. "Why are you so confident?"

"Because I know I can turn the tables around," I answered. She stared at me for a few seconds before she stood and gave me the books containing the records of her small company. 

As I browsed through it, I could see that her clothing line's sales is indeed decreasing. 

"Your sales are not as impressive and your father accused you of laundering money?" 

She scoffed. "Thank you for the reminder and yes, he did. I know it was absurd." 

"Just increase your sales," I said, closing the book. 

"That's what I have been trying and look where I am."

"I'll see what I can do," I said and she gave a confused look. Looking at her, I couldn't help but marvel At her beauty. For almost two years of us getting married, we had never...consummated it. We slept on different rooms and only slept on the same room when her mother visits us. 

I shook the thought away. 

"What are you going to do, Kingsley?" 

Even the way she called my name sounded like an invitation. I cleared my throat and stood up, calming myself. 

"Just wait and see," I said. "I will get you your company back."