Chapter 330 - Old Scars And Memories

[This chapter is dedicated to patchichay. Thank you for your support of this story. Your power stones were greatly appreciated.]

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Noah got up and shook the hands of the shareholders that had nothing but good words for him. His grandfather was nowhere to be found but his father as the CEO of the company attended the meeting. He came forward and congratulated him. 

A small amount of pride caressed his chest when he heard his father's words. Despite their awkward relationship, he still respects his father as a businessman. He's a good businessman, it just happened that the Sly Tiefenbacher didn't agree with how his father ran the business and insisted for him to take the CEO position. The Sly Tiefenbacher didn't care that he was pitting him and his father with the said coveted position. 

"Bring Lucille home this weekend." Austin Tiefenbacher said.

"She has an exam this weekend, Father." 

The other man scoffed. "That kid of yours is a young genius. Do you still need to keep her in school for a long period of time?"

His father's comment was said with disapproval, hence, he didn't dare tell him that it was Nicole who fixed Lucille's schedule. His father doesn't like his ex-wife, which was to be expected. If he knew that keeping Lucille in school was her idea, the more that his father would disapprove of Lucille's schooling. 

"We can visit you when she doesn't have class." He said that got a surprised look from his father. If it was before, he would reject his father's invitation without much thought but now that he was facing off against his own father for the CEO position of the company, he felt a little bit of guilt, that's why, he wanted to do something that would make him happy, such as, letting his daughter visit her grandfather. 

Austin cleared his throat. "I'll expect you two soon...and your girlfriend is welcome to tag along." He hastily added before leaving him to talk to other people in the room. 

Noah was left with his mouth hanging open. He was so stunned that his father was already shaking other shareholders' hands before he got his bearing back. He didn't have an idea that his father knew about Jess. He smiled inwardly. He would definitely tell Jess about his father's invitation. She might not be able to come soon, but in the future, he would for sure bring her home to meet his father. 

He was feeling good about how things were going until his uncle came forward to shake his hand. It's been a while since he saw him in person. When his father got the CEO position, he stopped attending any event of the company. At an important meeting such as today, he usually sends his lawyers as his representative. 

"Noah," he called him in a cracked voice. He suffered from a heart attack when his half-brother Austin got the CEO position simply because he was the favored son. And now, Noah will get the CEO position for the same reason. He was favored by their father. 

"Uncle Steven," Noah offered his hand to his uncle despite not having an ounce of fondness toward the man. He's Stefan's father but he never treated Stefan as his son. It's common knowledge in the family that Sebastian used to beat his own son. 

It was the reason why Stefan used to follow Noah around when he was growing up. They were teased back then that Stefan wasn't his cousin but his son. He practically acted as Stefan's cousin and brother. There was a scandal in one of their Christmas gatherings where he had a fistfight with Steven because he tried to stop him from hitting Stefan. 

The older relatives took it as Steven just had too many drinks but deep inside they all know the truth, they just don't want to talk about it in the open. The Old Sly Tiefenbacher called for Steven and no one dared to talk about the physical abuse that Steven was doing to his own son, even within the family circle. Everyone pretended that it never happened. Except for Noah. Because Stefan came into his room, hid under his bed for he was black and blue from the beating he got from his own father. Since then, Noah has never liked this uncle of his. 

"Should I send a celebratory bottle soon?" He was smiling but Noah felt nothing but coldness toward the old man. 

"Keep it, Uncle Steven." His tone was neutral and he didn't have to add anything for the older man to know that he wasn't going to act civil towards him. 

"Noah, I know that we don't have the best relationship but Stefan and I already patched things up. We have talked and forgiven each other." 

"Stefan doesn't need your forgiveness for he did nothing wrong." He said in a low voice, audible enough to be heard just between them. He had to act with civility no matter how much he wanted to punch the other man's face to remove the fake politeness in his face. 

"I'm glad that you love your cousin dearly. But, you have to be careful because you have no idea what your cousin is capable of." 

"What do you mean?" His voice raised a little as his eyebrows furrowed at the older man. How dare he try to make stories about his own son who did nothing but run away from him. Noah couldn't help the anger that rose to his chest. 

"What I mean was, Stefan, does things in his own way." He smiled, trying to play down the meaning of his words. "I'm just telling you to be careful. I know him best because he's my son." 

"Funny to hear that from you, Uncle Steven. I never remember you playing the part of being a father to Stefan." He said with his voice dripping with sarcasm. 

The old man said nothing but smiled awkwardly for some business associates who heard about the story of him beating Steven in the past and kept on glancing in their way.. It could be that they are worried about them or they are waiting for something good to talk about.