The staff opened the huge doors leading to the dining hall as William, Wendy, and Paul stepped inside. The long table gleamed under the chandelier, each place meticulously set.
At the head of the table sat Rupert III, the patriarch of the family and current head of the Oswald Group. His posture was rigid, his gaze sharp.
“Sit. Don’t keep me waiting,” Rupert commanded.
William and Wendy took their places to his left, while Paul joined Linda on the right.
“It’s been so long since we’ve had you both in the house,” Linda said warmly. “At this point, I see Paul more than I see both of you combined.”
“I’ve missed you too, Mom. If it weren’t for a certain someone in this room—too busy sulking to invite me back—” Wendy quipped.
“Mind your tongue, girl,” Rupert cut in sharply.
“I didn’t say any names…” Wendy added smoothly.
“Grandfather, we’ve decided to make her the public face for Oswald Departmental and Clothing stores. The youth support companies that visibly back LGBTQIA+ communities,” William explained.
“Oh! That’s lovely! Don’t you think, Father?” Linda responded, smiling proudly.
Rupert cleared his throat. “Enough chatter. Eat.”
The room fell into the quiet rhythm of cutlery clinking. Linda dabbed her mouth with her napkin and turned to William.
“So William, what is this news that you wanted to share?”
“I got engaged.”
The silence was immediate, heavy.
“You what? When? Who? How? Does she know you, or did you kidnap some random woman off the street?” Wendy rattled off, breaking the silence.
“Wendy! Watch your words!” Linda scolded gently.
Rupert’s gaze swept the table. “Who is she? What name, what bloodline?”
William wiped his mouth before answering. “She’s someone I met through Paul. Not from our circles. We’ve been dating for a while, I proposed, and she said yes.”
“That’s… wonderful. But are you certain about her motives? Love blinds people, William. Some only get close to us to use us,” Linda cautioned.
“I can vouch for her. She once paid me back for an ice cream cone William bought her,” Paul added confidently.
“How exactly did she end up dating my brother?” Wendy asked, eyebrow raised.
“I chased her,” William said simply.
Silence fell once again.
Rupert’s eyes swept over the table. “Bring her here. If she is to be an Oswald, she will prove it at this table.”
“Yes, sir,” William replied.
“Oh, I wouldn’t miss that for the world,” Wendy muttered, grinning.
YOU ARE READING
Bound by Variables
RomanceLeonia and William? Yeah, they don't exactly get along. She thinks he's an arrogant show-off. He thinks she's allergic to fun. Basically: oil, meet water. But then life decides to throw in office drama, family meddling, and-oh yeah-marriage papers. ...
