Hollywood Zenith

Everything was going according to plan; for the next several weeks, Samuel spent most of his time at the studio and firm.

Alastair looked after the legal issue that came with holding so much money. As instructed, he did a complete overhaul of the company structure.

Several affiliated companies mashed together distributed the wealth across the board, with the Achilles firm holding most of it.

New legal divisions were set up along with a production studio, a holding company, and a marketing agency controlled by the big conglomerate Alphabet Group.

It took him several months to set up, and he had to do it right if they ever planned to make any company public. It was not easy to list a company in the stock market.

Samuel, although reluctant, agreed to do it; he had no immediate plan to launch any company but hold everything privately as much as possible.

But the future was uncertain; they could need investment for which they had to hand over shares which would give those people power to interfere in company policies.

But Abigail was angry; she was doing the work of managing every asset. She was only responsible for the firm, but Samuel was making her do three times the job; she was losing time with her daughter.

Samuel assured me that he would look for senior executives soon. He had to pull some strings, but it was an important issue. If Abigail collapsed, the whole company would come to a halt.

---------------------------

Today Samuel had an urgent appointment, it was not business-related, but Hannah wanted to see him. It was true that they had been meeting less and less over the past few months. Mainly because of work and partially because he didn't want to accidentally face Adele.

Samuel had no choice but to accept. He knew it would be devastating for her if he backed down now. So, he promised her a day after checking his schedule.

It was before the weekend when Hannah arrived with her mother. It was their first time inside the Estate, so they were mindlessly looking around while waiting for Samuel. Arthur looked after them as he took them around the whole compound to familiarise them with the property.

Samuel was running late, as he was returning after filming a few scenes. He had already informed the crew about it, and they decided to shoot other scenes; there were many of them to get through.

" Wow, mom, look at that big statue!" Hannah seemed to have forgotten entirely about Samuel. She was pointing at things which interested her.

" That, young miss, is the family founder, Amschel Rothschild. He was not the first, but he is credited with taking the Rothschild to new heights." Hannah nodded; nobody knew if she understood it.

" It feels like I am walking through a museum," Carol commented from the side.

" I share your sentiment. I was overwhelmed too when I first came here."

" Um, Are you not from the family?"

" Hahaha, no, I owed a lot to the former head, so I decided to settle down serving the family now."

" Mom, Over there. So, many people gathered there." Hannah pointed to the garden area.

Carol looked in the direction Hannah was pointing to; it was true; she also wondered what was happening?

" Ah, they must be playing chess. This way, I will introduce you to them." Arthur led both of them toward the crowd.

All sorts of people were gathered around a table, watching two old men competing. They were so engrossed that they didn't even hear Arthur coming.

Kenneth was in one corner with Margaret sitting beside him, while in the other corner was the head chef with Donald by his side. It was hard to call it a one-on-one match with all the yelling from the crowd.

" Walt, his queen is open. If you move--" Donald was in the middle of giving instruction when Kenneth yelled from the other side.

" Brother, You lost. Why are you sitting there? Helping is prohibited." Kenneth said.

" Don't believe I don't know how you won. Margaret has been helping you all this time; why didn't you complain then?"

" Don't lump me together with you amateurs. Can't you see I am sitting here against my will?"

Margaret, whose right hand was held firmly by her husband, was not in the mood to argue. She hated when Kenneth became excessively competitive. How could he act so shameless?

" Talk after letting go of her hand. Do you think I don't see you pinning her down in her seat?"

" What did you say?" Both parties were heating up.

" Moo, That's why I don't like to watch you guys play." Margaret regretted her decision right now.

" It looks more like a verbal game," Carol said from behind.

" Ha ha, Master is always like that in any competition. He hates to lose." Arthur said awkwardly, trying to downplay the situation.

" Master?"

" That's right. He is Samuel's grandfather; the woman beside him is his wife."

" Oh," Carol said meekly. They looked like ordinary people; it came as a shock to her. She would have never guessed their identity. Did rich people really mingle like this?

While talking, Hannah made her way toward the centre and disturbed the table. The board became a mess.

" Where did this little girl come from?" Donald yelled.

" Quickly, settle the pieces." Kenneth also bellowed, trying to sneakily move some of the pieces into a better position.

" Hannah! When did you get over there?" Carol yelled; she was worried that it would upset those people.

" Mother! Look, it looked so real. That horse, too, is shining!" Hannah picked up the knight and began to show it off like a trophy.

Others also noticed the newly arrived people as they looked behind in the direction where Hannah was pointing to.

Margaret knew about Samuel's plan, she had not met Hannah yet, but her name gave away her identity. It was perfect; the game was getting absurd. It was her chance to escape.

" Can't you two behave? At least behave in front of the child!" It marked the end of the tournament. Both parties decided to call it a draw to maintain their dignity.

Hannah stood there as everyone began to leave. They had work to do, and upon the guest's arrival, some went to grab some snacks and tea.

" I-it is an honour to meet you, madam, sir. I am Carol Moore, Hannah's mother." Carol looked stiff as she greeted the couple. She also dragged Hannah to her side, urging her to do the same.