Chapter 7. Inheritance

Returning back to the mansion, Leo could feel his stomach churning with each step he took inside.

He shouldn't have had all those cream buttered toppings that Rachel practically forced in his mouth and now it back fired

The moment he rushed into the mansion as if his life depended on it, his eyes spotted some people present in the living room

"Ahh, just the person we were talking about." I stopped as I took in the people present in the room.

It was my uncle Demetri,  my grandfather and lastly, my cousin— Nathan.

If not that I was on the verge of pooing on myself, I would have probably asked what was going on at that moment.

"Leo, we—" He rushed upstairs without even thinking twice about it

"I'd be down in few minutes." He shouted from the top floor

Minutes passed and Leo finally came out from the bathroom, his shirt hanging loosely on his body as he breathed out a sigh of relief

He never should have eaten so much desert when he knew how low resistance he was to those surgery things.

Descending the stairs, he was surprised to see the three men still seated in the living room, discussing amongst themselves.

"I thought you were going to stay upstairs forever." Archibald said with a frown as he watched his grandson approach where they were gathered

"That is honestly a good suggestion. But I rather you not come suffocate me in my room." Leo said as he fell flat on the couch besides his Uncle, while his cousin and grandfather were opposite them.

"What's up with you? You barged in as if someone was after your life." Nathan said with a sheepish smile on his lips

"That was technically the case." He confessed, letting out a heavy breath, "I ate too much Sugar." He told them

"Probably your so called girlfriend brought them for you didn't she?" His grandfather suddenly said, disdain seeping from his voice. "I really can't believe you let go of something so good just to chase after that child like girlfriend of yours."

"Come on grandfather, you don't have to be like that." Nathan said and Leo scoffed

"There's nothing you're going to tell grandpa that he'd listen." Leo said

"You brat!" His grandfather shouted, startling everyone of them In the room. "I thought you'd have matured by now and have a little bit of sanity to that rock head of yours."

Leo groaned at his grandfather's words, "I really don't know what you want from me grandpa. Did your expect me to say in that torturous thing you called marriage? We both know I've never been in love with Laura—"

"You stupid brat!" He cut Leo, making him to sigh, "Everything isn't always about love Leonard Carter. You need a good woman who is stable enough to stand by your side, especially with you being the next head of the company. How do you plan on achieving all that with that woman you claim to love?"

"Father, just give Leo a break. He probably has a reason for doing the things he did." Uncle Demetri said and Leo moved his attention to his uncle

"At last, someone who always understands me." He smiled at his uncle.

"People like you are the people who are gonna be responsible of leading this brat into a hole with no way out." His grandfather said and Nathan snickered

"He's already in that joke grandpa."

"Alright that's it." Leo sat up straight, "you, shut up." He pointed at his cousin, "and grandfather,  I already did as you asked me to at the very beginning. You made me marry Laura because of your own little promise to her grandmother mother, not bothering if I loved her or not."

"Love can grow with time Leo, you just didn't give it you all." Archibald said and Leo let out a huff

"Well, it's been 5 years and guess what, still nothing." He said, "I didn't love her then, I don't love her now and I wouldn't love her later. So the earlier you stop saying that I claim to love Rachel and actually accept that it's the fact, it'll be easier for all of us to live." He said And he finally got up from where he sat.

"Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go freshen up now, I've had a long day." He said, picking up his phone and turning to leave

"Leo, just—" he cut his cousin's words off

"Just drop it Nathan." He said, reaching for the staircase

"You stupid brat!" His grandfather's voice stopped him in his steps, his hands gripping the rays of the staircase tightly as his veins where throbbing from his skin

"The only reason I'm not pulling you away from your position at the company is because I know how competent you are at your work." Archibald shouted from downstairs while Demetri tried to calm the older man's raging nerves

"Father, please calm down—"

"Let go." Archibald pulled his hands away, "let me tell this brat the truth." He turned his attention back to Leo, "listen to me clearly, whatever you think you feel towards that your little girlfriend is unnecessary." He blurted out, "You will go back and marry Laura"

"Grandfather—" Leo was cut off

"Or else, consider your inheritance totally null and void." At his words, Leo turned around to face his grandfather who's face was already red with rage

"Father, that is too much." Uncle Demetri said, trying to pacify the situation

"You heard me clearly Leonard." He didn't bulge, his gaze locked hardly to his grandson's. "You can go ahead with your little engagement with Rachel but just know that you will not get an Inch close to your inheritance."

"Grandfather, don't you think this is so overboard?" Leo asked, his hands clenching tightly besides him

"I've told you my mind. It's your choice to take.”

"Father, that is too much." Uncle Demetri said quickly as he tried to change his father's mind. But it seemed his father wasn't listening to anyone at that moment the tension radiating from him was almost as thick as the air they breathed.

"This is not the way to—" Archibald cut Demetri off

"You heard me clearly, Leonard." The older man snapped, ignoring Demetri words completely. Instead, his stern gaze was fixed on his grandson like an iron lock

On the other hand, Leo swallowed hard, he could feel the anger stirring beneath his ribs, "Grandfather, you're talking about my life here. My relationship. You can't just—"

"I can do whatever I choose." He snapped, "as long as it benefits you in the end."

"And how exactly is this going to benefit me? Being stuck in an unhappy marriage? Does my emotions not matter?"

Archibald straightened his back to peer at his grandson clearer, "This family was built on decisions, not emotions. And I will not sit back and watch you throw away everything for a foolish attachment."

Leo felt something bitter rise in his chest, "Don't call Rachel a foolish attachment grandpa."

"Then what is she?" Archibald raged out, "An obstacle? A spoilt brat who dosen't know the roles of a wife? You think your feelings justify dragging this family into chaos?"

Leo's hands clenched tightly besides him. He could feel his nails budging Inyo his palms hard enough to hurt, but he barely felt anything, "Rachel isn't what you think she is."

"She is exactly what I know she is." His grandfather shot back, "And I am not going to change my mind on this decision."

"Grandfather, don't you think you're taking this a Little overboard?" Nathan spoke out this time."

"It's his choice to take Nathan. He can decide what move sits right with him." Archibald said

"My choice?" Leo repeated, "you call this a freaking choice? Forcing me to act in your will besides mine?"

"Leo," Uncle Demetri called out calmly, "it's better if you calm down, not to worsen situations.”