Page 46 of The Off-limits Grump Next Door
“What are you even doing here?” The question echoed in my head, almost loud enough to drown out my pulse. For all I knew,‘she’—my so-called ‘mother’—would arrive armed with some ludicrous demands or fabricated stories. The urge to leave clawed at me, but another thought countered, “Don’t you want to know the truth?”
Rumors that the winery was built on blood swirled through my mind. This time, they whispered that it was the very reason Elon disappeared. ‘Elon’. My friend, gone without a trace, leaving behind only a cryptic note:‘I’m sorry’!
A surge of anger and unresolved questions fueled my determination to wait. One hour had passed, and Eve still hadn’t shown. I’d been warned—she always arrived late, relishing the control it gave her.Her sick idea of a power play.
Finally, the click of heels on the restaurant’s polished tiles drew my gaze upward. There she was—Eve. She glided into the room with a mask of feigned sophistication and the unmistakable glint of pride. Her designer bag, probably worth more than some people’s cars, landed on the table as she sat down leisurely.
She locked eyes with me and then waved a hand dismissively, summoning a waiter.
“What do you think you’re doing?” I demanded, my voice sharp.
“Who comes to a restaurant and doesn’t eat?” she retorted, rolling her eyes in mock annoyance.
“Do you think I have all day to watch you eat?” My frustration seeped through.
“But you waited an hour for me.” She didn’t even glance up from the menu.
I clenched my jaw. As much as I loathed to admit it, she was right. If I wanted answers, I had to endure her games. She ordered a full meal, not caring whether I’d join her or not, and indulged in every course. Typical Eve—someone else always footed the bill.
“Why didn’t you show up at the vineyard the other day?” I finally asked, trying to keep my composure. “You made me wait endlessly. And don’t give me that tired excuse about ‘other business.’ We both know your only business is wrecking lives.”
Her lips curled in a faint smile. “Oh, that… I had a manicure appointment and forgot to reschedule with you.”
The urge to snap back was almost overwhelming, but I swallowed the retort. Getting upset would only play into her hands. “Can we just get to the reason why we’re here?”
“Patience, young man. Haven’t you heard it’s a virtue?”
I scoffed. “I doubt the word ‘virtue’ even exists in your vocabulary, ‘Mother’.”
“Careful, or I’ll leave,” she warned, her gaze piercing.
Silence stretched between us, taut and brittle. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she set her fork down and leaned forward, her eyes gleaming with something dangerous.
“Alright. Let’s get to it.” Her voice turned businesslike. “You want to know why I said the company was birthed in blood?”
I didn’t respond, just held her gaze, urging her to continue.
“Your beloved father bribed his way out of jail after killing his closest friend and business partner, Don. It was over a disagreement about ownership rights to a drink they co-discovered.”
A chill ran through me as memories of Don from my childhood flooded back. “You’re lying,” I managed, my voice thick. “Dad didn’t kill Uncle Don. He was his best friend.”
Eve’s smile widened, almost pitying. “Haven’t you ever wondered why your friend, Elon, disappeared without a goodbye? Just a note saying, ‘I’m sorry.’”
“How did you know about the note?”
“Your father only permitted the note—no explanations. He threatened Elon’s family, and they fled to Alaska to protect his life. Somewhere far away, where they wouldn’t be a threat to George and the winery. I had to step in and… facilitate things.”
My mind reeled.Alaska? Where Elon met Kendra…
Before I could respond, Eve snapped her fingers. A man in black approached, placing a large envelope in her left hand before striding away silently. He looked like a poor imitation of a “man in black” with that earpiece, standing out ridiculously in the blazing sun.
“Here.” Eve slammed the envelope onto the table. “Proof. All the evidence you need to confirm that your father built his empire off the blood of another.”
Hands trembling, I tore open the envelope and rifled through its contents. Photographs. Legal documents. Bank transactions. My stomach churned as damning evidence stared back at me.
***
I burst into my father’s office, with my stepmother trailing behind me.
