Failed Deal

Author's POV

"How is the Food? Does it suit your taste?" Lelia asked Duke.

"It is good," Duke said.

Lelia smiled. "I have a good news to share" Lelia spoke up.

"Sure. What is it?" Duke put down the spoon and then looked at her.

"I got a job at Winters Group. I will join from tomorrow" Lelia spoke up excitedly.

"Congratulations. I have something to say as well but it is not a good news" Duke said.

"What happened?" Lelia asked.

"My Father invited us for dinner. Tomorrow we have to go there. They don't like me. They will use every mean word to hurt and embarrass you if they get the chance. If you don't want to go with me then I will not force you" Duke said to her

"I will go with you," Lelia said.

"Okay, then, be ready at 7," Duke said and stood up, holding his stick.

"Where are you going?" Lelia asked him.

"I have some work to do," Duke said and left from there.

Sullivan Mansion

Jackson and Nancy, his wife, were seated and drinking tea in the living room when Hunter came there.

"Dad, please come and join us. Nancy brings tea for Father," Jackson said to his wife.

"Sure" Nancy left from there.

Hunter sat on a sofa. He had come to ask about that particular project with Winters Group.

The enchanting smell of the incense smoke of wood blew over from one side.

"Where is Jonathan?" Hunter asked about his grandson.

"Dad, Mr. Winters PA wanted to discuss about the project so I have sent Jonathan. He knew better" Jackson said happily. Finally, after a lot of effort, they agreed to meet us.

"Jackson, this project with Winters Group is very important to us. We must have this project or our company will go bankrupt very soon. Leave no room for mistakes" Hunter said.

"Don't worry Dad. Our Jonathan will come with good news. Please have this" Nancy put the tea cup before Hunter.

"Of course. As soon as we will sign the deal our share price will rise one level higher. Also, no rival company will try to harm us as soon as we sign with Winters Group," Jackson said.

Hunter was happy to hear this. He continued happily, "So what's the status of this project? Will Jonathan sign the contract today?"

"I think so, Dad. Although Jonathan has gone to discuss the project but you knew him. He will get the contract signed today somehow" Jackson said.

"You are right, Honey. Our son has always brought success. Nancy looked at Hunter and continued, "Your grandson has never disappointed you, Dad"

Hunter was pleased and nodded his head.

He picked up the tea cup and took a sip.

"All the men of the Sullivan family were outstanding except that lowly bastard Duke" Hunter looked coldly at Jackson.

"It was expected Dad. You can not expect an outstanding person like our son Jonathan from a maid. His mother was a maid of this house" Nancy snapped at Jackson.

She still can't forgive him for sleeping with that maid.

"I heard that fool has changed his surname. He has taken his mother's surname" Hunter said.

"It is good for both of us, Dad. A bastard like him never deserved the Sullivan title. But Dad, why did you invite him for tonight's dinner? You knew he was a murderer. What if he tried to hurt us?" Nancy was against it. But she can't say anything in front of Hunter.

"We have promised to give him some shares," Hunter said.

"What do you mean, Dad? Will you really going to give him the promised shares?" Jackson was shocked.

"Not even in my nightmares," Hunter said, and Nancy smirked.

In the meantime, Jonathan entered.

"Dad!"

Jonathan came running in like a mad dog was chasing him. He had an angry expression on his face. Jonathan was about to shout but he noticed Hunter and shut his mouth immediately. He didn't dare to say anything in front of him.

In the family, he fares his grandfather.

“We were just talking about you, honey. Why were you running? Don't tell me you were so excited to share the good news. Did you sign the contract?" Nancy asked her son. She always tried to show Jonathan before Hunter so that before dying, he would make Jonathan the heir of the Sullivan Company. She feared someday, Duke would do something and snatch the company from Jonathan.

Jonathan kept quiet. He has many things to say but not in front of his grandfather.

"Why are you standing like a statue? Speak up" Hunter glanced at Jonathan coldly.

When Jackson noticed his Father was getting angry he spoke up, "Jonathan, your grandpa has asked something. Tell us how the meeting goes with Mr. Winters. Has Mr. Winters agreed to sign the contract with us?"

Jonathan looked at his Grandfather and gulped he was a little nervous and spoke up," Mr. Winters didn't join the meeting"

"What did you mean? You said you were going to discuss the project with Mr. Winters. You said he had requested for your presence" Nancy spoke up.

"Yes, Mom. But Mr. Winters didn't come. I went to his office today, but Mr. Winters had to attend to other matters and wasn't around, so his PA Mark attended the meeting in his place," Jonathan spoke up nervously.

"Jonathan Sullivan, come to the point already" Hunter shouted angrily when he saw how Jonathan seemed to be hesitant with words

"Grandfather, Mr. Mark will discuss it with his Boss and let me know in two days," Jonathan said.

"What!" Jackson and Nancy were shocked to hear this.

Hunter's face fell and he had a bad feeling about this.

"Did he say anything else?" Hunter asked Jonathan.

"He was asking about Duke" Jonathan managed to squeeze this out.

"What! What does the bastard have to do with the project?" Jackson asked

"I don't know Dad. But Mark seemed very impressed that even after everything Duke had done we promised to give him 5 percent of shares. He said Grandfather is a great person" Jonathan said.

Hunter's face turned red in anger. He looked at everyone. He looked at Jackson and angrily.

"Who dares to leak this news outside? If you dare to hide anything from me, I will disown you this time for sure"

"No one Dad. Why would we do something like this? And how did Mark know that bastard? It is impossible that bastard has any link to them" Jackson was confused.

"It was him. It must be him, Dad. That bastard Duke spread this news to look great" Nancy said

Jonathan was literally shivering in fear like,  Hunter was really going to kill him.

"Prepare everything for Dinner. We must have to know if Duke knew anything about it or not" Hunter stood up and left from there.

"That Bastard destroyed our hard work. He is bad luck." Nancy cursed Duke and left from there.

Jackson wasn't convinced. He could tell that something was wrong looking at Jonathan's face.

"What is bothering you?" Jackson asked him.

"Dad, Mark didn't even pay attention to anything I said about the project. He didn't even look at the file. All he talked about was grandfather's kind decision to give shares to Duke," Jonathan said.

"Go and fresh up" Jackson said.

Jonathan nodded and left from there.