Nicholas Davenport waited for his older brother, Eli, to finish a business call which had already run into their meeting. He glanced around Eli’s impressive office which offered a million-dollar view of San Francisco. It was hard for Nicholas to be impressed, but when he was around Eli, who he considered the most successful of his siblings, Nicholas was always in a state of awe.
“Sorry about that,” Eli muttered as he hung up the phone. “One of my analysts wants to get into crypto, but she’s a lone wolf on this one.”
“I want to get into it,” piped up Nicholas. “I actually wanted to sell my stake in Davenport Technology to put some of the money into new investments, but Mom pushed back at me.”
Eli listened carefully before saying, “I know. Lisa told me.”
Nicholas shifted uneasily in his seat. He should have known their mother would have told Lisa everything. Lisa and Eli had always been the closest set of siblings, which should have registered to Nicholas before this moment. “Oh. So much for privacy.” Nicholas took a deep breath before adding, “I want you to buy my shares in Davenport.”
“I can’t do that,” muttered Eli.
“Why not?!”
“Nick, I hate to this say, but I think Mom may have a point. Davenport is a safe company. Your stock in it is worth $80 million. That’s huge. Most people will never see that kind of money in six lifetimes.”
“Eli, it’s not fair,” pouted Nicholas. “I’m a man in his thirties who isn’t even in control of his finances. Mom is the trustee on my trust. I can’t sell a share of stock or cash out of my market funds without her say-so. It’s ridiculous!”
“I think… Nick, you may not like it, but I think it’s been done for your own good.” Eli watched as Nick folded his arms and averted his gaze. “You’ve had a bunch of careers and no successes. The money and assets in your trust have been a golden goose for you…for the whole family.” Eli gave his little brother a compassionate smile. “I understand your frustrations, but there’s nothing I can do about it.”
“Then this was a wasted trip,” snapped Nick, hotly. “All I want is to be in control of my finances. I’m sick of this family treating me like a child!”
“If you want to start a business or acquire one, you know the family office will give you the money. Do that instead of investing in something you don’t understand just because your friends showed you a meme on Reddit.”
Nick rolled his eyes. “That’s low, Eli.”
“Look, I’m glad you came to me, but I think you need to enjoy the fact that you’re fabulously wealthy without any work on your part. Nick, if you want my advice, talk to the investment manager and ask for a bigger payout from your various investments. Your money should be making at least eight to twelve percent. You have a lot of options, but I don’t think cashing out of Davenport is a prudent move.”
Feeling dejected and powerless, Nicholas thanked his brother for his time, gave him a hug, and left his office. On the way down to the street, Nicholas couldn’t help but feel useless. He called his driver to pick him up as he watched the hoi polloi of San Francisco rush past him on their way to lunch or a meeting. They had a purpose. Nicholas had yet to find his.
He got into the back of the black town car, turned on his Spotify EDM playlist, and closed his eyes as the driver whisked him to the airport hangar. Maybe my life isn’t so bad, thought Nicholas. After all, he had tons of money, could charter planes, and didn’t have to worry about a damn thing. However, in the depths of his mind, Nicholas knew life would get better, if only there were something to do…
“Miss Wilkes, a moment?” Dane Hurley, the Household Manager for the Montgomery Estate, approached Barbara on her stool in the kitchen.
Barbara straightened her back, plastered a smile on her face, and stood to meet Dane. She always put on her best face when he was around. It had taken her some time to work out the power structure among the staff of the Montgomery Estate, but she was now well aware that all of the power rested with Dane Hurley. Mrs. Taplin was a guard dog; Dane held the keys to the kingdom. “I always have a moment for you,” cooed Barbara.
“We’ve been pleased with your work so far. You were an asset during the Independence Day party. We would like to offer you a full-time position on the family’s payroll.”
Barbara’s eyes exploded with sheer excitement. “Oh, thank you!” She threw her arms around Dane’s neck, but quickly corrected herself after realizing her error. “I’ve tried to work so hard here, Dane.”
Dane fixed his collar, cleared his throat, and said, “We’d like for you to answer phones and be an unofficial Girl Friday of sorts to Mrs. Montgomery.”
“The mother or the daughter?” asked Barbara carefully.
“Mrs. Alison Farrell Montgomery. India is referred to as ‘Miss’ Montgomery due to her unmarried state,” Dane said with authoritarian gravitas. “Mrs. Montgomery’s assistant in Paris is unable to come to America for the duration of Mrs. Montgomery’s visit. You will bring her breakfast in the morning, answer her calls in the staff office, and assist her as needed in the house. I will not have to remind you how to act with members of the family. You are to be a professional at all times. If you don’t know the answer to a question, ask me or Mrs. Taplin.” Dane checked his watch. “I have to meet with the head gardener. We can discuss the rest of the details after lunch.”
Barbara didn’t see Dane walk away because she was stunned by this new wave of luck. She’d be in front of the family, not stuck folding linen and hauling beverage carts across the estate during the middle of summer. Barbara would finally be able to see how the other half really lived. What they were really like. She’d finally be able to enact the next portion of her plan. And that fact alone made a twisted smirk across her lips.
“You look like you’ve won the lottery,” said Ada as she walked by. “What’s news?”
“I’ll be assisting Mrs. Montgomery,” Barbara replied, coolly.
Ada’s face feel. “Oh, Barbara,” she said carefully, “that woman will run you out of this house.”
Barbara held her breath for a moment. She didn’t want to react to Ada, who she was now cross with for muddying her happiness. “I don’t think she will,” said Barbara, evenly. “Dane wouldn’t’ve given me the position if he didn’t think I was up for it. I’ll be upstairs, Ada! Upstairs!”
“How many times do I gotta warn you about going upstairs and bein’ around those people? Yeah, they’re rich and they pay well, but they’re not nice people. They’re mean and unkind and don’t care who they hurt in the process,” whispered Ada. “I wouldn’t trust them. Not an inch.”
“Well, that’s you,” sniffed Barbara.
“Girly, I’m looking out for you,” insisted Ada. “Going upstairs with those people… It won’t end well. Never does. The stories I could tell,” Ada said, her voice trailing off.
Barbara folded her arms with marked contempt. She tolerated Ada, but now she was growing annoyed with her instance that Barbara stay in her place and be invisible. Barbara had lived her whole life like that and she wasn’t going to do it anymore! The reason she came to Kingsport was to change her life for the better! No one, not even Ada, would stop her. “Ada, we’ll have to agree to disagree. I’m going upstairs to assist Mrs. Montgomery and there’s nothing you can say to stop me. I’m moving up, Ada. The last thing I want is to be trapped in the bowels of this house for the rest of my life!” spat Barbara.
A heavy feeling of dread filled Ada’s heart as she watched Barbara storm down the staff corridor. In all of her years at the Montgomery Estate, Ada had seen girls just like Barbara who thought rubbing shoulders with the family would be the answer to all of their prayers. More often than not, it was an opening to a portal to hell. Ada had seen it for herself; Barbara was too arrogant to listen. Ada sighed quietly because she knew what lay in wait for Barbara. For the first time in a long time, Ada was content to mind her own business and watch the destruction of Barbara Wilkes…
In our next installment, Eli makes a proposal to the Davenports…
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