The Return of Lord Bryan

Chapter five

Bryan had a smirk on his face as Mike's face fell. The arrogant man realized that there was no denying the authenticity of the ring now that Bryan had openly shown it to everyone. He immediately apologized to his grandmother. 

"I'm so sorry, Grandma, I'm sure this is some misunderstanding from the jeweler," he said and picked up the ring, placed it in the box, and snapped it shut. "You don't deserve anything cheap or fake. I will make sure I get a more expensive stone from that careless man for you, I'm sure it's a mistake of purchase," he said with a wide smile on his face.   

Grandmother was very disappointed but she didn't say anything, "Is there any particular stone you'd want? Maybe an onyx or a ruby this time?" Mike insisted, trying to impress the old woman.  

"That won't be necessary," Grandfather said with a booming voice and Mike nodded quietly, pocketing his fake ring. "I didn't just call everyone here today for my birthday, I called us all to make a very important announcement," he said.  

The entire room fell silent as people stared amongst themselves. There were rumors that Grandfather might be retiring and handing over everything to someone else, but no one knew who that would be. "What announcement did you want to make, grandfather?" One of Claire's uncles, Uncle Tom asked with a very soft tone.  

Grandfather looked at them all and said, "In a short while, I will be retiring as you all know. I need my rest but I also need to know that the company is in capable hands," he said, "I should be able to hand over this company and sleep happily because I'm sure it's handled properly," he added.  

Uncle Tom nodded, "Grandfather, you didn't have to bother with the meeting, you know I am capable and worthy of taking over the company, I have all it takes to__"  

"Who said you're worthy? Oh please, Tom, everyone knows you tried to start your own company and you failed miserably at it, how then can you think of running an entire empire?" Aunt Mae snapped at him, then she turned to her daughter and would-be son-in-law with a smile, "I think this power couple is more than capable of handling the company if you ask me, they are young people and are willing to learn and be innovative, consider this grandfather," she said.  

"You mean the young man that brought a fake piece of ring for grandmother? That's the con artist you want as heir to the company?" Tom asked and then scoffed, "That will never happen," he stated.

 "Con artist?" Juliet asked, her face twisted in a frown, "Mike just explained that it's the jeweler's fault! He would never bring something bad for grandmother, just watch and see, he'll get her a better gift," she retorted.  

Tom laughed and another cousin of theirs joined in, mocking Mike for trying to fool them with a fake ring. "He can't possibly take over the company, he's not even part of our family, he hasn't married Juliet yet, he's just a boy toy," the cousin said. 

 "How dare you?! Mike is everything you can never be! Do you know who he is? Who is father is in the city__" Aunt Mae began to brag but she jerked when grandfather spoke again.  

"There will be no need for a debate of who's worthy and who isn't. Whoever is worthy of being the next in line will have to prove his or herself," the grandfather said and everyone listened attentively, "They will have to secure a deal with Gudling Company and make us partners," he stated. 

"Did you say Gudling?" Uncle Tom asked and grimaced, the defeat on his face was pretty obvious. With that said, no one was so eager to speak anymore. They all knew how hard it was even for Grandfather with all his influence to get a deal with Gudling Company, it wasn't going to be an easy task at all. They began to murmur amongst themselves. 

Suddenly, Bryan stepped forth and asked Grandfather, "If my wife gets the deal, will she become the heir of the family?" Everyone turned to him questioningly and he had to repeat himself, "Will Claire be made heiress if she gets the deal?" he repeated. 

"Is that a joke? Can't you see that the same people are talking here?" Juliet snapped at him and waved him off with her fingers. "She is a part of the family and she deserves to stand a chance too," Bryan said and Claire winced, putting her head down because she knew well enough the insults that would follow. 

"Claire? Are you serious? It seems your madness has also got rid of any common sense," Aunt Mae snapped at him, "She ain't even able to clear out her debt and now she wants to take over the company? That's absurd!" 

Juliet agreed with her mother, "Claire and her family do not even deserve to be mentioned in this room, they are the lowest," she mocked with a nasty laugh.

"Tell that husband of yours to clear up your debt first before he comes here to suggest nonsense," Uncle Tom added with a scowl.  

"It's not my fault that we're in debt, we have tried everything and__" Claire began to say in her defense but grandfather didn't let her land. 

"You think you stand a chance to become the next in line?" He asked her. Claire was a little uncertain but Bryan stared at her intently and nodded slowly. Claire cleared her throat and mumbled a slow, "Yes." 

"If you want to become the next in line then you don't only have to get the deal with Gudling," Grandmother said to Claire. She nodded slowly, very uncomfortable with the attention. She wondered what else would be required of her when already getting the deal seemed impossible. "To become the heiress, Claire, you will have to clear out the debt of the underworld mafia lord, Scar,in just two days," she stated solemnly.