Evelyn’s voice was like a long blade forged from ice. It mercilessly cut off Joshua’s refusal.
“As long as you carry the name Lockhart, no one can live as they please. That kind of life is not permitted. Duty comes first. Whether you want to or not, that’s not what’s important.”
There was a power in Evelyn’s eyes as she wore reading glasses on the bridge of her nose and looked straight beyond them that made one dare not question her. After confirming Joshua had closed his mouth, her gaze moved to the left, toward the person across from Lorenz.
“And here, my younger sister Catherine Lockhart also has the qualifications to be a candidate.”
Lorenz’s coldly frozen green eyes turned toward the woman sitting across from him.
Evelyn Lockhart’s only sibling and Lorenz and Joshua’s great-aunt, Catherine Lockhart.
“But Joshua and Catherine are not of the eldest bloodline.”
Someone protested. It was one of the people from the pro-Lorenz faction.
Though restrained so as not to go against Evelyn’s temper, it was a voice heavily tinged with disapproval.
However, Evelyn was unwavering.
“Lockhart has no rule that the eldest must become the successor. Only the person with the most appropriate qualifications is selected as successor.”
“But Evelyn…”
Dr. Holloway carefully began. Everyone had faces expecting him to say something that might change Evelyn’s mind.
“Though the guidelines are that way, it’s true that until now, the eldest has almost always become the successor.”
“Of course Lorenz’s qualifications are sufficient.”
Evelyn removed her reading glasses and looked around at the assembly. Her words continued.
“But the other two are no less qualified. To be fair, everyone who is qualified should be a candidate first. If Lorenz truly wants the position of successor, he’ll show something decisive during the remaining period. The same goes for Joshua and Catherine. If you want it, throw everything in and jump in. The position of Lockhart family successor is not something you can have just by waiting.”
Mmm…
Lorenz ground his teeth and swallowed a groan at the headache that felt like his head was splitting.
Meanwhile, Evelyn began enumerating the details related to the conditions for successor.
Lorenz, who had lived his entire life with the sole goal of becoming the head of Lockhart, already knew the content well enough to recite it with his eyes closed.
The headache became increasingly severe. Along with it, his sense of smell also became sensitive.
The faint everyday level of pheromones that alphas and omegas basically possessed.
Those smells that had been bearable at first made his stomach churn. But he couldn’t take medicine in the middle of this gathering.
Joshua in the next seat nudged his older brother with his elbow and whispered.
“What’s wrong? Manage your expression. Grandmother will get angry.”
“Don’t get on my nerves.”
Lorenz glared at Joshua’s grinning face and snapped, then downed the remaining tea.
“Then next spring, we will officially select the successor at this gathering.”
As soon as Evelyn’s announcement ended, Lorenz hastily stood up. He left the living room and strode toward the attendant waiting in the hall. He received medicine from him and swallowed four or five painkillers at once. The pain seemed even worse than before, as much as it had been calm. It was like a wild beast that had been confined and finally escaped to rampage freely.
Then someone carefully placed a hand on Lorenz’s shoulder from behind.
“Lorenz, don’t worry too much.”
It was Dr. Holloway.
“Doctor.”
“Don’t you know Evelyn well? She’s someone who moves boldly when necessary, but she also values tradition and procedure just as much. It’s probably ceremonial words. You’ll ultimately be the successor.”
Beyond the glasses he always wore, the doctor’s amber eyes shone keenly. Though quiet and gentle, appearing indecisive at first glance, he was quite clever. He didn’t say worthless nonsense. If he had, Evelyn wouldn’t have kept him by her side as an advisor in the first place.
“Thank you for saying so.”
Then, beyond the doctor’s shoulder, Catherine Lockhart crossing the hall came into view. She was moving toward the dining room with her followers and cast a brief glance at Lorenz.
Lorenz also kept his gaze fixed on her and added to the doctor.
“I think the same.”
Though one might be surprised at the young man’s bold answer, the doctor smiled warmly instead and patted Lorenz’s shoulder before leaving. Having seen the Lorenz and Joshua brothers since childhood, the doctor was accustomed to their temperaments.
A headache that seemed to explode his brain.
And the oncoming nausea.
Lorenz squeezed his eyes shut and frowned.
He knew that no matter how much medicine he poured in at times like this, it was useless. Judging from experience, his PRL would have reached at least 100.
For some reason, Elian Bellotti’s face came to mind.
Was it because he always felt comfortable when with him?
Absurdly, he missed the time listening to his voice speaking gently to the child in Lucas’s room. When he first received the proposal, it had only felt burdensome.
But even if he went home right away, he wasn’t at the mansion. He had returned to his home in Brooklyn to spend the weekend. Of all days, today. At a time like this.
It seemed he couldn’t bear it as it was.
Lorenz approached Evelyn, who was moving to the dining room, and asked for her understanding.
“Grandmother, I’m sorry. I don’t think I’ll be able to have dinner together.”
“What’s the matter? You surely cleared your schedule to come.”
“I ignored and neglected a toothache, and now I can’t endure it even with painkillers. I think I need to see a doctor right away.”
“Oh dear…”
She had a face that wanted to lecture him about not managing himself properly until it got to that point, but she let it go with just rolling her eyes briefly.
“In a few weeks, there will be a gathering to discuss a charity party with close associates. Make sure to properly clear your time then.”
“I will do so.”
As Lorenz turned around after seeing Evelyn off, he made eye contact with someone. Joshua, leaning crookedly against the doorframe of the wide-open living room, was watching this way.
He uncrossed his arms and approached, shrugging his shoulders.
“Hyung, that’s unfortunate. I was surprised too, you know? I thought you’d naturally become the successor. Who would have known she’d come out like that?”
Lorenz snorted as if he wasn’t worth dealing with. Joshua’s sarcasm continued.
“I’m someone who has no interest at all in being successor or anything, but you… must be quite heated.”
While moving his steps toward the main entrance, Lorenz gestured to the mansion’s employee to have his car on standby. Then he spoke to Joshua in a low, quick tone, emotionlessly.
“There’s no reason for that. The conclusion that I’ll become successor won’t change.”
Joshua followed his steps and sneered.
“Catherine isn’t such an easy opponent. Everyone will find it interesting that the successor competition structure has become entertaining. There’ll probably be groups betting on it here and there in Manhattan?”
“……”
Joshua, conscious of Lorenz’s cold gaze, showed his characteristic smile and added.
“Of course I’m on your side, hyung.”
While only visually confirming his approaching vehicle, Lorenz didn’t even respond.
“Well, anyway, see you again. I’ll be in New York for a while, so there’ll be frequent opportunities to run into each other.”
“If you’re planning to be in New York, pay some attention to Lucas.”
When Lucas’s name was mentioned, Joshua’s face, which had been pretending to be relaxed until then, instantly twisted. He didn’t hide his aggressive emotions.
“He’s a child Father adopted arbitrarily to relieve his own guilt. Why should I clean up after what that selfish old man did to ease his own conscience?”
“He’s legally a brother, and you have a responsibility to care for him.”
When Joshua, who had wildly disheveled his chocolate-colored curly hair, raised his head again, his face had returned to its usual expression.
True to his nickname, he smiled without a crease like California sunshine. It was a purely healthy and fresh smile, as if he knew nothing of the worries of worldly life.
“You’re going to be the successor, hyung. All responsibility lies with the successor. What would I know?”
Lorenz’s vehicle came to a stop in front of the main entrance steps.
Joshua patted Lorenz’s shoulder and frowned.
“Get treated well. The dentist… ugh, that’ll hurt.”
■
