The dining room was filled with the soft clinking of plates and the whispers of conversation as the family gathered around the large dining table. Theodore William Blake, his wife Georgina Miller, and their twenty-year-old son, Anthony Curse Blake, sat comfortably. The house staff moved gracefully between the table and the kitchen, placing dishes one by one in front of each person, ensuring everything was perfect for their family dinner.

However, Theodore seemed not to enjoy the meal. His hands nervously rested on the edge of his plate, his eyes occasionally glancing toward the door as if waiting for someone to arrive. He appeared anxious, lost in thought. Georgina, noticing her husband's unease, gently set down her fork and looked at him with concern.


"Theodore, what's wrong? Why do you look so worried?" Georgina asked, her voice full of worry. "You haven't been like this for a while. Is something bothering you?"

Theodore sighed deeply and then looked at his wife. "I'm worried, Georgina," he said in a low, tense voice. "If Cleopatra manages to marry within the next three months, she'll inherit all of James' wealth—the fortune and the company. She's the only heir, and if she gets all of that..." his words trailed off, weighed down by the burden he felt.

Georgina frowned. "But why are you so worried? Cleopatra has been living in London for so long. How could she find a man that quickly? There's only three months," Georgina replied, trying to reassure her husband.


Theodore shook his head, his expression serious. "You don't understand. If she marries and inherits that wealth, we'll lose everything. She might be hard to control, Georgina. And what if she finds out things she's not supposed to know? What if she learns more than we anticipated?"

Anthony, who had been quietly listening, finally let out a small, dismissive laugh. "Dad, relax," he said, leaning back in his chair with a cynical smile. "If Cleopatra causes trouble, we just pay the right people, and that's it. Problem solved. You're worrying over nothing."


Theodore stared at his son, but his face remained serious. "This isn't an easy matter, Anthony. We can't just get rid of her without consequences. Cleopatra is different. She has already shown herself to be a problem. But we can't do anything until she marries and inherits James' wealth. After that, we can act. Until then, I have to be very careful."

Georgina looked at her husband with full attention, then reached out to take Theodore's hand. "I understand your concerns, Theodore, but remember, this is a game we've played before. Cleopatra is far away in London, she won't be able to find the right man that quickly. Yes, it's a challenge, but we've faced worse, haven't we?"

Anthony leaned back, still casual, and took a sip of wine. "Exactly, Dad. And if Cleopatra becomes a problem, we have ways to handle her. Trust me, we just pay the right people, and she'll be out of our lives. Problem solved."

Theodore sighed again, his eyes focused on his son, but his expression was still filled with tension. "I understand, but this time it's different. Cleopatra can't be underestimated. If we move too quickly, we could lose everything."

The atmosphere at the dinner table grew tenser as the reality of the situation began to sink in. Georgina gave her husband a reassuring smile, though the worry in her eyes was hard to hide. She knew how important it was to protect the family legacy, but she also understood the importance of patience.

"We will act when the time is right," Georgina said gently. "For now, don't make any hasty decisions. We'll wait until she marries, then we'll handle it."

Anthony, still looking relaxed, leaned back and took another sip of wine. "The sooner she's out of the way, the better. Then we can have what should rightfully be ours."

Theodore nodded slowly, his eyes filled with determination but also haunted by fear. "We'll see how things unfold. Just remember, we have to be careful. Cleopatra is not someone to be predicted easily."

Georgina nodded, knowing how important this decision was for their family. Dinner continued, but Theodore remained deep in thought, thinking about Cleopatra and the impact of her marriage that could change everything. He knew that if Cleopatra managed to marry, he and his family could lose everything. Time was running out, and the stakes they were facing were much higher now.

________________________________________

After Lunch

Once lunch was finished, Theodore appeared more at ease. He looked at his empty plate, feeling a mix of emotions, but now he could breathe a little easier. The meal that had been full of tension had finally passed, and he spent some time with his wife, Georgina. They walked to the back of the house, toward the beautiful flower garden they often enjoyed together when their moods were low.

The sun began to set, casting a warm light between the leaves and blooming flowers. As they sat on a bench in the middle of the garden, Georgina looked at her husband with full attention, holding Theodore's hand. The quiet atmosphere felt comforting, yet beneath the tranquility, Georgina knew her husband was still grappling with deeper emotions.

"Darling," Georgina said softly, "what will you do if you really succeed in becoming the CEO of Dimitri Group? What will change in our lives?"

Theodore looked at the flower garden in front of him, as if searching for an answer among the petals swaying gently in the evening breeze. "I'll take over this company, Georgina," he replied with a determined voice. "Dimitri Group will be mine, and I'll use all the assets to change our citizenship. We'll start over from scratch, far from everything. No more remembering the family, no more feeling tied down."

Georgina watched her husband, impressed by the firmness in his voice. She knew Theodore had planned everything carefully, but beneath those plans, there was something deeper—something she didn't fully understand yet.

"What makes you want to leave everything behind, Theodore?" Georgina asked, a little surprised by his extreme response. "Why do you want to distance yourself from the family? What really happened?"

Theodore sighed deeply, looking at his wife with eyes full of emotion. "You know, Georgina," he said in a hoarse voice, "all this time I've always been treated like second best. James was always Dad's favorite, even until his last breath. Dad always favored him, always gave him more attention, while I always felt pushed aside. Even when Dad was sick, all the attention went to James, and I never got the recognition I deserved. I was always in James' shadow."

Georgina fell silent, listening carefully to her husband's words. She knew that Theodore's relationship with his family, especially with his brother James, had never been good. But now, Theodore's words revealed a deep wound, a wound that had been buried for a long time.

"I can't forget that, Georgina," Theodore continued, his voice trembling. "That's what makes me want to take revenge. I want to see James' grandchildren living poor and suffering, just like they deserve. They live in luxury, while I've always been looked down on. And now, I have a chance to change all of that."

Georgina sighed and gently touched her husband's hand. "I understand, Theodore," she said in a soft but powerful voice. "You don't need to explain anymore. I know how hard this is for you. You deserve the best, and I'll always support you, no matter what."

Theodore looked at his wife with deep gratitude. "I know, Georgina. I know you'll always be there for me. And that's why I love you. We'll start again, far from everything that ties us."

Georgina grinned, her smile full of certainty. "As your wife, I will always support you, Theodore. Whatever happens, I will always be by your side. Nothing will separate us."

Theodore smiled, though there was bitterness in his eyes. He knew Georgina was the only person who had always supported him unconditionally, who could see beyond his hatred and desire for revenge. Together, they would face whatever came their way, and Theodore felt that now he had more strength to achieve his goal.

They sat in silence, enjoying the fresh evening air, but Theodore's mind remained focused on his plans. His revenge against James and his family was not yet finished, and now he knew, whatever happened, he would push forward to claim everything.