THE AIR INSIDE HOLLINGSWORTH HIDEAWAY is filled with the aromas of roasted turkey, freshly baked bread, and spiced apple pie. Outside, the sprawling estate glistened under a blanket of golden autumn light, the last leaves of the season fluttering in the breeze.
Thanksgiving at the Hollingsworths' was never just a family gathering. It was an event. The long, polished dining table had been extended to accommodate everyone. Crystal goblets sparkled under the glow of the chandelier, and intricate floral arrangements ran down the center of the table in hues of gold, burgundy, and emerald.
Guests began to trickle in, their voices echoing through the grand foyer.
Aurora stood near the staircase, greeting everyone with her signature charm. "Justin, you're late!" she teased, throwing her arms around him as he walked in.
"Traffic," he said with a smirk. "But I brought wine, so I think I'm forgiven."
Autumn and Mario arrived next, hand in hand. Autumn was dressed in a sleek emerald-green dress that matched the table decor.
"I swear, Aurora, you have outdone yourself this year," Autumn said, taking in the grandeur of the setting.
"Don't let Mom hear you say that. She still thinks she planned the whole thing."
Kingsley and Avalon entered moments later, looking every bit the power couple. Kingsley handed Aurora a small gift box.
"What's this?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
"An early Christmas present. You'll see."
Brighton is the last to arrive, slipping through the grand doors in a sharp navy blazer, his signature easy grin in place. "Sorry, I'm late," he said, shrugging as he handed Aurora a small bouquet of flowers.
"Brighton, punctuality is key," Aurora teased, though her smile was warm.
"Yeah, yeah, you love me anyway," Brighton shot back, ruffling her hair and dodging her swat.
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As everyone settled into their seats, Charles and Juliette rose from their seats, the former tapping his crystal glass for attention.
"I'd like to welcome all of you to our home for what is always my favorite holiday. Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude, and looking around this table, I see so much to be thankful for—family, friends, and the legacy we've all built together."
He raised his glass. "To love, loyalty, and the Hollingsworth empire. Cheers."
"Cheers," everyone echoed, their glasses clinking in unison.
Brighton leaned over to Justin, whispering, "Do you think he practices these speeches in the mirror?"
Justin stifled a laugh. "Every day at 7 a.m."
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The dinner was a feast fit for royalty. There were murmurs of appreciation as dishes of truffle mashed potatoes, herb-crusted turkey, and glazed carrots were passed around.
"Justin, are you really going to eat that much?" Avalon teased, eyeing his overloaded plate.
"You'd think he hasn't eaten all year," Kingsley added with a smirk.
"Leave me alone. I'm building an empire and a metabolism," Justin shot back.
At the other end of the table, Brighton and Adrianna were locked in a lively debate about the merits of holiday movies.
"Nothing beats Love Actually," Brighton argued.
"Please," Adrianna said, rolling her eyes. "You only like it because it's British."
"That's not true—okay, maybe it's a little true."
Aurora, meanwhile, was trying to keep up with Odette's enthusiastic recap of her latest fashion project.
"You'll love the sketches," Odette said. "I'll show you after dessert."
"Looking forward to it," Aurora replied, her smile indulgent.
The warm atmosphere was briefly interrupted when Mario's phone buzzed on the table, earning a sharp glare from Autumn.
"Really? It's Thanksgiving," she whispered.
"It's my grandfather," he replied under his breath, but the tension was palpable.
Brighton, seated nearby, leaned in with a mischievous grin. "Trouble in paradise?"
"Mind your own plate, Bennett," Mario shot back, though his tone lacked bite.
Across the table, Kingsley leaned over to Avalon. "Care to place a bet on who storms off first?"
"Stop it," Avalon whispered, stifling a laugh.
As dessert was served—pumpkin cheesecake and pecan pie—Aurora stood, her wineglass in hand.
"Can I say something?" she asked, her voice soft but commanding.
The table fell silent.
"I know we joke about this being a 'golden empire,' but the truth is, it's more than that. We're not perfect, and sometimes we drive each other crazy." Her gaze flicked briefly to Odette, who stuck out her tongue. "But at the end of the day, we're still a family. And that's what I'm most thankful for this year."
A round of applause followed, and Aurora sat down, her cheeks flushed but her smile proud.
A the evening wound down, the group migrated to the living room, where a fire crackled in the massive stone hearth.
Brighton sprawled out on one of the couches, a glass of brandy in hand. "Well, that was sufficiently dramatic for a family dinner," he quipped.
Aurora, sitting nearby, threw a pillow at him. "Be nice."
"I am being nice. This is me being nice."
Justin plopped down beside Aurora, smirking. "He's right, you know."
Kingsley and Avalon sipped on after-dinner cocktails, discussing their plans for Christmas. Brandon and Blake were deep into a board game with Adrianna and Odette, laughter spilling through the room.
For a moment, everything felt right. The drama, the ambition, the chaos—it all melted away, leaving only the warmth of family and the promise of tomorrow.
YOU ARE READING
A GOLDEN EMPIRE
General FictionIn Los Angeles, there are two kinds of rich people: those who have money and those who have wealth. The difference between the two are not only visible in the cars they drive, the clothes they wear, and the houses they live in, but in the people the...
