Page 82 of Poison Vows

“I don’t want any bloodshed tonight,” Grandfather answers tiredly, looking at me.

“Then what do you want?” I taunt. His eyes flash dangerously.

From the corner of my eye, I see Vaughn tense up and Angelo shift in his chair with unease. No one talks to Grandfather the way I do.

“I want you to go handle your father.”

And there it is. I smile.

What I wanted was this very situation, but the old man’s behavior is irking me. It’s as if he knows I need this opportunity…

“That’s a good idea,Padre!” Emilio immediately cheers. “Alessio created this mess, he should be the one to clean it up!”

“Shut up!” Grandfather snaps. Emilio clamps his mouth shut resentfully.

“Now, I know you all know of my imminent decision to step away from the day-to-day running and leadership of this Family.”

A subtle shift moves through the room as anticipation takes over.

“Before I do that, I want to make sure my heir is suitable and ready to take over the Family.” Grandfather’s words are grave and cold. “This Family can only have an Easton at the helm, and I intend to see to it that this continues. Does anyone have any objections to this?”

I almost scoff at the question.

He’s daring the unconvinced individuals in this room to act out so he can deal with them.

Everyone already knows that’s his intention, so no one is stupid enough to highlight their opposition, so there’s only silence.

“Good. Now, because of this very crucial step of succession, I have found it acceptable to test the two eldest grandsons, Vaughn and Alessio. I want to see who will take over after me.”

A tense silence falls in the room.

A made-up tense silence… after all, this has been known for a while. Grandfather made sure to spread the news.

“But,Padre, hasn’t Alessio always been the heir?” Emilio instigates craftily.

“Alessio is and has always been my heir. When has that ever changed?” Grandfather questions calmly. “I’m just giving Vaughn a chance.”

Or rather, giving me a whetstone… that will surely break in the near future after it has served its purpose.

I just need to know what exactly the old man’s plan is.

“If you’re giving Vaughn a chance, why not add my son—” Giovanni starts, but Grandfather cuts him off.

“Is your son qualified?”

Giovanni falls silent angrily.

“Padre, what’s the criteria you will use to choose between the two of them?” Emilio asks, ever so keenly.

“Well, competence, character among other things, but you should know, I’m not the one choosing. The girl will.”

“Which girl?” Angelo asks ever so innocently, as if he’s not aware.

“I believe you already know who she is, so don’t try to be smart with me here!” he snaps. “The groom she chooses will automatically be the next family head on the day of their wedding.”

A ripple of incredulity moves around the room.

This kind of nonsense has never happened before, and they all know it, but none of them will ever oppose it because in their eyes, Vaughn has won.

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