8

His grandfather looked at him and noticed his worried facial expression," Aidan, don't stress your thoughts over this, you'll get to know everything in due time." His grandfather assured him. 

"I'm sorry sir, I just found all these revelations baffling," Aidan confessed.

Mr. Kal's face looked displeased, and Aidan saw it and got confused, "did I say anything to upset you, sir?" he asked. 

"It's nothing, son." Came the sharp reply. 

Aidan shifted uncomfortably in his seat. Mr. Kal studied Aidan's face and liked what he saw, his grandson is a good observer. He didn't like the fact that his grandson addressed him as 'sir' and he was greatly displeased by it. Aidan had noticed this but he wouldn't let him know he was displeased, he had to be sure that he meant well to him. 

The room went quiet, and it was interrupted by the sound of Jonas's footsteps, "here is the file sir." Jonas said, handing over a file to Mr. Kal.

Mr. Kal dropped the file on the table in front of him.

"I've kept a record of all your father's business partner movements since my agent found something suspicious about him. Your father's business proposition was one of the best for my company, so I decided to set him on the right track. I was still not happy with them but my anger is nothing compared to Artemis happiness. I set up his own company for him and he stands on his own, he'd have been able to pay back the loan that his friend gave him but out of his goodness, he decided to help him by giving him 15% of his company share. That was way more than the loan." He paused due to a little cough. 

Aidan quickly offered him his glass of water, Mr. Kal wanted to reject it again but Aidan thrust it into his hand and held it to his mouth, Mr. Kal had no choice, he gulped down half of the water offered, "you've got to allow an old man live on his old term. You're stubborn, just like Artemis." Mr. Kal said, giving a short laugh. 

"Water is better compared to your fine wine, sir. And pardon me for forcing you to have a drink, it's important." Aidan apologized. 

"You see that Jonas, that's my daughter in him talking, always forcing me to do what I don't like and apologizing later for forcing me." He said as he looked at Jonas who seems to be affected emotionally by the two, "oh, Jonas. Quit that look already." Mr. Kal said when he noticed Jonas's facial expressions. 

Mr. Kal cleared his throat and continued his narration. 

"Mr. Orion's wife is a greedy woman and with her influence, her husband became like her, she influenced her husband in no time. I was still helping my son's in-law business indirectly, the family never knew I was the anonymous man helping them till their last breath." Pain seems to contract the man's voice as he mentioned the death of his daughter. 

Aidan placed his hand on his grandfather's arm instinctively, and their eyes locked. The old man felt little relief and he continued his story. 

"The business was making huge profits and gaining recognition around the world within a few years of its establishment and it began to have branches across the world. Despite all the success, my daughter wasn't happy because she's been married for eight years without a child, her husband stood by her and always assured her that God will bless them soon. Your father and his business partner's family formed a great bond and started living together under one roof."

"They both lived together like family but the Orion family was destroying my daughter. Artemis was a decent girl before she got married and I found no reason for her inability to birth a child, so I sought help from my best doctors. They went to Ireland and examined both of them, not many questions were asked because the family was in dire need of a child and any help was welcomed. I strictly forbid them from mentioning my name."

"I found out that Artemis's reproductive system was being contaminated with drugs that can destroy her womb. Without a second thought, I knew exactly whose work it was. Your father took Orion's family as his own because he was orphaned from birth. The Orion family had become greedy and they hatched a plan to destroy what they termed as their nemesis and they started by making sure the Luke family had no heir to their business empire." Mr. Kal took a pause again. 

"I was pissed off, but I know better. I made contact with the man supplying the drugs to Mr. Luke's wife and made him change the drugs to some vitamins and within a few months, my Artemis was pregnant, you were birthed and it was the most joyous moment for my princess. I can't say the same for those evil seeds living with them." Mr. Kal said, making a deep throaty chuckle.

"The Orion family moved out of the house and traveled to the United States to handle one of the business branches there. I thought they gave up because they stopped plotting against them and focused on their own little family. The wife got pregnant too shortly after they settled in the United States. I stopped keeping an eye on them and was thinking of paying a visit to my daughter and her family, to reveal myself to them and tell them I've accepted them when the news struck me." Mr. Kal stood up and continued.

"My Artemis and her family were involved in a car accident on their way to the airport, after paying a visit to Mr. Orion's family, and it killed all in the car instantly. I was in deep shock and agony, but God gave me a glint of hope when you weren't found at the accident spot. I quickly created a search party for you." He said, referring to Aidan whose face was calm and composed. 

"There was no news of you, but I did find something shocking, which wasn't a surprise." He confessed and looked down at his grandson.