Chapter 4 - Ivy’s Dad Is A Murderer
1575 Words
When Old Master Huxley heard his grandson’s voice, he stopped watching a video on his phone and looked at his grandson instead.
His grandson was perfect. He had a perfect physical appearance, had always been a genius with a high IQ that he was able to skip grades and finish his Master's Degree at the age of eighteen, and had the ability to make the company soar to a new high. The Huxley Group was now the number one group in Artea and was even well-known in other countries.
Old Master Huxley wanted to say something, but seeing the cold demeanor of his grandson, he could only say, “Come sit and have dinner.”
Gerard nodded like a robot and sat down opposite Old Master Huxley.
Once Gerard sat down, the maids started putting the dishes on the table. It was difficult for Old Master Huxley to invite Gerard to dinner. Not that Gerard wouldn't accept his invitation, but because Old Master Huxley knew his grandson hated him, and he didn't want to make him hate him more by asking him to come to the Huxley Manor all the time.
“How is the company?” Old Master Huxley asked as they were eating.
“Good,” Gerard answered without looking at Old Master Huxley.
“Is there any new projects or partners that are difficult to deal with?” Old Master Huxley tried to keep conversing with Gerard.
“No,” Gerard answered after swallowing his food.
Old Master Huxley sighed helplessly. This was how Gerard was now. He used to be sunny, warm, and gentle since he knew Ivy, but since three years ago, he didn't even bother to answer Old Master Huxley’s questions with more than one word.
Old Master Huxley opened his mouth to ask another question but quickly closed it, knowing it was useless no matter what he asked.
Dinner used to be lively, but now... Old Master Husley sighed again.
After they finished dinner, they moved to the living room to enjoy tea. No matter how uncomfortable Gerard felt around his grandfather, he still accompanied him.
Gerard sat lazily yet elegantly with his back against the sofa, and one of his long slender legs crossed over the other. His long fair fingers held the saucer and cups as he drank the tea leisurely.
In the eyes of outsiders, this might look like a pleasant scene between a grandfather and his grandson, but for those who knew them, this was far from harmonious.
Once done drinking his tea, Gerard placed his teacup on the table and said, “Grandpa, I’ll have to get going If there is nothing else.”
He stood up without waiting for Old Master Huxley’s answer and walked toward the door.
Halfway through, Old Master Huxley stopped him.
“Gerard!” Old Master Huxley called his name, and Gerard stopped in his track without looking back.
“Ivy’s father was the mastermind behind your brother’s murder.” Old Master Huxley couldn't stand his grandson’s cold attitude toward him, and he had to remind him of the fact.
Gerard clenched his jaw and fists tightly until his knuckles turned white, and the atmosphere became chilly.
He wanted to turn around and shout at his grandpa that it still wasn't related to Ivy, but if he saw his grandpa’s face, he might do more than yell at him. He might want to punch him.
In the end, he only said, “I know,” with his cold voice and went out hurriedly in case he did something he’d regret.
Old Master Huxley watched his grandson walk away with a sense of helplessness.
“Nigel, did I handle the situation poorly back then?” Old Master Huxley asked the butler.
Nigel, who had been working for over thirty years in the Huxley Manor, opened his mouth but closed it again.
“You can tell me the truth. I’ve long regarded you as my best friend, and we’ve always talked frankly to each other. So, why the hesitation now?” Old Master Huxley asked and sipped his tea again.
Nigel chuckled. He didn't feel uncomfortable hearing Old Master Huxley’s words. Even though it sounded like he was scolding Nigel, in truth, he just wanted Nigel’s opinion.
This time, Nigel didn't hesitate to speak. “Master Charles, although it was Ivy’s father who arranged for the murder of Young Master Louis, you shouldn't implicate Ivy in the matter. After all, Ivy didn't know anything.”
Charles Huxley, who was bringing the teacup to his mouth to take another sip of his tea, stopped his movement. He placed the teacup back on the table and sighed again.
Three years ago, after Gerard found out that Ivy had died, Gerard was enraged, and for the first time in his life, he yelled at his grandfather and blamed him for Ivy’s death.
Charles did feel a little bit guilty because the divorce indirectly caused Ivy’s death. But was it wrong for him to ask Gerard to divorce Ivy at that time? Was it wrong for him not to want his grandson to be involved with a child of a murderer, especially when the said murderer killed his eldest grandson?
Maybe his decision was wrong. Gerard had changed so much; he was now cold, indifferent, and alienated. He had turned into a humanoid workaholic and was even dubbed the Ice King of Artea. Ivy’s death was a massive blow for him.
But Charles thought if Ivy were still here, he would hate Ivy for his father's actions. He loved Ivy; he really did. Ivy was like sunshine, warm and sunny, giving out a feeling of comfortableness to the people around her, but he simply couldn't feel the same way after knowing what her father had done.
Charles’ mind and feelings had been battling for three years - battling about feeling regretful and guilty for asking Gerard to divorce Ivy, which led to her death, and about feeling that what he did was right.
North, who was leaning against the car waiting for his boss, saw the dark look on his boss’ face and quickly opened the door for him.
He dared not start the car or ask where Gerard wanted to go next. He didn't even dare to breathe too loudly in case his boss got angrier.
Gerard said nothing and closed his eyes the moment he entered the car. His posture was still stiff, and his aura was still suffocating.
He hated going to his grandfather’s house precisely because of this. His grandpa never failed to remind him that Ivy’s dad was the man behind the murder of Louis. Every time he heard it, it reminded him of the time he divorced Ivy.
He still remembered that dreadful day vividly.
He woke up earlier than his wife, planning to surprise her with a bouquet of 999 of her favorite flowers - red roses specially imported from Modestria, a country specializing in growing beautiful roses.
As he was waiting for the delivery at the door of his mansion, his grandfather’s butler, Nigel, suddenly came to him in a car and asked him to return to the Huxley Manor, where his grandfather resided.
His grandfather never asked Nigel to pick him up except if something important or wrong was going on. Thinking there was something wrong with his grandfather’s health, Gerard went back with Nigel only to be greeted with the wrath of his grandfather.
“Divorce Ivy!” Those were the harsh words of his grandfather that Gerard heard the second he stepped foot inside the mansion.
“Grandpa, I don’t understand. What did Ivy do wrong?” Gerard was confused. His grandfather, Nigel, had always been pleased by Ivy. He even treated her like his own granddaughter. So what was with the change in his attitude?
“Look at this!” His grandpa pointed to a stack of papers in front of him.
Even though Charles Huxley was old, he was once the president of the Huxley Group, and when he was serious, his domineering attitude would resurface, and no one would dare to say no to his command.
Gerard sat on the sofa and took the papers in his hand. His expression froze when he read the documents. He reread the documents over and over again, and his face became pale, and his hands trembled.
He couldn't believe it. How could Ivy’s father be the person behind his brother’s murder?
“Grandpa, where did you... Where do you get these?” Gerard didn't want to believe it.
“My investigator sent it to me, and I’ll send it to the police after you read it.” Charles Huxley’s expression got uglier when he thought about what was contained in the documents.
“Have you... Have you checked for its authenticity?” Gerard still couldn't believe it.
Old Master Huxley snorted and glared at Gerard. “Do you think my investigator is an amateur? Just look at the email address! It’s that bastard’s name! And the IP address was of his study at his house!”
Gerard knew his grandfather had never stopped investigating his brother’s murder, and the Huxley family investigator was top-notch. But...
“But... But it’s been more than a year with no lead,” Gerard’s voice trembled because he was still in disbelief.
After over a year with no lead, how did the investigator suddenly find all this evidence?
- Writer
