Free Web NovelChapter 28: Threat (1)
The next day, Scarlet made her way to one of the family hotels in the centre of Lockwood. What once was a small business with her great-grandfather renting out his homes turned into something large over the years. A business that kept growing to now have hotels spread across the kingdom.
"When you are finished here, there is a new supply of guns for you to inspect. And the art shop wishes to give you something," said Harry.
"Right," Scarlet said, remembering she was to go there. It had to be for some kind of portrait.
Painting was something loved by the family so it made sense to have an art shop and be well interested in art being sold around the kingdom. While Scarlet dealt with most of the family businesses, one of her grandfather’s siblings left their child to run the art shop her great-grandmother started.
Scarlet’s grandfather, Elijah Collins, was the one to look after most of the businesses as Scarlet was told his sisters settled for a quieter life around the kingdom and started their own businesses based on what they liked. So the hotels, gun business, mines and other investments were pass to Eliajh, then Leonard and now Scarlet who shared the profits among the children of Scarlet’s great aunts.
"You may find something to do while I work, Harry. I will be here for a few hours," Scarlet said as there was much to overlook. frёewebnoѵēl.com
Scarlet preferred working in her study at home, but she had an office here to do work when she was to do an inspection of the hotel. It was unavoidable that she had to come to look at how the guests enjoyed their stay and listened to the changes that would be made as the seasons changed.
"Good morning, Mrs. Humphrey," Faith, a worker of the hotel, greeted Scarlet. It was awkward once more to refer to Scarlet with the last name but the divorce wasn’t final so thought it might not be right to use Collins yet. "There is a bit of trouble."
"Out with it," Scarlet said, having no time to waste. Trouble meant urgency.
"My apologies. One of your relatives is here," Faith answered. She was put in a terrible position because of the Collins request when it was evident Scarlet didn’t like them. "They are asking to use the ballroom space on a day we already booked and the price they are willing to pay is quite low."
"I don’t see the problem," Scarlet replied, not seeing the need for Faith to panic. "One customer is not better than the other for us to move around something already booked. You merely have to deny the request and move on. I would hate to think you are easy to scare and have customers walk over you."
"No, I have denied what she is offering. The problem is that she speaks of having something against you that I worry about letting her leave," Faith revealed.
"Is that so?" Scarlet replied, curious about who the cheap fool lingering in her hotel was. "Prepare their carriage. They won’t be long."
Scarlet continued to the office which was like her second home. ’Is this the guest he spoke of?’ She wondered.
The day was going by fast and there wasn’t anyone besides the Collins here to come visit her. Scarlet made the mistake of not asking Ian who he presumed would want to speak to her.
As Scarlet made her way up with her guards, she was greeted by the sight of Naomi, sitting on one of the chairs meant for guests waiting to speak to Scarlet.
Naomi grabbed her bag from the floor as she stood to greet Scarlet. "Good morning."
Scarlet ignored Naomi as she walked toward her office. She only stopped because Naomi made a bold move to block her path. Scarlet raised her hand to stop her guards from tossing Naomi to the side. "I am not interested in seeing you beg. Get out of the way and leave before I have them drag you out."
"Come now," Naomi said, reaching for Scarlet’s hand only for her hand to be flicked by the guard. "Do you have any idea who you touched?!"
"No, they don’t," Scarlet answered in place of the guard. "You are one of the relatives that are easy to forget. So it makes no sense you come to this hotel expecting special treatment. One day you make sport of my divorce and the next you are here to beg. I don’t know whether to laugh or pity you."
"I require somewhere to host my mother-in-law’s birthday. She is your relative so it should be an easy decision to let it be here. She’s been speaking of visiting here and it would be a wonderful gift," said Naomi.
"It boggles my mind that you think I care about what she wants," Scarlet said, confused by Naomi. It was like these relatives woke up and forgot about their previous actions toward her or the simple fact that she disliked them. "Not only do you want my help but you can’t afford to pay the price set for all guests. You have some nerve to speak about my life."
"We couldn’t all be tossed into wealth like you were. Don’t you have enough? You continue to keep an estate that is too large for one person and don’t invite us-"
"It is not my fault that my grandfather and his father disliked all of you. The estate does not belong to your side of the family and if you wish for it to be taken from me, I suggest you go conjure up my great-grandfather or travel back to the past to fix his issues with your side. Continue to question me about my estate and I will send you to speak with the dead. Out of my way," Scarlet said, ready to have the guards take Naomi out.
"You cannot threaten me. I will tell the town guards," Naomi declared.
"Do it," Scarlet urged Naomi. She was confident they would not arrest her. "You are so eager to get your hands on my estate because you are about to lose the crate you call home. Sell your bags and find work. Remove her from my sight."
"It is only nearing noon and you are already kicking someone out," Jack said, displeased by what Scarlet was doing. They were so lost in their heated conversation that neither noticed his arrival.
"Jack," Naomi cried, running to him before the guards could grab her. "I’m only here to get the ballroom for my mother’s birthday. How do you deal with her?"
"I couldn’t, that’s why we’re no longer together," Jack answered, watching as the guards blocked his view of Scarlet. "I am of no use to you. She’ll look to throw us out so I suggest you leave before it happens. I have no control over this business. I never did."
Naomi let go of Jack since he was useless. With Scarlet not agreeing, she had to get the other relatives to make a complaint. Naomi huffed and left the two to make her way to the guards to let them know of Scarlet’s threat.
"I am only here for business. Nothing else would bring me here to you. Scarlet," Jack called, frowning as Scarlet started to walk off without addressing him. "What do you know of that man with you at the ball? You shouldn’t take strangers to your side so fast. You know many look to use you."
The response Jack got did not please him as he could hear the faint sound of Scarlet laughing as though he had shared a joke. freeweɓnovēl.coɱ
Scarlet thought Jack might have started to lose his mind as he had some nerve questioning her about Ian. Trying to offer her advice? "Send him out too. He doesn’t have an appointment to speak with me," she told the guards.
Whatever Jack had to say would not concern business therefore she didn’t wish to hear it.
