Henderson Family Anniversary II
Henderson Family Anniversary II
The day had dawned as a solemn one with the sun barely peeping through the heavy curtains drawn across the window.
The air tinged with a sense of nostalgia and reverence.
The Henderson manor was brimming with the presence of the Henderson family both nuclear and extended relatives with some few influential and prestigious family in the city as they all gather to commorate the somber anniversary of eldest Master Henderson late son and daughter-in-law.
The ancestral hall was decorated with shades of regal black and silver while the flickering candles creates a serene atmosphere.
All decked in a customary black attire, Eldest Master Henderson stood tall and composed as the chimminng of the grandfather clock resonates through the room, a moment of silence ensued.
Eldest Master Henderson stood before the two huge portraits rested on an ornate easel, he took the matchstick and insence which Lucian proffered to him.
He bent over to light the matchstick but was surprised to find the ancestral tablet missing, his eyes widen in shock as he glanced around the inscence and matchstick slipped out of his shaky hands and onto the floor.
"Grandfather ". Lucian rushed over to support his faltering figure and the once silent room was filled with tension.
"The . . The effigy . .". He stammered pointing at the empty space.
Everyone glanced over and was both shocked and surprised to find the effigy missing, the twelve inches long golden narrow wooden table was missing from it's position.
" Who decorated the ancestral hall ?". An elderly lady from the Henderson extended family asked.
"It was . . Mia". Eddie pointed to the shocked Mia, her lips quirking into a small smile.
"It's me, I was in charge of decorating the ancestral hall". Mia moved forward. " But the effigy was still there when I came back to cross-check like forty minutes ago".
"And how did it suddenly go missing ?". Eddie queried and Mia suddenly became the center of attraction, all eyes on her.
"What are you trying to insuinate ?". Lucian stood before Mia. "The next thing to do here is to find the effigy not pin the blame on others.
" Exactly ". Emily chirped in. " What if someone hid or misplace it ?".
" Then we'll have to ask Mia because she was in charge . . ". The elderly lady started but was interrupted midsentence by Emily.
" What do you mean by that, you sound absolutely sure that I can't help but doubt you ".
" You . . Outsiders are excluded , this is our family issue . .". The elderly lady hissed but was interrupted by Lucian cold voice as he faced her .
" Talking about that then you should also keep quiet,I will not allow anyone to treat my wife unjustly nor will I allow this issue to pass by , the effigys are my late parent's last belongings and believe me the culprit won't go scot-free".
" Seal all entrance". He ordered the guards nearby. " Interrogate anyone outside then begin the search".
Few minutes later, a young man was brought in, donning the Henderson family gardener's uniform, a huge silver box in his clutch.
The guards pushed him in and he fell on his knees shivering and not daring enough to raise his head. The box was pushed open , in the box lay the two twelve inches long golden narrow wooden tablet.
A suprise and relieved gasp resonates through the room.
"Isn't this the gardener?". Eddie walked foward.
"Stay out of this ". Lucian snarled, her sentence cut short by Lucas outstretched hands and stern expression.
Taking a silent deep breath, she took a step backwards suddenly restless and worried.
" I'll ask you just one time, who sent you ?".
"Nobody ". The gardener replied curtly and was hit with a baton almost immediately by the guards nearby, his screams and loud yell of pain resonated through the room blood dripping from his shirt.
Emily turned around as the light suddenly dawned on her, this couldn't be Levii's handiwork, this couldn't be what he was planning.
She hurriedly took out her phone and sent Levii a text message. She knew very well if it was indeed Levii's handiwork he will never be spared, he would never be able to go scot-free of all places and things he decided to steal the effigy at the Henderson manor.
She grabbed her phone again to check his response to which he replied affirmatively.
Her eyes widen in shock as she quietly turn over to stare at him but his next message calm her worried heart a bit.
He had planned this from the very beginning so he must definitely know a way to salvage the situation, to resolve everything still she couldn't help but worry.
"Who sent you for the last time ?". Lucian asked the already badly injured gardener.
"Him" The gardener pointec his hands to a certain direction, following his description Levii was in sight. "It's Master Levii".
Eddie sighed in relief and Lucian couldn't help but narrow his eyes in confusion gazing at Eddie.
"You bastard". Mr Weston stepped foward and slapped Levii, his expression twisted in a mask of rage.
"Brother, you really did this". Finn, Levii's stepbrother stated more as a matter of fact than a question.
"Brother ". Levii scoffed. "When did we become that close and yes I did it, I did it because I was forced to".
"You . ."
"Bastard". Mr Weston slapped Levii's again and Eldest Master Henderson fumed, stomped his feet on the floor agitatedly.
"Weston, if only it wasn't you now please leave with your family members before I change my mind", Eldest Master Henderson burned with rage pointing to the door.
" I'm sorry . ."
" Escort them out". Eldest Master Henderson ordered the guards and the three Weston family members were led out of the house.
"Bastard, all because of you I was disgraced in the presence of all the prestigious family you wench". Mr Weston fumed.
"You think you deserve better". Levii scoffed indifferently.
"You bastard, from now on I disown you officially". Mr Weston turned to face Finn who was watching quietly by the side.
"Assemble all board of directors for a meeting, he'll face the brunt of his actions alone".