Tobias fished out his phone from his pocket and looked down at the caller ID.
His eyes widened and he swore under his breath before he picked up the phone.
"Tobias Hays." Tobias gulped as he placed the phone against his ear.
Tobias hummed at whatever it was the person on the other line seemed to be telling him.
His face slowly darkened into a deep scowl and his eyes slowly landed on Darion and Darion was unable to control the mischievous grin that spread across his lips.
Everyone waited in anticipation as they knew something was wrong from the look on Tobias' face.
"Who was that?" Lady Orlena asked the minute Tobias dropped the phone from his ear.
"Why is this man still here?" Gary scowled at the guards who had seemed to forget their duties and they spurred into action.
"Wait." Tobias' words halted them just as they held onto Darions shoulders.
"What is going on Tobias'?" Lady Orlena inquired, her face pinched with worry.
"The call was from the family of ancients." Tobias revealed.
"Timing is everything." Darion slowly stepped away from the guards, brushing their hands off his shoulders and smoothing out the creases on his suit before he shoved his hands back into his pockets.
Devra's eyes bulged, reflecting the shock everyone felt but to her credit she remained silent.
Everyone knew the family of ancients never called unless it was extremely important.
What could it possibly be?
"What did they want?" Gary asked with a frown.
"An emergency meeting, they've summoned me for an emergency meeting." He said cooly, his eyes straying to Darion's.
Tobias' heart dropped at the glint he spied within the depths of Darion's eyes.
What could he possibly be up to, what was he playing at?
Darion's smirk didn't let up and he slowly strolled to a chair and gracefully sank into it before crossing his legs and staring at the family before him.
Tobias saw the act for what it was- a show of dominance and authority.
Darion had already planted the seed of doubt in their hearts and now all he had to do was wait.
"What did you do?" Tobias asked Darion, his voice hesitant.
"What makes you think I have anything to do with the call you just received?" Darion quirked a brow.
"If you didn't, why is that sick grin planted on your face?" Tobias retorted and to his suprise Darion chuckled.
"For someone so sure I'm a fraudster, you seem oddly worried." Darion observed.
Tobias was at a loss for words.
Darion was playing some sick mind game on him and for a moment Tobias wondered the consequences he would face if Darion really was in the favour of the war god.
He shuddered at the thought.
"You are all dismissed." Tobias called off the guards who looked equal parts confused and shocked.
"Grandpa, what are you doing?" Gary asked with a scowl.
"Don't question me Gary." Tobias replied coldly.
Lady Orlena and Tobias shared a look, seemingly communicating with their eyes and Darion realized with a sense of satisfaction they were finally catching on and understanding he actually posed a threat to them.
"How did you come to be in the favour of the war god?" Lady Orlena asked after a heartbeat.
"I doubt that should be of concern to you. What should be of concern to you though is how this affects your lives." Darion looked the woman dead in the eyes.
He wasn't fooled by her white hair or wrinkled skin, Darion knew Lady Orlena was a scheming old woman and he would be a fool to let his guard down around her.
They had finally realized and accepted that Darion was in the favour of the war god, however, what they didn't know was that the war god was making an appearance again after disappearing many years ago.
An appearance which was represented by Darion.
"You all can't seriously believe him." Gary looked at his family in confusion.
"This is Darion. Crippled, spineless Darion. Just because he seems to be able to walk now doesn't mean we'll believe whatever crap he feeds up." Gary's eyes held a fire when they landed on Darion.
Gary seethed as he realized he had much more to lose with Darion's declaration.
"That is enough Gary, not another word." Tobias glared at his grandson who immediately cowered, remembering his place.
"What is it you want Darion?" Tobias asked through his teeth.
"Only time shall tell." Darion leaned back in his chair, seemingly satisfied with the turn of events.
"For starters though, nobody is merging Helios industries and my wife is free to run her company without any interference from any of you." Darion added and Gary scoffed.
"The hell she will." He muttered before storming out the room with a loud bang of the door after him.
Devra's eyes burned into Darion's face but he didn't dare look her way. He resolved to get his chance to speak with her privately and explain everything as best as he could.
Tobias and Lady Orlena remained silent and Darion quirked a brow.
"Do we have an agreement?" Darion probbed and he spied Tobias' hands which were clenching and unclenching by his sides.
Too bad he couldn't do anything about it.
"I have a summons to respond to. When I hear what the family of ancients has to say then we'll talk." Tobias bargained.
"You'll be contacting me soon then." Darion stated confidently.
"Time will tell." Tobias retorted, not taking his eyes off Darion.
The two seemed to be in a silent battle of wills and in the end Tobias turned away with a hiss and stormed out of the room.
"Speak to your husband." Lady Orlena gritted out to Devra before she exited the room after her husband.
The door closed with a soft click indicating that Darion was finally alone with his wife, just like he'd wished since he arrived.