Chapter 10
Veronica’s POV
As tired as I was, curiosity won over. I wanted to know everything about the man who became my grandmother’s dying wish and Orthon seemed to know him.
Talk about fate….
“Your teacher?” I asked, my voice laced with disbelief as I pushed myself to sit up. I wanted answers.
Orthon nodded, his expression calm but serious. “Yes. Professor Meshach Peyton. He’s the person you’re searching for.”
The name sounded somewhat familiar though I couldn’t exactly place where I’d heard it. I tilted my head, studying Orthon’s face for any hint of a deeper story. “You’re saying this man, your college professor, is the one my grandmother wanted me to meet?”
For some reason, it didn’t make sense. Was he her relative? Lover? Or was in any way indebted to her? That seemed to make sense since she asked me to go to him for help.
“That’s exactly what I’m saying.”
I frowned, trying to make sense of it all. “What’s his connection to my grandmother? Is there anything else I should know about him?”
“Well, aside from the fact that he is the most humble billionaire I have ever met and my business mentor, I don’t know” Orthon admitted, leaning forward slightly and my eyes widened. Did he just say a billionaire? My grandmother knew a billionaire?
Suddenly I realized why the name sounded so familiar. He was the CEO of Peyton Firms and Industries, one of the biggest financial consortiums in the country. Carter has been trying to capture this man’s interest for
years!
But I didn’t understand how he was a professor too.
Orthon must have sensed my confusion because he immediately. answered.
“Teaching and mentoring was something he did for leisure to help young entrepreneurs like myself. But he’s always been a private man. Even when I was his student, there were parts of his life he kept locked away. I don’t know what business your grandmother has with him but we will find out. Together.”
I looked at him skeptically, but for some reason, I believed him. Something about him made me feel safe, but the mention of my grandmother stirred emotions I wasn’t prepared to face. I missed her so much and it hurt that all my efforts to help her get better were all in vain.
“Are you’re sure he’ll speak to me?”
Orthon’s lips curved into a small, reassuring smile. “He will. But you
need to rest first.”
I opened my mouth to argue, but he held up a hand. “Promise me. You’ll recover before we go to him.”
His voice was gentle but firm, and I found myself nodding. “Fine. But only if you promise me one thing.
“Name it.”
“You won’t tell Carter where I am,” I said, my voice sharper than I
intended.
Orthon’s gaze softened, and for a moment, I thought I saw a flicker of something in his eyes. Pity, maybe but I didn’t want to think about it. It made me feel more pathetic and foolish.
“I promise.”
The words made me smile. “Thank you, Orthon. I really appreciate all you do for me.” I said quietly.
J
“Don’t mention, Vee. I’m glad I could help.” he smiled. There was a
strange flutter in my chest when he gave that breathtaking smile.
It reminded yet again, how sinfully gorgeous this man was. We locked gazes for what felt like eternity and the whole time, it felt like my breath was caught in my throat. Orthon immediately stood up, excusing himself and I let out a long breathy sigh.
Fuck!
Later, as I wandered through Orthon’s apartment, I couldn’t help but notice the stark contrast between him and Carter. Where Carter’s spaces were all sharp edges and cold luxury, Orthon’s home was warm and impeccably organized. Books lined the shelves in neat rows, the kitchen counters were spotless, and even the air felt lighter.
I ran my fingers along the back of a leather armchair, wondering why I hadn’t noticed these things about him before. We’d crossed paths so rarely, he’d been studying abroad when I married Carter, and he’d only returned a few months ago.
Even then, I didn’t see him until my anniversary.
It struck me then how little I really knew about him.
“Do you always keep your place this tidy?” I asked when Orthon walked into the room.
He raised an eyebrow, the corner of his mouth quirking up in a half–smile. “As much as I would like to take offense, I’ll just answer. Yes, I don’t fancy the idea of running a pig sty. That’s not strange, is it?”
“No.” I admitted, my lips twitching into a small amused smile. “Just… unexpected.”
“You thought I’d be messy?” he chuckled.
“Well your nephew leaves little to imagination but I promise you, I didn’t think about it at all,” I tried to keep a straight face, but I couldn’t control the laugh that escaped me.
“Well played, Vee. Very subtle,” he snorted.
**車**
The day we set out to meet his professor arrived faster than I expected. Orthon drove in silence, his hands while I stared out the window, my mind racing with questions I wasn’t sure I wanted answers to.
I was so nervous that he had to place his hand on mine.
“Relax, Vee. He’s not going to rip you apart for simply presenting a business card,” he said lightly and I found myself relaxing.
I don’t know what I expected, but it certainly wasn’t a beach house at a secluded part of the beach.
“He spends most of his weekends here. He likes to watch the waves,” Orthon explained.
Now that made a lot of sense, because there were no guards or cars in sight. It just looked like an average man was staying here.
“Are you sure we are in the right place?” I asked again as we walked
inside.
“I told you, my teacher is humble. He doesn’t show off like the rest of those lousy businessmen. You could walk past him on the street and have no idea everything you own is what he gives out as pocket money.” he
said.
Wow!
“Does he know we’re coming though?” I couldn’t help the anxiety and I knew I was bugging him with too many questions, yet Orthon didn’t seem tired of answering them.
Carter would have simply ignored me.
“Yes. I called him before we left. He should join us any minute from now. Relax, Vee. I’m here.”
I looked around. The furnishing was simple and befitting of a beach house. Nothing extravagant, just simple and modern.
Soon, a woman emerged from the doors rolling a man in a wheelchair.
“Good morning, Mr Peyton, I brought a guest,” Orthon immediately. greeted warmly, but those soft brown eyes were locked in me as his mouth went slightly agape.
He looked like he was in his early sixties but why he was in a wheelchair, I didn’t know. Feeling awkward, I decided to introduce myself.
“Hello, Mr Peyton. I’m Veronica Grayson,” I introduced. His eyes watered.
“You look so much like her…” he rolled his wheelchair to me and took my hand without warning as a tear slipped past his cheek. “You have no idea how long I have been searching for you…”
Okay, what the hell was going on?
