In the parking lot on the left side of the estate, hidden by cypress trees that rose high like green torches, several vehicles had already arrived.
“Lord Lorenz, we’ve been waiting for you. Welcome.”
Receiving a courteous welcome from the butler, who was about the same age as the estate’s master, Lorenz entered alone.
After his father’s death, relatives had gathered here not long ago to discuss various matters. So it wasn’t a visit after a very long time. Besides, unable to be free from family obligations, they had to visit this place whenever there were important events.
Even though the estate in the Upper East Side was a place symbolizing the Lockhart family’s tradition and prestige, as long as Evelyn, the eldest and practically the head of the family, stayed here, they couldn’t stop visiting.
If Lorenz became the successor, this grand estate would eventually be transferred to his ownership.
Evelyn V. Lockhart
The biological sire of the deceased Damon Lockhart, and a female alpha who was the grandmother of Lorenz and Joshua.
She was a Golden Alpha who could control and defend her own pheromones, someone who had already become a Golden Alpha around age 16.
Golden Alphas and Golden Omegas were not fixed classes bestowed and inherited congenitally. It was like a certain state that could only be reached through painful training that required patience, concentration, and self-control at high levels.
Even if one was born into a wealthy or powerful family, one could never become Golden without disciplining oneself. Rather, it was far more common for the wealthy to give up on becoming Golden through difficult training early on and choose to take high-grade suppressants instead.
Therefore, even though being Golden was not a status, it became an object of respect and admiration.
Becoming a Golden Alpha at age 16, even before becoming an adult, meant that Evelyn Lockhart was mentally strong and by no means an easy person.
Lorenz was guided to the widest main living room.
His grandmother Evelyn was conversing with other relatives who had arrived early.
“Lorenz, welcome.”
“Grandmother, I hope you’ve been well.”
Sitting in an ornate chair at the head seat, she extended her arm toward Lorenz, and he immediately approached her, bent at the waist, and kissed her cheek.
Despite being well over eighty years old, her eyes still gleamed with sharp intelligence.
“Lucas? Didn’t you bring him this time either?”
“He still can’t come out of his room.”
“You’re not just leaving him be because he doesn’t want to come out, are you?”
“I recently hired a counselor.”
Lorenz was guided to the seat closest to Evelyn. When he sat down, he was given a small menu to choose tea from. Lorenz, who quickly skimmed the menu, chose black tea, which was relatively high in caffeine. Although he knew it wouldn’t be good for his headaches in the long term, he had no choice but to get the immediate effect.
“A counselor? What’s going to change by seeing the child once or twice a week for just an hour or two? It will take at least several months to several years.”
At her statement, which was so similar to his own previous thoughts, Lorenz smiled bitterly without showing it.
“That’s why I chose a live-in counselor.”
“Live-in?”
“He’s staying at the estate and seeing Lucas every day. Except for other lessons, Lucas spends almost all his time with the counselor.”
One of the attendees naturally joined the conversation.
“As expected, Lorenz is handling things well on his own. You don’t need to worry, Evelyn.”
It was Dr. Edward Holloway.
In fact, he wasn’t a relative of the Lockhart family. As an old friend of the family, he was a major shareholder holding stakes in various Lockhart Group affiliates and played a role like Evelyn’s personal advisor. Especially since he had assisted the fastidious and fiery-tempered Evelyn well, no one took issue with him attending even family meetings.
“Do you think you can bring him next month?”
“The counselor says that forcing him will only make the situation worse.”
Evelyn clicked her tongue as if displeased.
“He’s improving little by little.”
“That child also bears the Lockhart name, so he must grow up befitting it. Right now it’s as if he’s sick, so recovering from the illness is priority, but don’t think of raising him as a spoiled child.”
Hearing Evelyn’s firm voice, Lorenz thought of Elian.
Illness, treatment, problem.
Elian had advised not to use such expressions about Lucas.
Advised? No, it was almost like an order. When I think about it, under the pretext of helping the child, he seems to enjoy ordering me around.
Though thinking it was presumptuous, a faint smile hung on Lorenz’s lips as he brought the teacup to them.
Putting down the cup, Lorenz looked back at the empty seat to his right. It was the seat for Joshua. He hadn’t shown up even after all the invited relatives had arrived and filled their seats.
After the unpleasant noise of racing and stopping quickly on the gravel road of the estate, Joshua arrived in the living room about 10 minutes later than the announced time.
“Lord Joshua has arrived.”
“Grandmother! Have you been well?”
As soon as the employee announced him, he entered the room noisily, as if kicking the door open.
Removing the sunglasses he’d placed on his forehead, he approached Evelyn, embraced her with both arms, and kissed her.
“Joshua, everyone’s been waiting. What kind of rudeness is this?”
“I’m sorry. You know I’m not good with New York geography. I got all the way nearby and got lost.”
It was an absurd excuse.
“And what’s with that outfit and hairstyle? No matter how many times I point it out, you…”
“Hey, what’s the big deal? It’s a gathering among family. It’s still a suit, isn’t it?”
Evelyn shook her head with a troubled face.
“It’s because he grew up doing whatever he wanted in the West. He wasn’t educated properly.”
“Different from my hyung who grew up in New York receiving Margaret’s education.”
“I won’t tolerate that manner of speaking. Go sit in your seat now.”
Despite Evelyn’s firm attitude, Joshua came to his seat with a chuckling face, seemingly unconcerned.
“Hyung, long time no see.”
Lorenz, who was bringing his teacup to his lips, responded coldly without even looking at Joshua.
“Has it been that long?”
“It’s been almost a month since Father’s funeral.”
Hmm. Responding indifferently, Lorenz only turned to look at his younger brother after taking a sip of tea and setting down the cup.
“Aren’t you going back to the West?”
“Well… I had some business. I’m planning to stay in New York for a while.”
Though he didn’t know what kind of business it was, Joshua made a troubled expression as if it was quite a difficult problem. It was an attitude unlike him.
“What’s the problem? I heard the OTT platform investment wrap-up was going smoothly.”
Joshua, who didn’t enjoy tea, asked an employee for ice water, then answered Lorenz’s question in the negative.
“Ah, it’s not a business problem. I found something rare after a while, but it’s giving me a hard time.”
“Is it a private matter?”
Lorenz’s face crumpled as if he found it pathetic.
Joshua’s eyes flashed hostilely for a moment, then soon regained his usual grinning face.
“I can be passionate about both public and private matters. Unlike you, hyung.”
“Whatever it is, use contraception thoroughly. Being talked about because of an unplanned pregnancy is the worst, both as a human and as a man.”
“Not because of the family and company’s reputation?”
“That’s basic.”
The attendees who had been freely exchanging small talk suddenly became quiet.
Evelyn, who had received documents from her attendant, put on the reading glasses she’d placed on the table.
“Since everyone’s gathered, let’s get to the main point.”
Lorenz rested his elbows on both armrests and lightly clasped his hands together. He took a listening posture. It was the moment he’d been waiting for.
However, the statement that came from Evelyn’s lips completely missed his prediction and expectation.
“Next spring, I’m thinking of formally deciding the successor.”
It was an announcement that was beyond everyone’s prediction, not just Lorenz’s, so the room stirred for a moment. Everyone’s gazes turned to Lorenz in unison. Even Dr. Holloway, Evelyn’s closest aide, couldn’t hide his puzzlement and confusion.
“Evelyn, even if you haven’t officially announced it, wasn’t the successor already internally decided to be Lorenz?”
“Being likely doesn’t mean it’s already decided. I’m thinking of choosing the best successor fairly, considering all aspects.”
“But the candidate himself is… there’s only Lorenz…”
Evelyn cut off the doctor’s words.
“There’s Joshua.”
People’s gazes this time turned to Joshua. Even Joshua himself had a surprised face.
“Grandmother, I don’t want to. How many times have I told you I’m not interested in such troublesome work…”
“I don’t want to hear it.”
