Chapter 52: The Faulkners
By the time Vivian returned to the Faulkner residence, it was already nine in the evening.
"Grandma, why are you still awake?"
Surprised to see Grandma Faulkner still watching television in the first-floor living room, Vivian remembered the elderly woman’s usually strict schedule. "It’s getting late, Grandma," she added.
"Mhm." Grandma Faulkner was, in fact, already starting to doze off. Hearing Vivian’s voice, she fumbled around for the remote, turned off the TV, and pushed herself up to head toward her bedroom. Vivian quickly stepped forward to support her.
As they walked, Grandma Faulkner called out to Ms. Shaw, who was still cleaning up, "Has Rachel not returned yet?"
"Not yet, Mrs. Faulkner," Ms. Shaw’s voice drifted over promptly. "Miss Rachel has been coming back quite late these past few days. She mentioned earlier that she’d be out late again tonight. But please don’t worry, Mrs. Faulkner. I’ve already prepared some late-night snacks for her."
Grandma Faulkner said nothing. She wasn’t worried about Rachel going hungry—she was a grown woman, after all. What she worried about was... A heavy sigh escaped her lips.
Noticing the troubled look and the frown creasing Grandma Faulkner’s face, Vivian asked, "Grandma, are you worried about Rachel?"
Vivian recalled the sight of Rachel at the bar earlier. She wondered what the man beside her did for a living.
After Rachel’s return to the country, Grandma Faulkner had originally intended to arrange a position for her at Faulkner Group. She wanted Rachel to have something to occupy her time and fulfill her. Rachel had subsequently requested to be Julian’s assistant—a position currently held by Vance Wyatt. However, Julian had flatly refused.
The siblings had been somewhat at odds recently. Out of spite, Rachel declared that if Julian didn’t want her there, she simply wouldn’t join the company at all. Assistants generally fell into two categories: those who actually did the work, and those who held a cushy title just to play on their phones and kill time. Rachel had merely wanted a title, but to her surprise, Julian wouldn’t even allow that.
Julian hadn’t said much in response. He only offered to arrange a role for her in a different department. Refusing to yield, Rachel remained locked in a stalemate with her brother. It had been several days now. During this time, she had been going out constantly, and it didn’t seem like her usual shopping trips.
Whenever Grandma Faulkner asked, Rachel would vaguely claim she was hanging out with friends. But the Faulkner family had lived abroad for many years. What friends could Rachel possibly have here in Veridia? Grandma Faulkner knew very well that Rachel was likely just making excuses, but since Rachel refused to tell the truth, she couldn’t help but worry.
Prompted by Vivian’s question, Grandma Faulkner finally admitted, "Yes. That child has been heavily burdened with her own thoughts ever since she came back. I’m afraid she took a huge blow from the divorce. I’ve tried to comfort her, but she barely listens to me. Oh, Vivian, I’m at my wits’ end."
Was Rachel really devastated by the divorce? Vivian wasn’t so sure. The fact that Rachel had resolutely returned to the country, coupled with her reaction when seeing the photo last time, didn’t seem like the behavior of someone deeply traumatized. Did she have some other motive?
Unable to figure it out for the moment, Vivian offered a gentle reassurance. "It’s alright, Grandma. Whenever I have time, I’ll help keep Rachel company. The doctor said your health isn’t great and that you shouldn’t stress yourself out too much."
Grandma Faulkner nodded. Taking Vivian’s hand, she patted it gently, a look of immense gratification in her eyes. Thank goodness she had such a considerate granddaughter-in-law.
After escorting Grandma Faulkner back to her room, Vivian waited until the elderly woman went to wash up before she prepared to head to the second floor to find Julian. He was probably waiting for her. After all, she had promised over the phone that she would explain her trip to the bar to him.
Just outside Grandma Faulkner’s bedroom door, on a small bookshelf nearby, Vivian spotted a framed photograph. It was an old picture, its edges already starting to yellow with age.
Vivian recognized Julian in the photo at first glance. He must have been only a few years old at the time. Yet, even at such a tender age, despite the lingering childishness in his features, he already exuded the undeniable aura of a commanding CEO. Just standing there, he drew the eye effortlessly, commanding attention immediately. It made sense. Julian had possessed that intimidating presence his entire life.
Soon, Vivian’s gaze shifted to Grandma Faulkner in the picture. Her hair had still been completely black then, and she looked radiant and energetic with young Julian in her arms. Standing beside her was Rachel. Rachel was smiling too. She appeared optimistic and cheerful, giving off a completely different vibe than she did now.
Next to Rachel stood a man and a woman. The man bore a passing resemblance to Julian, while the woman was breathtakingly beautiful. Her eyes were incredibly clear, and upon closer inspection, they were identical in shape to Julian’s deep, profound gaze.
Was this Julian’s mother? Vivian thought it was highly likely. This was, after all, a family portrait of the five Faulkners. The woman Vivian had never seen before had to be Julian’s mother.
Vivian had heard Grandma Faulkner mention Julian’s mother before. She had always been in poor health and had passed away from an illness a few years ago while the family was still living abroad. It was a topic Julian always refused to broach. Because of her passing, his already reticent nature had grown even more withdrawn.
As for Julian’s father... whenever he was brought up, Grandma Faulkner would simply shake her head. She had recounted how, when Julian’s father, Dominic Faulkner, had taken over Faulkner Group from Grandpa Faulkner, the company had still been a premier enterprise both domestically and internationally. Unfortunately, Dominic was not skilled in business management. The company’s situation deteriorated day by day until they could only salvage a portion of their overseas assets, forcing the Faulkner family to relocate abroad.
Later on, after Julian’s mother died of illness, his father began leading a life of debauchery. He completely ignored the failing company, caring only about keeping his mistresses. Grandma Faulkner had made a prompt and decisive move, placing her grandson in charge of the mess that was Faulkner Group.
Thankfully, Julian had inherited his grandfather’s business acumen. He brought Faulkner Group back from the brink of death, gradually expanding it back into Veridia and meticulously building it up step by step. And all of this had taken him less than ten years. In under a decade, he had reclaimed the empire that Dominic had squandered over the course of decades. Julian truly deserved his reputation as Veridia’s most renowned business prodigy.
Vivian had heard that Dominic was still living abroad. Julian gave him a sum of money every year, essentially paying him to stay quietly out of the country, whether he spent it on drinking, womanizing, or whatever else. As long as he didn’t return to Veridia to ruin the Faulkner family, anything was fine. He had also reached an agreement with Julian that all of his shares in Faulkner Group would be fully transferred to Julian upon his thirtieth birthday.
There were only two years left until then. As long as Dominic didn’t pull any stunts, Faulkner Group would soon belong entirely and wholly to Julian.