Broken Lives On

Broken lives on 13

Lyssa stifled a laugh amusement evident in her facial features. I furrowed my eyebrows as I stared at her, confusedly.

"What?" I asked, still looking at her.

"Is he the one who spilled coffee on you?" she asked as though breathlessly.

I rolled my eyes, annoyance tainting my face. Just mentioning him made me tense.

How did he have to appear out of nowhere and disrupt my peaceful life?

"You seem to know him. What's his name?" I asked, looking around for any sign of him.

"You have no idea... do you?" Lyssa said, with a strange expression on her face. I nod, eager for her to explain. "He is..." suddenly, everyone's attention was grabbed by the sound of glass clinking on the stage.

We turned to face the stage, where several men in formal attire stood. The whispers around us grew louder as the esteemed Griswold walked up to the stage and everyone fell silent.

He shook hands with a few guys, exchanging pats on the back. Finally, he approached the microphone and addressed his guests.

"Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed guests,

A very warm welcome to all of you at this wonderful picnic. It brings me immense joy to see such a splendid gathering here today. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you for taking out time from your busy schedules to be a part of this event. I must say, you all have dressed impeccably, looking absolutely stunning!

As we gather here today, I cannot help but reflect upon the incredible journey that our companies have embarked upon. We have witnessed remarkable growth over the years, expanding our presence as a force to reckon with in the global business landscape. This success is a testament to the collective efforts and dedication shown by each member of our team.

However, it is with mixed emotions that I share some news with you today. I have been presented with a valuable opportunity to embark on a 3-month business trip to China. While this is an exciting venture that will undoubtedly bring forth new possibilities for our companies, it fills me with a tinge of sadness as I must be away from all of you, my amazing team, for this period of time.

In my absence, I take solace in knowing that our legacy will be in capable hands. I am proud to announce that after much deliberation and careful consideration, I have chosen my son Blaze to step into my shoes and take over the reins of Le Délice Royale. I have utmost confidence in his abilities and believe that he will lead us to even greater heights.

Before I conclude, let me take this opportunity to express my gratitude once again. I am humbled by the unwavering support and dedication shown by all of you, and I truly believe that together, we can continue to achieve unparalleled success. Your commitment and hard work have been the driving forces behind our organization's accomplishments.

I urge you all to embrace this day, enjoy the festivities, and forge stronger bonds with one another. Together, let us celebrate the remarkable journey we have undertaken and cherish the moments we share in this magnificent company.

Thank you all for being here, and thank you for being a part of our incredible journey. Here's to our continued success!

Cheers!"

He raised his glass and everyone followed suit.

"And now, let's give a chance to Le Délice Royale's new owner to speak to his staff. I'll let him take the podium," he said, looking to his left and nodding to some people on the stage.

My curiosity grew as I eagerly awaited for the hotel's new boss to appear.

I happened to catch Lyssa looking at me. "What?" I asked, hoping she could explain her stare.