Day Forty-Five…
~~*****~~
[ At Yan Family Mansion… ]
The members of the Yan Family were now gathered in the dining area as they waited for the Patriarch. Distant and close relatives are seated at the long table. Amara, Madam Lu, and Mr. Lu were the ones entertaining the other family members while Nadia and Madam Priyanshi fetched Old Master Yan from his room.
"Do you have any idea why Priyanshi prepared this lunch gathering?" A second cousin of Madam Priyanshi asked the group.
"There will be an important announcement." Madam Lu informed them.
"Announcement about what? Is it related to the company? To the Yan Group?" Another family member raised her question.
"Is grandpa's health worsening?" A distant relative asked again.
"We don't know. Only the family doctor can answer that," Madam Lu replied nonchalantly. She tossed a look at the standby private nurse. They exchanged a meaningful look at each other.
"Let's hope and pray for his fast recovery. My cousin is our Patriarch. We need him to be strong and healthy." Old Master Yan's younger cousin expressed his feelings to them.
"Do you think this is the right time to announce his successor? He is not well. Priyanshi can't manage the Yan Group alone. Besides, she and Nadia are busy with the Patel Conglomerate. I believe, Master Yan should announce who will be the next in line…" Mr. Lu, Madam Lu's husband spoke his opinion.
His goal was to let everyone support Madam Lu to be the successor of the Yan Group and manage the Yan Corp. Madam Lu was the younger sister of Old Master Yan. Since Priyanshi and Nadia were already busy managing the Patel Conglomerate, it would be wise to let Madam Lu lead the family business.
Some relatives agreed with Mr. Lu's opinion. However, there were some who expressed their objection. For them, Old Master Yan should not appoint a successor just because of kinship. There should be qualifications for this. A fair judgment where everyone who has potential could participate.
"We can't decide on this. The current Patriarch still has the last say. If he wants to appoint someone from the family then we should respect and obey his will. However, if he can't find a suitable one, we can have a fair competition among the members." Old Master Yan's cousin spoke with authority, reminding them that this matter would still depend on Old Master Yan's decision.
They had to obey whatever command or decision that Old Master Yan would make. He knew that the old man already had a plan. He wanted to find the youngest daughter of Alyssa. Old Master Yan's intention was so clear. He planned on passing the succession to his missing granddaughter.
If his health worsened further and they couldn't find the missing granddaughter, Old Master Yan would be forced to make a decision of passing the succession from anyone from the members of the Yan Family.
"Ladies and gentlemen, let's not talk about this. My brother is still alive and undergoing a medication. This is not the right time to talk about successors and inheritance." Madam Lu immediately stopped this topic as she saw Old Master Yan being escorted by Madam Priyanshi and Nadia.
Madam Priyanshi was pushing the wheelchair toward the dining area. Nadia was following them from behind. Old Master Yan was surprised when he saw their visitors. Fifteen members of the Yan Family were present.
"What are they doing here?" Old Master Yan gazed up, asking Madam Priyanshi. He was confused when they saw them because he didn't expect that they were coming over today.
"I invited them, Dad. I have something to announce," Madam Priyanshi softly said, gently patting Old Master Yan's shoulders.
Old Master Yan just bobbed his head. Although he was annoyed to see so many people gathered around the house, he just kept his cool. He maintained his stoic expression, his eyes observing everyone.
The members of the Yan Family stood up and greeted Old Master Yan politely. The old man just waved his hand, motioning for them to sit down. Upon reaching the table, Madam Priyanshi excused herself for a moment. She checked her phone, searching for Abigail's message.
'I wonder if they are here…' Madam Priyanshi instructed the head butler to welcome her special guests. She was expecting Abigail and Nathan to arrive together.
Madam Priyanshi's eyes brightened up when she received Abigail's message. They've already arrived at the mansion. The head butler was already guiding them to the house.
Madam Priyanshi returned to the dining hall, facing everyone with a bright smile on her face.
"Thank you for accepting my invitation today. I hope this gathering doesn't bother you all. I know everyone is busy with their respective work, but still, you came here to be with us today." Madam Priyanshi expressed her gratitude to everyone who made some time to attend this small lunch gathering.
"It's been so long since the last time we gather like this. So we are happy to be here. I also want to visit my beloved cousin!" Old Master Yan's cousin stood up and walked closer to the old man. He slightly bowed his head to show courtesy to their patriarch.
"I'm just fine. You are all welcome here," Old Master Yan simply said.
"Anyway, can you tell us now? Or we shall eat first?" Mr. Lu asked Madam Priyanshi. He couldn't wait to hear the announcement. Everyone was having different speculation for today's gathering.
They thought their patriarch had something to do with this. But they realized that even the old man was clueless. Madam Priyanshi was the one who organized this gathering. If this was not about the announcement of a successor, then what was this announcement all about?
"Okay. I will make an announcement first before eating." Madam Priyanshi declared to them.
They exchanged glances with one another, anticipating her words. But before she dropped the bomb, the special guests entered the dining area. The members of the Yan Family were surprised upon seeing the three figures standing side by side… Abigail, Ethan, and Nathan.
"Wait. Is that Nathan Sparks?" Mr. Lu gasped in disbelief. Nathan Sparks was famous in business circles. Mr. Lu had been dying to meet this young bachelor, hoping for collaboration. Unfortunately, Nathan was busy and he couldn't find the right timing to set an appointment with him.
Mr. Lu prepared so many proposals. He wished to collaborate with the SYP Twilight Corp with the new AI development. They wanted to start a business venture related to developing AIs and commercial robots.
"A young boy? Is that Nathan Sparks's son?" Mr. Lu shifted his gaze from Nathan to Ethan.
On the other hand, Nadia and Amara were focused on Abigail. They couldn't understand why Nathan and Abigail were there, including a young charming boy.
"What are they doing here?" Madam Lu broke the silence. She didn't hide the displeasure in her voice. She wasn't happy to see Abigail setting foot in the Yan Family Mansion.
Madam Lu gave Madam Priyanshi a questioning gaze. 'What is the meaning of this, Priyanshi?'
"Everyone, I would like you to meet, Nathan Sparks and Abigail Scarlett. I invited them here. I believe, the cute charming boy here is Mr. Sparks's son… Ethan." Madam Priyanshi introduced them to the whole family.
Madam Lu had the urge to question and scold Madam Priyanshi for inviting them to this family gathering.
Abigail just ignored Madam Lu's sharp glare. She greeted the entire family. She smiled specifically at Old Master Yan. Meanwhile, Old Master Yan didn't know how to feel when he saw the newcomers. But he had to admit that his mood lightened up when he met Abigail's eyes. What made him smile further was the young charming boy who waved at him.
"Hello, everyone! I'm Ethan Sparks! It's my pleasure to meet everyone here." Ethan's cheerful voice resounded in the dining area. His charming smile was very contagious. Other members could only smile as they watched the young boy. Ethan had this charm that could capture anyone's heart easily.
Abigail just smiled inwardly as she gazed at Ethan. She was still puzzled by the young boy's words: [ "I will recognize your soul… in whatever body you are in… because you are my mom," ] She just thought Ethan wanted to console her so he said those words to her. She had to admit that she was somehow comforted by his words.
'This young boy is gifted and precious… He can be my comfort zone. I feel at ease in his presence…' Abigail's eyes sparkled in delight as she watched Ethan.
"Cough! Cough!" Madam Priyanshi cleared her throat to get their attention back.
"Since we are complete, it's now the time to tell you what I am dying to say." Madam Priyanshi gazed at her father. Then she darted her gaze back and forth between Nathan and Abigail.
Madam Priyanshi moved closer to Abigail. She held her hand and said, "Everyone… I would like you to know that I've finally found my sister's daughter… Abigail is my missing niece!"
Everyone: "..."
New n𝙤vel chapters are published on f(r)e𝒆webn(o)vel.com