Vindictive King of Hell

Chapter 3: The Wake

GEORGINA assisted Theodore in putting on his dark gray suit and gave him a quick peck.

“Thank you for letting me come with you, my love.” Georgina was overjoyed because, finally, Theodore would subtly launch their relationship when he agreed to let her visit the wake of the chairman of the Griffin Conglomerate.

“Just behave. The family is grieving now. Expect some power struggles now that the Griffin Patriarch is gone. I heard he left a will for his long-lost grandson.”

“Interesting. I can’t wait to work for your company.” She planted small kisses on his neck before putting on a nude lipstick. “This type of family drama intrigues me.”

“I’ve already arranged it for you. Starting next week, you’ll work in the accounting department. Let’s remain neutral because things will get messy for sure.”

Georgina’s face beamed with joy. “Really? Oh, Theodore. I love you so much.” She embraced him tightly.

Georgina could not express how thankful she was for meeting Theodore. And she was right in her decision to bet everything she had to have him. Just like her, he was also in the process of divorcing his wife.

Her face turned a little irritable when she remembered her ex-husband. Max might be sour-graping right now, considering how much he loved her.

‘That loser does not deserve someone like me.’

Why would her conscience bug her? That was a small cost to get the life she dreamed of. A life of luxury.

“I can’t wait to meet the most sought-after Griffin family!” Georgina’s eyes glinted with excitement. “I’m ready to go now.”

“Let’s go, sweetheart.”

The driver waited in the garage when they left the house. Georgina kept inhaling and exhaling to calm her pounding chest. This would be the first time she’d meet people from upper-class society, and sooner or later, she’d be one of them.

“Do you think I could be friends with any of the Griffins?” she asked suddenly.

“Hmm.” Theodore lightly scratched his chin. “I don’t think so. They’re unreachable, like gods. Besides, they are well known for having tempers. It’s better to avoid them, just observe.”

“Oh, I see. They are that powerful.” Instead of getting disappointed, Georgina was more lively, as if Theodore’s words challenged her.

* * * *

MAX neatly tied up his hair into a man bun. He chose to wear his usual ripped jeans paired with a white shirt.

As much as he wanted to wear something formal, unfortunately, his wardrobe didn’t have any decent clothing suited for the occasion. Perhaps his late grandfather wouldn’t mind.

Oliver scrutinized him from head to foot, but he said nothing about it.

“Shall we?” Oliver led the way.

“I will not go with you. I’ll ride my bike, you can go now.” He strolled to the countertop to get his full-face helmet.

“All right, your choice. We’ll see you there.”

Max nodded. He waited until the vehicle left before he put on his black leather jacket and revved up his big bike.

There were a lot of things going on in his mind as he rode to the private chapel where Lucas Griffin was laid to rest. He wondered how his family would react after discovering he’d be there after over two decades.

Max hit the throttle hard to speed up. After half an hour on the road, he finally reached the chapel.

There were a lot of uniformed guards at the gate. The security was tight, checking every visitor. If Oliver were not waiting for him, he’d surely be shooed away.

“Come in,” Oliver said after Max parked the bike and removed his helmet.

About ten bodyguards followed him and Oliver, which made him feel uneasy.

“Please, I hate attention. Can we go alone without them?” Max glanced at the men behind them.

“All right.” Max gestured with his head, dismissing the bodyguards. Everyone returned to their position at the main entrance.

“Talk about rich people.” Max silently chuckled as he recognized a few wealthy businessmen and celebrities.

“He’ll be cremated tomorrow, so it’ll be the last time for you to see his face,” Oliver said.

Max tilted his head, although his feet seemed glued to the floor. “You know that my presence here means trouble, right? How are you going to confront the wrath of the family?”

“You are part of the family, and it’s high time for you to face the responsibilities left by your grandfather.”

Max scoffed and glanced at his sports watch. “Whatever. Let’s get through this. I want to go home.”

Oliver guided him into the chapel. It was so full of white chrysanthemums that their fragrance was all around the place.

Max ignored the prying eyes fixed on him as he entered the room. Since everyone wore black suits and ties while formal dresses were for ladies, Max’s dress code was out of place.

Someone started murmuring while he was with Oliver when Max finally got the courage to glimpse at the golden casket where his estranged grandfather was laid to rest.

Max stared at the old man void of life; he looked peaceful, as if in deep slumber. He thought how ironic it was that he’d find himself back in his presence. And he didn’t find even a speck of regret for not seeing him before he died.

He was never religious but uttered a short prayer for his soul.

“I’ll go back home now,” Max whispered.

Before Oliver could answer, one lady in her mid-twenties stood beside Max.

“Well, the prodigal grandson is finally back,” she said coldly without looking at him. Her eyes were fixed on the casket.

Max gave her a furtive glance. Of course, he knew the lady. She was Amanda Griffin; by blood, she was his second cousin.

“Oliver, I paid my last respects to the old man. I have to go.” Max turned, ignoring Amanda, but she quickly grabbed his arm.

“We need to talk,” Amanda said.

Max looked at Oliver, who gave him a nod of approval.

He sighed and did not protest when Amanda brought him to a room behind the chapel.

Amanda’s menacing presence did not affect Max. Maybe she was doing it to assert her dominance.

“I assume you know me. How dare you come here with that disgusting look? You have no respect for Grandpa’s wake!” Amanda scrutinized him from head to foot. “Do you really think we’ll let you take over the family business just because Grandpa Lucas left you a will?”

Max met her eyes without the slightest hint of fear. “I am not interested in the old man’s will. You can get it all, for all I care. I am not Griffin. You have no idea how much I despise that name.”

Amanda was taken aback by his reply. She was not expecting him to say it to her face.

“Good, I don’t want to see your face here ever,” Amanda said after she regained her composure. “Go back to whichever hellhole you stay in.”

Max chuckled. “Why are you threatened? I’ve lived in the hellhole my entire life. Now, I only want my peace.”

“Then go and get your goddamn peace and never look back!”

Max scoffed. “As you wish.”

He turned his back and strolled back to the chapel. Max evaded the crowd until he reached the parking area. He was near his bike when he heard a familiar female voice.

“Max? What the hell are you doing here?”

The line on his forehead deepened as he recognized her.

“Georgina?”