Page 74 of Eternal

“Larry will go over all the legal documents, and what I wish to see for my company moving forward.” My father finishes and leans back in his chair observing us as if we are lab rats.

Larry clears his throat and starts sifting through a pile of documents. He pulls out a packet, an envelope, and a pen.

“Right, well, Frank has requested that Freya Alice Astor and Soren Philip Astor will be the acting CEO, the chairman, and leader of Spencer Corp. Serena Mavis Spencer has been requested to be the Vice President, co-chairman, and second-in-command of Spencer Corp.”

“Let’s just cut the bullshit,” Serena interrupts, “What do you want us to do with your weapons dealings? I’m doubtful Soren and Freya will want to take that on as well, and I don’t want a part of it.”

“Then, it is your responsibility to hire people to fill those positions. It’ll be the only way you’ll make any money, Serena. Freya has Soren to lean on for financial support, but Abe doesn’t seem to know what he wants to do with his life.”

Serena’s mouth snaps shut and is stunned into silence.

“There’s also the matter of important information.” Larry opens the envelope he pulled out, and shows us a hard drive. “This will be given to Freya and Soren at the time of Frank’s death. This will explain everything. No one else is to see it. No one else is to be told what this hard drive contains. Is that understood?”

“Not even Serena?”

“Not even Serena. No one except for you and Soren.” My father chimes in.

I sit back in my chair and nod, looking down at my hands.

What the fuck is on that hard drive? Whatever it is, he’s intentionally making Soren and I the bearers of that burden, wanting to protect Serena in the process.

“What’s on there that’s so bad I can’t even see it?” Serena’s lips are pressed together.

“It’s none of your business. For yours and your sister’s sake, don’t force her to tell you either.” My father scolds.

“Does it involve Luca?” I ask.

My father’s eyes shift to Larry then to me. “Yes.”

I sit up, and cross my arms over my chest. “What does Luca have over you?”

My father’s face twists. “You’ll find out soon enough.”

Serena mimics my actions, “You know, Freya, Luca does seem to have our father by the balls.”

“You watch your mouth, young lady,” My father snaps.

“Ha! You have no idea, Serena. In fact, why didn’t you do anything about Luca forcing Soren and I to have a child?” I deadpanned.

Serena’s eyes widened. “That motherfucker said what?”

“I just didn’t see the need to.” My father pretends to pick off an invisible piece of lint from his dress pants.

I huff. “You didn’t see the need to? I’m your daughter. You do understand that it’s your job as my father to stand up for me on occasion?”

“Freya, what’s the harm in all this anyway? You’ve always wanted a family, this isn’t any different.” He responds, stoic as ever. His face reddens with each question hurled at him.

“This is a lot different. How can you not see that?” I screech.

His face turns into a tomato as he stands abruptly, towering over my figure. “Enough, Goddamn it! I didn’t do anything because this was an arrangement Luca made. I was finding out about this at the same time you were, Freya! I chose not to do anything because you’ve always wanted a family. Not like it would really change anything anyway! I was certain you wouldn’t have an issue with it!”

“How could I not have an issue with this? I wanted children organically, father. I wanted children when it was right for Soren and I. Not when Luca wants us to have kids. We’ve already been forced into enough as it is. I didn’t need this on top of it.”

My father sits back down. “Well, Freya, I don’t know what to tell you. If that’s what Luca wants, then that’s what he will get. You can fight this all you want, but just like every other woman in our world, you’ll have to fucking deal with it.”

My eyes narrow. “What does Luca have over you?”

“We’re done here.” My father abruptly stands from his chair and leaves without another word.

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