"It's shocking the amount of change a single person can make just by being absent," Isabella chuckled eyes gazing out the window where a colourful garden spanned for miles, "Avery's been gone for a few days and the house is incredibly calm, it's almost scary the amount of chaos just one person could cause." Her chuckle developed into laugh— one that lacked joy.
"He's always causing trouble, always doing something to ruin our family's reputation." Callan glared at the hydrangeas in the flower vase on the table as though it was their fault. "I don't know why he won't just leave Ian and Dylan alone, he's just like his mother— pathetic, crazy and clingy." Something dark gleamed in Callan's eyes at the thought of his late wife.
"Dylan's here." Isabella smiled as she watched the familiar sleek, black masterpiece drive into the compound.
"That's good, if Ian can hold him down for marriage our family would be secured for life, an alliance with the Russell family would make the world envious of us." Callan had no idea what Dylan saw in Ian, but if whatever it was that interested him was keeping him around then he would be damned to sit back and watch Avery ruin it.
For years the Emerson's had oppressed the Ford family— it was this oppression that had forced him into marrying Laura Emerson, his late wife— if Ian married into the Russell family then Callan would have enough power to acquisition more shares and become a majority shareholder in SparkDigital, the company could finally belong to the Ford's instead of being shared with the Emerson's — just thinking about the future had Callan salivating.
"I heard the old man is coming back tomorrow." Isabella turned to face her husband as she approached him with casual steps.
"I had hoped he would die there." Callan scoffed.
"Unfortunately, he's still alive." Isabella shrugged. "Avery's turning 23 in two months and you know what that means."
"Of course I do, it's been giving me headache for days." Callan groaned.
After SparkDigital was founded, the Emerson's had owned 53% shares and the Ford's had owned 30%. Vicente Emerson had promised Laura 10% of his shares after her weeding— it was this 10% that made Callan marry her, he had been hoping that after her father gave her the shares she would hand them to him and his 30% shares could become 40%shares instead— but that damned woman had refused.
Before her death Laura had transferred her shares to her son and documented it that he would only have access to them when he turned 23.
On a normal day, Callan would not care about a measly 10% shares, but he was worried that Vicente could convince Avery to sign his shares over to him and become a majority shareholder again and Calllan would rather die than live under the oppression of the Emerson's forever.
"I have a solution." Callan fixed his wife who was smiling cunningly a look. "It's simple, marriage."
"Marriage?" Callan frowned.
"Avery hasn't got a single business gene in his body, the shares are useless to him except for the fact that he will be paid dividend. If Avery is to be married into an aristocrat family, he's got to come with an enticing dowry— 10% of SparkDigital shares— Vicente wouldn't dare to touch his grandson's only backing, and let's be honest Vicente has barley got a few decent years left in that body of his before death claims him and as long as you keep those shares out of his reach, there's nothing he can do." Isabella smiled.
"How did I not think about this?" Callan laughed boisterously. "Sweetheart you're a genius— have I ever told you you're genius?" This was what had attracted him to Isabella— that innocent facade which hid a deadly woman.
"You haven't, but I will appreciate a wardrobe change even more." Isabella smirked.
The more Callan thought about the idea, the better it became. Despite Avery's not-so-bright reputation, he was still a gorgeous Omega from a wealthy family— throw in 10% shares of SparkDigital and there would be a line of suitors.
Callan thought back to the incident at the hospital and his eyes darkened— if Avery was begining to think he could talk back at him then it was best to hand him out— besides he could also secure a good business alliance from this— a case of killing two birds with one stone.
********
"Remember to stick the diet plan,"Amanda shot him a stern look, "and no alcohol or smoking."
"Got it Doc." Avery laughed.
"Here's my card," she passed a white card to Avery— simple and stylish, with her name, the hospitals name and her number printed on it, "call me if you have any questions."
"I will." Avery was going to have a long discussion with the doctor outside of the hospital soon.
"Alright then, see you later Avery, I will attend to another patient now." Amanda smiled.
"Bye Doctor."
"Bye."
********
Avery stopped by the Nurses counter to take his medications before he exited the hospital.
The Ford's hadn't come to pick him but they had sent a driver— a middle-aged Alpha man, with dirty blonde, light brown eyes and an average looking face. He seemed to be the type to smile a lot— wrinkles had began to form at the sides of his eyes— he was standing perfectly straight beside a luxurious white car.
"Good afternoon Young Master Avery." He bowed as he opened the car door.
"Good afternoon to you too—" it took a minute for the driver to realize that Avery was asking for his name and when he realized his eyes widened by a fraction.
"Jack." The driver replied slightly bewildered.
"Good afternoon to you too Jack." Avery smiled as he stepped into the car leaving the stunned driver staring.
Avery had never bothered to greet the servants, much less know their names— Jack was shocked by this rare conversation.
Jack managed to regain himself and hurriedly closed the door while he hurried to the drivers seat and ignited the engine.
The drive to Blackwood Estate— an opulent and luxurious estate where the cost of getting a house was more expensive than a heart— were the Ford family lived was quiet and relaxing— a low soothing music thrummed from the speakers.
Avery observed the rush of people moving about their daily lives through the car's window, everything about this world seemed so real except for the whole ABO concept.
Avery wondered if the plot would still follow the novel or if the world had rebuilt itself— it would be horrifying if it had and it would make things harder.
Soon the car was pulling into The Ford's compound. As described in the book the Ford's lived in a gorgeous two story white mansion, with a large garden and an exquisite waterfall.
Avery could make out different luxury cars in the garage once the car was parked and he sighed at the level of wealth that some people enjoyed— in his past he had worked himself to the bone and was yet unable to reach this level of wealth— still he was satisfied, he had managed to achieve many things, and his life though short had been filled with love and warmth.
"Thank you Jack." Avery beamed at the driver.
"Uhh....no problem Sir, I am just doing my job." Jack stuttered.
Avery had barely taken two steps forward before he ran into two people.
Dylan Russell was the epitome of a male lead— dark hair that was slicked back with perfection, his dark blue eyes seemed to contain a storm, his muscular body looked constricted in his sleek black suit, he was dangerously handsome— does that make sense— his face cut to precision with sharp and elegant lines. He was tall— Ian looked like a child next to him— and he carried the weight of the Aurum Group on those broad shoulders of his.
When the author had defined Dylan as a cold man— well except to Ian, Avery had thought it was a metaphor, but as he stood before Dylan— almost shivering from how glacial the man looked— he realized that indeed Dylan was a walking freezer.
"Avery I didn't know you were coming back today, I would have gone to pick you up from the hospital." Ian looked genuinely remorseful as he spoke.
"Hospital?" Dylan arched a brow as he asked in that deep deep voice of his.
"There was no need." Avery forced a smile at Ian. "You both seem to be going out, so I will go inside." In contrast to Dylan's black suit, Ian was wearing a white suit looking like a beautiful angel.
"Would you like to come along?" Dylan looked dissatisfied at Ian's suggestion, but made no move to stop him even as he shot Avery a glare cold enough to freeze an ocean.
"No." Why on earth would he go with them on their date? Avery gave them a fake smile and walked past them.
Both Ian and Dylan were stunned by Avery's rejection— the Avery they knew would have jumped at the offer and would have done something ridiculous to ruin their date.
Dylan turned to watch Avery leave— he couldn't help but notice how Avery had barely spared him a glance as though he wasn't worth his time.
"Dylan let's go." Ian's grip tightened around Dylan's arm as he smiled at him. He had noticed Dylan's eyes lingering on a departing Avery for too long— what new games was Avery playing at?