HEIRESS REBORN: MARRYING HER EX-FIANCÉ-Chapter 19: Her Ex-Fiancé Grandfather

Noah Kingston.

Other than her brother, he was the first young master born to the Kingston family. He was also her first cousin and her choice for her’s and Jason’s guardian.

’’The first young master?’’

’’Noah Kingston...does she mean....’’

’’That sickly first young master?’’

’’The young miss wants him as the president?’’

’’Does she hear what’s she saying?"

Ayana did not care how her words sounded absurd in the ears of these shareholders. Noah Kingston was her first and last choice to be take that position as her guardian.

"That’s correct, gentlemen. Noah Kingston is a twenty-one years old—an appropriate age to act as a guardian for both myself and Jason until I come of age," Ayana repeated firmly. "He is also the ideal candidate for the position as President. I assure you that my cousin is not one to be underestimated, despite his poor health condition."

She could understand why these shareholders would find her words doubtful.

Noah Kingston was known as the first young master of the Kingston family. However, he was more famous as the sickly first young master.

In her past life, she heard that Noah had been diagnosed with an incurable sickness that had meant to kill him anytime. It was also the same in this life.

A few murmurs rippled through the room before one of the shareholders spoke up. "How can we trust your words, young miss?"

"Yes, the first young master is also very frail. What assurances do we have that his condition won’t worsen critically?" another chimed in.

’’The majority shareholders will of course have the right to test him.’’ Ayana met their gazes respectively. ’’I am not sure about the details, but the fact that the first young master is still alive till now proves that he knows how to manage his condition.’’

In her past life, she had never heard of the death of her first cousin despite his poor health condition.

She and Noah Kingston weren’t close in the first place so she obviously had not paid much attention to him. If it weren’t for what her ex-fiancé had told her before her last breath, she wouldn’t have thought about the invisible existence of Noah Kingston in the Kingston family.

’’Are you saying that I will have to test this Noah Kingston, and you as well, young miss Kingston?" A single voice cut through the murmurs like a sharp blade with undeniable authority.

Those words drew Ayana’s eyes on the man sitting on the right end of the conference table. Despite years etched on his frame, his aging eyes still remained sharp and full of life—eyes that told any one of his life experiences.

’’Of course, You’re free to do so, President Kratos.’’ Unlike the other shareholders, Ayana referred to this shareholder with another title.

This man wasn’t just any shareholder in the Kingston corporation.

’’How tempting.’’ She watched as the shareholder known as President Kratos tugged the corner of his lips up.

’You have finally spoken up...’ Ayana didn’t know whether to be relieved or cautious that this man had finally said a word.

He was after all the current president of a rivalling family, and also the grandfather of her ex-fiancé....no...fiancé in this life.

Anthony Kratos.

The Kratos and Kingston families have long existed since the ancient times. Both then and now, the two families had vied for status and power, constantly pushing each other’s the boundaries of influence. Like two tigers on the same mountain, their coexistence was impossible—each striving to dominate, knowing only one could stand at the peak.

And so, to make this coexistence a reality, each corporation had 15% shares from each other, making each one a majority shareholder.

That was same amount of shares that she had inherited in her name.

In other words, the success of her plans depended on the words of the majority shareholder with the 15% shares.

According to her late father’s personal assistant, it was best to convince that shareholder than any other shareholder, as the person held the most shares.

Although Ayana wasn’t sure why the president kratos came instead of the actual shareholder, it was best to leave a good impression on him, since he would apparently be her grandfather-in-law someday.

’’You seem to know this old man?’’

’’The Kingston family and the Kratos family have always had a rivalry bond. My father has taught me that it’s best to know your enemies than your friends.’’ Ayana stated calmly, even if her words were actually false.

Her father had not taught her, but she had learned the hard way in her past life. Rather than friends who had been fake and would be likely fake in this life, it was best to study her enemies more.

’’Then are you saying that we are enemies, young miss Kingston?"

Ayana reacted to the sudden sharp stare from the President Kratos with a flinch. Her palm became sweaty from nervousness and her heart raced faster than before.

A sense of déjà vu suddenly washed over her.

’Ah...’ At that moment, an understanding dawned on her, and it was about her fiancé. His cold and intimidating character must have been inherited from this old man, president kratos.

’’Not quite, sir. We are neither enemies nor exactly friends.’’ Ayana tried to reply as steady as possible, hoping that her nervousness could not be detected from her voice. She then paused and choose her words carefully. ’’If I were put this in my own words, the Kingston family and Kratos family are more like rivalry enemies.’’

’’W-What?’’

’’Rivalry enemies?’’

’’What combination of words....’’ The shareholders, as usual exchanged glances mirroring their confusions.

Meanwhile, Anthony Kratos observed the little girl that had not once flinched from his gaze, and met them with a dedicated amount of seriousness in hers.

Just like her confident attitude towards the other shareholders.

’’Pfft—HAHAHAHA! To think I will hear this from a young miss like you!’’ Her words elicited a booming laughter bouncing off the walls of the boardroom.

Not only was Ayana surprised, but the other shareholders, the CEOs and department heads were the same well.

The appearance of the President Kratos had stunned them earlier, but the fact that they would be witnessing the laughter of a powerful man like him...

And someone like the young miss Kingston was the reason for his laughter.

’Was what I said even funny?’ Ayana suddenly wondered to herself. She hadn’t taken the hobby of a jester in her past life, had she?

’’Alright. For giving me this wonderful short moment, I will definitely test you and the first young master Kingston.’’ Anthony Kratos accepted with grin. It had been a while since someone had entertained him this much.

The first was his always serious-minded grandson, and the second now was this young miss kingston.

’Come to think of it, the two children had demanded me to test them.’ He realized with a smile. ’I guess they do have some similarities.’

’’I did promise your father and grandfather to take care of the Kingston corporation in their absence. Naturally, I have to fulfill this promise as an old friend.’’

’’....Thank you, sir.’’ Ayana said after a moment of silence. She hadn’t expected to have heard those words from him.

’And I almost destroyed their hardwork in that life....’ She almost wanted to hit herself in the head. If she had stood her ground in her past life, perhaps she would have met President Kratos and naturally gained his support.

’But to think the same family has helped me once again....’

Ayana inwardly sighed in relief. To have passed the hurdle this easily, it definitely was not her strength. Her ex-fiancé had saved her in her past life, and now her almost grandfather-in-law just helped her in this life.

Perhaps she did have some affinity with the Kratos family, regardless of her fate.

’’Don’t thank me just yet. You should only say those words when the first young master has passed my test and become the president. You seem very confident in that cousin of yours unlike your estrangement with his father.’’

"....."

’....Your grandson was the person who recommended him on my death bed.’ Ayana responded to those words in her mind and watched as the old man slowly rose with the support of his cane.

’’I take it that we are done with the meeting, my dear.’’ He stared at her warmly.

"Yes, sir." Without hesitation, Ayana stood with a reply and made her way around the conference table to join him.

"Thank you, President Kratos.’’ Regardless of the many eyes, she bowed deeply in gratitude. ’’it is an honor to have you attend this board meeting. I apologize if your first impression of me was not that good at the beginning.’’ Her cheeks blushed slightly when realizing that her fiancé’s grandfather must have watched the fiasco between herself and her uncle.

Right from the start, she had yet to realize his presence, not until moments later. If not for the situation with her uncle at hand, she might have fully displayed her shock right then and there without qualms.

’But it’s a relief that he came.’ The expected outcome of her plans had been finalized thanks to him.

Ayana could not imagine what would have happened if the actual shareholder had arrived instead.

Who knows if that person had been bribed by her uncle and also influenced by the other greedy shareholders?

She didn’t even want to imagine herself in that scene.

’’I wonder how you recognized the face of this old man, my dear?’’

’’President Kratos has always been a popular figure in the country.’’

’’I don’t remember taking much pictures in public.’’ he said, pondering for a moment before glancing down at Ayana, who was still bowing.

’’You should stand upright, my dear. I look forward to the day that Noah Kingston would impress me and the other shareholders.’’

Ayana’s back straightened up immediately, and she responded with certainty. ’’Of course, President Kratos.’’

’’Do stop by at home anytime. This old man does get lonely at times.’’

’’Yes sir.’’ Ayana agreed without hesitation as she watched the old man stepping out of the boardroom with the support of his cane.

’I might also get to meet him.’ An image of a handsome face flashed in her mind, causing a small flutter of anticipation in her heart.

Meanwhile, Anthony Kratos left the room with a smile that refused to fade as he recalled what just transpired in the boardroom.

’Might as well push the engagement forward.’ He considered, mentally noting to speak with his grandson about the verbal engagement with the Kingston family.

’It would be good if Axel has someone like her, someone who would understand and support him.’

Unaware of a certain grandfather calling dibs on herself as his future granddaughter-in-law, Ayana returned to her seat, facing the shareholders once again.

"Gentlemen, does anyone have any objections?"

This time, her mind was more at ease, knowing that she had won against the greedy shareholders.

’’Not at all, Young miss Kingston.’’

’’The President Kratos has spoken.’’

’’Perhaps there is something that we missed about the first young master.’’

’’I heard the only Young master of the Kratos family is already the CEO of the kratos real estate development company. Why can’t our first young master be the same?’’

As expected, the other shareholders were quick to pipe their greediness down and became docile before the powerful presence of President Kratos.

Even if some of them were not satisfied, they had no face in front of a shareholder with the most shares among them.

’’Good.’’ Their replies pleased Ayana greatly and she decided to end the board meeting. ’’This meeting will then be put off until next time.’’

’’Have a good day, everyone.’’

The anticipated board meeting of the Kingston corporation after the death of the late President ended in an unpredictable manner.