Chapter 44 – Grayson Carter

Grayson Carter, the distinguished and formidable CEO of GC Holdings smiled broadly and ended his speech to thunderous applause.

"Please, enjoy your evening. Thank you."

Giving a little wave he made his way off the stage to his table. The applause for their CEO went on for a full five minutes. The holding company's annual family day and dinner was a tradition started by Jennifer when things were still good between them. It was a good idea, he thought, it gave the employees a chance to mingle casually disregarding formal rank and divisions. Their families would also get a chance to meet each other and get to know their partner's colleagues. It brought the whole team closer.

Ironically, this was the first year Grayson was without his own family. He, the successful billionaire mogul, the CEO of a large conglomerate of interrelated businesses was alone. He felt it keenly.

Damn it.

He had divorced his beautiful independent wife Jennifer, a successful surgeon for Monique, one of his former secretaries. It was a decision he had come to regret. Monique had been clever, efficient and resourceful. She was talented, ambitious and hardworking. She did not mind working extra hours to get a job done. Being young and beautiful was a bonus. She had made herself indispensible to him. She was an asset. The great sex came later, then marriage.

Grayson Carter had been on top of the world for a few short months. Then the scandals started. It all involved his new wife. Company funds disappeared. His in-house surveillance team regretfully traced the e-trail to her, showing him irrefutable proof of her involvement. He told them to clamp down on the system to avoid future occurrences. He wrote off the amount and took her off the company's payroll effectively severing her from the company. The mogul then barred her from the offices, cutting off her access to the company systems and removing any official authority she had with employees. Firm instructions and policies were issued on providing information to third parties including family members and ex-employees.

She was the new Mrs.Carter, he told her. She did not have to work anymore. He gave her a fat monthly allowance and told her to enjoy life. Monique agreed readily. She did not know that he knew.

Next came the ridiculous shopping sprees which catapulted her into the tabloids. Monique Devereaux became front cover news, her beautiful face was everywhere. She bought all kinds of useless expensive things. It was like she had to prove to the world that she had made it. Grayson could handle that as well. No problem. It was nothing serious. There was no real meat to the gossip, just the usual hype on the rich. He had money to burn.

The real problem came a year later, when the press caught the first hints of her extramarital affairs. It had been embarrassing. She had been photographed half-dressed kissing an unknown man. It went viral. He did not like it. She was his. He had paid to cover up the first scandal, just weeks after their wedding. He gave her a stern warning, halved her credit and punished her by confining her to his spacious home.

Grayson was surprised when she complied after a token protest. Overnight she became the lady of the house, taking a keen interest in the running of the huge estate and became a 'mother' to Gwen and Jonathan. It was around that time that Gwen had taken a sudden interest in shopping, even going cross country with her girlfriends to go 'bargain hunting'. He had pushed it off as a teenage girl thing, the shopping phase or some such mystical period of a growing girl's life. Jennifer was not around to consult. Jonathan had withdrawn into himself, growing distant, mysteriously falling silent. He knew Jonathan was angry about his mother being 'replaced' but had brushed it off. The boy had to be realistic, he had needs too.

He should have been more alert Grayson thought in hindsight.

He had been patient and forgiving with Monique, preferring to avoid a potential tabloid grabbing confrontation. He turned a blind eye. Grayson even went so far as to forgive her when he had caught her with the pool cleaner. The man was dismissed. It was only one incident and she had cried begging his forgiveness (he ignored the other tell-tale signs of her blatant sexual romps in his house with the help). He couldn't be there twenty-four seven. She was a young, healthy and beautiful woman. It was partly his fault, he reasoned. He was busy running an empire.

The last straw had come when Monique had accused Jonathan of stealing her jewellery then of him sexually assaulting her. It boggled his mind and he had gone into denial (umm, further denial). Grayson had become irrationally jealous of his own son. Jonathan was young and good-looking. He had his mother's looks. It was karma he decided. He had traded Jennifer for a younger woman and now Monique was trading him for his own son.

Jonathan had denied it to the very end. To prove his innocence, he had backed-out of the company, cut off ties with his family and moved out. He did not need the family fortunes. He would complete his studies, get a degree and make it on his own. All he wanted was to get away from Monique.

Gwen's shopping expeditions became longer and longer. Then, she suddenly had numerous assignments for her architecture studies and moved to campus where it was easier.

Jennifer had moved out when they divorced.

Monique had destroyed his family.

Grayson shook his head looking around at his employees surrounded by their families. No, she had not, he realised, he had. He had destroyed his own family. He had thrown out a loving wife and ignored his two teenage children for a short-lived fantasy. They had left him. Now all he had left was an attention crazed unfaithful gold-digger. Monique had gone from being an asset to a huge liability.

He was lonely.

Money and power couldn't give him what he wanted.

Grayson wanted his family back. Even with his billions, he could not turn back time.

The mogul smiled grimly to himself. Once he had admitted his mistake to himself, he could take action. He could see things clearly now. It was time to set his priorities straight. He would make things right again. He would man up and apologise. Whatever it takes to get Jennifer and the kids back.

The tycoon made one of his famous quick decisions and felt much better. He knew he was right. He would iron out the details with his attorney in the morning, then he would call Jennifer. She was the woman he had fallen in love with when he had nothing. She had encouraged and supported him throughout his struggle to the top. She must be going through a rough time, he thought in regret. Hopefully, they would work things out and she would give him a chance to make it up to her. Satisfied, he settled to enjoy the rest of the evening.

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Grayson Carter : Jen? It's me. Can you fit me into your schedule? I need to talk to you.

Jennifer Anderson : I'm really busy this week.

Grayson Carter : Please, I'm sorry. I want to apologise to you and make things right again.

Jennifer Anderson : I don't have time for jokes Grayson.

Grayson Carter : I'm serious. I'm sorry it took me this long to realise. I want us to get back, we were good together.

Jennifer Anderson : Were, it's past tense. Grow up.

Grayson Carter : I am growing up and have finally realised the really important things in life. You. Gwen. Jonathan.

Jennifer Anderson : Really?

Grayson Carter : I need to see you, Jen. I miss you and the kids. I need to talk to you.

Silence. Grayson Carter did what he had not done in a long time. He prayed and crossed his fingers. His heart picked up its pace as he waited anxiously for a reply.

Jennifer Anderson : 7.30 pm at the Club.

He let out a breath and kissed his phone.

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"What's wrong with your face?" Ash asked.

A message had come in and Jace had picked up his phone to read it. Then he had turned into a statue staring at his phone for a full five minutes. He had an inscrutable expression on his face. It was weird and scary at the same time.

"Hey, you okay?" Ash glanced at the phone in Jace's hand curiously. "Who was that?"

Jace frowned in confusion. "Dad."

"Dad? As in your dad?" Ash asked. "What does he want?"

"He ..." Jace gulped. "He wants me to go home," he paused. "He wants me back at the company to continue my training and he wants to introduce me formally to the Board as his Heir."

Ash's eyebrows shot up. Grayson Carter texting his son after months of stubborn silence? He had blamed Jace for the scandal with his trophy wife. Now he wanted Jace back? So what had changed?

"What are you going to do? What about you-know who?"

"Simple. I'm not going back if she is still in the picture." Jace's fingers tapped rapidly in reply to his father's text. "She was the reason why I left in the first place."

"So ... what did you tell him?"

"Just that. The only way I will return to the house is if she is out."

His phone made a noise. "What the ...?" He had not expected such a quick reply.

"Oh wow!"

"What? What?!"

"He said he has spoken to Mum and Gwen." Jace shook his head in disbelief. "He is going to divorce her." He couldn't quite bring himself to say her name.

Ash looked sceptical, he did not want Jace to get his hopes up. "Sorry, but can you trust him? I mean, really?"

Jace shrugged. "We'll see. Until then, I'm not going back."

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Grayson Carter had his answer. Jonathan would consider coming back home if Monique was not there.

Jonathan or Monique. Monique or Jonathan.

His son or his mistress? Grayson smiled cynically at himself, finally acknowledging his true feelings once and for all. Although he had married Monique, he still saw her as his mistress not his legal wife. When he thought 'wife', only Jennifer came to mind.

It was time to stop fooling himself.

He picked up his phone to call his lawyer. It was time to start the ball rolling.

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"First mum, now dad? Is this really happening? Am I dreaming?" Jace said softly to himself in wonderment. Are things finally turning for the better? What changed dad's mind? Did dad believe him now? Against her? It was hard to believe.

Don't get your hopes up too high, he cautioned himself. Be a little patient and let it play out. If he knew his dad, once he made up his mind about something he would act on it. All he had to do was wait it out a bit and see what developed. If Grayson Carter really meant what he said, that he wanted his real family back, he would go ahead with the divorce, If not ... Jace shrugged, then nothing would change. He sighed.

Ash studied his friend as weird expressions chased each other across Jace's face. Disbelief, hope, wariness and finally resignation The final expression indicated Jace had made up his mind about something.

"You okay?"

"Yeah, I'm just wondering what dad is up to."

Ash kept quiet. He didn't know either.

Jace's phone rang again. This time Jace picked up without hesitation as he identified the caller. His demeanour changed slightly as he straightened his posture unconsciously and lifted his chin. Jace squared his shoulders and his green eyes took on a steely glint. Ash's eyebrows shot up as Jace's spoke in an authoritative tone. Jonathan Carter was all business.

"Yes, Mr.Venket?"

"Three way? With Tadashi? O'kay, go ahead."

"Yes, I'm here."

"Five per cent already? That's fast. How did you manage that? I did not give you much funds to play with."

"I see," Jace blinked in surprise. "Mr.Tadashi, you are certainly living up to your 'genius trader' reputation," he said pleased. "You did not touch any GC Holdings or it's subsidiaries' shares right?" A pause. "Great. What about the proceeds?"

The answer must have been very good because Jace's green eyes sparkled. "Uh-huh ... excess? How much?" Jace's mouth hung open.

"Further instructions? O'kay Mr.Venket, I will be there first thing tomorrow morning to sign the additional forms." He grinned. "Opportunities? Is that so?" Jace's eyes narrowed, "Yes Mr.Tadashi, you may proceed ... up to ten per cent, for now. Keep me informed."

Ash listened curiously. This was the first he heard of one of Jace's business deals. He usually did not take any interest in his friend's personal affairs unless he wanted to talk about it. After all, Jace's money was Jace's money. His friend had only dabbled in small side businesses before. He did not really have to make any money. This deal however sounded serious.

"Now? Yes, you have my verbal and formal authorisation. I will send you a text as confirmation."

"Uh-huh. Yes, thank you."

Finally Jace smiled and relaxed his posture. "Welcome. No, thank you Mr.Venket. Be assured I will continue banking with you. I will see you tomorrow."

"What was that all about?" Ash asked. "You sounded scarily like your dad ..."

"I'm investing part of my money from the game ..."

Ash's eyebrows shot up. "Investing? Wow. In what?"

Jace threw Ash a wicked look and burst into boyish laughter. "You'll never guess."

"So tell me already. What are you investing in with the money from Orc Wars?"

Ash's eyes opened wide and his mouth hung open as he guessed what Jace was up to. "No way! No frickin way!!"

"Yes way ... I'm investing in Simtrixx. I'm buying Simtrixx shares."