Chapter 310 - Will the press bury him? (2)

19 April, Matthew's Villa, City K

Matthew pondered what he read about their position, finished reading the paper and as he was sitting it down to start on the next paper Lexi and Dominic walked in.

Dominic said, "Daddy Matthew, what are they saying about my Daddy in the paper?"

Lexi was stunned. She knew Dominic observed Matthew and her reading the newspapers each morning, but he never wanted to know about things in the paper. Lexi shook her head to Matthew who understood the message not to say anything then. 

After making sure Dominic was seated and handed him his cereal and placed a glass of orange juice beside him she sat down while the staff arranged for her breakfast before saying "Why do you want to know Dominic?"

"Mummy, you and Daddy Matthew talked to be about Daddy and were worried about it. It does not take a genius to work out that you were worried about bad stories in the press about Daddy. I want to know what it there so if anyone at school says anything, I am ready for it."

Knowing the challenges Dominic had already faced since his and Lexi's marriage, Matthew paused and looked at Lexi with a reassuring look before saying "Dominic, there ate some stories about the accident that killed your daddy, but you should now worry about it. Your mummy told you the truth, but if you are concerned we can ask your Uncle John see if the police who investigated the accident are still working for the police and can tell you what happened. They you can tell everyone that you have all the right information."

As Dominic nodded, Matthew looked at Lexi and observed in her that she had relaxed as Dominic seemed happy about the situation, Dominic turned at Lexi and said "Mummy, you seemed worried."

Reaching over Lexi tousled Dominic's hair before saying "Dominic, Mummy is worried that people will not write nice things about your Daddy. Despite everything and how much he hurt mummy just before his death with his words and actions, he loved you. I do not want anything to make you think any different about that."

"Mummy as I said, I know no one, is perfect." Dominic dramatically paused before with a grin on his face saying "No, Mummy I was wrong, no one but me is perfect."

Matthew having just taken a sip of coffee, spat it out in laughter, and Lexi sat there stunned for a few seconds, before laughing both at Dominic and Matthew's reaction. All Matthew could do was shake his head, as he picked up a serviette and started to wipe the table in front where he had spat out his coffee.

Lexi, said "You are the light of our lives Dominic, but perfect, sometimes I wonder?"

Dominic responded "You are so mean mummy…"

"What do you mean Dominic?"

Before Dominic could respond there was a knock on the door, and a voice said "Second young master…"

"Come in Uncle Adam, and what did I say about that."

"Yes Sir. Madam, your phone was ringing so I answered it. It is Young Master Gu…"

Matthew said "Steven? I wonder what he wants?"

Signalling to Uncle Adam for her phone, Lexi said "Let me see." On being handed her mobile she could see Matthew was not impressed. While he accepted, she needed to deal with business matters, he hated interruptions from their friends during mealtimes.

"Steven, you better be quick as you have angered my husband?"

"I have to apologise. I only just found out that the newspaper owned by the company has run a story about Richard's death, and they are about to publish online…"

"Just stop for a minute. This Matthew needs to know, and we are with Dominic."

Getting the message, Matthew said "Dominic, it sounds like your Mummy and I need to speak to your uncle Steven. Can you go into the kitchen and ask Uncle Adam to get you whatever you want to finish breakfast, so you can head to school."

"Yes, Daddy Matthew," came Dominic's response before he scrambled down and quickly ran out of the room.

Lexi placed the phone on speaker and on the table before saying, "Speak Steven, you are interrupting breakfast."

"As I was saying. I owe you an apology for not protecting Dominic. I only found out this morning when the papers were delivered…"

"Too busy playing babysitter to an eighteen-year-old," quipped Matthew.

"Dealing with a terrified young woman scared that her mother will further abuse her if she goes home. She is sweet, but that has meant I have not been in the office this week because every time I go to leave, she cannot cope. But speaking of that, that is why I owe you an apology. Not being in the office meant that I was not aware that the paper we own was publishing a story about Richard until after the paper came out. I called the editor to find out why he had gone against policy."

"You had the story supressed?"

"Not me, the old man, and it has never been rescinded. His justification was that you were only eighteen and that you had just given birth. He also instigated an editorial policy that any story, whenever published that involved a child under one at the time, had a series of hurdles to jump through including providing opportunities for the families of everyone involved to have their say."

"We know," responded Lexi. "I spoke to them yesterday…"

"As did I," added Matthew.

"I still have concerns but that is not why I called. The story was mild today, but the issue is tomorrow's follow up. That will not be pleasant. I know the story, and just what the editor has told me this morning means that they have almost all the pieces."

"Steven," firmly said Matthew. "We already know that when it comes out it will not be…"

"Pleasant," interrupted Lexi. "We are prepared for it and have already spoken to Dominic about it."

"My only question is, why did Chester lift the Jax Corp ban on access if they published the story?"

"The wicked witch not knowing the boundaries," came Lexi's laughed response. "Being serious that was part of it, but she decided to attach me publicly and that would have someone published it, so I told Chester to rescind the ban as cooperating with the press gives us a say in how it happens."

"Right call. The editor told me, your former mother-in-law contacted them Monday to pitch a story that they knew was a fabrication and they were going to run this within the next week anyway." There was a slight pause, and Steven added "Anyway, why in the world did you say nothing about your promotion Mister General that I had to read about it in the press?"

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