15. The Assembly (1)

The patriarch, Archimedes John Axelson, is the owner of Antlia, the most expensive private mansion in the world. Located in New Empire's most exclusive zip code, this 30-story, 400,000-square-foot property featured ceilings that were twice as tall as the standard for skyscrapers, making each level effectively two stores taller.

Despite its towering stature, the stunning design showcased a return to classical, Roman, and Greek architecture as well as conventional baroque elements.

The members of the Axelson family from all around the world entered the Antlia family gathering in formal suits in black. The family servants and escorts, led each members into the meeting room one by one. The meeting table was prepared with a side table placed in the corner of the room, filled with delicious refreshments for the members after this crucial meeting.

A whirlwind of activity ensued at the Axelson household following Winona and Ramsey's hospital visit. The mother and son are not pleased when a physician makes fun of the mother and son. Both of them were waiting in the conference room, ready to discuss the fate of Hazel and the risk management that the Axelson Group of Companies had to take.

After everyone had settled into their seats, they exchanged pleasantries and small talk, but in reality, they were all completely untrustworthy. Each one was finding opportunities to criticize the other.

The grand hall of the Axelson estate was abuzz with tension and anticipation as the family convened for an urgent meeting, as was the unexpected reemergence of Hazel Enid, whose recent actions have caught the family's attention and concern. The air in the meeting room was thick with anticipation. As the family members' discussions simmer down to a quiet murmur, the grand door opens, revealing the matriarch of the Axelson family, Edith Delacour.

With the air befitting a queen, Edith strode into the room. Everyone in the room hushed in homage to her because of her graceful presence and authoritative manner. Far from the stereotypical image of the wizen matriarch, Edith exuded an aura of mature yet vibrant beauty, her demeanor as regal as it was mysteriously youthful. Her appearance was meticulously groomed, embodying a mature grace that belied her matriarchal role. Her skin, free from the expected signs of aging, radiated a healthy glow, and her movements were fluid and assured, suggesting vitality and strength.

Edith's attire for the meeting was carefully chosen, reflecting her status and personality as she entered the room with an air of regal authority. Her elegance and demeanor command respect, and the room fell silent in salutation. As she slowly walked in, the family members stood as a gesture of deep respect and acknowledgement of her leadership and status within the family. All eyes turned towards Edith as she gracefully approached her seat at the center of the long, ornate table that had borne witness to countless family decisions over the years.

The family butler, a figure of quiet efficiency and unwavering loyalty to the Axelson household, escorted his master with practiced precision. His movements were smooth and respectful, a dance of service perfected through the years of attending the Axelson family.

Amos Slade received a discreet nod from Edith as he elegantly pulled out her chair and gestured for her to take her seat. The moment reinforced the established hierarchy and the reverence with which Edith was regarded.

Edith Delacour took her seat with unflappable composure, her posture erected and dignified, and her every move observed and analyzed for hints of her thoughts on the elephant in the room. A simple act of sitting exuded a sense of silent authority, her calm demeanor belying the storm of considerations and strategies forming in her mind. The room's hushed in anticipation of her words.

Amos retreated, leaving the stage set for the discussion to proceed. The family waited, a collective breath held, for the matriarch to initiate the subject of the meeting, which would change the course of the prodigal daughter. She was once lost, and now she was found.

The family's secretary stood up and announced the agenda of the meeting. Her voice was steady and clear and she cut through the whispers, laying bare the reason for their gathering. "Dear members of the Axelson household, today we come together to discuss the return of our prodigal daughter, Hazel Enid, who ran away five years ago, abandoning her duties as the sole heir to the Axelson Group of Companies."

Everyone started to murmur at the mention of Hazel Enid, who fled for unknown reasons within the family, which made them perplexed.

The secretary cleared her throat to demand silence and continued, "On New Year's Day, a video went viral entitled "The Crimson Girl" dancing at the bar countertop at the Midnight Sun, one of the most provocative clubs in the country. She was seen to display a magnificent performance worthy of an Axelson, but unfortunately, she ended her performance by falling from grace. The objective of this assembly is to retrieve Hazel Enid for rehabilitation and intervention so she could resume her duties as an Axelson."

The family members reacted again at the mention of "The Crimson Girl," and her viral dance performance at Midnight Sun captured everyone's attention. The acknowledgement of her talent, juxtaposed with the unfortunate end to her performance, stirred a mix of emotions among the family members.

Silence filled the room once more as the members discreetly side-eyed over each other to observe who would be the first to make a suggestion.

A fat man with a lack of neck and a thick beard announced, "Hazel is back!" He sat right next to Edith, and cocked his head at the right leaning slight towards her, "Good grief, Edith! You were searching for her in vain and she suddenly pop up! Archie would leap out of his death bed just to hear the news of his granddaughter's return. God knows what will happen to the Axelson family's businesses if we do not find a suitable descendent to take over soon." He said it sarcastically.

"Uncle Wimble, Hazel is not the only candidate's to inherit grandfather's legacy. Grandfather has other grandchildren with whom he can continue his legacy, and I believe we will be able to deliver good, if not better, results than Hazel could." A young, dashing lady stood up with brunette locks abruptly after listening to her granduncle's comment.

"But Roxy, didn't you hear the secretary Lori's agenda? It stated sole heir. Clearly your grandfather didn't treat anyone of you as his grandchildren for him to put Hazel's name in his will." Wimble smirked, agitated the rest of Archimedes' grandchildren who were present during the assembly. 

"I seconded Roxy's statement; we do not need Hazel's return to take over anything that is related to the company. However, must keep her in custody so she does not further tarnished the Axelson's good name. A pawn that is needed to be eliminated." answered Elle, Roxy's youngest sister.

"Yes, what Hazel needs is good intervention and rehabilitation. She looked drunk in the video; how humiliating. If Winona had done a good job of parenting her children, none of this situation would have happened." Old man Wimble's wife continued, as she conveniently commented on Winona's bad parenting.

Winona and Ramsey glared at the elderly woman, who sat beside her husband, Wimble.

"Grandmother, Hazel must be apprehended without delay for escaping and causing distress to our family!" Ramsey raised his voice like a little girl demanding for sweets.

"Captured? What did she do to deserve such brutal punishment? Just bring her back and let us have a discussion on how to move forward in the future." Old man Wimble responded.

"I heard she changed her name to Selina; is it not? She is taking up her mother's name and trying to live up to her mother's legacy." Wimble continued to confirm Hazel's identity.

"Well, her mother's reputation did not last; that was why she was ousted from the family." This time it was Winona who responded.

"Hazel needs to walk it off. Should not mix personal and business together. What happened to her mother should not influence her. She needed to understand what it means to be an Axelson, and black sheep needed to be discarded." Wimble replied.

Everyone in the family suddenly became bold in expressing their own opinions about the case. The discussion became a heated debate, with one faction supporting Hazel and the other opposing her existence.

Edith's expressions remain unwavering because she was hell-bent on achieving one thing, and not even her granddaughter can help her prepare for what lies ahead.