After the initial disappointment settled in upon realizing we wouldn't be attending the Potato Craze event, Delmar broke the silence. "So, boss... what's the plan now?"
William glanced at the exquisite card in his hand and responded, "What else? I'll have to respond and make the trip."
"Hmm" Delmar nodded, he knew that no matter what this was not an invitation that they couldn't reject no matter what happens. If they were to do that then they wouldn't just make an enemy of a great house but also a facility that made millions of dollars in their everyday work.
"So, when do you intend to go?" Delmar inquired.
"I'm not sure yet. Do any of you have a preferred date in mind?"
Adam weighed in, "I think it would be good to go as soon as possible. It would convey respect and a sense of decorum."
"But," Delmar countered, "it might be more strategic to delay the visit by a week. That way, we can project that we're still managing pressures from the media and other distractions. It would signal that we aren't overly eager nor are we subservient to their beck and call."
William nodded thoughtfully, contemplating both suggestions. Internally, he mused, 'Going immediately could demonstrate humility and help foster stronger relationships. Yet, Delmar's point is valid— showing up too soon might give the impression that we're desperate to curry their favor. They already know we're keen on maintaining good relations, but we can't afford to make it too obvious right now.'
He pondered the implications of each option, feeling the weight of the decision. Then, a critical detail he had nearly overlooked struck him, and his eyes widened. Turning to Delmar, he instructed, "Draft a letter stating we'll arrive in two days."
"Make sure to not leave any expanses, we have to make it look like we are also very glad to have received their invitation and are very much eager to visit them as soon as we could."
Delmar frowned, "Boss, that's still quite hasty. I strongly advise postponing by at least five days."
"And even if we can't do that then we should at least stop it by four days, boss. It would make us seem very... trying."
William nodded but explained, "Yeah, I understand your reasoning, and it makes complete sense. I was leaning towards your suggestion, but then I recalled something important."
"What's that?" Delmar asked, intrigued.
"The Father."
Initially, Delmar didn't grasp the reference, but then his expression shifted as realization dawned. "Ohhh!" he exclaimed, while Adam remained puzzled, eager for more context before contributing.
Adam understood the implication— that they hadn't fully trusted him. "So, are you going to tell me now, or are there more 'security measures' I need to pass?" he retorted, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
Delmar chuckled, knowing he'd gotten under Adam's skin, but William interjected, "Ignore him. He's just messing with you."
Then, turning serious, William said, "What we should have told you is that... there is no Father."
Adam blinked, confused. "What?"
"Just like I said. There's no Father. I don't have a father."
"Oh... Is he dead or something?"
"No, no, I can assure you he's very much alive."
"Then what do you mean?" Adam asked, still not understanding.
"It's a long story, but to sum it up, I don't have a good relationship with my father, so he's not part of my life.
"So, you're estranged?" Adam clarified, and William nodded. "Then why don't they just contact him directly?"
"They can't. Well, it's more accurate to say they couldn't because they don't know my true heritage."
"Your true heritage?" Adam asked, confused.
"Family, Adam. They don't know which family I truly belong to, and it's better that way."
Sensing it was a sensitive subject, Adam refrained from pressing further. "So why not hire someone to play the role of your father?"
"Impossible," Delmar said. "The role is too complex. Decisions need to be spot-on, and no actor could convincingly pull it off. If we did get an actor, there's a high probability the owner of the auction house would see through the ruse."
"This is turning out to be quite a dilemma," Adam agreed, deep in thought. But William brushed it off, saying, "Let's set this aside for now. Help me find an exceptionally lavish gift for that guy."
"Oh, and Delmar, draft the letter on our finest gold-trimmed paper."