Vindictive King of Hell

Chapter 8: Intrigue

EVERYONE gathered inside the conference hall of the Griffin Mansion. Theodore acted as if he did not cause a skirmish outside. He was more excited to meet the heir so he could profile him and decide whether he’d take his side or join the faction to eliminate him, knowing that most members of the board of directors were unhappy with the sudden change.

Oliver was presiding over the meeting. He sat in the middle chair of the long, rectangular table.

“Now that everyone is here, we shall now start.” Oliver straightened his back and met everyone’s questioning eyes.

“But, where is Mr. Griffin?” Theodore blurted out.

“As you can see, he’s not here.” Oliver grinned. “But rest assured, he’s seeing you at the moment. It’s just that he’s not yet ready to reveal his identity.”

Everyone gazed at the security cameras around the room. They couldn’t hide the disappointment on their faces and began whispering to each other.

A male voice reverberated in the conference room. “My apologies for not meeting you in person, but I’m honored to meet every one of you. This is Maximus Griffin.”

Oliver’s lips twitched up upon recognizing Max’s voice. “See? You may not see him, but he’s with us. It’s his prerogative as the major shareholder to meet every member of the board. He only wants to take extra precautions since some of you might be against the succession.”

Theodore cleared his throat. “I don’t think any of us will be against the succession. The late chairman would surely not appoint just anybody incapable of protecting his legacy. I bet he’d want to expand his business empire.”

“Go ahead, I’m listening,” Max said through the speaker.

He was comfortably seated in the swivel chair inside his private office, watching everybody in the conference hall on his huge monitor. He only wore a plain white shirt and ripped jeans since he had no plans of revealing himself yet. Max made sure to remember every face in the room.

There was a deliberation of ideas, and none of the board members openly expressed their disagreement about the succession. However, the other members of the Griffins would surely take this matter into their own hands, just like how they sent an assassin to kill him.

When the meeting was over, Theodore breathed in and out as he sauntered towards the living room. He found Georgina staring at one abstract painting.

“My love! How did it go?” Her face lit up upon seeing him.

Theodore loosened his tie. “Let’s talk in the car.”

“Sure!” Georgina gazed at the painting again. “This type of painting is familiar.”

“Of course, the artist is quite popular with affluent people. Although little is known about the artist, a piece would cost millions. I badly want one, but I can’t afford such luxury at the moment.” Theodore pointed out the painting. “This is the famous piece called Blood Symphony in Storm.”

“I see, it’s amazing. It’s like a series of spattered blood, so dark and fascinating.” Georgina smiled awkwardly as her eyes focused on the initials on the lower right of the painting—it was MxG.

Georgina shook her head. She must be imagining things. Maybe her ex-husband was just doing replicas since the stroke of the artist’s signature was the same, and she had seen some similar pieces, which she often called trash.

“Let’s go. This place is suffocating.” Theodore came out of the house without even waiting for Georgina.

* * * *

MAX smoked on the balcony of his room as he looked at the cars leaving one after another. He was about to light another cigarette when Oliver came.

“Apologies for the intrusion, Max. You see, I’m an old man now. I’m transferring my job to Blaze, so he’ll always be with you.”

“I know you’ll say that, Oliver. Shall I say thank you for your service, then?” Max chuckled.

Oliver laughed. “I am not going to retire yet, probably after your succession. But I’ll remain your consultant. I know you can handle your grandfather’s empire, Max.”

Max puffed on his cigarette. “You know this is not my cup of tea. And there are many things you’re not telling me, just like how my grandfather manipulated me even after death.”

Oliver’s forehead creased. “Manipulated?”

“Stop pretending, Oliver. You must know that in his last will, he is forcing me to marry the heiress of the Turners.”

The old man nodded. “Oh, that.”

“I just got divorced. Call me old-fashioned, but marriage is a lifelong commitment, and I can’t marry someone out of family obligation. It’s not fair for my future bride.”

Oliver gently tapped Max’s shoulder. “This has been the way for the rich to merge their businesses. Like the Griffins, the Turners are one of the richest families in the world. Marriage is also business, Max.”

Max put the cigarette into the gold ashtray. “Everything is business, even human lives.”

There was a long silence between them, and suddenly, Blaze came in. “Did I interrupt something?”

“It’s alright, Blaze. I’ve already told Max about your promotion.”

Blaze’s eyes widened. “Is it official? I’ll be the young master’s secretary and personal bodyguard.”

Oliver tilted his head, smiling. “Yes, under my guidance, of course.”

Blaze arched his head down. “It’s my pleasure to serve you, Young Master.”

“Don’t do this again, Blaze. Bowing before me, I’m just a lowly human, too.” Max grinned.

He could tell that the young man was indeed happy with his promotion, and with Oliver’s recommendation, Blaze must be capable of the job.

“Now, Blaze, you’ll accompany the young master to Turner’s Mansion in Winden Ridge. Tomorrow night, eight in the evening, sharp.” Oliver gazed at Max as if he were teasing. “You have a natural charm, Max.”

“Yes, Sir Oliver! I’ll do my job well.” Blaze’s face was beaming.

Only Max’s face darkened as he could not back out, remembering his grandfather’s clause in the last will about Ares, his secret alternate identity.

‘Damn that old man! Just what are the things he knew?’