The Billionaire's Promise
Chapter 185: Argument With His Grandfather

Chapter 185: Argument With His Grandfather

Aryana has always worn her engagement ring on her finger but her wedding ring was kept hidden underneath her upper garment. It was her choice to keep her marriage hidden. She did not want people to think that she became successful because her husband was Erik Lee.

They were married for a few months already and she has started to establish a name in the modeling industry. CoChi was also growing rapidly and if the trend continues, then the company will have ten percent of the market share by the end of the year.

She decided that it was time to show her true marital status.

...

George Lee asked his secretary to book a private room at The Alps, one of the famous restaurants in the Central District. Only members can have a booking in the restaurant and most members were highly influential people in business.

Katherine grew up abroad and she just came to Central District recently. She did research on Erik Lee and she was pleasantly surprised to learn that Erik Lee became the Most Promising CEO at the young age of 24. A year after that, he became the Most Outstanding CEO because he brought Geaya Corporation to new heights after it almost became bankrupt because of the international financial crises.

There were not many photos of him on the internet, hence Katherine was surprised when she saw a commercial involving him. He looked so dashing in his wedding suit. The moment she laid her eyes on those wedding photos, Katherine decided that she will make him her groom.

"Miss, what would you like for your drink?" The waiter repeated a second time. Katherine blinked and cleared her throat.

"Chilled pineapple juice," she replied perfunctorily.

"You want to work in Gaeya Corporation?" Erik sounded cold and detached.

"Yes. Grandpa George said that I can have a position in Sales or Marketing. I have experience working in a marketing firm in the US." Katherine said in a proud manner.

"You can send your resume to our HR and they will process your recruitment."

Erik treated Katherine very politely like the way he treated all her female business partners. George Lee was unhappy. He wanted Erik to see Katherine as his future wife.

"So, what do you like to do if you are not busy with work?" Katherine tried to engage Erik in a conversation.

"I am always busy with work."

"I learned from Grandpa that you used to like horseback riding. My father recently bought a ranch and it is very near Central District. You can come over this weekend if you want." She spoke gently and sweetly like the way Cassie would talk to him.

"I am sorry but we will do an inspection on the theme park project so I don’t have the time." Erik rejected her.

"How about the following weekend?" Katherine looked at him expectantly.

"I’ll let you know next week if I am free." Erik sighed.

Katherine tried hard to conceal the disappointment in her eyes. "Okay, then. I will wait for your good news." She put down her cutleries. She was done eating.

Erik and his grandfather were also done eating and Erik called the waiter to settle the bill.

"Grandpa, Erik, thank you for the lunch. I need to go ahead as I still have some important things to do. Thank you so much for the lunch."

She looked at Erik with a gentle gaze. "I hope you can make it the following weekend." She stood and left the restaurant with two bodyguards tailing her behind.

"Grandpa, you know that I am already married, so what are you planning to do?" Erik tried to contain the anger that was about to explode.

"There is what you call, divorce." Grandpa Lee said sternly.

"Grandpa!" Erik raised his voice which startled George Lee.

"You brat! Don’t talk to me like that." George Lee was caught off-guard when Erik raised his voice.

"I am sorry Grandpa," he apologized. "You know that I have already a wife and I am happy with her so don’t split us apart."

"She is not worthy of you. How can a driver’s daughter stand beside you?"

"Grandpa, haven’t you told me before that my great-grandfather was also a driver, and yet he worked hard and he succeed in the end? One’s family background does not define the character of a person. Look at Great Grandpa, he was poor but because he persevered, he was able to build a department store."

George Lee was dumbfounded. He cannot refute Erik. He was the one who would often tell this story to his children and grandchildren so they will appreciate the value of perseverance. Now, Erik was using it against him.

"Aryana created her own company which is doing well. She did not accept my offer of capital infusion because she wanted to prove that she can make it on her own, and she doesn’t want my family to think that she used me to achieve her goals." Erik spoke respectfully. He has high regard for his grandfather when it comes to business but he will not allow him to ruin the beautiful relationship he has with his wife.

George Lee glared at him. "You still need a wife with a good family background, so you can stay at the top. Will you not be ashamed if people laughed at your back because you have a daughter of your chauffeur as your wife?" He paused but when Erik did not say anything, he continued, "I know your intention. You want to protect that woman because you owe your life to her father. You can protect her and give her a lot of money but why did you have to marry her?"

"You treated her father as your own. You even treated him better than your own biological father, so why can’t you treat his daughter as your sister?" George Lee tried to talk sense to his grandson so he spoke gently to him but with authority.

"I did not want to marry Julia or any other woman that Father or you would want me to marry. I want Aryana to be my wife because I want to."

"You.." George Lee was not able to finish his sentence. He slumped to his seat and tried to control his breathing.

"Grandpa, for as long as her family members are not criminals, her background doesn’t matter at all. I don’t need to depend on a woman’s family to grow or keep my business empire. Haven’t I proven my abilities to you?"

He challenged his grandpa with his gaze. George did not reply as he was still thinking of his rebuttal.

"I just want a harmonious married life and currently I am happy and contented with my wife."

"But she is weak and she doesn’t have a strong backer. She is only a liability to you."

"She is my stress reliever. She makes me sleep peacefully at night so I can recharge and be ready to face the next day’s challenges."

"No matter what you say, I don’t like her to be my daughter-in-law. You can either go back to your first love or choose Katherine or any of the daughters of the tycoons in Central District. You can have her as your mistress if you want." George Lee was resolute in his words.

Erik was taken aback by what his grandfather just said. He cannot believe that his grandfather just asked him to keep a mistress.

"It is getting late, Grandpa. I have an important meeting at 2:00 pm. Go home and rest first. Let’s discuss this some other time. I’ll ask the driver to send you off." Erik did not want to argue with his grandfather anymore. It will only be a waste of his time.

In the evening, Erik invited Aryana for dinner. He brought her to Zen Gardens restaurant which was famous for its tranquil and romantic ambiance. Erik had a headache after his lunch with his grandfather and Katherine and he just wanted to chill with Aryana.

"I haven’t been to this restaurant before," Aryana exclaimed the moment she got off the car.

"The restaurant just started operation last month," Erik explained.

He did not enter the restaurant but he led Aryana to a winding path at the side. The path led them to the back of the restaurant where there was a pond and a 2-meter-high waterfall built using natural stones. Erik and Aryana passed through a small curving bridge to get into the gazebo at the far end of the pond. A white soft gauze-like net protected the inside of the gazebo from insects.

From their location, the sound of the waterfall was subtle, with a small rambling brook kind of feeling. They were surrounded by lush woodland greenery accentuated by the warm yellow lights. Three scented candles were lit and placed on the table inside the gazebo adding to the romantic vibe.

The moment Erik and Aryana sat down, two waiters have come to serve their food.

"This is the restaurant’s specialty. For first-time diners, they always serve their specialty."

"What’s the occasion? Are we celebrating something?" Aryana asked while looking around. She loved the tranquility that the place offered them.

"I am just a bit stressed and I want to spend quality time with you."

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