At Lancaster Ancestral Mansion
William grumbled under his breath, pacing restlessly as he dialled Sanya Reed’s number again. "How dare she trick like that?" His patience was wearing thin. He couldn’t believe that soone would go as far as to impersonate her sister-in-law Rain Clayton. The fact that she’d vanished only made it worse.
"Out of reach again," he muttered angrily, tossing his phone onto the table. Without wasting ti, he called his n. "I want the details on Sanya Reed now. And find out where she is right now." His tone was cold, demanding.
As he ended the call, he heard the familiar sound of his father’s disapproving tongue click. "Look at you, all worked up because you’ve been fooled. Now you know how your brother and sister-in-law must feel after your tricks," Rock teased, leaning back in his chair with a knowing smirk.
William slumped into a seat. He knew his father wasn’t entirely wrong but wasn’t ready to admit it. "I just want to et her face-to-face and make her explain," William muttered, dialling her number again despite knowing it wouldn’t connect.
William clenched his jaw, his mind already racing with the ways he would deal with Sanya Reed once he found her. "She won’t get away with this," he muttered under his breath.
The thought of being deceived gnawed at him—especially by soone so close to his sister-in-law, a woman he had specifically chosen for his brother. It wasn’t just the humiliation; it was the insult of being outsmarted by soone. He clenched his fists, anger simring beneath his calm exterior.
The mont he tracked her down, there’d be a reckoning. His pride wouldn’t allow it to go unpunished.
"Oh, she’s going to regret crossing ," he grumbled, already imagining the scolding—and worse—that awaited her. Sanya Reed had played her ga, but William was determined to show her that she ssed with the wrong person.
Rock shook his head with a sigh. "Stop wasting your ti on that nonsense. How about we go fishing instead? It’s been a while. Co on, son. Clear your head."
William, still brimming with energy, perked up at the suggestion. Fishing had always been a way to calm his mind. "Alright, let’s go. I’ll get everything ready," he said, a grin breaking through his irritation.
Within minutes, William had gathered their fishing gear, and Rock watched his son with a fond smile, seeing the childlike excitent replace the earlier frustration.
"Let’s go," William said, holding up the gear. Rock nodded, and Ben joined them as they made their way to the car.
They had a serene pond near their winery, one of their favourite places for fishing. As they sat in the back of the car with Ben driving, William leaned into his father, hugging his arm.
"Let’s sleep in the villa for the night," William humd contentedly.
Rock chuckled. Even at his age, William still loved being clingy around him, never minding how it might look in front of others. William had always been affectionate, staying close by his side like this.
"Dad, you’re always pushing us to get married... but haven’t you ever thought of remarrying yourself?" William asked suddenly, catching his father off guard. "You’re still young. Only fifty-nine. Uncle Greg is fifty-eight and he’s been married three tis already."
Rock laughed, shaking his head. "Greg’s a different story, son."
"How is he even different? Mother’s been gone for so many years," William said, his tone softening. "I’m sure she’d prefer you remarry and be happy. Uncle Greg’s ex-wives are still alive, and he just gets a divorce when things don’t work out. Then he moves on."
Rock sighed, glancing at his son. "Your uncle lives his life differently, William. Just because he’s remarried multiple tis doesn’t an it’s the right path for ."
"But you deserve happiness too," William pressed. "You’ve been alone for so long. Maybe it’s ti to start thinking about yourself."
Rock’s smile faded slightly. "Your mother wasn’t just anyone, Will. She was my everything. Replacing that... it’s not as simple as it seems."
Rock raised his eyebrows, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "Why do I feel like this is your way of saying, ’Why don’t you get married instead of pushing so hard since you’re the one who wants it so badly?’"
William chuckled, caught in his father’s playful accusation.
"But I’m not even pushing you right now," Rock pointed out, amused.
William shook his head and with a pout grumbled, "Oh, because you kept bugging us, my brother ended up married. And now, to get back at , he wants to marry too!"
Rock’s laughter filled the car. "He gave you two choices, William: work like him or marry. You ssed up, and now you have to face the consequences."
"That’s harsh, Dad!" William grumbled.
Rock grinned. "The rational thing to do is to work, Son. Help your brother. You can’t keep leeching off him."
William groaned in mock frustration. "Fine, I’ll work my ass off starting Monday!"
Rock’s voice softened as he began, "Son, you know I love you and Alexander, right? All I’ve ever wanted is the best for you two. Maybe I’ve been a bit selfish, pushing you to do things you weren’t ready for, and I’m sorry for that. It’s just... life is so short. We never know how much ti we have left, and I want to live it fully like it’s my last day."
He paused, taking a deep breath before continuing, "Honestly, there’s nothing more I could ask for. The mont you and Alexander ca into my life, I had everything. But, I suppose I’ve been greedy, hoping I’d get to see you both settle down and start families of your own. I want to witness you experience fatherhood, give so grandchildren—before my ti cos, and I join your mother in the afterlife."
William’s face paled as he released his father’s arm and turned to him, eyes wide with alarm. "Stop saying things like that! You’re not going anywhere anyti soon. You still have many more years with us, and I won’t let you join Mom early!"
Rock chuckled softly, but his eyes held a deep affection. "I’m not rushing off just yet, Son. But I want you to know what I hope for, while I’m still here."
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