Chapter 8

*AURORA* “Do not call her that!” Lucien scolded Fabiola. I watched as Fabiola eyed him and then she asked. “When are you going back? Why did you even come back, anyway? You should have remained abroad.” “If Lucien dares to leave again, he’ll stop being a member of this family. You and Aurora would share the Sullivan’s property equally.” Lucien’s father declared. I saw Fabiola clapped her hands, excitedly. “Did you hear that, Rory? You and I will be in charge. I’ve always known we’ll be great women and then we’ll have any man at our disposal.” “At such a young age, your mind is filled with bullshit! I know who you learnt it from though, such a shame.” Lucien spat. Everyone glared at him, including me. Grandpa Sullivan spoke. “Fabiola, we aren’t disowning your brother yet. We’d give him time to prove his worth. Lucien, you’ll go to the company tomorrow and take over the position of general manager.” “What a pity.”Fabiola let out, disappointedly. “Recently, our construction company isn’t doing well.” Grandpa Sullivan continued. But I knew of the situation very well. The Sullivan’s construction company was their main source of income. Other companies that they owned wasn’t as big as their construction company. It was also because the construction company was the largest construction company in the country. But over the years, with the changing times, economic transformation, the market was becoming saturated and other big rival companies had surfaced. And they had been really taking contracts that the Sullivans were supposed to get. “We must secure the Paradise Resort project. If we can, it would strengthen our position as the best in the country again.” This project needed the central special approval, the resort was aimed at creating a set of leisure activities, vacation, entertainment. The budget was massive and it was literally a dream for any construction company to achieve. “Dad, everyone knows that the paradise resort is once in a century project, there are lots of companies eying it and it won’t be so easy to get.”Lucien’s father, Jorge let out and then continued. “If we can handle that one person, it won’t be difficult for us to get the project.” “Who?” “Manuel Dumont.” “Manuel Dumont? Isn’t he the heir to the Mont Group?” “Yes, Dad. They might be very wealthy before but their wealth tripled since Manuel took over.” I grimaced recalling that people had speculated that the Dumont family were wealthier than the Sullivans. Both families lived in different cities but in the same country. I also heard that they had a complicated family relationship, with many sons fighting to be in charge of the family business. “That piece of land for Paradise resort is owned by the Dumonts. An inside course revealed to me that the chairman had ordered Manuel to take full responsibility of the project. If we can win his favor, then he might choose our construction company. I suggest Lucien travels to Madrid to meet up with him.” Fabiola spoke next. “I don’t think that he’ll need to travel. I heard Manuel came to pay his mother a visit. Apparently, his mother lives here.” “How do you know that?”Grandpa Sullivan asked. “I follow all the gossip on the news, Grandpa. Plus, I also heard his mother’s birthday is tomorrow night. My friends were all thinking of going. They all want to meet the formidable Manuel Dumont. There are hardly any pictures of him online.” “Didn’t we get any invitations?” The butler hurriedly came in with the mails and it was revealed that we got two invitations. “How could you not report this sooner?!” Grandpa scolded, then stared at me and Lucien. “Aurora and Lucien will attend the banquet tomorrow. Get a birthday gift for Mrs Dumont. Make sure to meet with Manuel and try to make friends with him if possible.” I nodded. “Can you all stop talking about work now?” Lucien’s mother grumbled. “Aurora, Lucien…you two will not sleep in separate rooms from tonight! I already prepared a room for you two. It’s time you give me a grandchild. Maybe a child would finally correct Lucien’s brain cells.” I swallowed as I glanced at Lucien. The thought of having sex with him felt appalling. Maybe because I knew another woman was carrying his child. I didn’t want to carry Lucien’s baby. He wasn’t worth it. I just wanted a divorce. But how do I break it to his family?