The Trillionaire They Taunted

The Kirks

“Who are you talking about?” Brian asked with a soft tone, but when he realized that he wasn’t going to get a response by just asking, he decided to turn toward the same direction Arya was looking.

He saw them.

An old man probably in his early seventies, a young man in his early thirties, and six bodyguards who were bouncing behind them.

The two men in front were dressed in the same tuxedos, looking like the old and young versions of each other.

From the way people stared and pointed, Brian could already tell who they were.

“Let me guess…” He slowly returned his gaze to Arya, catching sight of the worry on her face.

“That’s your Grandpa, and your brother.”

“You guessed right.” Arya let out a heavy sigh, yet she couldn’t attain relief.

“I wonder what they are doing here, Brian. It’s been barely thirty minutes since the close of the event.”

Arya kept on staring, but she couldn’t look either of the two men in the eyes.

She looked above them, but that didn’t look like it was going to stop them from approaching.

Soon, they were standing right in front of her, and the six guards spread before they clasped their hands in front of themselves, each looking scarier than the other.

“Hello, Sis!” The young man was the first to speak, waving at Arya with a wry smile.

“Congratulations!” He added, yet his voice sounded with no genuine intentions.

“Travis,” Arya called out, her voice breaking in the middle.

She turned to the old man and took a deep breath.

Maybe it was his stoic expression, or maybe it was the wrinkles that were lined up on his forehead, just above his gray brows.

“Grandpa. You didn’t tell me that you were coming.”

“I didn’t know that I needed permission to walk into Prime Tech premises.” Done Pedro retorted with an emotionless countenance, and then he looked around.

Because his expression was plain, no one could tell if he was admiring the fine architecture or if he was just scanning for anything that could entail danger.

Don Pedro was usually cold, unpredictable, and the kind of man who imposed fear even without saying a word.

He hardly spoke, and when he did, someone usually suffered for his outburst.

“I underestimated you, my child.” He said calmly, then he forced a smile that merely lasted for a second.

“Thank you, Papa.” Arya took that as a compliment. She knew that was the best she could get from the old man.

Travis grunted inwardly, displeasure written all over him.

He turned to Brian, truly noticing him for the first time.

“Who is this?” He asked, returning his gaze to his sister.

“That’s my husband.” Arya pointed out, then she quickly looked at Don Pedro.

Of course, the old man was going to express his annoyance.

His expression went from cold to dark.

“What did you just say?” Don Pedro was ready to wait for as long as it was going to take to get a response.

“You heard me, Grandpa.” Arya cleared his throat, and then she smiled, as though it was going to ease the tension inside her.

“This is Brian Regal. He is my hus…”

“I heard you the first time!” Don Pedro snapped, glaring at Arya.

“How are you married without my consent? And to him?” He pointed at Brian with so much disdain in his eyes, but his eyes were still on Arya, demanding an immediate response.

Arya swallowed hard, struggling to solve the riddle going on inside her mind.

“But, Grandpa…” She began, recalculating her strategy.

“You told me that I must get married before you let me handle the company. I told you that I was getting married a few days ago, and you said it was okay.”

The old man sighed heavily, then he turned to Brian, looking at him with the same disdain that seemed like it was never going to get away.

Brian cleared his throat, then he stepped forward.

“Hello, Mr. Kirk. It’s such a pleasure to finally meet you.” He had a bright smile on his face, extending his right hand for a pleasantry.

Arya looked at her Grandfather as well, whispering her prayers for acceptance.

The old man looked at Brian from head to toe, and nothing seemed to impress him, not even his clean suit and his shiny shoes.

Only God knows what expression could have appeared on his face if he had seen Brian from the days he worked as a Chief security man-how tardy and unkempt he looked.

“You said your name is Brian Regal.” He said with a low tone, and then he went into his mind.

“Yes…” Brian nodded, his hand still hanging in the air.

“Hmm.” Don Pedro grunted, turning to take a glance at his Granddaughter.

Arya knew what that look meant, causing her to intensify her prayers.

“I don’t think I have heard that name before.” Don Pedro continued, taking a deep breath.

“You are not a celebrity, you are not a politician, and you are definitely not a CEO of any of the top companies in Lakeville, not to mention this country.” His voice rose with an increasing disdain, his eyes sparking with annoyance.

“Maybe he thinks he can disguise himself under the shadow of the Regal name.” Travis chipped in, sniggering as he turned to his sister.

He taunted her with her eyes, something he enjoyed doing.

Arya ignored her brother, turning to the old man who seemed like a better option that needed pleasing.

“Oh! I think I know you!” Travis pointed at Brian, a hysterical laughter erupting from him.

“You are that fool! The former CEO of SilverLine Tech! You sold your company and gave the shares to your wife!”

He laughed again when he saw the truth on Brian’s face, grabbing his chest as though he was about to collapse.

“Ex-wife, I mean.” He corrected, sniggering silently.

“I heard she dumped you for your boss. Pathetic.”

Don Pedro growled, scowling at Arya who bent her face slowly.

“This makes it even worse.” He looked at his Granddaughter with an increasing annoyance, the wrinkles on his face twisting with anger.

“You didn’t just settle for a nobody, Arya. You settled for a failure. A man who couldn’t handle his personal affairs. An underdog?”