The Billionaire’s Hidden Heiress
Chapter 96

Johnathon

POV

"Ha you thought you saw the end of me, didn't you" Grandfather crowed, walking through the front door and causing Charlotte and her mother to stiffen as they saw him.

I for one was glad the old man was home. I was tired of listening to the nonsensical talk about shopping and which heiress was sleeping with which married man in their circle of friends. Charlotte however stared at the old man as though she had just sucked on a lemon. "What are you doing here?" she said rudely "I thought you would be remaining in the hospital" she added sounding cross.

"Charlotte," Karen said nervously "that's no way to greet your Grandfather when he's just come home from the hospital where he's had a serious health issue. Shouldn't you be more welcoming" she hissed.

"It's nice to see you again John," I said truthfully, "if you had told me you were coming back, I could have arranged a car for you" I offered.

He snorted "I can arrange my own bloody car" he grumbled "As for you Granddaughter, you're only upset that I'm not dead yet. Same for you daughter-in-law, a bunch of bloody vultures" he commented as Karen and Charlotte went mute "leaving me in that hospital to die a slow death. To avoid an incomplete reading experience, visit Jobn'i'b.com. The only person who offered to take care of me is Grayson and Flair" he added icily "and I refuse to be a burden to a newly married couple." "What does that make us?" Charlotte said indignantly.

He glared at her "It's my home. You don't like it, you move out" he said dismissively "You could learn a lot from Flair's example. She's gracious and kind, the complete opposite of your vindictive and vicious nature" he added, thrusting out his chest as Karen flushed and Charlotte gaped at him.

"I do not need to take a lesson from that nobody" Charlotte gasped "And just because you're back does not mean I'm going to allow you to bully me" she cried.

Grandfather blinked at her "Who is bullying?" he demanded "You think it's bullying to tell you the truth? Is it my fault if the truth hurts?" he said icily "Maybe you need to grow a spine" he added, bustling into the kitchen and starting the coffee machine, while a maid hastily grabbed a mug for him "and stop complaining so much" he grunted.

"Why you..." Charlotte began furiously.

"Charlotte" Karen interrupted, her own voice sharp "that's enough. Your grandfather is right, it would do you some good to learn to be gracious. This is grandfather's home and he is nice enough to allow us to live in it."

Charlotte looked pissed. Grandfather chuckled "You listen to your mother girl" he nodded approvingly "She's smart enough to know when to use her manners."

The maid poured his coffee for him and put cream on top. He sighed and sat down at the table, looking at his coffee with nothing but sheer satisfaction on his face. "Grandfather, are you meant to be drinking that?" Karen interjected.

I hid a smile. I was certain he wasn't but I wasn't going to get in the old man's way. Not when he was in a fine temper as it was. The old man glowered at Karen "Why do you care?" he asked heatedly "If I'm not supposed to then I'll die earlier which should make you happy" he growled, picking the mug up and deliberately drinking it while Karen sighed in resignation. "Turn the television on to the news will you Johnathon" he instructed.

I grabbed the remote and put it on the news. "There has been some sort of incident today at Grayson Oakes firm where it's rumored that his very own driver was shot to death. It's unconfirmed whether Mr or Mrs Oakes have been injured or hurt but spectators have reported that Mrs Oakes was in the vehicle when the driver was killed and that the vehicle has later been found abandoned in a nearby town. We have been unable to locate either Mr or Mrs Oakes for questioning."

John's brows shot up "What the hell is this," he said, fumbling in his pocket for his phone "My god if Flair's been hurt," he said sounding frantic "Or my poor Grayson, I have to contact him."

But as he dialed the number to his grandson, the phone went unanswered and Grandfather went white.

"He's probably fine Grandfather," Charlotte said unhelpfully "and busy with the police."

"You can't know that Charlotte" Grandfather said growling "and where is your concern for your brother?"

She rolled her eyes. Karen looked at her daughter disapprovingly. I was taken aback by Charlotte's nonchalance. I would have thought there would have been at the very least a smidgeon of concern but there was nothing. A small ding and Grandfather glanced down at his phone, relaxing slightly.

"Grayson is fine," he said tightly.

"See," Charlotte said smugly, shrugging her shoulders "All that fuss for nothing" she complained "Grayson is always fine" she muttered.

Grandfather glowered at her "I said that Grayson was fine" he thundered, shocking everybody in the room "Not his wife. Where is your compassion" he snarled.

I felt a moment of panic. "Is she hurt? Injured? Oh my god..." I took a shuddering breath "She's not dead is she?" I burst out. Grandfather shot me a thoughtful look "No" he confirmed and I breathed a sigh of relief, even as Charlotte stared at me stonily "All Grayson will say is that she's missing."

He scowled down at his phone "Nobody is to say a word to the media" he said heavily, pushing his coffee aside "Do you hear me?"

He glanced around the table and everybody nodded, Charlotte included, although her expression was mutinous. "What do you mean missing?" I asked, unable to help myself "Has she been...?"

"Kidnapped" Grandfather said grimly "They took her but Grayson's tracking her down. We should all pray for that poor girl's safety" he added, shaking his head softly "Why her father must be devastated" he murmured.

"How caring of you Grandfather," Charlotte said frostily "Next you'll tell us we should go and see Grayson to see how he's doing."

John looked at her sharply "I don't want you or your bad attitude near your brother" he told her icily "Quite frankly I don't have it in me to mediate between the two of you. Really Charlotte" he said angrily "Sometimes I think you have a lump of coal in your chest instead of a heart. I'm going up to my room to make a phone call."

He got to his feet and began to shuffle towards his room while I watched wondering if we should assist him. But he was so ornery that I was certain he would refuse any offers of help.

"Johnathon, what do you think we should do now?" Charlotte asked sounding chipper.

I stared at her blankly. "I don't know. I think we should wait until we hear some news about Flair, don't you? I mean she could be dead, or they could be holding her for ransom. Anything could be happening to her right now" I blurted out, my heart hammering in my chest "Aren't you worried about that? Aren't you worried about your brother? They took his wife" I said as she looked unconcerned "They killed his driver and you're acting as though this is just another ordinary day." "Stop with the concern for your ex-wife" she snapped as I reared back "I'm your wife now or have you forgotten that?" she asked in annoyance.

"Charlotte, Johnathon's just concerned" Karen said quietly "It's normal for him to worry about his ex-wife it doesn't mean anything."

"Don't lie" Charlotte growled, turning the television off as I glared at her "he never shuts up about the b***h. It's Flair this, Flair, that" she mocked as the color drained from my face "it's like you are constantly comparing me to her" she complained as I stiffened. "That's not it Charlotte," I said denying it.

Although some part of me suspected she was right. I did tend to compare her to Flair, a lot. But I couldn't help it. Part of me still felt something for my ex-wife and no matter how hard I tried I couldn't get rid of those feelings. Charlotte sneered at me "Keep telling yourself that but I know the truth" she said as I shook my head in protest.

The sound of her cell phone ringing had her grab it and glance down. "I have to take this phone call," she said dismissively "and then I'm going shopping" she announced as I rolled my eyes "Mother why don't you go grab my handbag and my purse?" she suggested, beginning to briskly walk out of the kitchen and dining room "I'm sure that some shopping therapy is all I need to get over this shocking development" she purred, looking at me with gleaming eyes.

I heard her answer the phone before her voice began to fade. Karen looked at me helplessly "She's just a little insecure Johnathon, I'm sure once she settles into this marriage properly and gets pregnant she'll adjust better and become more gracious to live with" she said weakly.

Her mother was in denial of her daughter's character but that was hardly surprising. I forced a smile on my face "I'm sure it's just that we're newlyweds" I lied, still thinking about that box I'd found and feeling like I was a fraud "And you're right she's just insecure about how I feel about her. Perhaps we should rethink this whole pregnancy business" I said mulling it over "at least until we get to know each other better."

A look of concern flashed in Karen's eyes "I'm not sure that's the best way to go about it and besides, Charlotte told me you weren't using protection" she said worriedly "So it might already be too late" she pointed out.

I frowned "The odds are against it happening in the first month," I said nonchalantly, thinking about when I'd been with Flair "I mean, she would have to be extremely fertile or lucky for that to happen" I exhaled and missed the glint and guilty expression on Karen's face as she nodded and hastily left the room, leaving me to my thoughts.