Tristan's POV

I paced my office as I looked at the view of the tall skyscrapers behind my desk.

Just a few more months and I would start construction of the tallest building in New York. With this project, I was going to revolutionize the hotel industry.

In this business, you have to be tough. That meant putting people in their place who think they can betray you.

"Can you call Hendrik to my office," I called my assistant.

"Sure sir," Luke answered.

There was a soft knock at my door, Luke stepped in.

He has been my assistant since I started the business, he has also been a friend on a few occasions.

"Mr Hendrik is here to see you, sir," Luke spoke.

"Send him in," I answered.

"The poor guy thinks he is getting a promotion," Luke commented.

I chuckled.

I found out that he was selling some of our confidential information including all our deals and projects to our top competitor Peterson Inc. Since then, I've been secretly using him to feed the wrong information to our competitors. They had no idea what was coming their way. This game was getting too boring, I already got what I wanted which means I had no use for Hendrik anymore.

Luke nodded then stepped out of my office.

I loved this part of my job, when people thought they could betray me and get away with it.

Henrik stepped into my office smiling as always. He was one of the project managers.

"I just what to inform you sir that the project is a go sir, we are just waiting for the press release," Henrik announced.

"I think that can wait," I answered.

I gestured for him to take a seat.

"So, how much were they paying you to betray me?" I asked.

His expression changed

"I'm sorry sir," his smile dropped.

"I know that you are the mole that has been leaking all our private information and selling it to our competitors," I spoke.

"I don't know what you are talking about sir, there has to be some kind of mistake." He spoke.

"The only mistake here is you thinking you can betray me," I spoke.

He looked down at his hands, thinking of the next thing to say.

"I'm so sorry sir, I had no choice but to do it. They were threatening my family." He pleaded.

I knew that Marc Peterson was capable of using blackmail to get what he wanted but I didn't care about his excuses.

"You could have come to me first. You know that I never forgive any betrayal or lies." I spoke. "I hope you realize that I'm going to make sure that you pay for this, I'll destroy everything you own." I threatened.

"Please sir," He pleaded.

"I'll see you in court with my lawyers. I need you to get out of my office," I dismissed him.

He was left speechless, luckily, he knew when to give up. I watched him walk out of my office.

If he thought he could get him from Marc to get him out of this, he was dead wrong. Marc was willing to betray anyone to get what he wanted.

I messaged my neck, relieving some of the tension I had been holding in.

Luke stepped into my office.

"What's on my schedule today?" I asked trying to retain my anger.

"Your mother has been calling sir," he spoke looking at my schedule.

Another problem. I flipped my phone over to see at least fifty missed calls from her. Even after countlessly warning her, she insisted on having a surprise party for me anyways. I didn't feel like pretending to be surprised so I just didn't show up. I'm sure she has a mouthful to say about that.

"Ignore her," I answered looking up from my phone.

"She says that she was in a serious accident." He continued.

I sighed. "You know that she is only going through her five stages of looking for attention, she'll stop eventually," I answered.

He nodded.

"What else is there?" I asked.

"Forbes magazine would like an interview with you sir." He continued.

"Tell them I'm not interested; I don't have the time to speak to some reporter when I could actually be doing something meaningful with my time," I spoke.

He nodded again, crossing something on the iPad.

"You also have a meeting with the architecture for your new restaurant in Rome, they need your approval. I managed to secure a meeting with Leonardo Pierce, he should be here in less than half an hour." He continued.

I leaned back into my chair.

If my new project for my new building was going to get through, Leonardo had to sell the property to me. It was the perfect construction site, rumor has it that there were already several people placing their offers, including our competitors.

"There is one more thing," He spoke.

He handed me the I-pad showing me a picture of a magazine cover.

'Romance blossoming between Tristan Montenegro and heiress Maddison Riley'

"When was this released?" I asked. Analyzing the tabloid.

"This morning," He answered.

Didn't people get tired of making up things about other people's lives?

Something told me this had my grandfather's name written all over it. I knew how he operates.

"This is ridiculous, don't people have something better to do with their lives?" I spoke. "Who is she anyways?" I asked returning the I-pad to him.

"The obsessed girl who won't stop calling the office," He answered.

"Great, another pathetic girl that probably needs to be sent to a psychiatric hospital," I answered.

My phone beeped again; it was another text from my mother.

I thought the whole point of moving out of your parent's house was so that they can leave you alone.

"Mr. Pierce is here early sir," he spoke.

"You can tell the receptionist to send him in," I spoke.

"I must warn you, sir, he isn't one of your problems you can just throw money at. That ground means a lot to him, you would actually have to convince him." He warned.

From what I have heard, he was in his late fifties. There were a lot of rumors around him, he got married at a younger age and then got divorced, losing half of his family fortune. He didn't have any kids or family left. This meant he wouldn't be that hard to convince considering the pathetic state his life was in.

"There is no person I haven't managed to talk into anything," I smirked.

If I couldn't buy my way out of this situation maybe I just needed to share a piece of my vision.

Luke stepped out as Leonardo Pierce walked in.

"It's lovely to see you," I spoke leaving my seat.

"The pleasure is all mine; I've heard a lot about you." He spoke.

I already had an advantage over him.

"Please take a seat." I gestured to take a seat at the cough. With a more relaxing environment, I'd be able to convince him much easier.

I offered him a drink while he spoke about the weather.

I laid out the plans for the building.

"I call her Agatha." I demonstrated, showing him the architectural design of the soon to be 1640 feet building. It's going to be the tallest building here, with smart tech all at the tip of your fingertips." I continued to explain the idea to him.

He leaned back as he listened to my idea. I made sure not to share too many details.

"Money is not the problem, I'm willing to accept any of your offers." I continued.

"I must say, Tristan, your idea sounds really tempting but I'd need a few days to think this over. This isn't just a piece of property to me, this is my family legacy, it's a shame I never had any children otherwise I would have wanted them to inherit it. I'll be in New York for a few weeks, so I'll contact you before I leave." He spoke.

"Sure thing," I faked a smile. "While you are in New York how about you stay at my hotel, you can get to know a little bit more about me," I suggested. "I'll personally be there to ensure you are comfortable."

I needed this deal to go through at any cost.

"I think I'll take you up on that offer," He spoke. "It was great meeting you, but unfortunately I have another meeting I need to get to." He spoke.

"The pleasure was all mine," I spoke.

I shook his hand.

Leonardo smiled and then stepped out of my office.

"Dorn it," I whispered kicking the chair.

He'll contact me before he leaves? That was just how people rejected your deals. I was just going to have to figure out another way to convince him.

Luke stepped into my office.

"So, did you talk him into it?" He spoke.

He was surely trying to hurt my ego.

"I warned you this was not about money; you should have least showed you care about anything other than boasting your ego." He continued.

Since when did he get the courage to speak to me this way?

"I'll have him sign by the end of the week," I answered.

It didn't go as I expected, that just meant that this time I was more persistent.

Luke looked at his I-pad again. "Just a warning, the receptionist downstairs said your grandfather is on his way." He spoke.

I sighed.

My grandfather was ruthless, even in his old age he still wanted me to compete against him.

He lived by one rule only, get what you want no matter who got hurt.

Just minutes after Luke had left, my grandfather stepped into my office with his signature smirk, he leaned into his cane to support his weight.

"Grandpa," I spoke trying to fake the least bit of enthusiasm.

"I heard about what happened with Henrick," He spoke taking a seat.

How quickly did his informants inform him? It's like he had no life at all.

"It's been taken care of," I answered.

He let out a laugh.

"Tristan, I must say that just makes you weaker than I thought." He spoke bitterly.

My expression changed, I clenched my hand into a fist, holding back my anger.

"If your employees don't respect and fear you, that makes you weak." He continued.

He quickly changed the subject.

"How is your new project going?" He asked.

"Why do you care so much anyways?" I asked.

"I don't. I'm just making sure you don't become a stain on my legacy. Frankly, I think you are talented enough to do more meaningful things than some stupid hotels." He answered.

There he has, the reason I had to become so cold and calculative in business or I would never meet his standards.

"I know you are going to need my help and my money if this project is going to work. Just simply getting this building approved could take years." He spoke.

"I'm all good," I answered.

With him breathing on my neck all the time, I'm thankful every day that I haven't become an alcoholic. It's a miracle that I'm able to stand him while being sober.

"You know, you and I are alike. We are both ambitious." He spoke.

By the tone of his voice, I knew where this conversation was going. He was about to start talking about his life history.

"I started this business from nothing, your grandmother abandoned me for a rich guy with three babies, I had no idea how I was going to feed them or what I was going to do with them." He paused.

My dad along with his brother and sister were born as triplets. My grandmother left because she wasn't living the life she wanted, she wanted someone who could give her power and money.

"Years later, I am the success you see today. I had built an empire. I have billions to my name, and I raised my family successfully. If your grandmother could see me now, all she achieved was ending up in a nursing home." he spoke proudly.

He was only here to brag about his money.

Even years after my grandmother's death, he still spoke of her bitterly.

"Grandpa, you neglected your children and most of them can't stand you." I retorted.

"That is what happens when you give your children millions. Since they can't complain about growing up poor like the other kids, they have to be resentful to their parents." He answered.

"Are you also going to tell me why you got a fake story of me put in the tabloids?" I changed the subject.

"Come on, I was only helping you. At your age, people care about stability, that's how they know they can trust you to do the job right. The sooner you marry that girl, the easier your life will be. You know her family has connections. You can divorce her right after. Women like her understand that is just purely for business." He spoke.

"I didn't work this hard so that I can whore myself out," I answered.

"I think it's time you grow up and come to the big boys' table. You need to realize that you don't just make the kind of money I make by working hard. You have to get your pretty little manicured hands dirty sometimes." He spoke.

I'm sure all narcissists drew inspiration from him.

"I think that was it for our chat today." He continued.

He got up from the chair holding onto his cane.

I watched him leave my office. I leaned into my chair, finally able to release all the tension.

My grandfather was wrong about a lot of things, but he had a point. I was way too confident but behind on my project. I needed to have it approved. Going through the usual process would take years, only for me to end up being rejected. Asking my grandfather for help would be admitting to him that I couldn't do anything without his help.

My only option was to ask my father for help, which had its troubles, but it was still a better option than speaking to my grandfather. I'd have to suck up to my mother for this to work.

My father had a lot of contacts from his friend group, he could get me a meeting with the mayor who would approve my project without any problems.

I leaned back into my sit. Facing my parents was not going to be an easy task, especially after canceling all family events in the last year.

I called Luke to my office.

"You should cancel the rest of my appointments for the day and prepare the chopper, I have to pay my parents a visit," I spoke. "Tell the pilot to make the chopper prepared."

****

My parents' mansion came into view as the chopper hovered ten feet above. They live in the upstate of New York.

I got a clear view of the tennis coat, the garden and the swimming pool. I couldn't see anyone outside, just a few maids doing their job.

I hated being at home, while at work I felt powerful and in control, at home, my parents tried to control my every move. My grandma siding with them didn't make things better either.

Dad had a tech company which he sold for billions, he decided to venture into smaller companies. He has pretty much been retired since then. He pretty much fits the stereotypical rich old white guy who does nothing but golf all day.

The chopper finally landed on the landing strip.

I stepped out of the chopper, removing my sunglasses.

Dad approached me as I made my way to the house.

"If not for the son I forgot I had." He said sarcastically.

"Hi dad," I spoke.

He pulled me into a hug.

"Your mom is pretty upset; you should have at least brought some flowers." He spoke.

We walked to the mansion.

"No worries, I'll just take some from the thousands she has in her garden," I commented.

Dad chuckled.

We walked into the living room, chatting about the latest football match.

Mom was seated on the couch. Her smile dropped as I approached her.

She tilted away from me pretending as if she hadn't seen me. She then started drinking her coffee.

"Hi mom," I spoke.

No answer.

She wasn't going to ignore me for long.

In just 1, 2, 3...

She then dropped her magazine.

"I've never regretted having you as a son more, what kind of person doesn't show up to their party." She shouted.

"Mom, I told you I wasn't interested in those kinds of things. If anything, it's your fault. I told you I was busy." I replied.

"You know what, it is my fault. It's my fault that I couldn't have any more children after I had my ovaries removed. I'm the reason I had cancer, maybe if that hadn't happened, I would have another more grateful child." She pretended to sob.

She just had to through the cancer card on me again.

I ignored her like I usually do.

"I wish you were more like your cousin, he is always seen with a girl," Mom spoke.

"You want me to be a whore?" I asked.

"Yes, at least that way I'd know there was a chance of you accidentally getting someone pregnant," she spoke.

I didn't get it, I just wanted to focus on my work. There was no point in wasting my time in meaningless relationships.

"What kind of a person has a child at twenty-seven?" I spoke.

The thought of having a child scares me.

Why couldn't they just get a dog like normal people?

"You have decided to abandon us. You need to stop making excuses and just give me a grandchild. " Mom spoke. She was more hardheaded than I was.

Dad let out a fake cough, taking a sit between mom and me.

"You know son," He began. "If it doesn't 'work' we can always get you the help that you need." He spoke.

I covered my face with my fists. I couldn't believe he had just said that. This is why I told people I was an orphan throughout middle school.

"There are plenty of people who experience the same problem. It's nothing to be ashamed about." Dad continued.

"We don't need to have this conversation; it works perfectly fine," I interjected.

There was a brief pause as my parents tried to cook up the next craziest theory.

"Do you think our son is gay?" Mom exclaimed looking at my dad.

Her eyes widened as dad's expression matched hers.

"I'm not gay," I answered. "Stop talking about me as if I wasn't there."

Mom rolled her eyes.

"Where is grandma anyways?" I asked.

My mom's mother stayed with her here. With the two of them around, I understood why dad wouldn't get a full-time job, he already had one.

"She is sleeping away her disappointment of her only grandchild not showing up to his birthday party." Mom uttered. "Are you going to miss my funeral next?"

I sighed leaving my seat, we were never going to agree on anything. I was done having this conversation.

"Dad, there is something I need to discuss with you," I spoke.

I left the room for the bar room. That was our mancave.

Dad followed behind me.

"You know, your mom was pretty upset, she had to apologize to so many guests," Dad spoke.

He took a glass on the counter and poured himself some whiskey.

"I need your help." I sighed.

"Did you get someone pregnant?" He spoke.

"No," I answered. "What is up with you and mom wanting grandchildren? We just spoke about this." I spoke.

"Well, ever since you were born, your mother gave you most of her attention, until you decided to move out. Now, all that attention has been redirected to me and honestly, your mother can be exhausting." He spoke.

He took a sip of his whiskey.

"Well, I was hoping you would introduce me to the Meyer. I need to have a project approved and going through the usual procedure would take way too long." I spoke.

"Why don't you just bribe your way like every billionaire in this city?" He asked.

"I don't want to risk having any scandals. I want this to be as discreet as possible, the fewer people than know the better." I answered.

"Well, I'll be happy to help you out, son." He spoke. He slapped me on the shoulder.

"Well, I knew you were here because you wanted something," Mom spoke.

Dad and I turned around to find mom leaning in the doorway.

I knew that tone, it meant she wanted something.

This was bad news for me, dad pretty much did everything mom said. She would use this opportunity to try and get something out of me. This meant there was no meeting with the mayor for me unless I accepted her conditions.

"What do you want mom?" I spoke.

"I want you to go on a few dates." She spoke.

"Fine, I'll show up to my birthday party next year." I bargained.

I didn't have the time to pretend to listen to someone for an hour.

"And I need for you to bring a girl home." She demanded.

She wasn't backing down; this was the best deal I was going to get.

"You are really going to exploit your own son when he needs your help," I spoke. I looked at her, hoping to appear to her better nature.

"That look hasn't worked on me in twenty years, plus, you left me no other choice." She spoke.

I shook my head at her.

"One day you are going to have your own kids and you can control them too." she smiled.

"So will you be joining us for dinner tomorrow son?" Dad spoke.

"No, I have a guest I need to entertain at my hotel. It's time I finally see for myself how things are running." I spoke.

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A/N: Thanks for reading, please comment down your thoughts on the story.

What is your impression of Tristan and his family?