Cancelation

"No-one is cancelling anything!" William said in a fit of rage.

"You know I think it's time to leave the restaurant, perhaps there is somewhere more private we could have this discussion." Joseph forced a smile, as he gestured to the many eyes.

"Yes I think that is a splendid idea. How about you all come around to our place for afternoon tea." Camilla suggested, picking up her bag whispering in her son's ear this isn't the place.

"Fine." Liam stoically looked at his mother before being the first to leave. He was quickly followed by his parents and then all the Whittingham family.

The family of three sitting the back of black limousine, the two women furious, whilst the elderly man looked helplessly at them.

"Just who does that brat think he is?" Lorraine speaking to no-one in particular, her eyes narrowed at the thought of the arrogant heir. "What does he think he's doing?"

"H…how can he not remember me?" Odette's green pools started to well up as remembered his cold attitude towards her. "Am I not pretty enough?" she looked desperately at her parents.

"Don't say that!" Her mother shouted.

"Of course you are darling." Her father's calm voice coaxed her. "This has nothing to do with your beauty, but if Liam is in love with someone else, no-one can change that, no matter how beautiful you are." He looked lovingly at his darling daughter.

"But…but I love him, is that not enough?" Eyes filled with such sadness it broke her father's heart, but he too knew that if Liam didn't love her, nothing could make him do so and trying to force him to will only make it worse.

"Darling listen to me," Lorraine spoke is a vengeful tone, that pulled their attention toward matriarch. "I promise you that I will find a way to get you married to Liam Clair, even if I have to kill his bitch myself." A cold darkness filled her eyes as spoke, sending shivers down her husband and daughter's spines.

"Lorraine!" Joseph looked horrified at his wife.

"Really Mummy?" Odette's eyes brightened with joy at her mother's words. "Do you mean it?"

"Of course sweetheart, anything for my baby girl." Ignoring her husband, Lorraine's once cold eyes now warmly looked at her daughter as she reassuringly caressed her cheek.

Joseph loved his family, but knew his wife could be a bit eccentric, however he never imagined she'd so far as to kill a person. His heart started to worry for Liam's unknown lover. Despite his power and authority, Joseph was kind-hearted man, whilst experience taught him not trust easily, he was kind enough to put the needs of others before his own.

He, himself had known unconditional love once, much like his daughter it was unrequited. Joseph however being the man he was, he watched her be happy and love someone else. Although he'll never forget the devastating day he was notified that along with her family she been killed in a fire. Still to this day he wonders if there was something he could have done, that might have changed her fate. Regardless of his undying love for her, Joseph married Lorraine because his family had arranged it and over the years the fondness he felt for his wife became love, while it could never compare to the love he felt for his past love, it was enough.

When they all arrived at the Clair's main residence, Madam Clair organised tea, coffee and snacks to be set out, while also making it clear that no-one was to go near the entertaining room.

The tension in the room could have been cut with a knife, three sets of eyes glaring at Liam, who sat there indifferently without a care in the world. Joseph looked down at his phone, not particularly wanting to get involved.

"Well here is some tea and coffee." Camilla walked in holding a tray of desserts while the maid beside her had cups of various hot beverages. After handing out the drinks, the maid quickly disappeared fearing the antagonistic atmosphere.

"I don't understand why we're here," Liam looked up from cup of coffee, "I already told you I'm not marry her."

"And why not?" Lorraine jumped in no longer hiding her anger. "What has this slut of yours got that my precious Odette doesn't?"

"Well at least her mother isn't uncivilised." Liam lips pulled into a slight smirk, as his blue-green eyes moved from his coffee to see her mortified reaction.

"Excuse me!"

"Erroneous!" William and Lorraine spoke at the same time. William's green eyes filled with anger, Lorraine's overcoming with hatred.

"You know who this girl is, President Clair?" Odette perked up, looking hopefully at the furious man sitting cross from her.

"Well I didn't…" Liam's eyes narrowed as he watched his father speak to the heiress, "until this morning."

"And just how was it that you come to hear of my relationship father?" the tension built up in the air between the father and son. The blonde heiress watched carefully, a hint of mischief and devious intent sparkled in her leafy green eyes, only for a moment, but long enough for Liam to have caught it.

"That doesn't concern you Liam." William spoke coldly.

"I think it does." Liam retorted back, before leaning back into his seat and with a sarcastic smile said, "however, none of this changes anything, I will not marry Odette, not because of her, but because I am in love with someone else."

"And look how well that turned out last time." Lorraine's concerned tone shocked everyone. The woman stood up, walking over to sit beside Liam, "Liam, darling, I understand what it is like to fall in love with someone, but haven't you been through enough heartache? Hmm," she spoke kindly, comforting him as if she was a completely different person from who they'd just met. "You need to understand that people like us, don't get the freedom of marry whoever we wish, it just doesn't work like that."

"She's right dear." Camilla finally spoke, however her words felt forced, as if she was trying to coax herself rather than him. "Love is a privilege for the poor."