Chapter 4

He cast his eyes about the room, curious as to which of the men there was her husband. David reflected critically on the man's good fortune, wondering whether or not he really was so fortunate. There was no misunderstanding of the sexual tension and raging desire that existed between Anna and him. There had been no mistake. He concluded that her poor husband was someone who should be pitied rather than envied.

However, it was time for him to stop worrying about Annet and start doing what he had come to do, which was to assist his grandfather. He cast a quick glance across the room and noticed Bryan already comfortably situated, and for a few seconds their eyes connected. David was confused for a while because he appeared to be seeing bewilderment in his grandfather's eyes, but as he watched, Anna approached Bryan and offered him a brandy, and the elderly man broke out into a broad grin.

Anna extended her hand to Bryan and offered him the brandy glass. "Are you sure that everything is okay?" She questioned as she sat down next to him and took a healthy gulp from her own glass of champagne. She wasn't much of a drinker, but she really wanted something to calm her nerves and settle her stomach...

Bryan comforted her, "Much better," while taking a swig of brandy from his glass. "It looks as though your sister Annet has a good relationship with David. Have the two of you ever spoken before?", he inquired in a casual manner.

Anna clenched her teeth and lied to him, saying "No." She had no intention of telling this kind-hearted elderly guy about the incident that had taken place between her and David a year earlier. She said, "But I believe Annet has known him for years," She replied. To make matters worse, Bryan started sneezing again. "You seem to have come down with a cold; are you absolutely positive that you should be going out so soon after your accident?"'

Bryan replied, "No, really, I'm fine," and then shifted the subject by explaining to her what she had voted for at the board meeting. It seems that she had consented to another stock float in order to obtain further capital.

Anna responded with a casual, "It doesn't make much of a difference to me." "I have a mild form of dyslexia with numbers, and the knowledge I have regarding high finance isn't even enough to cover my little fingernail." However, I wouldn't turn down the money.' After she finished drinking from her glass, she joined Bryan in setting it down on a nearby table.

Bryan quickly capitalized on the chance presented to him by saying, "Well, there's a simple answer to that." "You could sell me your aunt's villa on Jeju Island," He said to her. You should know that many years ago, my family called that house home. You can call me nostalgic, but I really would like to get it back. If we can come to an agreement, I'm willing to pay you a price that is far higher than what it is now worth.

Anna said, "It's a nice thought, and I really would if I could, but I can't sell it to you." She did this because she observed Bryan 's confused expression and wanted to explain what she meant. "Aunt Martha put it in trust for me, and for my children, and for my children's children, ad infinitum, so that it would be legally protected for future generations,"

The wrinkled brow of the elderly man furrowed in careful consideration as he said, "I see." "Have you ever given any thought to making a request to have the trust broken?" I have faith that it will be successful.

When she reached an age where she could no longer bear children, she told herself, "Maybe someday." She felt with a trace of melancholy that she owed it to her Aunt Martha to fulfill her wishes, but she saw no need to tell Bryan the entire tale. "But it's not something that I would contemplate at the moment..." she said.

Bryan repeated it in a hushed tone, "Of course, that is entirely your prerogative," and then lifted his hands with the palms facing up as a sign of surrender. "It doesn't matter. I have lived long enough to realize that in this world, one can never have all that one desires.' Suddenly, he grinned and looked around the room. "Not that my grandson runs into obstacles very frequently. Now, I want you to tell me in all honesty, what your opinion is of David.'

Anna had the impression, although she didn't voice it, that he is a sexual predator who is also excellent in the art of seduction and who preys on the vulnerability of women. She lied through her teeth once more and said, "He seems...nice." "And I am aware that Annet has very high regard for him,"

On the opposite side of the room, David gave the impression that he was paying close attention to the Williams while, mentally, he was going over the report that he had read earlier that morning. James Wiliams was a man who was in trouble and trying not to show it, the New York office of his company had done some checking over the last two days, and he thought cynically that James Wiliams was one of those people. However, with a kind smile directed down at the guy and his wife, he engaged in conversation with the couple.

David had a very solid understanding of Williams’ expectations for him at this point. Once he realized David was the owner of Miller International, on Wednesday evening he dropped a few hints that pointed in that direction. Williams wanted him to make an investment in Posh Naturals or at the very least promote it as a purchase to his customers in order to increase the share price and support Williams’ much-vaunted development ambitions. Posh Naturals is a beauty product line. David had no intention of doing any of those things, but for the time being he needed to maintain an air of mystery.

In spite of the fact that he had taken Annet out twice this week, he chose not to bring up the subject of her inheritance to her either time. He had maintained their connection at a casual and playful level the entire time. However, she was quite good at talking about herself and the modeling agency that she had just recently established. This fits in nicely with what Bryan had mentioned earlier about her now being the owner of her own company.

Because he was thinking about Bryan, he looked around the room and saw that he was still seated on the sofa with the unfaithful Anna Gonzales by his side. But as David observed the old man, the elderly man turned slightly, his black eyes colliding with David 's, and he called David forward with a rather frenzied sweep of his cane. What had taken place at this point?

"Excuse me," David remarked in a terse manner. "But it looks like my grandfather needs me," he said, and with a fleeting grin of apology directed at Annet and her parents, he made his way rapidly through the crowd to Bryan 's side.

He was blasted with a barrage of Korean language. The crux of the matter was that David was the most foolish person in all of Christendom. Why was he clinging on the blonde beanpole like he was accomplishing something? He was dating the incorrect daughter—the stepdaughter—despite the fact that there were two girls in the family. Was he insane? Anna was the one he should have been dating, and now, barring a miracle, he had wrecked Bryan s prospects of ever having his house back. Anna was the one he should have been dating.

David, stunned by the news, glanced across at Anna before returning his attention to Bryan. He felt like a prize idiot. Then, his wrath got the better of him, and he responded in Korean. David had been the one to tell Bryan that the woman's name was Annet, so how in the world was he meant to know that there were two daughters when Bryan himself had not even been aware that there were two daughters?

David 's eyes narrowed in anger as he focused on the woman in question, who had her head bowed. He wasn't shocked that she couldn't face him; in fact, he was expecting it. David then scowled at his grandfather. He had to be completely insane to have allowed himself to become engaged with Bryan 's insane plan in the first place. Now he would have to free himself from a connection with Annet that he had never shown any interest in cultivating in the first place. And doing so would not be simple. He started out by letting Bryan know this in not acceptable.