Chapter 565: Few Minutes Before The Attack
(Author’s POV)
"Chairman Larson, Shaun Hart is in the dungeon, getting his due diligence, but he hasn’t named any of his accomplices so far and keeps repeating the same words. The Keepers’ Unit commander, Sir Jared, is there to keep an eye on him and continue with the punishment. As for the other vampire clan leaders, they are getting irky and impatient, creating a ruckus in the garden and keep on demanding to see you," Dion reported the progress.
Jacob nodded, then remarked, "Let them wail all they want. Let them suffer in that blazing heat. Pay them no heed. Every single one of them deserves it. Until the real culprit is caught, no pity will be shown to any of them. Whether it is any leader or elder," His voice came out strained yet resolute. He wasn’t going to show them even the slightest bit of mercy.
The brothers nodded in unison, agreeing with him.
"How is Prof. Stephens doing now?" Brave approached Jacob, settling down beside him on the vacant seat. His voice cautious.
"He is inside. Iris and the other doctors are operating on him right now. Let’s see what happens," Jacob spoke, trying to sound as composed as possible. But Brave noticed his tightly clasped hands. They were still painted with Fabian’s blood, which has now dried.
Brave wetted his lips and then pursed them. He opened his mouth to say something, but no words came out. He didn’t know how to comfort Jacob.
Honestly, Brave had heard many stories about the vampire king from Noah and met him quite a few times when he was the heir apparent. But he had neither heard nor seen him as devastated and wrecked as he was in the garden when Fabian was stabbed. He has always been a laidback, humorous, witty person. But that anguish, that pain he saw, he reacted the same way Brave did when he lost Hannah. He was too familiar with that feeling.
The raw emotion on his face was proof enough to tell how much Fabian meant to Jacob. He was sure now; Fabian Stephens wasn’t just some ordinary human being Jacob kept by his side like Chris Shadow. He was much more than that. His mind drifted to a few hours ago, a few minutes before Jacob was attacked in broad daylight.
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*Flashback*
After paying their carefully prepared tributes to their beloved king, despite the blaring sunlight, the atmosphere of the gathering had eased a little, if not a lot. Most of the time, the clan leaders were busy with their own territorial matters, and it wasn’t like they lived close by. They came from various parts of the globe, so they rarely ever met each other in such a setting. Now they were taking full advantage of the opportunity to mingle with their peers and find out how they were faring, so that they could forge connections that would benefit their respective clans.
Seizing their chance, Vinicio and Sylvia approached Jacob, each holding a glass of exquisite and rare Romanée Conti.
Vinicio spoke first. His usual charismatic smile etched on his lips, "Your majesty, we are so grateful that you are doing well now. It was indeed a wise idea to call for a clan leaders meeting."
"I know it was, Cardamone. That’s why I did," Jacob replied, matching his smile. He then added, "After all, it would only be appropriate to announce my successor and your future leader when everyone is present."
Vinicio’s face stiffened for a fraction of a second, but he recovered fast. Nevertheless, Jacob had already seen the change, yet he did not comment.
"Your majesty, ummm~ ... if I may ask something~ ...." Sylvia interrupted, her tone hesitant.
"Go ahead," Jacob gave her the green signal.
Clearing her throat, she started, "Your majesty, is it really necessary to name a successor in such a hurry?" Her voice remained even. "What I mean to say is, after the ghastly accident, you are convalescing quite well. You can rule for another century, if not two. So why the rush with the handover? I, alongside other leaders, am gratified with your governance already."
"Hehh~ ..." Jacob chuckled, then playfully said, "Elder Silver, so you want me to serve all of you even when I turn three fifty? That’s quite a tedious ask for an old vampire like me. I, too, deserve retirement and enjoy my time on this planet. Don’t you think so?"
"That was not the least bit of my intention, my liege," Sylvia quickly corrected herself, batting her lashes nervously.
"I know exactly what you meant, Silver," his smile remained intact as he took a sip of his D’Amalfi Limoncello Supreme elegantly. "Cardamone, Silver, you both need not fret. I have full faith in my inheritor. The Larson Group and the vampire throne will surely be in good hands." Saying this, he glanced at Fabian, who had been glued to his grandfather’s side since the beginning of the gathering.
On the outside, Jacob may seem robust and upbeat, but he was still in the process of recovering. Iris had specifically instructed him not to overdo it. So, Fabian had decided to take on the responsibility. He was being extra careful and following him like a lingering ghost. Even when Jacob insisted he take a seat and rest, he plainly refused and remained guard by his side, checking up on him, every now and then.
As Jacob tried to take another sip, Fabian held his wrist, "Chairman, this is your fourth glass. You shouldn’t consume anymore." His tone was rebuking yet respectful.
"Fabian. I usually drink more than this. Relax, I can handle my liquor," Jacob said casually. But Fabian remained adamant. "It was then, but now~ .... Things have changed. You need to watch out for your health, Chairman." Without giving him a chance, he took the half empty glass from his hand and waved a staff to take it away.
"Stephens, treating his majesty so casually like a literal child, hahhh? You do know, alcohol doesn’t affect us, vampires, right?" Vinicio remarked, his tone friendly. "Do you?"
To Be Continued . . . . . . . .
