Chapter 430 - Cox Industries (4)

Aiden and Sarah came to the White family villa in time for lunch.

Shortly after they arrived, the stock market closed, and Jeff exited the study room. He found JoAnna in the garden, chatting with Sarah. Aiden was sitting next to them, playing with his phone.

"Done?" JoAnna's face lit up when she saw Jeff.

"Mhm." He nodded and showed a victorious smile.

"Am I going to be impressed?" JoAnna looked at Jeff expectantly.

He confirmed without hesitation and requested his kiss.

Aiden was not able to see his brother all love-stricken and headed inside. "I'm going to ask them to serve lunch." He was referring to the maids.

Sarah held back her laughter seeing how unreasonable Aiden is. 'Aren't you even worse than this?' But she decided not to start an argument and followed behind him. She was hungry also.

Four of them sat at the table and just before they started eating Aiden noticed absence of his parents. "Where are mom and dad?"

Jeff's expression worsened, and JoAnna mysteriously smiled.

A second later, they heard Elanor's light laugh come from the hallway. Elanor and Oscar entered the dining room and greeted youngsters.

They started chatting excitedly, and Jeff could not find an opportunity to voice his displeasure with his parents 'retreating to their bedroom' in the middle of the day. But on the other hand, he was not sure he wants to bring that topic up for discussion.

Oscar observed that Jeff is in a bad mood. "Did you fail to acquire necessary percentage?"

"No. That is fine." Jeff didn't want to look at his father.

Oscar could tell that Jeff's mood is off and wanted to confirm the outcome. "How much do you have?"

"When you sign your shares off to me, I will tell you." Jeff responded with a smirk.

Oscar complained internally about lack of respect from Jeff's side but didn't argue with him. "The paperwork will be done by end of day."

Jeff gave a small nod in response.

"What is next?" Oscar was curious. He never saw Jeff do something like this and wanted to know what steps Jeff is taking to make sure this ends successfully.

"I sent an invitation to directors and remaining shareholders at Cox Industries for a board meeting tomorrow morning. I will go in person."

Oscar approved this. "I will join you."

"As you wish." Jeff glanced at his father. But only for a moment.

JoAnna was happy to know that Jeff will not go there alone. Having Oscar's support will mean a lot. Or maybe not. He is Almighty Jeffrey White, after all.

Elanor was listening and didn't understand much. "What are you two talking about?"

Oscar didn't give others time to explain. "Jeffrey owns Cox Industries and two of their partner companies now." Pride was heard in his voice.

"Stacey and Timothy lost their business?" Elanor was surprised and could not hide her smile while looking at youngsters at the table who pretended not to notice her inquisitive gaze. Elanor let out a giggle. "After the show that their daughters performed last night, their reputation is ruined. Now they lost their business. They only have each other to hold onto."

JoAnna could not help herself. "That is also relative."

Elanor noticed that there is something in JoAnna's words, and her curiosity piqued. "Explain that, please." She eagerly looked at JoAnna.

JoAnna glanced at Sarah. "Do you have photos here handy?"

Sarah got her phone, and opened folder with images of Sabrina and Timothy. While she handed her phone to Elanor, Sarah warned her. "I'm not sure if this will spoil you lunch, so look at these at your own discretion."

Elanor looked at the phone and her eyes widened. "Oh, my…"

Oscar could not hold back his curiosity, and he leaned in to see also.

After few photos, Elanor spoke. "I can tell this is Timothy, who is the woman? I know that this is NOT his wife…"

"Sabrina Welsh." Sarah responded, amused with Elanor's reaction.

"Really?" Elanor looked at the photos carefully. "It seems that is her! I was not able to recognize her without her clothes…" Elanor laughed while looking at remaining photos. She glanced at each of the youngsters. "What are you doing with these?"

JoAnna looked at Jeff hoping that he will explain what he arranged for the magazines to publish, but he gestured to her to go ahead and focused back to the plate of food in front of him.

JoAnna didn't mind. She was happy to talk. "Tomorrow morning magazines will be full of these."

Elanor smiled and shook her head. "You kids are really something. Yesterday their reputation, today their business, tomorrow their marriage. Very thorough, if I may notice."

"And day after tomorrow a lawsuit." JoAnna added with a smile.

"Oh?" Both Elanor and Oscar said in unison and raised their heads to look at JoAnna.

JoAnna was happy with their reaction. "Now we have recorded confession that Lindsay instigated sabotaging my saddle. She will not get away with it. Sophia is preparing the case as we speak."

"Very impressive!" Elanor exclaimed. "You girls don't leave any survivors. Just how it should be."

JoAnna felt pride for herself and for her sisters. It was good to be praised. It felt good to have support of all these people. She could not help but grin.

In next moment, Jeff tapped her forehead lightly. "Just don't let it go to your head." He winked and smiled, happy that he got to return her words so quickly.

JoAnna puffed her cheeks for a moment in protest, and then laughed.

Everyone laughed. The atmosphere was light, and everyone enjoyed themselves.

Elanor wished that these kids visit more often. She was not able to remember when was the last time that the villa was so lively. Ever.

"Maybe next time when you visit, your sister can also join?" Elanor suggested. "I didn't have a chance to meet her."

Sarah thought that is not unreasonable. "We will mention that to Sophia and I'm sure that she would love to join if her schedule allows."

"She is engaged to be married next month, and they are expecting a baby in February!" JoAnna could not hold back to add more good news to the already good day.

"A baby! How nice!" Elanor exclaimed and looked at JoAnna and Sarah with a glimmer in her eyes.

Sarah's smile faded away, and her expression showed panic. She swiftly pointed at JoAnna without feeling any guild. "She first, they are already engaged!"

"Why are you throwing me under the bus right away?" JoAnna complained.

"Would it make you feel better if I waited a minute?" Sarah burst into laugh.

And then everyone else laughed. Well, everyone except for Jeff who was looking at JoAnna with a complex expression. He reminded himself that they talked about having children, and that she is not ready. But still, he could not even force a laugh. Not on that topic. He really wished a family with JoAnna, and he didn't even think about children until that pregnancy test showed in his bathroom. And now he can't help it. Jeff feels emptiness in his heart, as if he had a baby and lost it. Now he knows that the pregnancy test was not JoAnna's, but at that time, for those few hours, he thought that it was hers and that they will be parents. And it made him happy beyond belief. Jeff imagined JoAnna with a big belly, and how he is proudly showing her around. 'This is mine! I did this!' He imagined how the baby will look like, will it be a boy or a girl... He knows that it was not real, but he can't help himself. He is grieving for a loss of something that never existed, no matter how unreasonable that sounds. Because in his mind, for those few hours, it was real.