Jack Matthews' Replacement Family

It took a few minutes before her message was read and Jerry replied with all capitals.

"I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR HIM! TELL ME EVERYTHING THAT YOU KNOW ABOUT HIM!"

When Mary told Jerry that she knew nothing else, the man groaned while trimming the leaves of an exotic tropical plant.

Jack Matthews did not return the call even after a whole day had passed. On Tuesday night, Aiden received a mail from a professor with the information that his morning lecture for Wednesday was canceled. The professor failed to catch the train back to Harrow Lane after attending a conference in another town.

While other students rejoiced over the prospect of sleeping in on the next day, Aiden had something else in mind. He did not have the luxury to wait around until Jack Matthews remembered to call him back. Aunt Cheryl, the woman who replaced his mother in the Matthews household, might have not particularly cared much about Aiden's call. After all, he was a discarded son. Everyone knew that.

Aiden did what he had to do. He took a bullet train to Arbyshire, the town he used to live in as a child, and went directly to his father's company headquarters. The headquarter of Matthews' Boulangerie was located in a high-end commercial area at the center of Arbyshire.

The whole building exterior was made of slightly blue-tinted tempered glass. Those inside the building had a magnificent view outside, but those at the outside were unable to look at what was inside.

When Aiden entered the building, what he saw first was the security guard and reception area on the left side, and a waiting area on the right side. The waiting area was equipped with a cafe to serve the waiting guests.

Aiden went directly to the reception counter. The lady at the counter smiled at him and asked for his identification. Aiden took out his phone and let the lady scan his identity barcode directly from the phone.

"How can we help you today, Mr. Thompson?"

"I would like to meet with my father, Jack Matthews."

The lady's mouth dropped open.

"Oh," she softly said in reply. "Please wait for a moment."

The receptionist lady hastily dialed a number while stealing glances at Aiden. After she finished making the phone call, the receptionist asked Aiden to wait in the waiting area.

"We have the freshest baked goods ready for you. Please enjoy while waiting!"

Aiden nodded with a smile and obediently went to wait at the waiting area. He glanced at the pastries and cakes that he had never seen in his life.

They looked beautiful, but they did not look appetizing to Aiden.

After his mother passed away, he could not look, let alone eat any of those desserts anymore. It hurt too much.

Jack Matthews had had the same secretary for fifteen years. Mrs. Wells of course knew who Aiden was. As soon as she stepped out of the elevator, she went to greet Aiden right away.

"Aiden!" she cried out of delight. "Oh God, how you have grown! You have become a proper young man now. How are you doing?"

After exchanging pleasantries for a few minutes, they went right to the business.

"I need to ask a favor of my father. I don't need much of his time," Aiden said.

"I see. Coincidentally he has time now. Why don't I take you to his office so you two can talk alone?"

"That would be great, Mrs. Wells. Thank you."

The headquarters was built long after Aiden left the Matthews family. It was unbelievable that the company belonged to his father. Everything seemed foreign to Aiden.

Jack Matthews' office was located on the highest floor of the building. The whole floor was covered with a hand-made carpet that was specifically imported from Turkey. He had his own waiting area, with a long reception table that was manned by two secretaries including Mrs. Wells.

Mrs. Wells knocked at Jack's door to inform him about Aiden, and then she beckoned him to go inside. Aiden swallowed hard. He turned at the doorknob and pushed the door open.

Inside Jack Matthews' lavish office sat a few people. Jack Matthews had his whole replacement family inside. Jack, Cheryl, and their son Alain looked up at Aiden as the latter froze at the door.