☤ Chapter 5 ☤

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WINE CELLAR- HALSTEAD MANOR

The room was thick with tension as Edward and Freddy faced off, the remnants of their family legacy hanging in the air like a storm cloud. Freddy sat in a chair, a wine glass in hand, his expression a mix of disbelief and rage.

"Ah. His Grace comes to gloat," Freddy sneered. "I had no idea. I'm just as surprised as you are."Edward said, his tone cool and measured.

"Hmm. It's not the same sort of surprise, though, is it?" Tammy chimed in. "For the first time in 600 years, this family has broken with tradition. You fucking leapfrogged over your older brother!" rage could be heard in Freddy's voice.

"Not very fraternal, is it, Edward?" his wife added.

"Thank you, Wham Tam. I'll deal with this. I'll be up shortly," Edward replied, dismissing her, with a wave.

Freddy poured himself another glass of wine, his fingers trembling slightly. "How do you think that makes me look, Eddie? Hm? How do you think it makes me feel? How do you think it helps me pay my fucking debts?"

"Debts, Freddy?" Edward asked, eyebrows knitted together in concern.

"Mm-hmm. Big fucking debts," Freddy confirmed, swirling the wine in his glass as if searching for answers at the bottom.

"That sounds ominous," Edward said dryly.

"Yeah, you think?" Freddy retorted, rolling his eyes. "Do you remember Pete Forbes Spencer? He was in my house at Eton. Big hair, tiny cock, sweaty hands. They called him Sticky Pete."

Edward smirked. "I remember Pete, but I don't remember his cock."

Freddy continued, "Started making a fortune in property. People were queuing in droves to get in. I gave him one million, got 1.5 back three months later. It was un-f*cking-believable. Next project, skyscraper in the Maldives. First one. First time. First come, first served. One, two, three, four million. Bosh."

"And?" Edward prodded, crossing his arms.

"Well, then..." Freddy hesitated, his face suddenly serious. "The tits went up."

"What?" Edward asked, incredulous.

"The hurricane hit. The plane crashed. The lightning struck. The torpedo went Chitty Chitty Bang Bang," Freddy explained, his voice rising in panic. "What do you want me to say, Eddie? It wasn't my fault. I got fucked!"

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