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Chapter_81
The tension in the room was palpable. Richard’s declaration had not only stunned the Hawthorn family but had sent shockwaves through the entire Ellington clan. The room was thick with unspoken animosities, regrets, and power struggles.
Ryan Ellington was the first to recover, his voice sharp as he demanded answers. “Dad! What the hell are you doing? The succession is a big deal. You just made the decision without discussing it with us?”
Richard’s reply was cold and decisive, his voice carrying the weight of years of hard-earned authority. “Discuss what? The Ellington Group exists because of my blood, sweat, and tears. I don’t need to discuss choosing my successor with anyone.”
The Ellington Group was Richard’s legacy, and he had built it from the ground up. But even he couldn’t ignore the undeniable fact that the company had started its decline years ago. The world was changing, and Richard was getting older. He knew that, without a new approach, the Ellington family would soon be left behind by more forward-thinking competitors. He had tried to push through the stagnation, but it was Percival—his grandson, whom others had written off as weak and incapable—who had managed to breathe new life into the company.
Ryan and Henry’s objections were a blur of disbelief and anger, but Richard wasn’t swayed. He had already made up his mind. Percival had proven himself worthy, and now the reins of the family business were his.
“But Dad, that’s not fair!” Henry Ellington’s voice trembled with frustration. “The Ellington Group was founded by you, yes, but over the years, we brothers have all been working hard for the company. Even if you want to choose a successor, it shouldn’t be Percival. We, your sons, are still here. How is it appropriate for you to let your grandson take over?”
The rest of the Ellington family joined in, their voices rising in collective protest. “Percival has no ambition, no knowledge! You want him to take over the family business? Are you trying to ruin the family?”
“Percival’s just a good-for-nothing! If you really do this, we’ll split the family!”
Richard’s temper flared. “Are you threatening me because you think I’m old and weak? No one can change the decision I’ve made. You want to split the family? Fine. But do it after the engagement. Just don’t regret it!” His voice carried an icy finality.
The Ellingtons hesitated. The threat to split the family was one they could not take lightly. The Ellington family wasn’t just about wealth—it was about status and power. Leaving the family meant giving up a life of comfort and protection. No one was foolish enough to sever those ties, but it didn’t mean they had to accept Percival’s ascension.
As Richard turned to Dorian, his authority was unchallenged. “Mr. Hawthorn, the $88,000 dowry is what you asked for. The $10 million is our goodwill. My daughter-in-law must receive that dowry.”
Dorian, still processing the series of events unfolding, could only nod, his thoughts clouded with both gratitude and reluctance. He understood Richard’s gesture of goodwill—it was a powerful show of support for Vivienne. But the idea of accepting such a large sum weighed heavily on him. He didn’t want his daughter to be seen as a commodity, a prize to be bought and sold.
Vivienne, however, was unfazed. With a calm demeanor, she spoke up. “Take it. It’s a token of goodwill from the Ellingtons.” Her words were firm, though there was a glint of something unreadable in her eyes.
Dorian, still reluctant, hesitated before finally nodding in reluctant acceptance. “Alright, I’ll accept the $10 million. But when you get married, I’ll give it back to you.”
Richard, seeing that there was nothing more to discuss, fell silent. There was no need for pleasantries; the deals were struck, and the family dynamics were set in motion.
On the sidelines, Cecilia’s displeasure was palpable. She had never cared much for Vivienne, and her decision to accept the dowry only deepened her distaste. She could already see the implications—Vivienne was now firmly entrenched in the Ellington family, poised to wield the influence that came with her marriage to Percival. Cecilia knew this could spell the end of any chance for her own children to rise to prominence within the family. And she would do everything in her power to ensure Percival found someone else, someone who could fulfill her vision for the family’s future.
The tension simmered beneath the surface, but for now, the engagement party continued under the watchful eyes of the Ellingtons and Hawthorns. The power dynamics were shifting, and no one knew what the future would hold, but one thing was certain: Percival had now been thrust into a position of authority, and Vivienne was the woman beside him.
The stakes had never been higher.
