Lucas looked around and stared at his mother who was the beauty queen of her era. She was wearing a long gown paired with some light diamond jewelry and a branded shawl on her shoulders.

“Mother…” Lucas walked near her with a smile and gave her a friendly hug. “How have you been?” 

“Now, you are concerned about my health? I didn’t know that Lucas, the Great had much time to pay a visit to his family… even after the blunder that happened at your own wedding.” The sarcasm wasn’t missed from his ears.

It was already expected by him that she will be furious about the mess and he won’t be able to escape the questioning era of his elders. Still, he dared to land himself here because of the respect and the strict order he received from his grandfather and mother.

Lucas took his mother’s hand into his and kissed her knuckles. “Looks like the stress has made you turn beautiful since the last time we met. Is that because of me, Hmm?” 

His mother, Amara, looked at her son with narrowed eyes. She knew what he was trying to do, and that was to shift the entire conversation into another segment.

“This isn’t due to the stress. Do you even have any idea how many creams I have to use to hide my dark circles? I haven’t slept because of the worry that you are giving me and here you are, trying to joke around.” 

Amara’s indifferent attitude was giving Lucas a headache but at the same them he knew that his power wasn’t in his hands at all. “No need to worry, I will handle everything for you.”

“Saying this from time to time won’t change the whole situation that we are in it. Everyone in my ladies’ club suspects that I haven’t got any daughter-in-law. How am I supposed to answer them?” Once again the topic was brought to his notice which he always turned to avoid.

The ladies of his mother’s club were deadly annoying and he has even met them. All they wish is to hitch their daughters with him. While he wasn’t looking for any committed relations, having fun isn’t bad either.

Lucas held his mother’s both hands and looked into her eyes with relaxation in his mind and tone, “I’m your son. I know how to handle things very well and.. do you doubt your son’s capabilities?” 

He received a shock from her then he continued, “If not then trust me and I will do what’s best for all of us. Jennifer will be back and once I get my hand on her… we will reach the news heights and then you can show off in your ladies club with extra power.”

“But.. I want a daughter in law according to my wish. Jennifer isn’t someone whom I like at all.” Amara made an understanding and fact statement but at the time she was not happy with the alliance of her only son.

She has waited for so long to see him marry the lady she selects, the daughter-in-law of the Smith family yet this chance wasn’t given to her. 

Lucas knew what his mother was suggesting. How can he be not aware that she wished to have the daughter-in-law according to wish? 

Lucas brought her near the couch and made her sit when he asked the butler to bring some tea for his mother. Afterward, he bent on his knees and kept his hand on his mother’s hand, and spoke with assurance.

“Do you really think that I’m getting married to Jennifer and will live with her for my entire lifetime? You know my move.. our family’s motive. Once we get what we want, I will dispose of her and kill her.” 

“Afterwards you are most welcome to look for your suitable daughter-in-law and my bride and I would love to marry someone of your choice.. once I’m ready for a committed relationship.” 

He spoke with tenderness in his voice and it sounded too soothing to hear. If it was some kind of dream, Amara might have believed it but the harsh reality was standing in front of them like a huge wall.

The butler came from behind, “Elder Master is still waiting for your presence upstairs, Young master Smith.” 

Lucas looked at his mother who too signed him to go upstairs and not to make his grandfather wait anymore.

After taking his mother’s leave, Lucas took a deep breath because he knew that he had successfully convinced his mother by the heart.

But now was the time to meet a demon. His grandfather!

He slightly knocked on the door and heard the voice from inside, allowing him to step in.

Opening the wooden door, Lucas’s gaze fell on his grandfather who was sitting on his study desk’s armchair and reading some documents. Being seventy years old doesn’t stop him from doing his respective work and following his duties.

“It is nice to see your grandfather. It has been so long already.” He tried to strike the conversation on a lighter note. His hands were already covered with sweat due to the amount of nervousness from the thick environment around him.

It was much more suffocating but somehow he managed to breathe despite the challenges and the straight face of his grandfather. 

Elder Master Smith lifted his face and looked at his grandson with cold and aloof eyes, quite similar to Lucas. “You met your mother?” 

“Yes. she was downstairs and I greeted her first before showing her upstairs.” Lucas simply replied but then he heard, “Did you see your mother’s frown and the tensed face she is carrying nowadays?” 

Well.. Lucas wasn’t dumbfounded but somehow talks weren’t how he placed them to be. His grandfather has a strict personality and he is aware of it yet not.. too strict.

“I..I.. saw she was tense. I have been trying Grandfather. But.. it isn’t easy as..” he wasn’t even able to complete his words before his grandfather passed him a glare full of daggers.

He was somehow disturbed with the thought that his grandson has found some mere excuses to present in front of him.

“As the Smith, you are first of all told the lesson to be a fighter. To tackle each situation you have to make sure that you can understand it better and accept the reality of failure or the win.” Lucas gulped the saliva in his throat when those words remind him of the past.

“Moreover, failing isn’t a sign of a loser but.. excuses are simply given to cover up your mistakes. Since when have I asked you to make up excuses to cover up things? Have you forgotten the basic rule of being Smith already, Lucas Smith!”