Chapter 29: The End of the Family Dinner
The conversation between the family unexpectedly turns into a heated one. Everybody wants to speak and make themselves good in front of the head. And to make it worse some relatives say bad things to the other relatives to make their name good in front of the head. It was noisy and out of heated people because of the conversation. Lorenzo and Xander peacefully gave their business report to their Grandfather and as usual both of them got praises because of their outstanding performances in their various fields. After 30 minutes of given time for conversation the desert finally came. The desert name is Golden opulence sundae. It was covered in gold that makes Giselle have a dig at it and have a big scoop to eat it. Seeing the sundae was covered with gold made her drool with it. After they have the dessert the last meal is cheese.
Giselle secretly enjoys the family dinner because of the entertainment that she witnesses inside the family. When everybody finishes, all the servants get all the plates and glasses on the table and clean it. While the members of the family are waiting for the next part of the event, Giving gifts to the Head Master.
This is the second anticipated event of the night, To see what gifts the Headmaster will like.
” What is your gift to your Grandfather?” Giselle whispered to Xander as she rested her hands in her head as she used her hands to be a support.
” You should not ask that loudly, All eyes and ears are on us” Xander said in a low voice that made Giselle chuckle.
” Too boring, You can lie” Giselle whispered that made Xander sigh.
He can’t really read this woman but he is glad that she is cooperating with him. She is easy to talk with. ” It will cause a problem with the others” Xander only answered as he face Giselle and fixed how she seat.
” You should not do that pose on the table, It’s disrespectful ” Xander muttered that made Giselle giggle.
” Too serious” Giselle said as she looked at the HeadMaster and watched the gifts being given.
All the gifts that are given to the HeadMaster are all expensive and luxurious. If it’s not made of gold it will be made of diamond and other expensive stones.
” What a lucky” Giselle murmured
” I bet your Grandfather has a big full room of treasures because of the gifts he always receives every year” Giselle said out of nowhere that made Xander chuckle.
” How did you know it?” Xander asks Giselle.
” It’s obvious, Rich people always wants to give expensive things. And If the gifts is gold or diamond it will be in stock in my room and I will treat it as a treasure or emergency fund ” Giselle bluntly answered that makes Xander smile.
” You really like Gold and Diamonds ?” Xander asks, which makes Giselle giggle.
” I like expensive and luxurious things Xander, It gives me happiness”
Xander just shakes his head out of disbelief on what Giselle said. Typical material girl.
The two daughters of Perol, Juveline and Davina. The two of them give their father a rare wood cane that was made only for him. The wood cane was made from African blackwood. Not just ordinary African blackwood but it’s a hybrid that results from research and experiments that give the wood cane a light weight. And distinguish features.
Juveline and Davina team up this year for their father because they want to show to the family that they will not support any participants in the battle of succession. Because wood is a symbol of fairness and no judgement in the Monteverde Household.
Giselle looked around the people at the table as they started to gossip.
” Xander, What’s happening? What is the meaning of their gifts?” Giselle whispered as she leaned closely to Xander.
” They will not support any of the participants” Xander whispered back, which made Giselle smirk.
” It’s a lie, One of them already give a support ” Giselle whispered back that made Xander wrinkled his forehead.
” Why did you say so?” Xander asks out of curiosity as he looks at Giselle who is now looking meaningfully at her two aunties.
” That younger one, Already give support to your dearest nemesis Lorenzo. It’s obvious from her actions during the dinner. And I think the reason behind it, It’s his wife. Chantal.” Giselle simply answered as she looked up at Xander.
” If you want to win this game, Get the eldest one. Because she is the only one who truly didn’t give any support to the potential participants ” Giselle added as she slightly pinched the chin of Xander before she sat up properly.
Xander looked at the aisle again and she saw the simple glimpse of his auntie Davina to Lorenzo and Chantal. A cold smile showed Lorenzo’s lips as he gripped his hand.
He can’t believe that his cousin has already made a move. He can’t really leave him for a second; he really needs to watch his every step.
The next one who will give a gift to the Headmaster is Lorenzo and his wife. They give a coupling made of Pink diamond with the mix of red diamond. The side of the couplings was covered with pure gold. It really looks expensive.
” But it’s normal for them,” Giselle muttered while looking at the gift Lorenzo and Chantal gave to the Grandfather of Xander. Luxurious and expensive things are just part of their everyday life. That is what running in Giselle heads. She only came back to reality when Xander tapped her shoulder.
” We are next,” Xander whispered and Giselle answered in a nod.
Xander stood up as he helped Giselle to stand up next. The two of them have individually given gifts to the Headmaster. Xander will give a new coat made in pure Lotus silk. The coat was made by the famous designer all over the word and the design of the coat is exclusively on his Grandfather.
” Grandfather, This is my gift to you ” Xander politely said to his Grandfather as he handed the gift to him.
Perol immediately looks all over the coat that his Grandson gives to him. The coat has a great fabric and Perol knows that this coat is an expensive one because of the quality and design of the coat. Perol smile deep inside in his heart because he knew that his Grandson is doing better in his life. For him to give him this coat.
After checking the coat, Perol looks at Giselle who is smiling at her sweetly. Perol’s face immediately turned red as he coughed and cleared his throat.
” Thank you for the gift, The both of you can go now” Perol said as he avoided the gazes of Giselle.
” Grandfather, I have a seperate gifts for you,” Giselle excitedly said as she took a small box from her purse.
All eyes are on the box that Giselle is holding. Xander knew that Giselle had a gift for his Grandfather but he didn’t know what it was. He is also curious about what his wife will give to his Grandfather.
” I hope you will like it” Giselle sweetly said as she clung her arms to Xander.
Giselle planned all the things she should do in the dinner party. Because the more Xander will be successful the more she will be given money for her works.
As soon as Perol receives the gift from Giselle, he is curious to know what it is. Because this is the first time that they met and he doubts that Xander told his wife his preferences.
He slowly uncover the gift wrapped. And take off the lid of the box. His eyes widened when he saw a PPT and it’s two lines.
” We are pregnant” Giselle happily said as she looked at Xander and planted a soft kiss on his lips. After that he immediately looked at the face of Perol.
” You will be a Grandfather again Grandfather” Giselle said as she put her head on Xander’s shoulder.
Xander is surprised by what he just learned. He was stunned in his place; he only get back to reality when all of his relatives started to clap and cheer for them.
” Congratulations Xander and Giselle” The Headmaster greeted as he showed his smile to the two.
Giselle just smiles as a return because she get her goal for tonight. To make the Headmaster smile at them in tonight’s family event. Because the smile of the Headmaster is the measurement of favorability in this family.
After that the two of them get back to their seat and the greetings are not yet done for them even if they are seated.
” Why didn’t you tell me that you are finally pregnant?” Xander whispered that Giselle raised her right eyebrows.
” Well, I want surprises and I want to be the center of the night ” Giselle simply answered as she looked at the Headmaster.
” You should be thankful to me. Because tonight the favor is in yours” She added and a sly smile formed into her lips.
After that conversation, Xander didn’t talk to Giselle again. After minutes of giving gifts. The final event for tonight is finally happening, the announcement of the final participants to the battle of succession.
The Headmaster of the Monteverde household, Perol. Silently stood up and gave all the attention to him. Perol laid his hand as a sign to his Headbutler Raulo. To put the gold diamond family heirloom in his hand.
” This year is such a bountiful year for the family. New businesses are successful. The year was more peaceful than last year. And most of all there is a new member of our family” Perol said as he looked at Giselle.
” All of you know, That this year is special for us. Because the battle of succession will begin. And the next Heir of the Family will be decided.” He continues as Raulo walks towards the Headmaster while holding a plate of gold with diamonds with letters on it.
” And tonight I will announce the last Participants of the Battle of Succession. I chose it among the participants of the Succession. And these last two are the best of the best.” Perol said.
” I’m sure it was you and Lorenzo,” Giselle muttered.Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.
” How can you say so? You’re sure about what you are saying?”
” Among the people here, The two of you have an aura to be the next Head of the family. Wait, And also that woman. ” Giselle said as she pointed Juveline.
” Auntie Juveline? I think you are wrong, She doesn’t want to be the next head” Xander answered that makes Giselle giggled.
” You sure?” Giselle said out of tease as she got her wine and had a sip on it.
” Lorenzo Monteverde ” Perol announced that made Giselle smile.
” And Xander Monteverde ” Perol announced. And after that the room was immediately full of clapping hands.
” Congratulations” Giselle seductively whispered to Xander.
After announcing the Final participant, Perol gives his last speech and all of the people listened to him obediently. Giving respect to the Head of the family. After the final speech all the guests stood up and had a talk with each other. And for Perol he went back to his room.
The people in the room were divided in half, It shows that they already decided who side they will take side with.
Giselle smiled and greeted all the people on her husband’s side and she showed a sly smile to her husband’s enemies.
The game of the Battle of Succession is now finally started.