The Billionaire's Hidden Heir

#9 - Pulling Heavy Strings

Adrian

"I'm sorry, Mr. Frost, but the no-contact agreement still stands," Jeff reported from the other end of the line, setting me off. Sorry... That damned word, again? Had he not learned anything about me? How I preferred actions and results over apologies?

"What the hell are you talking about? This is not Glanbury?" I hissed, my hand gripping the steering wheel. I'd been about to step out of the rental car and head up Lily's driveway when White called about the agreement that had turned out to be a pain in my butt. Eager to hear that he'd dealt with it so that I could officially meet my son, something I'd decided couldn't wait a second longer, I had answered the call with more anticipation than I cared to admit, only to be met with a setback.

"You are right, it is not Glanbury," White agreed in his steady voice that I was beginning to detest. "But..." But...another useless word I hated more than the word 'sorry' when I needed something done. "...you did agree to uphold it and-"

"And that means the damned thing remains valid even in Radiant Springs." I swore. Definitely not what I wanted to hear. I bristled at the state of affairs. "Bennett owes me one." I switched tactics, something I didn't need to do for something as simple as this. I wasn't ready to collect on that favour from the judge either because it was better spent on getting actual justice, but this was my son.

"I'm afraid even the judge's hands are tied," White said carefully, which only meant one thing. Someone was pulling heavy strings behind my back.

"Who would dare go against me?!" I fumed at the old man, but even as I did, I knew of only one person in this world who had the power to do just that. But my grandfather wouldn't side with Lily over me despite the obvious soft spot he had for her. And he definitely would not have had an idea about my son and not tell me. Of that, I was sure, so I shook that thought away.

"It's actually your ex-wife."

"Lily?" I let out a chuckle. "Don't be ridiculous, Jeff. You are going to have to do better than that to convince me of your failure." I may not have known Lily, but this was way out of her alley even for someone I had once thought married me for the money. She had just never been interested in the games played in the ruthless world of business.

"It turns out I was wrong about your wife not having legal council five years ago." The old man admitted, the certainty in his tone convincing me of the fact.

"How did she-" I sat back stunned. "Are you saying that my wife has the most influential judge in Glanbury on her side?" Now how the hell did that happen? Lily had never even bothered to carry a conversation beyond common pleasantries with any of my associates before. And having Judge Bennett on your side was no simple feat. It was like getting a whole total package of influence that only a Frost had enjoyed for years now. And Lily was not a Frost even if she was the mother to my son. Had I been wrong about her again? Was that the reason she had turned down my divorce settlement? Because she had struck gold in a whole different route? Had she been going behind my back, snatching them from me while she played the timid wife? Is that how she'd managed to disappear from Glanbury without a trace? I felt my guard go back up again.

"You know I can't comment on that, but I strongly suggest you speak to her about this." White advised. Was he giving up already? Strange for the lawyer bull dog who never gave up. If I didn't know better, I'd say the man who'd represented Frost for years was on my ex-wife's side too. "I'm sure she's not that unreasonable." Oh, but she was unreasonable. I saw it in her damn beautiful eyes when she walked away from me at the Cask and now I knew why. She was determined to keep Asher from me and she had the means. Damn it!

I cut the call and stepped out, taking only a moment to straighten my suit jacket before marching out towards Lily's door with every intention to demand that she introduce me to our son, damn the consequences.

The property was modest, a small house unfit for my son, a Frost, but there was something about it. Something that did not reflect the hidden calculative cold nature of my ex-wife. With its charming victorian exterior, a white picket fence and colourful blooms everywhere, it had a bewitching warmth that made me picture a life I had never imagined myself living before...a family. With them...with her.

I glared at the small quaint thing as if that would keep it's magical claws from sinking into my heart and keeping me prisoner here for all eternity. I kept walking, barely paying attention to the few scattered toys on their small lawn that was evidence of a fun filled day with Asher. One more day I had missed of my son's life.

"Good morning, Mr. Frost?"

"Benji?" I ground to a halt, betrayal washing over me at the sound of the last person I expected to see here. My grandfather knew! The thought assaulted me as I pivoted to face the man I hadn't seen in years. My friend and the best bloody bodyguard I knew and had for years thought had gone AWOL, providing his services to the highest bidder.

Seeing him here, in front of my ex-wife's home stirred up conflicting emotions within me. I couldn't even be glad that he'd proved me wrong. That he'd remained loyal, that he'd been there to protect them. That he was doing his bloody job that he had sworn to do. "What the hell B?!"

I should have known Lily couldn't have pulled off the disappearing act all by herself.