Strained Dinner

Vern's reluctance to take the call was self-imposed. His face turned to the right, he raised his hand to receive the cell phone from the bald bodyguard.

"Hello, what's wrong with Uncle calling me?" asked Vern lazily. He sighed heavily, if he remembered the embarrassing incident at the office 2 days ago.

"The company has a problem, you must come immediately!" Jack ordered with a strange voice intonation. He was embarrassed to have to admit his shortcomings in leading the company, in other words, asking for help from Vern whom he had insulted.

"I refuse, Uncle. Let Roderick finish it. I don't want to be disturbed until I'm fully recovered mentally and physically," Vern refused firmly. He wanted to end the conversation with Jack immediately. Vern wanted to curse, but he was still sane and still had some respect for Jack.

However, what did Vern get? Vern himself actually received a curse from Jack. "You son of a bitch! Are you happy to see the family company destroyed? That son of a bitch!"

Vern crumpled the phone angrily as he heard Jack swear. He pulled the phone away from his ear and mindlessly hung up the call.

"Arggh! I don't care about this damn family!" roared Vern as he slammed the phone to the floor. He didn't realize that his action made the bodyguard glare in concern observing the fate of the innocent cell phone with a cracked screen.

Ouch, my precious cell phone. The bald bodyguard complained inwardly. He frowned without daring to sue Vern.

Vern stepped out of the door, he who felt hurt towards Jack quickened his pace. When Vern reached the door, he turned to the side, "I'll replace it with a new one."

The bald bodyguard turned around quickly, he bowed 45 degrees with a beaming face. He uttered, "Thank you, Young Master."

The bodyguard's expression of joy was inversely proportional to the feelings that overwhelmed both Vern and Jack. Jack, who was in the head office at the time, cursed, "You bastard! Watch out, I won't give you a dime from the company!"

Jack's frustrated screams could be heard all the way to the employees' workspaces on the same floor. The employees looked at each other, concerned about the divided state of the company's top brass.

Secretary Vern was no exception, and she ventured to meet Jack. The secretary took a deep breath, then knocked on the door as she said, "Excuse me sir. I have something to tell you."

Jack, who had just gotten comfortable sitting in the CEO's chair, was forced to stand up with panicked nerves getting the better of him. He said, "Come in! What's wrong?"

"Forgive me, sir. I just wanted to remind you of today's important agenda to meet with a client at the Paragon hotel in 30 minutes," the secretary replied, bowing her head. She could feel Jack's angry aura that made the hairs on her body stand up.

"Leave this task to the Marketing Manager!" Jack ordered. He put both hands on his waist, his brain hot with endless problems.

"But sir ...,"

"I don't want to know, do it and get out of here now!" snapped Jack in a heated mood. His breathing was rising and falling with unrelenting anger.

"Yes, sir," the Secretary replied stiffly. She turned and ran out of Vern's room.

Jack controlled himself, he was well aware of his health condition and took another deep breath. Jack pulled out a chair for him to sit on, just putting his butt down, the ringing of his cell phone disturbed his tranquility.

"Husftt! Ohh come on. Let me breathe for a second!" Jack shouted as he answered the call without looking at the phone screen.

"Ohh, I apologize for interrupting your busy schedule. I'd like to talk for a while if there's a family dinner tonight. But if you're busy, I'll reschedule our dinner." Ron tried to improve the atmosphere, he didn't want to be affected by his brother's anger.

In contrast to the news from the Secretary earlier, Ron's words actually made Jack relax even more as the thought of distributing the inheritance flashed through his brain.

"Ohh, no need. I'm just a little angry with the employees who can't do their jobs. I'll see you at the dinner latter," Jack replied in a smoother tone of voice than before. A faint, sly smile graced Jack's face.

"Alright, Brother. I'll see you later," Ron said. He hung up the phone.

The disconnected phone left a missed call from its owner. Without realizing it, the call made time fly by. The Vlodostok family living room was transformed into a grand dining table. All the family members were sitting in their respective chairs, except Ron.

"Man, that workaholic is busy!" grumbled Ron. He was still trying to contact Vern again.

Ron's agitation was read by his wife. She didn't want to drink, so she put down her glass and asked, "Why, Honey? Vern isn't answering his cell phone?"

Ron turned his body, he smiled forcibly and shook the head. Jack who sat with his back to him could guess the answer. Jack responded casually, "Let it go, I'll kill him later."

All eyes were on Jack, an odd silence enveloped the dinner atmosphere. Especially Maini, she was the most nervous person at the dinner.

"Ha ha ha!" Ron's loud laughter broke the silence. He assumed that Jack's words were just a joke, "Yes, we entrusted Vern to you. Let's enjoy the meal."

Many faces relaxed from the tension, as Maini, Vern's mother, who had been holding her breath, now looked relieved. Maini smiled at Jack and said, "Please don't be too hard on my lovely son, Jack."

"We'll see," Jack replied without looking at Maini. He let the chef set down the plate with the steak, then picked up the spoon and knife to prepare to eat.

And once again Ron broke the ice, "Wow! This steak looks delicious, let's eat it!"

Siena - Ron's wife, who was sitting right next to Maini, rubbed her sister-in-law's arm, so that she could enjoy dinner in peace. Maini nodded slowly, smiling again and not prejudging Jack.

"Hi, Roderick. Congratulations on finishing college in America. Uncle is very proud of our family filled with great people. Welcome back to the Vlodostok family," Ron praised as he raised his wine glass. Ron's action was followed by the rest of the Vlodostok family who warmly welcomed Roderick.

"Thanks Uncle," Roderick said with a faint smile. He sat right next to Daren - Ron's son.

Daren smiled sarcastically, he leaned next to Roderick and whispered, "Welcome to hell."

Roderick turned his head quickly, he tightened his jaw and wanted to grab Daren by the collar right then and there. But he held back considering it was a family affair. Meanwhile, Daren grinned with a wide, innocent smile.

Jack cleared his throat, he joined in the welcome from his family, "Thank you, everyone. Roderick is great and there is no doubt about his leadership."

Jack put down the fork and knife, he finished the piece of meat in his mouth. He spoke seriously, "In the near future Roderick will ascend to the CEO position in the company. Any objections?"