CHAPTER 4- Original story 3

 'How on earth did they get hold of that?' Mrs. Gates couldn't hide her shock.

"We had looked into the man, Robert Stanley , He has no money, no job, spends most of his time, drinking, and gambling "

"He covers all his expenses by extorting money from Mrs. Gates, How would Nicholas choose someone like that as her partner, as they claim. Someone who has no financial standings."

Presley's Lawyer continued to explain.

"Apparently, she's been looking forward to her husband's death so she can support her poor lover."

"My client on the other hand has just as much right, because he's also married to Mr. Gates"

"WHAT?!!!" Mrs. Gates exclaimed in disbelief.

The audience began to mumur.

The Judge immediately ordered silence in the courtroom. Afterwards Presley's Lawyer passed the papers to the judge.

"They were registered as a married couple a month ago, those are the necessary paperworks for the procedure." Presley's Lawyer explained as the judge went through the papers.

****************

 Later that day....

"Congratulations, bestie" Charlotte screamed from the voice call.

"The court ruled in your favour, This calls for a celebration."

"I think I'm better off resting than celebrating for now, it's been a really long day for me." Presley declined, lying flatly on his bed in exhaustion.

"Just glad this is all over." he Yawned.

"Alright, you must be exhausted, have a good sleep "

"...Thank you" Presley disconnects the call and goes to sleep afterwards.

MC'S POINT OF VIEW:

The following days went smoothly.

At the board meeting,I managed to get some members on his side.

"All in favour of Mrs. Julie"

[Six members raised their hands.]

'... but, it seems Mrs. Gate still had a significant influence on the board. ' I thought as I sigh inwardly.

"All in favour of Mr. Orson"

Mr. Colbert and four other members raised their hands, but there was only one member who hasn't given his vote. It was Mr. Kyle.

As the Influential figure within the board, he made the largest investments to the company, and the final decision rests ultimately on which side he picks, even if my side was one-member shorter.

Kyle was always known to be a fickle man, he was cold and indifferent. Though there are things he held against Julie, I didn't think that was enough to bring him on my side.

Just when it started to look like things weren't turning well, Kyle raised his hand in support of me and the other opposing members had to oblige.

****************

 Later that day, I ran into Kieran at the elevator in the company.

Kieran was the Last son of Gates Family, he was still in highschool, so I was wondering what business could he possibly have here, I could tell he rushed here straight from school because he was panting and still on his school uniform and It was clearly still school hours.

or maybe he's here on his lunch break.

"It's not too late to back out of this."

His voice took me out of my thoughts.

"Excuse me?"

"I'm just warning you, now you still have the chance to walk out of this, unscathed.You might think you know what you're doing, but that's just what mother wants." He continued.

"Oh ,....really?"

I said as I began to approach him slowly. We were the only ones present at the elevator.

"Th--there are still a lot you don't un--understand..." He stuttered.

"what don't I understand? a message from another pawn. why don't you start by telling me who sent you here?"

Kieran got flustered on hearing my questions.

"I....I....." I could clearly see his ears turn red with embarrassment.

"I...came here on m-- my own." He replied.

A chime was heard and the elevator doors open.

Just when I was about to leave, I suddenly felt a drag. before I knew it the elevator shuts right after I was pulled back to the elevator.

"What th--.... what are you doing, Kieran?"

"Look, if I were you, I'd take my advice." He said.

"Then it's a good thing that I am me." I retorted, as I forcefully pulled away from his grasp.

"Because I know better, than to take advice from a minor, so why don't you head back to school or something."

****************

"Thank you."

 I chugged another glass and ask for more.

"No way that was your twelfth shot🥃. you've had enough. " Charlotte complained as she cleared up the bottles, she was working as a bar-tender at the pub.

"I'm running a late shift today, I don't have the time to drop your drunk-@ss home."

"Ugh-... fine." I wined

"Last one, I promise. "

Charlotte sighed Helplessly and poured me one more glass.

I suddenly recalled a hazy memory of what happened the other day, the hurt look on Kieran's face, as the elevator door closes left a sudden prick in my skin.

"Tsk~....so annoying!"

I knew from the time I started working at the Gates'mansion that he had liked me,, but I pretended to be oblivious because I knew I was incapable of returning such feelings.

Something about him, reminded me of the old me back in college, so innocent and naive enough to think there was such a thing as love.

Certainly, I could take advantage of that and play around with him a little bit, but.... where's the fun in that?

"Charlotte, am I an @sshole?" I asked.

"Well.....yes, most of the time in fact." she replied bluntly.

'Forget it why'd I ask you ' I rolled my eyes inwardly.

"... but to be fair, no one's exactly perfect either." She continued.

"Still sometimes, I worry about you Presley".

"You sleep around, and break up with your partners once you get the slightest clue that they've started developing actually feelings for you." Charlotte stated flatly.

"What are you trying to say?" I put down my empty glass.

"You can't just keep doing this to yourself just because of what happened at college. Give love a second cha--"

"Charlotte, that happened a long time, please don't bring that up again" I snapped at her.

" I'm sorry, sorry...You know, I'm just looking out for you. " she apologized.

"Oh Hey! Why did you think Kyle backed you up?" She started with excitement.

"You think I know the answer to that, How on earth could I possibly know what that man's thinking?"

"You think, he developed interest in you?" Charlotte added with a smug.

"WTF--...!!!, Ew~ Charlotte!!" I yelled as she laughed at me.

"What do you think I am, some s#x addict? Even I should be allowed to have my own taste in men."

"And I like my men, you know..... alive, breathing, like....an actual human being."

"....not someone who can only make one kind of expression on his face, throughout his entire life. What are you supposed to be, a robot? How on earth can I be sure there's actually something hanging between those legs?"

Charlotte chuckled as I kept on ranting.

"Hey!"

Another customer called Charlotte's attention and she answered.

"Stay right here. I'll be back." She whispered to me as she swiftly made her way to another customer.

"..........."

'Stay right here?' Does she think I'll get lost at a bar?. I rolled my eyes over and yawns, resting at the counter. before I knew it, everything blacked out.

...********(To be continued)********...

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