The Secret Obsession of the CEO-Chapter 209: Familiar Meeting

Rory placed her hand on her knees like a lady and listened to what the Count had to say.

"John McCullen contacted me. He wants to meet you. He probably was observing us. As soon as the repair work in your house started, he contacted me. I tried to avoid him, but he is very insistent," he said.

"Oh?’ Rory was taken aback. Why does the father of her parents’ murderer want to meet her? "How is his criminal son doing?" she asked.

Charles’ lips curved up. "I’m hearing that he is getting indicted. Your grandmother must have pulled some strings. I don’t know why she waited this long for getting back at him though," he sipped tea.

Rory shrugged. She didn’t even think about that. Her grandmother must have known who killed her parents from the get-go. And yet she waited. Just like she waited to catch Lennon in a much worse situation.

"Is he waiting for my audience to plead for his son?" Rory scoffed. "Next time he talks to you, tell him that I am ready to meet him."

Count Charles was a little surprised by her decision. "You don’t have to bother meeting him, Rory. Don’t spoil your mood. I bet he won’t have good things to say... that bloody politician..." 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

"Eh!" Rory shrugged. "I don’t have much to do here. I have to find ways to pass time," she chuckled. "And uncle, these days, I’m getting schooled by people. I can see how disgusting certain people could go out of greed and to protect themselves. Some just bathe in vile wickedness just for the sake of it. I just... I have a lot to learn, don’t you think?"

"That’s right," Charles patted her hand. He was smiling but his eyes were filled with affection and concern for her. "You’ve been dealt a tough hand at this young age... But you are right. You need to learn the way of the world if you have to survive and thrive. If you want, I’ll accompany you. You don’t have to do it alone..."

"Really, uncle?" Rory lifted her eyebrows. "I’d greatly appreciate it if you could come with me. That is if you are not otherwise busy," she added. She didn’t want to do it alone.

"I’m not busy these days other than signing papers. I’m a gentleman, remember? I don’t work," he chuckled, and Rory laughed along. Seeing his belly shaking with him was just a funny sight to behold.

"So..." he stood up and patted her shoulder. "I’ll arrange a meeting in the park or in some other public place. We also can keep a lawyer with us just in case. What do you think?" he asked.

Rory gave the thumbs-up signal. "You’re smart, uncle. I am glad I got your help," she smiled widely.

"Look at you... Making me feel all wanted and appreciated," he said glaring at his wife.

"Oh, dear! Why are you looking at me like that? I appreciate you enough. It’s just that you’re not very good at recognizing wines as you’re good at knowing your Scotch," Isabelle laughed and then buried her head in the teacup.

"I was meaning your son. All he does is stare and talk into a camera and think that he is changing the world. He and his weird gestures and slang... Ugh!" he shivered. "I don’t even recognize him anymore. See, Rory gets me. She talks to me and listens to me. This is why I always wanted a daughter," Charles pulled the chair and sat beside his wife.

Isabelle pretended that she didn’t notice her husband is sitting beside her and pretended to be so engrossed in the tea. Charles poked Isabelle’s arm to get her attention.

"Oh, for heaven’s sake, Chuck! I didn’t give birth to a son all by myself, did I?" she pouted and looked at her husband.

"You’re blaming me?" Charles asked.

"Then who else is to blame?" Isabelle asked back.

Rory slipped out of the room. She didn’t want to involve in the fight. Rather than fighting, they both looked adorable as they bantered.

She walked to the library and got herself a book and started reading. She didn’t know whether it was the cozy armchair or the smell of the old books, but she fell asleep with the book in her hand.

When she woke up, the maid was placing the tea tray in front of her. "Tea’s ready, Lady Aurora," she said.

"Just call me Rory or Aurora," Rory smiled. She was weirded out by "Lady". But she was always addressed as Lady Aurora in Ian’s house by the servants. She didn’t think much of it back then, but now...

Guess, she has changed a lot from when she was twelve and got more accustomed to the norms of the place she grew up.

"But we were asked to address you as "lady", Lady Aurora," the maid said.

Rory nodded. Just like she had her norms, this girl would have her norms to follow. Eh, whatever!

After asking the maid’s name, she sent her out. Elizabeth was the maid’s name. Now, that sounds regale and more ladylike than her name.

"Wait..." Rory jumped down from the chair and grabbed the maid by her arm. "You’re one of the horrid twins... Elizabeth Anderson am I right?" she asked.

Back then, Ian and Rory were known as the troublemakers of the village. They never stayed home or anywhere safe and would wander around in the glens as their heart let them and their legs took them.

The adults tried to discipline them, but everything went over their heads. So, they put them on a long leash and let them be. They had only one rule to follow. And that was never to cross the village boundaries and never into the woods.

And of course, in just a month, they were caught wandering outside the village. And so, they were brought to the town and in front of everyone, they were awarded punishment. Their parents wrongly thought that shaming in front of everyone would teach them a lesson.

So, the next time, when they followed a fox into the deepest part of the woods, they were dragged back. This time, they were not punished. No one shouted at them, and no one talked to them how worried they are making them.

But they were given responsibility.

Lady Anderson had twins. Her husband was granted Knighthood after his exemplary services. Sir Anderson died during service, and Lady Anderson was left with two very naughty three-year-olds. She was working in the post office, and she couldn’t take care of the kids, and none of the nannies, stayed long enough because they couldn’t handle the horrid twins.

So, for some reason, the adults thought two other naughty kids who were just seven would be the perfect babysitters for the horrid twins.

And somehow, the adults were right.

Rory and Ian didn’t expect to be treated as adults and that the adults would give them responsibilities. And so, they were careful to not be lacking. They acted responsibly, sparing headaches for an entire village.

"How is he? Your brother... Henry... That was his name, right?" Rory asked. "Why didn’t you talk to me? You’re what... 19, 20 now? Come, sit... Tell me how you are doing... Come on! Silly, how could you forget me? I am offended," Rory brought Elizabeth to sit with her and poured her a cup of tea.

"I thought you wouldn’t remember me, Lady Aurora," Elizabeth bowed her head with a shy smile. "I do remember you. Well, all the stories of you in the town... I have your pictures... And may I say that you’ve gotten prettier than before?" Elizabeth said.

Rory poured her a cup of tea and sipped it. "Ah, I miss coffee..." she chuckled. "Already..."

"You must have adapted to that country pretty well. But you grew up there, right?" Elizabeth said.

Rory was very excited to meet a familiar person here and she chatted on for some more time. Isabelle joined them and soon Elizabeth left because she had to prepare lunch. Rory offered help but Elizabeth refused and told her that there are two more staff in the kitchen.

Rory learned from Isabelle that Lady Anderson passed away when they were fifteen. Elizabeth started working in the city to help with her brother’s studies, but she ran into some trouble and Count Charles brought her here to work in the house.

Apparently, Count Charles offered to pay for her studies, but Elizabeth refused as she wanted to earn her own living and not live on handouts.

Count Charles forced her to finish school and so she got her high school diploma. Her brother is studying medicine at university and along with his scholarship, it is Elizabeth’s contribution that is paying his tuition.

Rory was touched by that story. She didn’t think that she would hear a real-life story of someone losing all their own wishes to help their sibling. And it made her remember the blaring reality of how life would be tough without parents.

And having a sibling is best, right? You’d have a friend who you can rely on all the time and who is also family.

I don’t have any siblings and Liam has two...

Maybe Ellie should have a sibling too...?

Rory’s hand ended up on her stomach unconsciously.