The Heir (2)

Morgan sighed, knowing that his parents were right. He cared for Sarah, but the idea of marriage still made him nervous. He didn't want to make the same mistakes his parents did and end up in an unhappy marriage.

Pushing his plate away, he tried to respond to them kindly. "I know, Dad. It's just...complicated. I don't want to rush things, but I don't want to wait too long either. It's a tough decision."

"Think about it this way. You're at the age where you have to settle down with a wife and start having children. We need heirs to continue the family name. Sarah fits in…" Juliette spoke in a low voice.

"That's enough, Mom!" Morgan tried to hide the irritation from his voice. "You can't decide who fits and who doesn't for me. Like I said before, we're just having fun. There's no need to force myself in this marriage plan."

"We only care about you, darling. Sarah's family is a very respectable family. They have their own wealth and she definitely wouldn't like you because of your money and position. Her bloodline is…"

"Excuse me." Morgan sighed, setting his fork down on the plate and leaned back, his appetite gone. "Are you serious, Mom? That's all you care about? Wealth and bloodline? What about compatibility? What about love? You think those things don't matter?"

Juliette raised an eyebrow skeptically. "And what about her career? She's just a secretary. Do you really see a future with her?"

Morgan frowned, his irritation growing. "Yes, I do. Sarah is a hardworking and ambitious person. She has plans for her future, and I fully support her. She doesn't need to have a fancy career or come from a wealthy family to be the perfect partner for me."

Hector tried to intervene. "Morgan, please calm down. Your mom just wants what's best for you."

Morgan felt his anger began to creep on his face. "I appreciate your concern, but you're not giving Sarah enough credit. She's not that shallow. And her family's wealth and bloodline don't matter to me. I care for her for who she is, not for her family's status or money."

He took a deep breath and tried to control his temper. "I'm sorry, Dad. But what's best for me isn't necessarily what you think it is. I'm not going to choose someone based on their family's wealth or bloodline. I want someone whom I love and who loves me for who I am, not for my money or position."

Hector spoke up firmly. "Son, we just want what's best for you. We don't want you to make the grave mistakes. We want you to have a stable and secure future."

Morgan shook his head, his voice rising slightly. "I understand that, Dad. But I'm not you. I have my own path in life, and I want to make my own choices. Sarah makes me happy, and that's all that matters." With that, he rose from his chair. "Excuse me, I need to leave. Thanks for breakfast."

"Where do you want to go?" Hector looked up to him.

"To the office. I have some important matters to attend to."

"Honey, we love you…" Juliette felt a trace of guilt as she had angered her son.

"I know." Morgan forced a smile onto his lips and hesitated only a moment, walking over and pecking his mother's smooth white cheek. While he inherited his mother's classic good looks with dark brown hair and deep blue eyes, his father's features of brown hair and green eyes from his Celtic heritage seemed like pieces from a different puzzle altogether.

Morgan was 6'2 tall, toned with muscles that had been honed to perfection by his athletic ability. He was an excellent swimmer, two-time long-distance champion. He had a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and had done some boxing in his college years.

He had been on the covers of several magazines as one of the most eligible bachelors of the twenty-first century and had been approached by producers who wanted to include him in their films but he had refused.

His place was in Xicorra Corporation, a multi-billion dollar corporation that had stakes in several companies. The company was diversified, had interests in investment, IT, construction and real estate. He was 35 years old and came from old money, his family line dating back to the early nineteen century. He had been trained and groomed since he was a child even though he blurted things out in his young age.

"Make sure you don't stay up too late, honey. There's a crucial board meeting tomorrow morning and the ad campaigns require your personal attention." Juliette grabbed his arm before he tried to back away.

"Mom, I'm really swamped right now. I don't have the time to sit in on an Ad campaign." Morgan tried to pull his arm away from her grip.

Juliette tightened her grip on his arm. "It's about the new Ad agency we invested in, they just landed a major contract with a fashion line. I'd like you to make an appearance and make some observations."

Despite his mother's diplomatic words, Morgan knew that his presence was more than just "everything". He was well aware that he was needed to ensure that the company was operating as it should, and that the millions of dollars invested in it were truly worth it.

Although his parents were skilled businessmen, their focus on the bottom line often made them neglect the well-being of their employees. Morgan recognized this and wanted to ensure that the new campaign was not just profitable, but also catered to the needs and desires of the target audience. "I'm aware of the buzz surrounding the product and I want to make sure the campaign is tailored to women's needs."

"Then why don't you go and observe?" Her mother waved a delicate white hand. Her expression turned serious. "Honey, the Ad campaign is crucial to the success of the company. We need you to be involved and give it your full attention."

"And of course it's for you, Mom." Morgan took a step back.

Hector tried to clarify what Juliette was trying to say. "Basically, your mother wants to make sure that the fashion line covers all kinds of people, not just a certain class." However, his voice trailed off when he noticed the look on his son's face.

"Alright." Morgan gave a cold head nod, his tone indicating his annoyance. "I'll be there."

He nodded in response, but there was a hint of frustration in his eyes as he walked out the door. He knew his parents meant well, but he was tired of their constant pressure to conform to their expectations. He was determined to live life on his own terms, even if it meant going against his family's wishes.

His long strides led him out of the spacious dining room and down the hall. The maid appeared out of nowhere and gave a slight curtsy, something he loathed.

"Mr. Blodwyn, do you need anything else before you go?" She asked politely.

"No, thanks." He forced a smile before moving past her and walked to the door.

The manor house had been passed down through their family for many generations and had undergone several renovations. It was situated on a gentle slope and was encompassed by vast stretches of emerald lawns, vibrant flowers, and breathtaking vistas, all meticulously tended to by a team of landscapers. To ensure their privacy, the family had acquired the neighboring land, leaving them with no immediate neighbors for miles.

The estate had facilities such as stables where only the family's thoroughbred horses were kept, indoor and outdoor pools, tennis courts spacious enough for a lighter, basketball courts, and a path that snaked through the property, leading to a scenic lake and rustic cottages that exuded charm.

Morgan had spent a lot of time there when he was growing up and wanted to get away from the crampedness of his upbringing. It had become a sanctuary for him, a place where he could escape to whenever he was grappling with personal issues and difficulties.

As he walked through the grand halls of the manor house, he couldn't ignore the feeling that something was off. Despite the peaceful surroundings and the familiar luxury of his childhood home, he felt a sense of foreboding that he couldn't quite explain.