Chapter 2: Pulling Strings

At the sudden realization of where this argument was headed, Margret tried to make amends by explaining what she meant.

"No....no...no...that isn't what I'm trying to say. It is just..."

Completely ignoring what she was saying Bryan faced Old Wilson. "Uncle it is very obvious now that my cousin lacks control over his own family. How can we possibly expect him to lead the entire Wilson family?" He pointed out.

"Father, this isn't anything like that at all. It's just happened that the girl..."

"Enough!" Steve yelled at Margret who was just about to say something.

"Haven't you caused enough trouble already? Now hurry and apologize to father." Steve ordered Margret who obediently complied with his orders.

"My apologies father, I have caused you trouble on such a joyous occasion for you. Please forgive me." She pleaded with a bow trying her best to sound sincere which it was obvious that she wasn't.

"Father I'm sorry for my incompetence and I am aware that I have failed to meet your expectations and to rectify my mistake I will make sure that first thing tomorrow my daughter will be here to pay you her respect. Please accept my apologies." Steve bowed and also pleaded for forgiveness.

"Hmph! I'll just take your words for it, but if you fail I'll exterminate you from your position in the company because Bryan made some valid points which I would have to consider." Old Wilson declared.

Steve raised an eyebrow at his father's threat. "Thank you father. I will be sure to keep my words." He assured.

"Well what are we waiting for? Let my banquet continue." Old Wilson ordered and the whole scenery returned to its festive mood.

Steve lifted his head up from his bow and glared at his cousin who returned a wicked smile back to him.

*****

The next day,

Ring. Ring. Ring. Ring. Ring. Ring.

"Damn it." Emily groaned as she glanced at her wall clock to check the time.

"Are you kidding me right now? It is just 5:30 am in the morning. Why the hell is anybody calling me right now? Let's just ignore it."

Ring. Ring. Ring.

"Oh please, can't I just have my beauty sleep?"

Ring. Ring. Ring.

"Alright, alright. Hello." Finally deciding to pick up her phone call.

"You useless brat. Did you intend not to pick my calls? You ungrateful wench!" The voice on the call raged at her.

Emily who was half awake immediately regained her full consciousness at the recognition of the voice.

"Good morning, Father. I am sorry it wasn't my intention to avoid your call but it just seemed rather odd to receive a phone call at this hour of the morning especially from you when you should be sleeping." She explained.

"What? Are you dictating when I should call you, huh? You really are brazen." The voice yelled again.

"No way would I have the guts to do that father. Of course you can call me anytime which you rarely do unless you want me to do something for you. So why don't you let us get straight to the point of why you are calling now?"

Emily was already tired of him beating around the bush, plus she desperately wanted to get back to sleep.

"Yesterday was your grandfather's birthday and he was furious at your absence at his banquet and almost disowned you from the family. But being the responsible father I am to an unfilial daughter like you, I pleaded on your behalf but his conditions were that he would only consider if you would make yourself present at the family mansion before he wakes up." Steve ranted on the phone to her.

'I bet that is what happened at the party.' Emily rolled her eyes after listening to her father's ranting

She was no fool and she was also certain that her father had definitely changed some of the details of his narration of the incident in his favor.

The mighty Steve Wilson would never take a chance to belittle himself in front of anyone and besides when was the last time he extended her such favors?

"But father why am I being punished? I don't remember being informed about the banquet." Emily pointed out the fact.

"Nonsense, how dare you blame me you ungrateful child? Is this what I get from covering up for you? In other words, if you fail to perform this simple task, then you can forget about receiving any allowance from me anytime soon " Steve declared in an angry tone and immediately hung up.

"Shit.....that petty bastard knows I cannot survive in school without my allowances. I am going to make him pay a thousand fold for always blackmailing me." Emily cursed as she threw her phone on the bed.

Emily Wilson is the child born out of wedlock and the only illegitimate child in the recent history of the Wilson bloodline.

Her mother, Martha, was a maid that used to serve the Wilson but due to the disgraceful act of her father, Steve Wilson, who forcefully had intercourse with Emily's mother she was born.

However, Steve tried to bury the issue from the eyes of the public because at that time he was about to be declared the successor of the Wilson family but George discovered this secret.

In order to not cause any more shameful acts, George ordered Steve to accept Emily as his child or he can forget about being eligible to become the next patriarch in the future.

Martha wasn't accepted into the family because Steve was already married and it was impossible for him to have a mistress which would not only damage his reputation but also the family's reputation too.

But Martha was satisfied that her daughter would live a better life. She gladly accepted those terms and left the mansion after giving birth to Emily with the only condition of being permitted to meet her daughter at some scheduled time. However, a few years later Martha died from a mysterious sickness.

Even though she was accepted into the family, Emily was never treated as an equal member. As for her father, she was a terrible mistake he wanted to get rid of, but couldn't. To the rest of the household, she was a stain they tried to hide.

Therefore, they did everything possible to make sure that she was forgotten, they made her attend the poorest school, the cheapest clothes and an ordinary lifestyle that was undeserving of a Wilson bloodline.

Thinking back to those old times Emily couldn't help but swear. "I will make you pay for all your wrong doings."

Even though she wanted to sleep some more, Emily forced herself to get up from the bed. She headed straight to the bathroom to do her business before taking a shower.

After she got dressed she walked straight to the kitchen to make herself some coffee. She drank in haste before finally walking out of her room in the dorm.

Emily is currently a student in one of the City Top College. The rest of her step siblings were sent out of the country to study abroad, while she remained stuck with locals.

At least that was what people believed. However, Emily could pay her tuition fees hundreds of times from her own personal account. She had deliberately kept it a secret from the public.

She strolled from her dorm to the bus station for a few minutes. The day was Saturday. So the station was sparsely populated as most students had already travelled to their various homes or places of choice to spend the weekend. Even her roommate had already gone home two days ago as she had no classes for the rest of the week.

Initially she would have headed to her own favorite spot at the moment but her plans had been ruined by her father's issues. As soon as the bus arrived at the station, she boarded it.

When Emily arrived at the Wilson Mansion. As she approached the entrance, Emily was greeted by several servants.

"Good morning, young miss. The master has been expecting you." The family butler greeted her with a bow.

A broad smile appeared on her face. " Hello uncle John. You look like you haven't aged a bit." She joked as she headed straight to the living room.

Following behind her was the butler, who smiled as well. "The master takes good care of us."

"It appears that he does. And speaking of him, do you mind informing him of my presence?" She asked.

"Of course the master is already aware of your arrival and he will be here with you shortly."

Emily took a glance at her watch. "Please inform him that since he is aware of my presence and he still hasn't shown up, I will give him a few extra minutes. However, if he fails to appear before then. I would likely be on my way because I don't have all day to waste here."

If it was someone else they would have been shocked at how a young lady who was not even on par with the Old patriarch of the Wilson Family had the audacity to dictate time for the head of the Wilson family but John was already used to it.

"I understand young miss." Butler John bowed as he replied.

Ten minutes later, Emily announced, "Well, time's up and I've got to leave." As she was about to pick up her purse and get up off the sofa, a voice stopped her.

"You imbecile. You didn't pay your grandfather a visit for a long time and now you're in such a hurry to leave." Old Wilson said as he was walking down the stairs.

"Is that why you resorted to such a trick to get me to come see you?" She retorted back.

Old Wilson ignored her question and simply continued walking to take a seat on the sofa. Before he gave Emily a response. "What do you expect me to do when my granddaughter hasn't even paid me a visit in the last two years?"

"Why bother when you are already surrounded by lots of grandchildren who are willing to suck up to you always? So why would my absence be of importance?" Emily inquired while still standing.

"Exactly my dear, that's why they all get boring to be around with because they'll do anything I tell them. It is your rebellion that makes you so interesting." Old Wilson said as he looked up at her with an honest smile.

Tsk... Now you're just viewing me as entertainment, aren't you?" Emily asked.

"Of course not, that's not what I meant. To put it simply, your siblings would rather get in my good books and take advantage of the family wealth. You on the other hand would rather make your own way and defy me to get what you want, which makes you my favorite among them all." Old Wilson hurriedly explained when Emily almost misinterpreted him earlier.

"Well grandpa that is good to know, but I still don't appreciate the trick you pulled."

"Hahahaha... I knew that idiot would get all worked up if I threatened to remove him from the company. Initially I had planned the banquet and instructed all the family members to be present hoping you would attend as an excuse to see you. But I got agitated by your absence and that is why I decided to pull his strings. Honestly I am a bit jealous that he was able to catch your attention while I am unable to." Old Wilson complained with a pout on his face.

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