42. Coming Between Father and Son
âWhat do you mean, Dad?â Blake frowned. âYou must have seen wrong. Stellaâs jewelry is the real one-â
âSilence! Do you take me for a fool not to recognize something I made with my own hands?â
He tossed the fake jewelry at Stella and thundered, âThe diamonds on this jewelry arenât even real. The gold is just metal painted with color and dust sparkles! Get out of this place. I didnât invite you to my birthday party. You came here to make a scene, isnât it?â
Stella stared at the jewelry in a trance, her eyes blinking rapidly.
Blake was also surprised that his wifeâs jewelry turned out fake.
How did that happen?
âDid you make a mistake, Dad? Maybe you accidentally swapped Heidiâs fake jewelry with Stellaâs real one.â
âEnough with your stupidity!â
Grandpa Winston showed him Heidiâs jewelry. âI was holding Heidiâs jewelry in my right hand while I held your wifeâs fake one in my left!â
And the whole crowd saw that.
Stellaâs expression ashened as well as Blakeâs.
The couple exchanged glances, looking lost for a few seconds.
How did the real jewelry return to Heidi?
When the bodyguards brought it back, Stella had even had its value weighed.
âGet out of here! Both of you.â
At Grandpa Winstonâs command, the crowd gasped.
âBlake Harrison, I donât want to see you and your wife near my quarters. You both should be ashamed of yourselves. You will go to any length to destroy this familyâs reputation, right? Bullying a young girl and making a fool of yourselves.â
Blake had nowhere to hide his face. His expression twisted with both anger and disbelief.
Stella hung her head, her face flushing with embarrassment.
âTsk, so itâs true that Blake Harrison doesnât care about his Old Man.â
âRumor has it that the feud started many years ago when his first wife passed away and he married a girl not older than his son.â
âAh! So sheâs a minor.â
âNot really. But isnât it obvious that sheâs a gold digger?â
âIt is clear that she came between Blake Harrison and his father.â
âItâs no wonder Grandpa Winston doesnât favor her.â
The spectatorsâ harsh remarks were unforgiving. They all took Grandpa Winstonâs side instantly, marveling at the turn of events.
Although they were whispering, Stella and Blake heard each of their words.
Stella, who had intended to put Grandpa Winston in a tight spot, had no choice but to pull the angry Blake out.
As the couple left, Heidi recovered from the shock when Grandpa Winston approached her.
âI am sorry you had to experience that, Heidi. Please forgive Grandpa for not teaching them well.â
Grandpa Winston helped her put on the necklace, smiling. âBlake Harrison is brainwashed, but I hope Lucas will not become a goner just like him. I hope thereâs still a chance to redeem that silly boy.â
âGrandpa, itâs nothing. You donât owe me an apology.â
Heidi felt as if she was in a dream. She caressed the necklace on her neck, feeling lost and amazed.
Then her mind went to Lucasâs triumphant smile, now finding it somehow creepy. When Heidiâs eyes darted to that corner, the man was no longer there.
Heidiâs eyes narrowed.
She quickly brought out a gift box and handed it to Grandpa Winston.
âHappy birthday, Grandpa. I hope you live many more years in bliss and contentment, with no sorrow or illness interrupting your journey.â
âThank you, Heidi. I also hope to see my great-grandchildren soon. Would you do me the honor?â
Heidi sensed the hidden meaning behind Grandpa Winstonâs words. Unlike before when she would blush uncontrollably, she appeared calm and collected.
Her mind was on something else, so she held Grandpa Winstonâs hands and said, âGrandpa, Iâll be back soon. I have a business to take care of outside.â
âGo ahead. Be careful.â Grandpa Winston urged her on.
After Heidi left, Grandpa Winstonâs smile diminished a bit, the same gloom returning to his eyes.
âWhat is happening, Luke? Did my grandson really keep his promise of not coming to my birthday party?â
The Butler scratched his head, his eyes scanning the crowd. âMaster, the party hasnât ended. Maybe he will come.â
The Butler was confused, because during the commotion while Grandpa Winston was checking out the jewelry, he thought he saw a figure which resembled the Young Master, standing in a corner.
Heidi was far from the party hall as she hurried after the tall figure ahead of her. The figure was heading to Lucas Harrisonâs quarters and she was sure that it was him.
But moments later, that figure disappeared. Heidi entered the building and walked down the empty hallway, her eyes roaming over the place in confusion.
âLucas Harrison, where are you? Youâd better come out and explain yourself.â
âLucas-â
Before she could call out for the second time, Heidi suddenly found herself pinned against the wall.
âI am waiting, Heidi. Go down on your knees and beg for my forgiveness.â