It was rare for Gertrude to speak to him in such a serious tone. Moreover, she was still at the Temple yesterday, but she had returned to the Torres family today. She must have something important to attend to and that was the reason why he hurried home.
Looking at the three of them sitting on the sofa in the living room, Franklin heaved a sigh of relief. He tugged at his tight tie.
“Grandma, why didn’t you tell me you were coming back?”
Quinn and Gertrude were sitting on one side of the sofa while Lauren was sitting opposite them.
Franklin naturally sat beside Lauren.
Just as he was about to take a sip of water to take a break, Gertrude’s words made his heart skip a beat.
“Franklin, come and sit beside Grandma.”
Gertrude’s motive was obvious: she wanted them to join forces against Lauren.
Franklin had been in the business world for so many years, so he naturally knew what Gertrude meant.
However, it was precisely because he knew very well that made his choice a very important one.
This was not just a question of where he should sit, it was also a question of which side he should side with. Should he support Gertrude or Lauren?
Franklin secretly ridiculed the situation in his heart. This matter was much more difficult than managing a company.
He drank a mouthful of water. Although his heart was filled with complicated emotions, his face did not show any emotion, this was something he had learned from many years of negotiations in the business world.
Franklin did not show any fear, even though he was in front of Gertrude.
“Grandma, this seat is pretty good here, so that I can talk to you face to face.”
Franklin’s suit jacket had been taken off and placed on the armrest of the sofa. He rolled up the sleeves of his shirt, revealing his long and slender arms. His watch added a hint of maturity and steadiness to his image.
There was some distance between him and Lauren, but Lauren could feel the warmth coming from Franklin’s side. It was a kind of strength and support.
Gertrude’s smile clearly reduced a little when she heard Franklin’s reply. Her right hand subconsciously turned the jade bracelet on her left wrist.
Quinn moved closer to Gertrude and said in a normal voice, “Look Grandma, am I right?”
Even Franklin was bewitched.
Though he did not say it out loud, it was quite obvious what he was hinting.
Before Franklin could figure out the situation, another voice came from the entrance.
They could hear Mr. Hayes’ voice from the living room.
Lauren relaxed a little. With Mr. Hayes around, she felt more confidence.
However, Mr. Hayes did not enter alone.
There was a middle-aged man behind him.
This middle-aged man was dressed in a black robe. The sleeves and edges of the robe were embroidered with exquisite patterns with silver silk.
When Gertrude saw him, she quickly stood up and extended her hand to shake hands with the middle-aged man.
“Master Maverick, you’ve finally arrived.”
Quinn and Franklin also stood up together with Gertrude. Although Lauren was baffled, she also jumped off the sofa and stood obediently.
When she was in the church, she had been taught to do as the Romans did.
Sigh, but it had taken her so much effort to sit on that sofa.
Master Maverick had known the Torres family for a long time. After greeting Gertrude, he had a brief chat with both Quinn and Franklin.
Mr. Hayes went to make tea, and the few of them sat down again.
Master Maverick was not an ordinary man, he sat on the single sofa in the middle.
When he saw Maverick, Franklin knew what had happened.
“It’s not even August yet, and Master Maverick has already graced us with your presence.” Franklin took the tea set handed over by Mr. Hayes and slowly brewed his tea.
The Torres family held a ceremony annually. It used to be Maverick’s father, Wyatt Hall, who organized it. After Wyatt passed away two years ago, Maverick had taken over the responsibility.
In Gertrude’s point of view, the Torres family had gone through a series of crises four and a half years ago after Lauren was born. If it were not for Wyatt’s help and protection, the Torres family would not be as prosperous as it was now.
After Wyatt passed away, Gertrude had even specially built a memorial to commemorate him.
Maverick had followed in his father’s footsteps. Every time Wyatt held a ceremony for the Torres family, Maverick would be present. Therefore, Gertrude also trusted Maverick very much.
Even though the other descendants of the Torres family, such as Franklin and Quinn, did not believe in such matters, they still had to put on an appearance because of Gertrude.
After all, Franklin was the one who had worked non-stop for several months to bring the Torres Corporation back to life.
He had reservations about how much God had played a role saving the Torres Corporation.
Maverick drank a mouthful of tea.
“Is she Lauren, the youngest daughter of the Torres family?”
“Yes, she is my younger sister Lauren. She just came back recently, so she might be a little unfamiliar with you. Lauren, this is Master Maverick. He is in charge of the Torres family’s ceremonial affairs.”