Lifes Illusions

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Life's Illusions - Book Four - Chapter 21

For Woody, it was an absolutely gruelling day, then came the church service, where he'd been reduced to a sobbing wreck by all of the eulogies.

But of all, he would remember Fleur's the most, when, at the closing statement she'd said, 'My dearest, sweet, compassionate, Aunt Jacqueline, to so many, she was the true Contessa Montclair', for the rest of my life I will strive to achieve what she would have expected of me'.

He taken comfort in Roslyn and Paul flanking him, putting their arms around him for comfort when he found it impossible stop himself from breaking down.

He'd hoped it was a sign, that perhaps they could forgive him, in reality, all they'd done was lull him into a false sense of hope.

In his moments of lucidity, he'd thought perhaps they could be a family again.

They'd left the church for the family burial service in the private cemetery at Chateau Montclair.

At four in the afternoon, as they were entering the White Dining Room at Chateau Montclair, where Jacqueline's Last Will and Testament was due to be read, Woody realised there were a large number of family missing.

That was the moment when he realised, he'd hurt them all, to the point where they needed to escape, they couldn't compound what he was doing, they'd chosen to leave.

His children were nowhere to be found, he presumed they were in their rooms, he still couldn't let himself believe they would leave.

In fact they'd never reentered the Chateau, coming down from the cemetery, they'd got straight into a car with Milo and Piers, heading for Nice Airport, and eventually Sydney.

Josef, Carry, Juan, Manny, Berto, and Maria, had also left as soon as they'd descended from the cemetery, heading back to Avenue Montclair.

Aly cornered Woody.

"I love you Woody, but you've fucked this up so badly I seriously want to smack you into next week, I know the pain you're feeling, I know how much Jacqueline meant to you, I understand your loss, but you've driven your own children out of their home, that's unforgivable, you've also insulted, and hurt Carry, I'm going to tell you something Woody, you can choose to listen, or not".

Aly stopped to think how to say it, he still wasn't certain when he continued.

"Whatever you think, or want, Jacqueline nominated Carry as the next Matriarch, and you will honour Jacqueline's wishes, or the family will see you in court, and if you don't chase down your children on bended knees, begging their forgiveness, you're a fool, but above all Woody, what you've done to your children, it calls into question our bond, are we, have we ever been, true blood brothers?, did you lie when you said you accepted me, I really don't know right now, and that hurts me".

Having said his piece, Aly headed for the door where Bo was already waiting for him.

Woody knew what he had to do first, he spoke to his solicitors, who had been preparing to read Jacqueline's will, her last wishes.

"I'm sorry, it seems a lot of the people who will be mentioned are not here, so I'd prefer that there is no reading, please contact everyone individually, by post".

Next he headed for the wing where his children's rooms were, intending to try and make some sort of amends.

When he got to the hallway where their rooms were located, he knew as soon as he saw Roslyn and Cecile's room, the door wide open, empty, except for a few boxes marked, 'Charity Shop', he was too late.

Billy found him sitting on Roslyn and Cecile's bed, crying like a baby.

He sat next to Woody, pulling him into a hug.

"Oh little Bro, what the fuck have you done?, I have to know you understand how badly you've handled this, and that you're going to try to fix it, only then can I go home, so wipe away the tears, talk to me, tell me about Carry first".

Billy had deliberately steered him away from the thought that his children had gone, and it worked.

"I think Jacqueline was wrong, Jolly has the most understanding, the most knowledge, I don't think Carry has the life experience, I want Jolly to take up the role".

Billy sighed.

"You really have lost your sense of judgment haven't you?, don't you think Jacqueline would have consulted Jolly on something this major, you're right they were so alike, so well aligned, but who do you think finally convinced Jacqueline to nominate Carry?".

Woody had stopped crying, he was trying to follow what his older brother was saying, Billy could see him struggling, so he put it plainly.

"Jacqueline told Jolly she was torn, between Jolly's experience, and Carry's youth, and her likeness to Momma, that's when Jolly agreed it should be Carry, she'd seen it too, how like Momma Carry is, but here's the real point Woody, this isn't something Jacqueline decided recently, she and Jolly discussed, and came to this decision, nearly ten years ago, don't you think if Jacqueline, or Jolly, had any second thoughts, they've had plenty of time to change their minds, ample time for Jacqueline to amend her will, but she didn't Woody, she was confident in Carry's ability, and so is Jolly, she'd refuse you if you asked her to take up the mantle, you have to honour Jacqueline's wish".

Billy could see Woody processing what he said, when he spoke again, it wasn't a pleasant statement for Billy to make.

"I don't want to discuss why your children have left home, it's far too painful, because to even speak of it means I would have to cut you off, it would mean I lose you for ever, prove me wrong, I'm begging you Woody, don't tell me you're not the wonderful, loving, compassionate little brother I know you too be, because that would tear my heart out".

Billy had still been holding him.

"We're leaving now, I'll always love you Bro, whatever happens, but promise me, you'll do whatever you can to put right your mistakes".

Woody nodded.

"I will Billy, somehow, I can promise you that, but I wish you'd spoken to me sooner, I've been so stupid, I think maybe it's too late, I've already lost everything".

The following day Woody avoided everyone, by late afternoon, early evening, all family members had left, at around ten in the evening in Montclair he set out to start his repair work, his children had arrived in Sydney, and were enjoying breakfast.

His call was answered by Milo and Piers housekeeper, who asked him to hold whilst she went off to find Roslyn, Paul, or Danny.

He was holding for what seemed like an eternity before someone came to the phone, but it was Piers voice he heard, not one of his children.

"Uncle Woody, I'm sorry, I tried to get them to speak with you, but they're adamant, perhaps another time".

Woody's answer concerned Piers.

"It's okay Piers, don't be upset, if that's their answer, then it doesn't matter anymore, would you do me one very last favour?, tell them I'm truly sorry, I do love them, of course I do, I was stupid, lashing out without reason, all I did was lose everything that was really important to me, now I've nothing left".

Woody had terminated the call and poured himself a large drink, he had a lot to do that evening as he retired to his study, to hand write several letters of apology.

Piers had gone back to the group, with a deep foreboding, telling them of Woody's words, and how sad, how dejected he'd sounded.

Next morning Woody readied himself, leaving the Chateau around eleven.

The doorbell was irritatingly insistent , sounding several times.

Juan opened the door, his first reaction was to shut it again, but instead he asked.

"What have you come for Woody?, if it's to add insult to injury you can turn around and get back in your car".

Woody was quick to say no.

"I'm trying to repair some of the damage I've wrought, I need to speak with Carry, is she still here?".

Juan sighed, but invited him in.

"Yes they're still here, but I'm warning you, hurt Carry any more than you already have and Josef won't need to put you down, I'll do it myself".

Woody understood why Juan was saying these things.

"Please Juan, I was wrong, I understand that now, just let me speak to her".

Juan led him into the lounge where Josef and Carry were sitting with the family.

Josef immediately jumped up, only to be held back by Juan as he said.

"Give him a chance to explain Bro, I've already warned him, if he hurts Carry again, you're the least of his worries, I'll put his lights out before you get chance".

Josef sat back down next to Carry, quite obviously angry.

What surprised Woody was the expression on Carry's face, not angry, just hurt.

"Carry I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you, I doubted Jacqueline's decision, and I should have known better, I thought she'd made the decision recently, but I know now, she and Jolly made the decision jointly, nearly ten years ago, I'm the fool, for doubting Jacqueline, I realise I hurt you, and I was wrong, I'm asking you to consider the request seriously when it is presented to you, you have my backing, for what it's worth, I'm not going to be capable of opposing you anyway when it comes to the family decision, I'm going to leave now, you don't have to include me in any future decisions, to be honest, it won't matter".

And he was gone, leaving them all stunned.

Leaving them at the house on Avenue Montclair, Woody had returned to Chateau Montclair, where he'd sifted through Jacqueline's leftover medication, finding sleeping tablets, over fifty of them, they'd do for what he needed.

They'd been sat in the house on Avenue Montclair all afternoon, and most of the evening, discussing what he'd said, Carry brought up the reference to not including him, and the comments, that he wouldn't be able to oppose her, and that it wouldn't matter, when suddenly, it became clear.

She'd sat bolt upright, realising what he was intending to do.

"He's going to kill himself, quick, Maria, call the Chateau, get the staff, or Pete, or Jaque, anyone, to check on him, tell them we're coming".

They'd driven at breakneck speed to Chateau Montclair, arriving a little before eight in the evening, but they were greeted by a sobbing housekeeper who'd led them up to Woody and Jacqueline's suite, Pete and Jaque, who'd just arrived home, followed up the stairs into the suite right behind them.

He'd looked so relaxed, as if all his cares were gone, and in truth they were, nothing would trouble him anymore, sat in his winged armchair, clutching a picture of his family, before the open glass doors which looked out, past the balcony, his open eyes looking out, over the Chateaus vast lands and vineyards, the place where he'd always started his day, never tiring of that beautiful vista, something his lifeless eyes would never see again, Woody was dead.

Carry closed his eyes, her tears falling onto his cheeks as she kissed him goodbye.

Josef offered to make the calls, which they all knew had to happen quickly before news leaked out, but Carry turned his offer down.

"It's not pleasant, but it comes as a requirement of the role Jacqueline handed me, the first one I want to do from here, from their fathers study, it's the most important, and it's going to be the worst, I would appreciate you both staying with me for that".

Turning to Pete she'd said.

"Do you want to tell Billy, or would you rather I do it?".

Pete was quietly crying in Jaque's arms, but he nodded, replying.

"I'll do it, I'll call Beth as well, Oh Woody, I can't believe it, my sweet little baby brother".

In Sydney Milo received a text which gave him a chill, it read: Have them all assembled in your office, conference call in thirty minutes, no excuses, acknowledge received and understood immediately. Carry.

Within moments her cell beeped an incoming text: Understood, will arrange. Milo

In Sydney there was massive speculation, mainly that Carry was going to try to intervene, try to broker some sort of truce, none would be prepared for what they would hear, for how their world was about to implode once again.

As they trouped into the office, Piers hung back slightly, whispering something which turned Milo's face ashen, he'd been thinking back to the call with Woody, how completely despondent he'd sounded, as if he had nothing left to live for.

Exactly thirty minutes after her text, Carry came up live on the wall mounted video screen.

They could clearly see she was in their Poppas office at Chateau Montclair.

Roslyn didn't give Carry chance to speak before she said.

"If this is another attempt to get us to speak to him, the answer is the same as it was yesterday when he tried calling us, we don't ever wish to speak with him again".

The look of hurt and shock on Carry's face told Piers, and now Milo, all they needed to know, that was probably the final straw for Woody.

Roslyn was about to say more, until Piers, understanding what was coming, walked up behind her, putting his hands on her shoulders.

"Shut up Cus, let Aunt Carry speak".

There was silence for a moment before Carry found her voice.

"Your Poppa passed away sometime over the last few hours, we found him just minutes ago, he took his own life, I'm so sorry to bring you this sad news".

For a long moment there was no sound, then Roslyn sprang to her feet screaming.

"Noooooo, Poppa, no no no, Poppa, no".

Cecile had dragged her into a hug, Paul and Danny just sat there, tears streaming down their faces unable to take it in.

Carry continued.

"You'll understand, we need you all back here as soon as possible, there's going to be a lot of legal work to take care of, if I can help with anything, call me anytime".

Carry cut the call, collapsing into Josef's arms sobbing, before saying.

"I need to tell Aly, born a few minutes apart, they've been brothers all their lives, it's going to be just as hard for him, I can't do it in a phone call, I need to go see him, come with me".

An hour later when they left The Inn, they all felt physically drained.

Aly had been stood, arms folded, determined, thinking they were here to give him some crap excuse from Woody when he'd received the news, it hit him with such devastating force, he'd staggered backward, almost falling, with Bo guiding him gently into an armchair, then it was agonising to watch his heart breaking, they'd finally left him, completely broken, wrapped, sobbing, in Bo's arms.

Pete had called Beth at Chateau Beauchene, listening to her sobs, waiting as Dave took the phone from her, assuring Pete she'd be okay, before ending the conversation.

It was, by then around ten in the evening in Montclair, five in the afternoon Chicago time when Billy's personal cell rang.

Jolly, Jay, and Billy, had been sat with their five younger grandchildren, (Jace and Mel's gremlins) in the large lounge of the main house, the youngsters were doing homework, waiting for their parents arrival home from work.

Billy looked at the caller display and groaned, he got up and walked out into the lobby, closing the lounge door behind him.

"Pete, please tell me it's not bad news".

But of course, it was bad news, which saw Billy screaming in real pain.

"Nooooooo, no, not my sweet little Woody".

The front door opened admitting Mel and Jace, just as the lounge doors were wrenched opened by Jay and Jolly, for a moment everyone was stunned, this was Billy, the strongest member of the family, and he was kneeling, sobbing, on the lobby floor.

Finally they'd all raced for him, Jace grabbed his cell phone, looking at the caller ID, he'd said.

"This is Jace, what did you tell him Uncle Pete, because it's torn him apart?".

Jace listened, his eyes streaming tears, clinging to Mel, finally saying.

"Okay Uncle Pete, I'll tell Momma and Poppa Jay, and I'm so sorry, it's bad enough for us, but he was your little brother, see you soon".

They'd taken Billy up to their suite, but he wasn't capable of rational speech, Jace had followed them, drawing first his Momma, and then his Poppa Jay, away from his Poppa Billy, to break the sad news.

Woody had issued strict instructions, his funeral was to be a family affair, no church service, a simple graveside service, before he was laid to rest, next to his beloved Jacqueline, it took place one week to the day after he died.

At first, from the church, from the Priest in Montclair, had come muttered comments, about a person who'd committed the cardinal sin of taking their own life being laid to rest in consecrated ground, until Jaque, in his official role as Comte de Montclair paid a visit to the church, taking his boys and Fluer with him.

"Father, I hear what you are saying, but you should understand, if anyone ever speaks, even in nasty little whispers, as you have been doing, of this subject again, I warn you, I will raise this church to the ground and build a car park in its place".

The Priest had blustered, Jaque had never liked him, a seedy little man, finally issuing threats about the wrath of Rome for verbally attacking a man of God in his own building.

Jaque had laughed openly before answering.

"You complete fucking idiot, Rome doesn't own this building, I do, The Comte de Montclair, many Popes, over many centuries, all have consecrated this building, but it's not yours, it's mine, and if I were you I'd start packing you nasty little weasel, because you've preached your last fire and brimstone service in this building, when Rome hears how much I'm withholding in funds because of you, I'm having trouble wondering where exactly is the most remote location on this planet they can send you to appease me, and trust me, they fucking well will appease me, because if I could send you to hell, I would".

Twenty four hours after Jaque's visit, the Priest left Montclair.

The town would hold a commemorative service a few days after the funeral, as the Mayor explained to Roslyn.

"I understand your Poppas instructions regarding his funeral, but you also have to understand, I have a town in mourning, they need an outlet for their grief, so many of them have known both of your parents for so long, many owe so much to your parents, to them it's as if they've personally lost a family member".

Roslyn agreed, despite knowing just how much it was going to hurt attending that service.

In the days after Woody died, his children arrived home to Chateau Montclair, taking up residence in their old rooms.

After his funeral, no one was missing as his will was read in the White Drawing Room.

It was particularly sad as the introduction had been changed by Woody only the day before he died.

The words were coming from his trusted solicitor, but in everyone's mind it was Woody speaking.

'So to the inevitable, don't be sad, please, I've had the most remarkable life, brought up by parents and siblings who absolutely doted on me, I've been loved by an incredibly beautiful woman who was my true soulmate, had my own family of beautiful, individual children, none of whom ever, not even for a moment disappointed me, despite my stupid mental state these last few weeks, none of which is the fault of anyone but myself, to my children I say loud and clear, I love you, be happy, enjoy your lives, to my family, my wider family and friends, thank you, for making my life so wonderful, so special".

The expected staff bequests were skipped over because it was a family service only, they'd be dealt with separately.

There was the usual request that family sift through his charities, ensuring none were left without patronage.

The first bequest was to Roslyn, and in turn to Cecile, it saw them both reduced to sobbing wrecks.

'I leave my fifty percent holding in Montclair Wines, Montclair Winery, Montclair Vineyards, and any associated ventures, equally split between my beloved daughter, Roslyn Montclair-Thorn, and her partner, her soul mate, the girl who so graciously took our family name, Cecile Montclair-Thorn, I'm so sorry I hurt you by lashing out, I truly loved you both'.

'To my son Paul Montclair-Thorn, I knew you wouldn't want the estate, so it's money, but what would be comparable to giving Roslyn her dream, and for you I thought, a Hundred Million Euros, an amount so huge, coupled with that which your dear Momma left you, guarantees that you can work without investors if your convictions are strong enough, but I'd still urge you to return to your Uncle Pete's fold, be with your cousins, a place where I know you were happy before I stupidly destroyed your world, for that I'm truly sorry, I loved you son, and I hope and pray that you can find it in your heart to forgive me'.

'My sweet Danny, not a day has gone by since that awful day all those years ago when we thought we'd lost you, not a single day that I don't thank the lord for your safety, no parent will ever successfully deny that they don't have a soft spot for their youngest, the baby of the family, and yes, you've led us a merry dance, but it's a journey I'd willingly embark on again with you, just to have you near me, I love you my boy, unconditionally, and that feeling extends to my Son in Law, Petre Epine, the choice of last name was not lost on us, (Epine in French translates to Thorn in English), I understand the difficulties of your lives so I'm also giving you jointly, a Hundred Million Euros, again, coupled with the recent bequest from your dear Momma it should allow you the freedom to do whatever you want to do, set up wherever you wish, know that I love you Danny, whatever I said, that wasn't me, I wish I could be holding you now, enjoy your lives my sweet children'.

"To my brother Pete, and my brother in law Jaque, I give back the ownership of Chateau Montclair and all it's lands that I bought part ownership of all those years ago, excepting those owned by or forming part of Montclair Winery and its associated companies.

The very last personal bequest was a complete surprise, but it reduced one person back to the wreck he'd been on the day he'd learned of Woody's death.

'To my, Brother by another Mother, my Blood Brother, Aly, the question you asked me when we very last spoke, I can tell you yes, I've loved you as my brother until the last breath I took, don't ever question that, I give to your safe keeping something most people would see as nothing, but to you and I, its the one thing that says we were two halves of the same soul, I'm sorry, after all these years I did let you down in the end, please forgive me my brother'.

The trophy handed to Aly was a half football with Woody's name on it, showing eight years in succession, it was a perfect match to the one Aly had with his name on, from a time in their youth when they'd jointly dominated, as players of the year, in both junior and senior leagues, for eight successive seasons, something never since equalled by any other players at their old schools.

A few days after Woody's funeral, Paul was trying to decide what to do, he'd gone to see his cousins JJ and Marcel, only to find their old offices in the converted stable block behind the Chateau empty, as if they'd been abandoned.

He'd sought out his Uncle Pete for an explanation, only to find that his cousins had merged their company with Daniel Worthington's, and were now based at Maison de Dieu.

Despite Pete urging him to visit his cousins at Maison de Dieu, Paul was torn, by reputation Daniels company only dealt with investment, it didn't actively build projects, which had long been his love, and so he'd dismissed the idea, until Daniel, quite literally, bumped into him.

Formal dining for family at Chateau Montclair had not resumed, so Paul had invited Roslyn, Cecile, Danny, and Petre to join him for dinner at The Inn.

They rode into Montclair in Paul's large Mercedes SUV, with Paul driving.

Turning into the car park of The Inn, Paul had been rolling slowly forward, looking for a spot, when another Mercedes SUV came barrelling backwards toward them from a parking slot on their right as they were passing.

The other vehicle slammed heavily into the rear quarter of Paul's vehicle, with enough force to push it several feet sideways, causing serious damage, showering it's occupants with shattered glass.

Paul jumped out, intending to berate the other driver, only to start laughing when the driver, and passengers emerged, all apologetic.

Daniel Worthington had been driving, the passengers were JJ and Marcel.

Daniel made a beeline for Paul, pulling him into a hug.

"I am so sorry, it was entirely my fault, I was talking, not looking, is everyone okay in your car?".

Paul assured him everyone was unhurt, though his vehicle looked an absolute mess, the entire rear wing had been caved in, causing the rear door on the passenger side to be impossible to open, the rear bumper was lying on the ground, all of the rear windows were shattered, the tailgate door was twisted open, and couldn't be closed.

As everyone got out of Pauls car, they were greeting each other in typical Thorn family style, when Daniel said.

"Would you consider joining us for dinner at Maison de Dieu, we were only here to book a room for interviews, I'd always prefer to keep people away from the company until we have a measure of who, or what, we're dealing with".

Everyone agreed that dinner at Maison de Due would be nice.

They waited, sipping cocktails, in the bar of The Inn, whilst a second car was sent out from Maison de Dieu to collect them.

Daniel used the time to call his PA, and a very red faced conversation ensued, where it was obvious he was receiving a ticking off.

He was heard to request that Pauls vehicle be replaced with an identical new model, to be delivered to Chateau Montclair no later than ten the following morning, the damaged vehicle to be removed to the nearest Mercedes bodyshop and repaired, then sold, the final comments made everyone laugh.

"If you dare to tell Junior about this I will find some fiendish way of making your life a misery".

Still laughing, JJ announced.

"I've never seen any one as frightened of their PA as Daniel is of Cierra, and he's wasting his time, she will tell Junior".

Daniel nodded his head, agreeing with everything JJ had said.

"I work on the principle, if she frightens me, she probably terrifies everyone else, so no one steps out of line".

Soon enough a vehicle turned up from Maison de Dieu and they were on their way.

Paul had visited Maison de Dieu several times, but it's opulence still impressed him.

But Roslyn, Cecile, Danny, and Petre, had never been inside, and they were completely bowled over by its beauty.

In the centre of the smaller reception lobby was a security station, Daniel spoke to the two guards on duty.

"These are all family, we don't need to vet them".

He started to walk away, when the guard obviously in charge spoke.

"Apologies sir, we can't allow anyone into the building without scanning them, logging them, and issuing a security pass, we'd be looking for new employment as of tomorrow, really sorry, but we'll be as quick as possible".

Whilst they'd been talking, the second guard had successfully visited every one of Daniels guests, he'd held up what looked like a simple camera with the instruction.

"Look straight at the lens, no flash, just a retina scan, please say your name when I tell you, now please".

As the first guard returned to the desk, visitor passes were being ejected from the laser printer and were quickly issued out.

The first guard said.

"All done, have a lovely evening, sorry to have delayed you".

Daniel led the way through into the main lobby, muttering, as they all laughed.

"Head of a multi million dollar company, and no bugger even listens to me, let alone does what I say".

As they crossed the main lobby a stunningly beautiful blonde strode toward them.

"Dinner will be served in approximately forty minutes, cocktails are being served in the blue room, tell me everyone is unharmed".

Daniel kissed her cheek.

"Cierra, I'd like you to meet some of my family, Roslyn and Cecile, Danny and Petre, and this is Paul".

And that's where the clock stopped, at least, it definitely stopped for Paul, and surprisingly, it appeared to seriously falter for Cierra too, they were oblivious to everything else, staring at each other.

JJ actually giggled, as did Marcel, which seemed to bring Cierra back to reality, though she hadn't let go of Pauls hand, she said almost breathlessly.

"This way please".

Leading Paul ahead of every one else.

Paul, not having taken his eyes from her, was trotting along like a lamb to the slaughter, to the complete amusement of the rest of the party.

As they were enjoying cocktails, Daniel took Cierra's elbow, steering her toward his office, once inside he was a different person.

"What the fuck are you doing, it's our intention to get him to join the company, you seem to have a completely separate agenda, which is centred entirely on his dick and your twat, snap out of it, do I make myself clear?".

She didn't often get it wrong, and she would admit, Paul was a handsome man, but then, her boss was not one to piss off.

"Yes, I'm sorry, he caught me off guard".

Daniel said in a matter of fact tone.

"Okay, let's go back in, by the time this dinner is over, I want him onboard, JJ and Marcel tell me he's an absolute guru at apportioned fund raising, so get a grip, once he's onboard you can pursue him, not before".

Dinner was fun, the banter typical family, until JJ very pointedly, and stupidly asked Paul.

"Why didn't you get in contact with us like Poppa Pete advised you too?, we were waiting".

The conversation around the table fell silent as everyone looked at Paul.

He in turn started to run a separate series of thoughts, looking first to JJ, then to Marcel, then to Daniel, all three were staring directly at him, and they were looking both nervous, and something else, what was it?, then suddenly he knew, guilty.

"Tonight, that wasn't an accident, was it?, you did it deliberately, to get me here".

Roslyn looked horrified, as did Cecile, the others looked as if they didn't quite understand where this was going, but Paul wasn't finished, he could see it in their faces, he'd worked too long with JJ and Marcel not to pickup on their nervous exchanges.

"A few seconds either way, you could have seriously injured my passengers, family members Daniel, that is just so sick, I think I'll see you in court".

Paul stood up.

"I'm leaving, don't deliver any vehicle other than my own in its damaged state to me tomorrow morning, if it's not there by nine o'clock, I'll have my solicitors issue proceedings against you for theft of my motor vehicle, I don't understand or appreciate your sick games".

Turning to JJ and Marcel.

"I don't understand you, and I'm hurt, we're family, we were friends, but obviously not any more".

He turned and walked toward the doors, the others all standing to follow him.

Daniel, confident he could control the situation, called out.

"I might have gone a little overboard Paul, but doesn't that tell you how much I want you onboard?".

Pauls reply shook him.

"I'm wondering if that's the wording you're going to use when you try to justify this nights actions to Junior, because I'm just going to be giving him my honest reasons why I don't want you, or JJ, or Marcel, anywhere near me going forward".

Paul had called for a taxi whilst they'd been talking, and now the security desk was calling Daniel, telling him, there was a taxi approaching the house.

Daniel, JJ, and Marcel were now verging on panic as Paul, Roslyn, Cecile, Danny, and Petre headed for the entrance lobby.

They could see their taxi through the glass doors, and Paul strode purposefully towards it.

No one stopped them, they exited the building, got in the taxi and left Maison de Dieu.

For several minutes, no one spoke, but eventually, it was Danny who asked.

"Was that for real, or did I dream it, did they really hit us deliberately, because they want you onboard?, that is so not right, they could have killed us".

The following morning all hell would break loose.

It would see Roslyn and Cecile, with Jaque and Pete's backing, bar JJ and Marcel from entering the grounds of Chateau Montclair, and instructing Guardian's HQ, their contract for security protection at Chateau Montclair properties and it's associated businesses was being terminated.

Paul, along with his cousins, launched a joint civil action suit of, criminal aggravated assault using a motor vehicle, against Daniel.

Similar civil action suits, alleging, assisting an act of criminal aggravated assault using a motor vehicle, were launched against JJ and Marcel.

In Montclair, the family was at war, around the world the wider family was looking on in shock.

TBC Allan

Comments are welcome to cfgw2000@aol.com.

Thank you for giving me your time, enjoy.