MISTAKE 179
Chapter 179: Old Master Madison finds out about Emma
Emma, on the other hand, had just come out of a long and stressful week. Something Anya did
not know of.
A few days ago, Richard’s grandfather had found out about her. That is where all her troubles began.
A week ago, in the heart of the illustrious capital city, the Madison family estate, the imposing oak doors swung open, admitting a sharply dressed man clutching a sleek tablet. This was Mr. Bean, Old Master Madison’s most trusted aide and confidant, tasked with keeping a watchful eye on the family’s affairs and interests.
“You summoned me, sir?” Mr. Bean inquired, his tone deferential yet assured.
Old Master Madison looked up from the stack of documents he had been perusing, his steely gaze fixing on his aide. “Ah, yes. What news do you have regarding my grandson’s…situation?”
A slight furrow creased Mr. Bean’s brow as he tapped a few commands into the tablet, pulling up a comprehensive file. “It would appear that your grandson, Richard, has taken up residence with a young woman by the name of Emma Jones.”
“What Jones? I have never heard of them,” he said in confusion.
“They are quite famous online right now, for their family drama,” Mr. Bean said, passing the tablet in his hand to Old Master Madison. The tablet contained online information about the Jones family, reminding the old man that he had indeed stumbled upon this news somewhat.
The name seemed to strike a chord with the elder Madison, his lip curling in distaste.
“Jones? As in the Jones family of Star City?”
OW MISM Madison finds out about Emmi
Mr. Bean nodded solemnly. “The very same, sir. Miss Emma is the second daughter of the Jones family from the maternal line, though her family’s affairs have been rather dramatic as of late, if the rumors are to be believed.”
With a few deft gestures, he transferred the file from the tablet onto the massive computer screen that dominated one wall of the study. A series of news articles and social media posts began to cycle through, each one more salacious than the last – allegations of infidelity, bitter custody battles, and public feuds that seemed ripped straight from the pages of a tawdry soap
opera.
Old Master Madison’s expression soured further with each passing headline, his disdain for the Jones family’s antics becoming increasingly apparent. Finally, he let out a disgusted snort, snatching up the tablet from Mr. Bean’s hands to examine the information more
closely.
“And my grandson saw fit to entangle himself with this…this mess of a family?” he muttered, scrolling through the articles with mounting incredulity. “I taught that boy better than to consort with such riffraff.”
Mr. Bean remained respectfully silent, knowing better than to voice any opinion unless directly asked. He simply stood by, awaiting his employer’s next directive.
Alter
several tense minutes, Old Master Madison seemed to reach a decision. With a few sharp jabs at the tablet’s screen, he initiated a video call, his face hardening into a mask of stern disapproval as the call connected.
On the other end, Richard’s face appeared, his expression guarded and impassive. Despite the obvious wealth and privilege that surrounded him, there was an unmistakable edge to the
young
man’s demeanor, a world–weariness that belied his years.
“Grandfather,” Richard greeted, his tone clipped and borderline disrespectful. “To what do I owe the pleasure?” Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!
Old Master Madison was unmoved by his grandson’s brusque manner, having grown accustomed to Richard’s prickly personality over the years. Without preamble, he launched
ChanAP OH Mainu Madsen finds out about Erma
into the reason for his call.
“Who is Emma Jones?” his grandfather asked and Richard raised a brow.
“What a question,” he commented.
“I’ll keep this brief, boy. Is it true that you’ve been living with this…Emma Jones girl? The daughter of that disgraceful family from Star City? I have turned a blind eye to your running your legal firm as long as you still do your job as heir, but don’t cross the line.”
Richard’s expression remained carefully neutral, but Mr. Bean noticed the slight tightening around his eyes; a telltale sign that the young man’s legendary temper was being stoked.
“And if I have?” Richard countered, his voice low and dangerous. “What business is it of yours, Grandfather? Are you bored or do you think I am bored enough to involve you in my matters?”
The elder Madison bristled at the blatant challenge, his grip tightening on the tablet until his knuckles turned Madison. “It becomes my business when you go gallivanting about, making poor choices that could reflect badly on this family’s reputation!” he thundered.
“Dating some… some street urchin? I taught you better than that, Richard! Play with her if you need to, but keep it from prying eyes. I have already talked to the Hayes Family about
your engagement to Diana. You don’t want us to fall out with them,” Old Master Madison said.
“What does the Hayes family have to do with me? I have told you, if you want to marry, marry. Do not drag me into your issues. Who I marry is my concern,” Richard answered coldly.
“The Madison family’s daughter–in–law cannot be some random woman plucked from the gutters!”
When Old Master Madison finally paused to draw breath, Richard seized his opportunity to
strike back.
“You’ll keep a civil tongue in that foul mouth of yours when speaking of Emma,” he growled, his words laced with venom. “She is a thousand times the woman that your so–called ‘ respectable‘ choices could ever hope to be.”
Old Master Madison sputtered indignantly, his face purpling with rage, but Richard plowed forward, undeterred.
“Did you not say I was even more ruthless a person? You’ll stay out of my affairs, Grandfather, or so help me, you’ll feel what it is like to be my enemy. What my father did to you to keep you out of his business is nothing compared to what I will do to you,” Richard declared.
Richard abruptly terminated the call, leaving his grandfather gaping like a landed fish in his wake.
“Insolent whelp!” he raged, his hands curling into tight fists at his sides. “How dare he threaten me, his grandfather, the head of this family?”
Mr. Bean knew better than to intervene, wisely remaining silent.
“Mark my words,” Old Master Madison snarled, his eyes glittering with malicious intent. That boy will learn his place, one way or another. And if this….Emma Jones is the one leading him astra
astray, then she’ll regret the day she ever crossed paths with the Madison family.”
The thinly veiled threat hung heavy in the air, sending an involuntary shiver down Mr. Bean’s spine. He had witnessed the lengths to which Old Master Madison would go to preserve his family’s legacy.
As the elder Madison began to pace, already plotting his next move, Mr. Bean couldn’t help but feel a pang of pity for this Emma Jones.
The battle lines had been drawn, and there would be no peaceful resolution. Not if Old Master Madison had anything to say about it.
But, Richard had already seen through his plans and disposed of the bride his grandfather had prepared for him, Sandra Madison.
The heavy oak doors of the Madison family estate burst open with a deafening bang, admitting a whirlwind of unbridled fury.
Chester Madison, patriarch of the powerful Madison dynasty, stormed into the opulent foyer with thunderous steps. His face was mottled purple with scarcely contained rage, clenched so tightly at his sides that his arms trembled.
fists
“Madison!” He bellowed, “Show yourself, you miserable bastard!”
Samuel Madison emerged from a side study at the commotion, brow furrowed in bewilderment at the brazen intrusion. His butler, Mr. Bean, hurried by his side holding a tablet with a news article pulled up.
“Might I ask what the meaning of this is?” Samuel asked evenly, though wariness flickered across his wizened face.
“You know damn well why I’m here!” Chester spat, turning his rage on his old friend and business rival. “Your whelp of a grandson has abducted my granddaughter!”