The Royal Contract

Chapter 712: A successful man

He took the folded paper out of his pocket. Since Stockholm gave it to him, he had never bothered to open it. Laura’s words still lingered in his mind. Quickly he returned the paper into his pocket without looking at it.

Should he believe her? Did Ethan wish to meet him? Was it his mother and father’s fault that he never met his biological father? If all this was true, how did he feel about it?

He stared at the paper in his hand. Then looked up to the large gate just across from where he had parked his car. Inside those iron gates was the home of his father.

“I am here to attend the celebration.” Finally, he drove his car to the gates and stopped for inspection by the security personnel guarding the entrance.

“This is a family affair. Do you have an invitation?” The man asked him, raising his brows at him while tapping on his list, waiting for his response.

He would also be skeptical if he would stand in his shoes since it was his first time stepping into the Hamilton State. Besides, nobody knew yet about his identity. He was still not a member of this family. At least not officially yet.

“Of course I have.” He confidently responded, not planning to get intimidated by this man. “Mrs. Laura Hamilton had personally invited me to come.” He looked up at the guard and smiled. “I think you should look up my name in the list. Gerald Brown.”

.....

He took out his identification card, giving it to the man for confirmation. He waited as he scanned his list for his name, but it did not take long since he believed it was a short one.

He seemed to check his face before nodding his head, handing the card back in his hand. “You can proceed inside the main entrance. A valet would take care of your car.” The guard gave him specific instructions.

It would seem that Laura was serious about Ethan wanting to see him again. But he was curious why he would invite him to this gathering. It was no ordinary party but a family affair.

As he walked in the hallway, ushered by the butler to the garden where the party was ongoing, he kept thinking of what he would do to these people. But instead of proceeding outside, the butler asked him to follow him to another room.

Could he accept them as his family now, or should he keep seeking revenge against the people who had made his life miserable?

But who was truly responsible for his misery? Isn’t his father more to blame? His father, who had made him believe all his lies?

“Sir, you can proceed inside and wait for Sir Ethan.” The butler opened the door and gestured for him to enter the private sitting room.

Then, he offered him a glass of scotch as he waited in the middle of the room. He refused to sit down and instead roamed around the room, letting his eyes wander around.

He saw several famous paintings that would be worth millions, a symbol of his father’s wealth. But he was not interested in any of that because he was wealthy, too. He inherited all of his father’s wealth too. At least his father, who raised him.

Then, his eyes focused on the other pictures that littered the place. It was photos of Dani and her parents. From the different stages of her growing up years.

She was the greatest treasure of the great Ethan Hamilton based on everything he had read in articles and the news. The only heiress of his empire.

He clenched his fist, thinking of what his life would have been if Ethan pursued to look for him. What would his life be if he grew up with this family instead of his?

He loved his mother with all his heart. But she left him to his father’s mercy. The father he came to know but who never cared about him. All he did was plant all those lies and make him hate this family. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ novelenglish.net . ꜰirᴇ

“Gerald, I am glad to see you.” His father’s voice made him aware that he had finally come to see him. “I am happy that you obliged my request to join us.”

He turned around and saw the man who had seen him the other time with a genuine smile fixed on his lips. His eyes were blazing with happiness compared to the guilt he had seen before.

“What do you think you are doing asking me to attend your family affair? What kind of stunt is this?” Gerald still was skeptical about what this man was planning.

Growing up with a father like Joaquin, trust was not a word he would usually use when dealing with people. No matter who they were. Not even this man who claimed to be his father.

“This is not a stunt.” Ethan walked further into the room, stopping a few feet away from where he stood. “I take it that you came today because you finally accepted that you are my son.” That was his conclusion.

But was he correct? Did he finally accept that fact? Maybe because until now, he had not checked the test result, and here he was, standing in front of the man who gave him life.

“So, what if I did? Would it change anything between us?” He challenged the patriarchal leader of this family. “What do you have to offer that would change my life if I accept to be part of this family?”

He wanted to laugh if his father would say that he would become one of his heirs because a man like him was already wealthy beyond he could imagine.

He did not need his money or his title to rule this place. He was soon to become King of his kingdom. So, what was the use of being part of this family?

“A family. That is all I can offer you.” Ethan said as the smile on his face mildly faded. In exchange, a solemn look overshadowed his face. “Hearing that you are now alone. I can offer you a father who would be there for you.”

He wanted to laugh but could not. He was not expecting that as his answer. But before he could continue, another voice joined them in the room.

“I can be your stepmom. I know I can never replace Marietta in your life, but I can fill in the gap missing at the moment.” Laura walked into the room, standing beside her husband.

The looked they exchanged showed him how much they valued their relationship. How much they supported each other. He wished his parents had been like that.

But his father was too consumed by his anger that he missed the opportunity to love her mother the way she deserved to be loved.

He was not about to let these people think they could easily fool him, believing he was desperate to be part of this family.

“What makes you think that I need you in my life? I am a grown-ass man who could always provide for myself and care for all my needs. I am a successful man capable of doing great things.” Standing upright in front of the couple.