A look into the wishing well 9

" That bastard!" As George slammed the Pam of his hand on the huge teak desk in his office..

Olive had broken down in tears telling him the threats that Benjamin had made against them. 

"So they have taken to hiring spies and private investigators to watch every inch of what we do? Those blasted rascals. 

They knew nothing of business and we just good for nothing errand  and bus boys. 

This company was going nowhere when I joined after varsity. I made the right calls with the big business decisions. 

If my dad had listened to them we would be out on our backsides in the street scrapping for crumbs" as he continued his rant...

" George I don't care much for the business or them. I care about you and the kids," Olive protested..

"They intend on throwing us into turmoil. You are one and they are many. And this country of ours does not respect it's own laws but money and corrupt men!"

"You know it George. You know it! " 

" They have been planning this for a long time. While you broke your back working to make this organisation what it is, they worked on lining the pockets of politicians, policeman and all sorts of unsavoury characters. I may not know much but I know this one thing: if you fight you stand every chance of losing. If you win, you will win at a great cost to us" 

George knew she was right but he had become the sought of man who would not go down without a fight. This brewing war at brought them together. 

Olive kissed George and said to him,

" I understand what you did was for us and mainly for me. I know you tried to give me your own children. But listen George, you are the father to those kids. No matter what. We will raise them together. "

George had sent a message to big bro in effect saying 'to hell with you. I will not go down without a fight. And no I will not tell mother to change the will. You my brother and those aligning themselves with you are a bunch of uneducated clowns.'

Early in the morning George's​ friend turned up unexpectedly. Still heavy with sleep George went downstairs and there he threw on the table the trashy tabloid newspaper headlines : Top business man had secret love child at 19. The sub headline continued to say and he callously paid off poor woman to disappear. 

George read the article and realised that the first of many shots to destroy his reputation by his brothers had started. They had sold the story to the newspapers. 

"Is this true?" His friend asked. That is how this family secret had been hidden away. 

"Man I was young. She was young. We did what we thought was best. As far as I am aware the child has grown into a beautiful woman. Her mother was able to marry well too. And if she decides to ask to meet me at some point in the future, I am open to it. I am a different man now."

"Hmmm.who would have thought!" As his friend laughed. " I thought only my family had crazy stories hidden in the closet. Don't worry I am in your side. They fight you...for sure they fight me!" 

With those words he left. 

George made himself a coffee and read the article again, slowly taking in every word designed to scandalise him. 

' I wonder how Olive will react he thought? 

She will say I told you so?' 

But how could he allow himself to be intimidated by a bunch of ignoramuses who knew nothing of creating anything of value but we're always ready to sit at the top table when honours were being awarded and they of course knew how to spend. 

Olive was not best pleased. The pleaded with George, to stop this before it got any worse. She suggested to move to Malaysia and make a fresh start there. He had great business contacts there and part of their business portfolio was there. They knew him and he could under cut his brothers easily. 

It was appealing and he thought about it. But no he wanted to fight his brothers and if it meant he was going down. Then as a man he must fight them. 

Their mother who had four children with their father was the third wife and his most favourite. It was George's brothers in this branch of the family who had become wealthy far beyond the other brothers and sisters. His fight was with his close flesh and blood. 

She called his three brothers, their sister and all their wives and husbands. Though physically weak due to age, she had great presence of mind. 

When they turned up, there was a general hubbub. The family lawyers also turned up. 

When everyone had settled in the large dining area, she turned up. George had only spoken to his sister and her husband - whom George had got to run one of the warehouses for the family. It was general business chit chat. 

Olive kept silent and glared at Benjamin. He felt uncomfortable for the first time as he was the one who would stare down people until they cowered in fear. 

Their mother started in a frail but steady voice -

" So after all these years, we are now airing our dirty laundry in the papers...hmmm? To make matters worse, the trashiest of the lot. 

We broke our agreement... this was supposed to remain secret. It was not perfect but it worked out well both the child and the mother are no worse for it. 

Benjamin why is this?"

"I have no idea. Someone somehow managed to get this information and leak it to the press!" Big bro said with serious face. 

"And you think that person is not around this table?"

"Mother you better ask George himself. I am of the opinion he shared this with one of his friends. Not aware that his friend would betray him and sell the story to the papers. We kept our word and we, I mean us his brothers who worked hard to save his reputation and the honour of this family." 

"Are you not surprised he has never once said thank you?"

George looked at Olive and she looked at him. She shook her head in disbelief and laughed as if to say ' this is crazy!'

"George. George. Why?" His mother shouted, " have you not done enough harm to us and then inflict this indignity on us!"

"Of course this is utter nonsense cooked up by a bunch of clowns. Look at them mom? They are my brothers and your sons but what a bunch of good for nothing loafers. They are being led by the nose by big bro. He is the one who leaked the story. He has the most to gain."

By this time there was a general uproar, a tumult. His brothers didn't take too kindly to being called clowns and loafers. They threaten to beat him senseless. One of the wives suggested they throttle him there and then; and be down with his shenanigans. 

"Ask his wife mamma? She is the one. She is trying to cover up her affairs that led to the mixed babies! Don't you see mamma she wants us to look bad so we don't have time to ask her questions?"

" How dare you say that about my grandchildren! Get out of my house this instance"

Benjamin interjected, " mother please calm down. You know my wife cares much for you and the reputation of our family. This is what we are hearing people say in the streets. Please mother. We might as well have adopted those children!" 

Their mother's response was clear, " unless you want to leave with her, she must get out at once."

Highly embarrassed, she walked out of the room while big bro stayed. 

" No listen carefully," mother began, " I asked the lawyers to come for a reason. I see the fighting will not stop. Whether I am alive or gone. But at least I can do something to swing the balance in whichever way I choose. 

If my husband was still here, I am sure he would agree with what I will do.

This would have been easy. My husband split his properties and lands wealth between his four wives and their children. From you, this branch of the family has come great wealth and recognition across the country. My husband's name is known across the country because of you... I say this loosely but if I am to be blunt then it is because of George. George is his father's heir. 

He may be the youngest. He may be the most reckless but he is the one that took the risks that made the company what it is today. 

You boys look at your fat well fed wives and remember without George you would not be covered in such splendid jewelry or wearing such beautiful clothes!" 

Big bro could barely contain himself on hearing this. 

Mother concluded; ' your father had always been a traditional man and in any other circumstance the controlling interest would be assigned to the eldest. The three brothers remaining would have an equal share but not to the extent of the eldest. 

He changed that and felt George should have the controlling interest even though Benjamin was the eldest. 

Now I have gone against his wishes and changed that in the will. 

Now George will get 100% of everything when I am gone. I mean a everything. You will of course remain employees. I have put it in the will that he keeps you from poverty by ensuring you are employed. 

Of course it is up to him to decide if he wants to give you shares in the company.

As it stands you are all rich men enough with your properties and side businesses. This should not concern you right? 

That is all I have to say..if anything happens to George you lose it all and passes into Olive and the triplets. So mind yourselves."

The most stunned was big bro. For a while he did not move from his chair. Everyone else was muttering this and that. 

George and olive did not hang about, they left almost immediately. 

To be continued