Chapter 96 - Negotiate
Lucas was sitting in front of his grandfather and mother.
In the living room, there wasn't any kind of silence but awkwardness and stress in the air. No one was able to comprehend what they should exactly do now.
Give up their pride and let Jennifer come back or simply let them kill the girl?
At this point, there was a conflict in thinking. They have to choose between the two most prominent things in their life.
To break the silence, Amara spoke first, "I don't know what to do anymore. Father, you suggest something.."
Amara put the entire question on Grandfather Smith's shoulder.
Holding a stick in his hand for support and lifting his eyes to look at his daughter-in-law, "Your son has created a mess and now you wish me to seek it out?"
"B...But the mess concerns the entire family! We had no idea that the other party would kidnap the girl so easily under our nose!" Amara protested but grandfather Smith shook his head in disapproval.
There was a difference in their opinion and no one can defy that Lucas had created a blunder already.
Seeing the exchange of words between these two, Lucas felt his mind was on the verge of bursting because of the extreme pressure on his shoulder.
No one can expect much out of him and how he is handling everything.
At the same time, they wish him to get married as soon as possible but another disaster has erupted and that was the Johnsons and which were against their rules and regulations.
Coughing, he gained both their attention towards himself.
"I know that you both aren't ready to give up the ruby at any cost. After all, it has been with us for so many years already... but don't forget that if Jennifer Is killed, we can't take our name to the next heights. Her identity will be a secret and... you both have better understandings about the situations than me."
To take a convenient decision, it is better to look through all the other possible outcomes which will in return be affected by that decisions.
With a better and wider view, they can come to any decision that will bring them out of this situation for once and all, at least as soon as possible.
Amara passed Lucas glare through her eyes after listening to what he just said, "You mean to say that we should give up on the most important thing for a mere girl like that Jennifer? She isn't even my type and taste yet you want me to give Ruby, the precious ruby to Johnsons for her.."
"But mother, you aren't looking at what I can see. Think once I get married to her and her identity is revealed, all her entire power will be in my hands as her husband.." Lucas tried to take initiative to get his mother to see the future that he is thinking and dreaming of.
Thinking of the future will avoid taking any risk and if things go as per the plan that they have designed, he is sure that no one can tamper with it easily.
Amara can clearly remember how important is that ruby for her. To depict the status of the legal wife.. of Smiths and daughter-in-law of this family.
At the time grandfather, Smith too wasn't in favor of everything. For both of the elders, it was a tough choice to make.
Once, Jennifer gets married was truly a case to think, will give them rise and glory to her family but on the second note if she doesn't, then they all will lose their power.. and the jade.
Raising her eyebrows, Amara asked with uncertainty, "When we heard the recording of your talks and conversation with Shawn, he mentioned that he will consider but never made it clear that he will possibly give Jennfier so easily. Remember that?"
Hearing his mother's acute and direct analysis, Lucas gulped the saliva present in his throat.
He is not scared of anyone except the two human beings sitting for him who are the reason behind his success and glory.
He can't defy them at all and at any cost. For him, they are like Gods.
Doing something against their wish isn't in his books, so in the end, he has to first make their mindset into thinking that whatsoever he is going to do, is going to benefit them in return.
"Mother...." Lucas passed her an assured small in her direction, "Why are you getting so worried. I am here, your son is here don't worry. I will make sure that Mr. Shawn will give us Jennifer back as soon as we give him the things he had demanded from us."
Amara didn't look entirely satisfied through his words. She was a hell of stress. Her lyrics are more accurate than his words.
"Moreover you are very well aware that we won't give them the things unless he promises us that we are getting everything back especially Jennifer. Also, we will make sure that he will not do anything stupid and something like this in the nearby future."
Lucas was passing a consecutively assured smile to his mother to make her understand that he will do everything right to stop the mess that was created and will be once sorted out when they will give the things.
No one was ready to accept whatsoever he said. Moreover, it was more or less risky to give up things. Grandfather Smith saw how Lucas tried his best to make them say yes.
Unfortunately, that didn't happen because grandfather was still alerted.
"Lucas understands that we don't trust Johnson so easily. If Johnsons don't stick to their words, how are we going to survive and make a name in the international market?"
"Things are much easier than doing it in reality. First, go and speak to Mr. Shawn once again and then come back and tell us what it is if he is willing to negotiate or not."