The Unexpected Heir

Understanding

Chapter four

Seeing Charlie's eyes filled with understanding, the butler nodded in acknowledgement, fully comprehending their unspoken exchange. Adjusting his approach swiftly, he changed his words.

“I apologize, sir,” the butler admitted, his voice carrying a mix of sincerity and regret. “I seem to have forgotten to provide you with the invitation card. However, rest assured, you may enter with me now.”

Charlie's response remained composed, his demeanor calm as he gestured for the butler to take a moment.

“There's no need to rush,” he calmly interjected, a subtle command to ease the butler's sense of urgency. Charlie's playful side emerged as he added, “Perhaps it would be fitting to let the man run around the building with his shirts off!” A mischievous glint danced in his eyes.

Charlie's words struck the man like a bolt of lightning, he couldn't stand tall and proud anymore as his heart began pounding in his chest, and even anyone standing a hundred feet away could still hear the sound of his heartbeat.

His mind started playing the scene of him running around in nothing but his boxers, and he couldn't help the sweat beading on his forehead, his face became pale in an instant. Even his palms were slick with perspiration, and he could feel his pulse racing.

He shut his eyes for a moment, trying to steady his breath and regain control of his emotions. Upon realizing that Charlie and the butler were acquainted. He mustered a forced smile, attempting to salvage the situation by indulging in flattery.

“Did you even know who my father is?” he said with a scoff, his voice dripping with arrogance and entitlement.

“I am sure you don't know who he is,” Micheal retorted, his tone condescending. “I am Micheal, from the Cooper family. You know what that means?”

The butler couldn't help but let out a scoff, clearly unimpressed by Micheal's attempt to flaunt his family name. “Are you bragging about the Coopers right now? If so, you should keep quiet and let me hear the word,” the butler responded dismissively, his voice laced with a hint of annoyance.

“Why are you trying to humiliate Mr. Micheal?” Alice confronted Charlie, her voice laced with a mix of concern and frustration. “Why are you pushing him? You should know he was only joking when he said he'll walk around naked. Are you telling me you'd be happy seeing a fellow grown up man running around naked like a mad man?”

Charlie felt taken aback by Alice's outburst. He was not expecting her to make such a personal and inappropriate statement. He struggled to find words in response, conflicted between defending himself or staying silent, given the delicate dynamics involved.

It was disheartening to witness Alice, his ex-wife, speaking against him and defending someone who, didn't deserve it. Charlie just shaken his head in disappointment.

“Let it go. Anyway, the Thompson family wouldn't allow a man to run around their building with his shirts off.” Charlie said in an indifferent tone,

The butler hesitated for a moment, clearly weighing his options before deciding to caution Micheal.

“You shouldn't make trouble here, Micheal, or whatever your name is,” the butler asserted, his voice carrying an undertone of authority. “I won't let you go easily if you cause trouble at this party.”

Micheal, seemingly unfazed by the butler's warning, raised his hand up in a mocking manner, almost as if surrendering. “I give up,” he responded, his tone dripping with sarcasm. “I won't cause trouble,” he declared, his words lacking sincerity.

“Let's go, Mr. Charlie,” the butler said, his voice maintaining a professional demeanor. Charlie nodded in response, ready to follow the butler's lead and leave the uneasy situation behind.

As they began to make their way out, Micheal's face contorted into a frown of annoyance. He couldn't hide his dissatisfaction at Charlie's departure with the butler, a clear act of defiance against his attempts to rile them up.

“You guys should keep trying,” Micheal taunted, a mocking smile playing on his lips. “You are just watch dogs to the Thompson family. I'm sure you're just here to find a job through the butler. I wish you good luck.”

Alice, in a display of solidarity with Micheal, nodded her head in agreement. She knew that Charlie's presence at the event was indeed connected to potential job opportunities. Charlie and the butler decided to ignore them and made their way to the party.

*********

As they entered the grand ballroom, Charlie was overwhelmed by the opulence and grandeur of the party. Chandeliers glittered overhead, and the room was filled with the sound of laughter and music. Everyone was dressed in their finest clothes, and the room was abuzz with excitement.

Charlie felt a surge of happiness as he looked around. This was his first high-society party, and it was everything he had imagined and more.

“I am very sorry for keeping you waiting, I forgot to give you the invitation card, master,” the butler apologized, his voice tinged with a hint of regret.

“It's nothing,” Charlie replied, his tone neutral and detached. “I'd like to sit alone.”

His eyes scanned the room until they settled on a quiet corner. Finally finding a suitable spot, he made his way there, seeking peace and solitude.

The butler nodded silently, understanding the master's need for solitude, and left him alone. Charlie sat down, his thoughts stirring within him as he took a deep breath, attempting to process the whirlwind of events unfolding around him. Moments later, a waiter approached his side and placed a drink in front of him, offering a momentary distraction before swiftly moving away.

From the corner of his eye, Charlie caught sight of Alice at the entrance of the party. To his surprise, she began to make her way towards where he was seated. Charlie hadn't anticipated her approaching him, and his eyebrows arched in curiosity as he watched her approach, unsure of what she had in mind. His frown deepened, but before he could say anything, Alice met his gaze with a frown on her face.

“All you want to do is sit here and drink, aren't you going to work? Are you here for fun?”

Charlie was taken aback, a mixture of confusion and frustration clouding his face as he tried to comprehend what Alice was talking about.

“Work?” he asked, hoping for some clarification.

“I almost forget who you are, a lazy-ass liability. You are always like this, sitting in the house without doing anything, while I have to go to work to provide for you,” Alice retorted, her tone laced with irritation.

Charlie let out a chuckle, a mix of bitterness and resignation. He decided not to waste his breath explaining himself any further. It seemed pointless; no matter how much he had tried to make Alice understand, she refused to believe him.

“Micheal is a man just like you,” Alice continued, her voice laced with criticism. “You should learn from him and see how hard he works to achieve his success.”

Charlie couldn't help but release a loud, mocking laugh, his hand instinctively clutching his stomach.

“Is that the reason you divorced me?” he asked, his laughter mingling with a hint of bitterness. Alice's expression shifted from confusion to shock as his words sank in.

“What are you talking about?” she asked, her voice filled with a mixture of disbelief.