The Manor.

Alex bent forward, his eyes scanning the proposals on his tablet. The words blurred together for a moment before he refocused, proofreading with precision. His assistant knocked softly on the doorframe.

"Come in," Alex said without looking up.

"Yes, sir? You wanted me to schedule some meetings?"

"Set up a meeting with the Media department. I need to discuss the upcoming campaign."

She nodded and jotted down some notes. "Will that be all, sir?"

Alex nodded, dismissing her. As she turned to leave, she hesitated.

"Sir?"

Alex looked up, his expression questioning. "Yes?"

"Your father would like to speak with you."

Alex's gaze lingered on hers, curiosity and annoyance warring within him. "Why?"

She hesitated before answering, "It's his birthday, sir."

Alex felt a surge of irritation. He waved his hand dismissively. "Prepare a gift and send it over. That's all the celebration I can manage."

He refocused on his tablet, but his assistant didn't move. Alex looked up, slightly pissed. "And what's the problem again?"

She spoke nervously, her voice barely above a whisper. "He ordered you to be present for dinner at the manor, sir."

Alex's expression darkened. He leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowing. "Tell him I'm busy."

His assistant hesitated, her eyes darting between his. "I'm afraid that's not an option, sir. He specifically requested your presence."

Alex sat up, loosening his tie in irritation. He fixed his gaze on his assistant, tapping his finger impatiently on the table. The silence stretched out, heavy with unspoken tension.

Finally, Alex spoke, his voice low and even. "Cancel the meeting. And tell Mike to prepare the Audi. We're heading to the manor."

His assistant nodded quickly, relief washing over her face as she turned to hurry out of the office. As she disappeared from view, Alex's expression turned grim. He rubbed his temples, feeling the familiar weight of obligation settling onto his shoulders.

The sound of his phone buzzing broke the silence. Alex ignored it, his mind already focused on the unpleasant evening ahead. He stood up, smoothing out his suit jacket, and walked over to the window. The city sprawled out before him, but his thoughts were elsewhere – at the manor, and the dinner that would likely be a minefield of expectations and recriminations.

***********************************************

As Alex settled into the luxurious leather seats of the Audi A8, the soft hum of the engine and the gentle glide of the car through the evening streets seemed to match the rhythm of his thoughts. He stared out the window, his mind preoccupied with the night ahead.

The manor was located on the outskirts of the city, nestled in acres of rolling hills and dense woods, far removed from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. It was a place of grandeur and tradition, a place where his family's legacy was palpable in every stone and every tree.

As Mike, his driver, navigated the winding driveway, the manor came into view, its lights casting a warm glow against the darkening sky. Mike expertly maneuvered the car, parking the Audi A8 beside the entrance, where a soft light spilled out onto the driveway.

Alex's thoughts turned to the evening ahead, the forced smiles, the polite conversation, and the inevitable tension that seemed to simmer just beneath the surface whenever he was in this place. He took a deep breath, preparing himself for the role he would have to play tonight.

With a quiet resolve, Alex opened the door and stepped out into the night, the cool air a welcome respite from the warmth of the car.

The manor loomed before Alex, its stone façade gleaming in the fading light. The sprawling estate, his childhood home, seemed to stretch out like a challenge, its manicured lawns and perfectly trimmed hedges a testament to the precision and control that had always defined his father's world.

As Alex stepped out of the car, the crunch of gravel beneath his feet echoed through the stillness. The manor's heavy wooden doors swung open, and a familiar face, perhaps a long-standing servant, greeted him with a nod.

"Welcome home, Mr. Alex," the servant said, their voice measured.

Alex's expression remained impassive as he entered the manor. The interior was just as imposing as the exterior, with high ceilings, lavish furnishings, and artwork that seemed to whisper stories of the past. Every step, every glance, seemed to hold a memory—some fond, most painful.

The air inside felt heavy with expectation, the weight of his father's legacy and the strained relationships that had defined his life within these walls. Alex's eyes scanned the space, his mind racing with the night ahead and the forced reunion with his family.