Chapter 253 - 253

Henry tore the letter from Michael's hand and started to violently crumble it when the older gentlemen wrenched it out of his hand.  "Sir, it's just a threat. She had done nothing to take a first step. The poor hen is just trying to frighten you. If you react in this way, you are giving into her." Michael continued to straighten if before sighing. He put it back into the envelope.

"I don't want to deal with her at all when I'm here." Henry said with feeling as he started to tap his fingers against the wood of the table in front of him.  He wished that he had been able to destroy the document before Michael had put it into the top drawer. As Henry reached forwards his anger dissipated instantly as he realized the older butler had been thinking of handing it to the lawyers the instant they got home.  He could feel a migraine throbbing at his temples as he realized the danger was very near at hand.

His emotions had been almost childish.  He wished that he could stay in the dreamy English country house with his own beautiful princess, but of course it was too good to be true.  He always needed to have someone plotting behind his back. It wouldn't have been difficult to figure out at all as even though Ellie and himself had taken precautions, once they had reached Lutterworth it would have spread they were around.  Once she had figured out whom his wife was, it would not be difficult for Dorota to snoop around Henry's friends about whether they had known his new bride. No one in his life would probably realize she was investigating this mysterious woman and say they thought he was still single.  Henry had not really told anyone about his personal issues surrounding his position. They would probably not be able to say that they knew that he was dating anyone presently and just playing around. Henry knew too that their lawyer was the same so she could probably make Chou slip out what Henry was planning with a bit of wine.

His aunt was not the brightest but she did have a lot of ego now that her husband was rising in the family company.  She was desperate to have him continue. As Henry was a barrier to the job she thought her husband deserved. It would be difficult for Henry to give up his job so she knew the company's reputation was something that he held in high regard.  If Dorota did something that could jeopardize this, Henry would in her opinion stop to think. Wallace's position was definitely less secure as his uncle was not that great of a businessman so Wallace would be more easily ousted if there was a shakeup.  However, if Dorota could make Henry do it willingly from this letter than she would have sunk her claws into something worthwhile. 

"God damn it," Henry shouted, drumming his fists on the table.  "I wish I could just send her a burned piece of this letter back with some choice curse words.  But, I do feel that she would think of something more vile. The company hasn't been the same since father passed on.  She has so much to gain from this if she could win."

Michael's hands were soothing as he kneaded Henry's back.  "You have many things were are desirable to others to have not.  But I do know Wallace Wong very well. He wouldn't. He would not let his wife in her pursuit of better prospects for her children, tarnish the name of his dearly departed brother or father.  Wallace is aware of his faults, but he would hate more to see the Wong name marred in blood or controversy."

"I still want to murder her for even sending me a threat.  But it is probably from my own displeasure of her having forced herself to be my surrogate mother.  Oh do you remember when my father agreed to her ridiculous proposals to dress me and take me to school?"

"I remember your discomfort sir.  I know you have strong feelings so I intervened.  You are not obligated to have perfect composure at every moment.  This is a private moment. You should however steel yourself when she is in the room as she will take anything you do wrong as her own weapon."

"I know.  That's what I'm worried about.  Would it be a better idea to just give her some money now?  I'm sure if the sum grew more than six figures she would be quiet for a couple years.  That would be much less publicity and could be written off as family help if it got out.  A public lawsuit just sounds draining after all the media fires we've been dodging."

As his thoughts settled, Michael's hands stilled.  Henry thought further back of her own parents misery when separating.  The old butler had done an immense effort to make sure that Henry wouldn't see the news, but from the muffled kitchen chatter he had heard there were cracks in his perfect world.  It didn't help either that photographers would flash their cameras at him as he was on his way to school. Michael had made him wear sound proof headphones as he was hobbled into the awaiting car, but Henry knew the photographers wouldn't be there if they didn't have something to interest them.

But Michael hasn't been there always to protect him.  Henry remembered a time when Uncle Nadius had taken him to Central Park for a run.  They had passed a couple of vagrants holding up old copies of the Times. One had flipped open to the scandal section where there were paparazzi photographs distorted.  The group of vagrants had spraypainted the photos graphically to show ŀėwd sėxuȧŀ activity on the long coats that Henry knew belonged to his parents. He could see the small print with his own last name and wondered why these people would deface a picture of his parents.

Nadius had picked up the paper as Henry stepped on it and quickly scooped up the overcurious child.  As Henry blubbered with questions, Nadius moved in the opposite direction trying to capture the kid's interest with a red kite in the sky.  Nadius tried to sing a Russian song for the whole way home, but Henry couldn't find it in him to even ask what it meant as tears leaked down Nadius's neck into his coat.  The tears belongs to the boy whose mind was stained with what he had seen.

Although it was not kind, Henry knew that Dorota did have some intentions that came from a good place.  She had twisted them to serve herself, but the original thought was true. Conrad Wong would not have liked what Henry was doing now.  Even if he caved to the crazy woman, he would still live more comfortably than anyone in his social circle.

That would be too easy, as heeling was not in his nature.  He was not a dog who was obedient to her. But the thought of leaving some money for his younger siblings was not unappealing.  Maybe he could set up funds for them like he had with his brother-in-law so they could leave the witch when they grew tired of her meddling.