369: A CLASH OF WILLS LUKE’S POV I took a moment to gather my thoughts, bracing myself for the conversation ahead, “Grandpa, earlier today, I found myself in a rather perplexing situation, I woke up beside a woman I didn’t recognize, leaving me with many questions.” My grandfather regarded me with a measured gaze, his expression unreadable. “I see. And what did you make of this situation?” “I’m not entirely sure, Grandpa. It’s all a bit of a blur. But it got me thinking about a lot of things,” I replied, choosing my words carefully. *Such as?” he prompted, his tone neutral. “Well, for starters, I couldn’t help but wonder why you would go to such lengths to orchestrate a situation like that,” I said, my voice tinged with curiosity. My grandfather leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowing slightly. “Luke, you know I have your interests at heart. Everything I do is for the betterment of our family.” best “But drugging me and placing a woman in my bed? That seems a bit extreme, don’t you think?” I pressed, unable to shake off my unease. “Sometimes, drastic measures are necessary to achieve our goals,” he replied cryptically. “And what goal would that be, exactly?” I asked, my patience wearing thin. “Luke, I have high hopes for Ariel. She comes from a respectable family and would make a fine addition to our household,” he explained, his tone firm. “So, this was all about Ariel?” I questioned, feeling a mixture of disbelief and frustration bubbling within me. “In part, yes. But ultimately, it’s about securingja prosperous future for you,” he clarified, his gaze unwavering. “Because with Ariel by your side, I believe you will never go astray. I sighed, feeling the weight of his words settle on me. “I understand, Grandpa. But I can’t just go along with th something like this. It’s not fair to Ariel, and it’s certainly not fair to me.” “Luke, sometimes we have to make sacrifices for the greater good. This marriage will benefit both you and Ariel, whether you see it now or not,” he stated, his voice gentle yet resolute. I nodded, though inwardly, I remained conflicted. “I’ll think about it, Grandpa. But for now, I need some time to process everything.” “Of course, Luke. Take all the time you need,” he replied, his tone softening. With a heavy heart, I rose from my seat, bidding my grandfather farewell before leaving the study. As walked away, I couldn’t shake off the feeling of uncertainty that lingered within me, knowing that the path ahead would be fraught with difficult decisions and tough choices. But one thing was certain: I couldn’t 369 A CLASH OF WILLS let myself be swept away by the tide of others‘ expectations. I had to find my own way, even if it meant challenging the very foundation of my family’s legacy. Stepping out of my grandfather’s study and out of the mansion, I was immediately met with a barrage of flashing cameras and eager journalists, their voices clamoring for my attention. “Mr. Luke! Can you confirm the rumors about your engagement to Ariel Walker?” “Is it true that you were caught in bed with her this morning?” “Are wedding bells in your future, Mr. Luke?” My head spun with a whirlwind of questions, each one more intrusive than the last. I tried to push through the crowd, my heart pounding with anxiety and frustration. ! “I have no comment at this time,” I muttered, attempting to maintain some semblance of composure as I dodged their relentless pursuit. But the journalists were relentless, their persistence bordering on harassment as they dogged my every step. “Mr. Luke, just a moment of your time!” “Can you at least give us a hint about your relationship with Ariel?” I felt like I was suffocating under the weight of their scrutiny, my thoughts consumed by a desire to escape this suffocating circus of speculation. Just as I was about to lose all hope, a familiar voice cut through the chaos like a lifeline. “Mr. Luke, over here!” called Jack, my faithful assistant, as he pushed through the crowd towards me. Relief flooded through me as I saw his familiar face, a beacon of sanity within the madness. “Jack, thank goodness you’re here,” I blurted out, gratefully accepting his outstretched hand as he guided me toward the waiting car. “Let’s get you out of here, sir,” he said, his ice calm and reassuring as he shielded me from the relentless onslaught of questions. The moment we made our way through the throng of journalists, Jack expertly deflected their inquiries; his cool demeanor starkly contrasted the chaos around us. “Sorry, folks. No interviews today,” he said with a polite smile, his tene firm yet diplomatic, as he ushered me into the safety of the car. I sank into the plush leather seat, breathing a sigh of relief as we pulled away from the crowd, leaving the clamor of the journalists behind us. “Thank you, Jack,” I said, my voice filled with gratitude as I finally felt the weight of the world lift from my shoulders. “Anytime, sir,” he replied with a reassuring smile. 369 A CLASH OF WILLS The speed was remarkable as we drove away from the chaotic scene, with Jack glancing at me with a mix of concern and curiosity. “Sir, are those rumors true?” he asked. I sighed heavily, running a hand through my hair as I wrestled with my thoughts. “Jack, I can’t talk about it right now. Just keep driving, please,” I replied, my tone weary and resigned. Jack nodded understandingly, sensing the weight of the situation weighing heavily on my shoulders. Without another word, he focused his attention on the road ahead, navigating through the bustling streets with practiced ease. Silence enveloped the car, broken only by the soft hum of the engine and the distant sounds of the city beyond. My mind was a whirlwind of conflicting emotions, each one vying for dominance as I grappled with the repercussions of the morning’s events. As we drove further away from the mansion, the chaos of the media circus began to fade into the distance, replaced by a sense of solitude and introspection. Alone with my thoughts, I dwelled on the implications of my grandfather’s actions and the difficult choices that lay ahead. I reached for my phone, my fingers trembling slightly with the weight of the conversation I was about to have. Harriet’s number was on speed dial, and I pressed the button with a sense of urgency. The phone rang several times before her voice filled the line. “Hey, Luke! What’s up?” she greeted with a warm and cheerful tone. “Harriet, I need to talk to you. It’s urgent,” I replied. “Of course, Luke. What’s wrong?” she asked. “It’s… it’s complicated,” I began, struggling to find the right words to explain the events that had unfolded that morning. “Take your time, Luke. I’m here for you.” I took a deep breath, gathering my thought before launching into the tumultuous tale of my morning encounter with Ariel and the media frenzy that had ensued. I recounted the events, and Harriet listened attentively. Her silence speaks volumes as she absorbs the gravity of the situation. “Luke, I can’t even imagine what you’re going through right now, she said softly. “But just know that I’m here for you, no matter what.” “Thank you, Harriet. You mean the world to me.” “We’ll get through this together, Luke. I promise.” “Thanks, I love you,” I said softly. “I love you too.”
