As the vehicle completely left Evelyn’s estate, Lorenz roughly loosened the knot of his tie with trembling fingertips. He cupped his temples as if they would shatter and bit down on his lower lip.
It was clear that Joshua had no interest in the successor position. Even if he did have interest, he couldn’t be Lorenz’s competitor. Moreover, Joshua was still in his twenties. Among some relatives and factions within the group, there were people who believed that even Lorenz, in his early thirties, still lacked experience to become the head. So there was nothing to say about Joshua.
However, Catherine was different.
Catherine Lockhart.
Evelyn’s only sibling.
Because of the twenty-year age gap, she was also the younger sister Evelyn particularly cherished.
Of course, Evelyn was a cold-blooded businesswoman. She wouldn’t reflect personal feelings in an important decision like selecting a successor.
However, even excluding that point, there were several reasons why Catherine still posed a threat to Lorenz.
She was a board member of Lockhart Holdings, the holding company of the Lockhart Group, and also served as a director of various foundations within the group. Because of the twenty-year age gap with Evelyn, she still had plenty of capacity to be active as a businesswoman. Looking at age alone, it was also true that she was the most suitable of the three to become the head of the Lockhart Group right now.
Her management style and Lorenz’s were also completely different.
Catherine was moderate and conservative. If she focused on preserving and maintaining the existing Lockhart, Lorenz was the type to boldly and innovatively expand the business. Therefore, their support bases were also starkly divided.
However, in terms of actual management influence within the group, Lorenz was overwhelmingly superior.
While Lorenz was directing major projects of core companies and playing an active role at the center of management rights, Catherine only exercised influence indirectly as a board member.
Even so, he couldn’t be completely at ease.
Lorenz had two, no, three weaknesses that were inferior to hers.
First, Catherine, who married an alpha from a prestigious political family, possessed a strong network with the political world.
Although Lorenz had also been working hard to build relationships by attending various gatherings and actively providing political support for several years, it didn’t reach the depth and breadth of the network she had built over her lifetime.
And second.
Unlike her, Lorenz was still unmarried.
The evaluation criteria for selecting the Lockhart family’s successor were largely divided into three categories.
- A healthy body and mind capable of leading the group without problems · Past management performance · Evaluations by experts inside and outside the Lockhart Group
However, there were also practical details beyond that.
Among them, what the relatives particularly emphasized was marital status.
The Lockhart family had a deeply ingrained traditional view that did not consider someone who hadn’t married and started a family as a true adult. It was an old custom, but the problem was that this perception still held power within the family.
And Lorenz’s third weakness.
A healthy body and mind capable of leading the group without problems ― Lorenz was hiding a disqualification regarding this item.
His face contorted strongly from the pain that seemed to constrict not only his temples but his entire skull.
This illness must never be discovered.
That must not happen, and I won’t let it happen.
Unable to bear the pain, Lorenz panted almost gasping for breath. His solid-looking firm shoulders seemed about to collapse at any moment.
Catherine…
It wasn’t that he had been living carelessly because there were no competitors, but it was certainly an unexpected situation.
“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 must be a ceremonial remark. You will ultimately be the successor.”
“Thank you for saying that. I think so too.”
What he said to Dr. Holloway was sincere.
Lorenz had no intention of being a loser in this competition. He had no intention of yielding to Catherine this time and becoming the successor next time.
Lorenz’s hand, which had been pressing his temple, covered his entire right face. The pain was unbearable.
He took out a scanner from his suit’s inner pocket and measured his pheromone response levels.
120 ― As expected… At the result that far exceeded the expected value, a hollow laugh escaped between Lorenz’s lips. It was a high number he hadn’t seen in quite a long time.
Red appeared on the LED line. It was signaling ‘danger,’ surpassing the yellow that meant ‘caution.’
The chauffeur, who had been on the phone with someone in a tense voice, carefully reported to Lorenz.
“Lord Lorenz, they say they’ve reached Dr. Carver. I’ll take you to the hospital right away.”
Lorenz barely nodded while covering his face.
“It will take about 40 minutes to reach the destination. If you’re in too much pain… shall I give you a sleeping pill?”
“Yes. That would be good.”
Lorenz was now even breaking out in cold sweat. He looked like someone who had been shot in the side. The chauffeur glanced at the rearview mirror with a worried gaze and fumbled to find the sleeping pills he always kept on hand. Though his young master lived with chronic headaches, it had been a long time since he’d seen him suffer this much.
Lorenz’s hand trembled as he received the sleeping pill the chauffeur handed him.
Opening the water bottle and discarding the cap on the floor, he poured in two sleeping pills. They were powerful sleeping pills specially prescribed to be taken in the worst situations.
A healthy body and mind capable of leading the group without problems.
He bit down so hard his lips turned white. The knuckles of the hand gripping the armrest were particularly prominent.
Closing his eyes while waiting for the sleeping pill’s effect to spread, Lorenz had a premonition that a nightmare was waiting for him with its mouth open. However, there was no way to avoid it. His father’s ruthless face approached right up to his nose.
‘Listen well, Lorenz. If it becomes known that you have this illness, you won’t be able to become the successor. If you can’t inherit Lockhart, you lose the value of being born. Do you understand? Keep this in mind. Never, to anyone, must this illness be discovered!’
Lorenz’s pale face, drenched in cold sweat, plummeted into sleep.
■
A campfire is burning in a large fireplace.
Outside the window, large snowflakes are pouring down. There was so much snow that the Hudson River below the hill couldn’t be seen.
Warm food is laid out on the dining table where candlelight flickers.
Crack, crack. The occasional sound of sparks from the campfire further enhanced the atmosphere of midwinter.
A dog with a tan base and black markings lies beneath a dining chair, looking at the campfire.
A cozy and warm, familiar scene.
Lorenz knows this place.
It was the villa in Tarrytown.
Young Lorenz is sitting alone at the dining table. His favorite meatball pasta was the main dinner menu, but he had barely touched the food.
Then Margaret entered the dining room with quiet but quick steps.
Checking Lorenz’s plate, she asked with a worried face.
“Lord Lorenz, is today’s food not to your taste? You don’t seem to be eating well.”
Lorenz’s expression, weakly shaking his head, was lifeless.
“Margaret, where were you?”
“One of the employees had a heat… suddenly became very unwell. I was taking measures so he could finish work early and rest. Did you need me?”
“Today all the food smells different. And… my head hurts too much.”
Margaret’s two cool-temperature hands caressed young Lorenz’s forehead and cheeks. It wasn’t a serious high fever, but he definitely had a fever.
Lorenz wasn’t a child who faked illness to avoid meals. Already in those days, he was showing a tendency to push himself to the extreme to uphold responsibility and duty.
“It would be better for you to rest now. Shall we go up to the bedroom?”
Lorenz, who nodded, got down from the chair. The dog that had been lying down immediately got up and followed Lorenz, wagging its tail from side to side.
Holding Margaret’s hand and leaving the dining room, Lorenz pulled her hand down a couple of times and looked up at her.
“Margaret.”
“Yes, Lord Lorenz.”
“Can I sleep in Mother’s bed?”
“Mm… it seems you’re acting spoiled.”
While saying that, a soft smile, not too stern, appeared on Margaret’s face as she looked down at Lorenz.
“It’s because I don’t feel well. I keep getting dizzy like I’m on a boat.”
Lorenz rarely complained or acted cutely.
Looking down at the small hand pressing his own temple, Margaret lifted him up.
“Then just for today.”
Lorenz, who nodded, wrapped his two arms around her neck.
