A father's response

Moments later Gretchen pulled up to the toosley estate after a very quiet ride to the location except for Alexander's quiet sniffles he made in a pattern from his scolding. Regina hated Bryce zehetti out his hands on her innocent son. When Regina reached for her son and he pushed her away from her as he did not want his mother.

" I suggest you make that child act right because I will not tolerate him acting out again." Said Bryce zehetti as he saw the door open and he moved outside and offered his mothher Gretchen his hand. Gretchen was eighty years old but she was well aged and vibrant and lively.

Regina grabbed Alexander as he screamed and clawed at her face as she hissed as she dragged the toddler out of the car . The little boy wailed and squirmed as she walked to the door of the home she saw as memories of her childhood flooded her mind. She remembered the house and the grounds. She remembered there was no children in the home. She was catered to be nothing but adults.

The ghost of her past memories made her feel home sick for her days before she was just a girl. Before she knew what she knew now. How much she scraped and groveled to make her mark on the world she was sold into. Bryce rapped on the door as he waited impatiently for it to be answered.

Roger opened the door as he stared at the group that had gathered in front of his new home. Victoria wasn't far behind him as the house was alive as the staff had been making food and the home acceptable for Gretchen's arrival.

Roger motioned for the group to enter the home and Victoria reached out for Alexander as she missed the small boy and he buried his red eyes into her shoulder. Gretchen nodded with approval how the boy kinned to the woman.

" You see that there girl. That is a true mothers bond to a child. It must be frustrating that your own child prefers the presence of another to the one whom gave him life. Do you know how many things are wrong for a child to reject his own mother yet embraces another." Scolded Gretchen as she stepped in the house.

" Mrs. Zehetti the staff is almost settled and will have your refreshments ready momentarily." Beamed Cynthia as Gretchen nodded in approval.

Roger rubbed his face as he didn't like the current invasion that had ruined his peaceful day. Gretchen looked at Roger and Alexander and let out a scoff at the similarities between the two.

" So you are the one that sired this little monster. I suspected it when Regina here refused to allow me to see my great grand son to find out in fact he was not my family and now I know why. I also wanted to meet the man that took my Gregory out of this world. Mr. Evenburg I believe you owe me a debt for taking away a zehetti from me." Said Gretchen in a cold and detached voice.

" Ma'am it was an accident, and " Roger began to explain as Gretchen raised her hand for him to stop talking.

" I don't want to hear your excuses. The fact you didn't react to defend your son from being labeled as a monster is a product of your lack of taking accountability for you little indiscretion with a married woman." Said Gretchen as Victoria went upstairs to put down Alexander for a nap.

The group sat in the sitting area as Gretchen looked around seeing the bare walls and lack of suitable furniture as the new furniture clashed with the room that was meant to be decorated in luxury and was put together at the last minute. Gretchen had many dealing with the Toosleys' as they tried to reach in her pockets for support of their name when they were a startup dynasty.

The Toosleys' were new money and as fast as they rose the faster they fell. Unlike the Brunos , Grigorii,and zehetti houses where they were established for many generations . The Toosleys were a gamble house. A start up name over a few gambling wealth and how ironic the same way that created their house was the very same thing that brought them down. Gretchen looked disappointed at the room in desaray from it's former glory.

A few bad investments later they were selling secrets and bagering children to bring back their former glory at any cost necessary.

Cynthia came out and set up the table as Roger sat stiffly as Victoria joined him standing behind his chair . Gretchen smiled at the honorable gesture of her standing behind her husband.

" Shall we start and get this over with . I have put aside and entire day to settle this. Listen closely because I shall not repeat myself." She glared at Victoria instead of Roger as it was a vote of confidence of her being the one in sound mind.

" I have been informed of many things. One of which a zehetti that is not a zehetti. The indiscretion of the bad business deal that as I remember you Mr. Evenburg got the short end of the stick as we say. You let a whores daughter talk you out of something that you apparently have no control over whom you sleep with and it is beyond me why you didn't use protection. All this could have been avoided if preventive measures were exercised and a child did not create proof of your mistake." Scolded Gretchen. She now glared at Roger as she knew he knew she was just getting started.

" What exactly do you intent to do about this?" Said Roger not liking how this conversation was going .

" I will help you if you help me. Not only did that mistake gravitate to the surface ,but we also have the two bodies in the zehetti estate that she murdered in her spoiled out of control behavior. Obviously she was never taught right from wrong by her bottom feeder parents. That and the issue of you murdering my beloved grandson. Over the perternity of that child you put in her." Said Gretchen as Rogers face paled in response . He thought that the indiscretion was the only jab she had knowledge of .

" How can I help you."said Roger in submission as he knew he was screwed from all this woman knew. Victoria squeezed Rogers shoulder in support as she knew she was also responsible for Regina's actions and the question she knew was directed at her instead of Roger.

" You want us to make things right. To make Regina accountable for her actions that led up to the death of your grandson?" Victoria stoke up finally as a woman understood another woman's woes .

" Precisely." Said Gretchen in a short answer. He patted Bryce on the knee to continue.

" I shall take Regina off your hands as my wife . But I will not accept my bride with another man's child being a constant reminder of her infidelity and wretched ways. Alexander zehetti needs to be adopted and become an Evenburg for one of two reasons. To erase the conflict of the inheritance that was forfeitted due to your role in this contribution." Said Bryce now addressing Roger as if Regina was not in this conversation.

" What about me. Do I not have nothing to say that I have to give up my child and being sold into another marriage I do not want. You want me to abandon my child and marry a man that is as old as my father. Like I have no choice in this matter at all." Screeched Regina . She was furious how they made up an entire plan to trade her off like a stock.

" Do stifle yourself Harlet . If it had not been for your actions we would not be here trying to clean up your mess. Do you think I like finding out the injustice that was done to my family because of you. My good friend offered me an inside knowledge of the downfall of my household through one damn sloppy woman. You will do this to save the zehetti name or I will let them take you in to prison as let them have there way with you. My offer you will have your freedom to make some redemption for your past crimes. All the while making Mr. Evenburg take accountability for his part in this situation." Demanded Gretchen as she slammed her hand on the table tired of Regina already.

" I'm giving you the opportunity to fix what you did." Screamed Gretchen with a murderous look in her eyes. " If I had my way I would have you beaten to death in prison where you will die alone locked up . But you promised the zehetti their own heirs and I'm here to collect that debt in full. Your so good in getting pregnant and being reckless . Yes I also know about the lawyer you almost squeezed a child out of." Said Gretchen as Regina's eyes brimmed with tears the lack of control in this negotiation.

" I don't get a say. I lose my child. Start over and have babies with him . Does his balls have anything other then dust in them." Screamed Regina as she felt a hard slap across her face as Bryce stood over her now as she spewed insults and he looked severe now .

" Forgive me my future wife I am not as gentle as Gregory to his women. But I will not tolerate no wife of mine to cause insult to my name and my ability to reproduce. I am a bachelor by choice and I am forced to marry my nephews leftovers because that is what you are. The choice is yours jail and death or marriage and life. I won't suffer your spirit any longer. It matter not to me what you choose." Said Bryce as Regina looked to Victoria for help or to Roger for a rescue.

" For your acceptance of this deal I shall provide you with a staff to serve you paid on my payroll and Alexander's adoption I will need proof of that he is holding his rightful name of his rightful father. Because you also will be under that same fate as her because your name and role in these horrific crimes have been also noted. I can stop this investigation into the crimes of this family or you all will be cell mates and out of my hair. I'm willing to give you an option to fix this and keep all your names out of my mouth and off police speculation." Said Gretchen as Regina held her face from the corrective slap she realized was now her life if she was forced to accept this deal .

" Think how hard Alexander's life will be in foster care. How he will grow up mocked for the banished zehetti that inherited nothing but the debts of his parents. The mockery of his existence over one simple choice." Explained Bryce as he looked at Regina in an hated look.

" Alexander wouldn't have to do this is his perternity was not requested for his inheritance." Said Regina as the room shot her a look at her like she said the stupidest thing they ever heard.

" I placed that clause in there because the day I met you and realized you replaced the grand daughter in law that we were expecting to make this house greater I knew you would cause a bad taste in our mouths. That clause was a contentcy for your known tendencies. Gregory willingly gave it all to Bethany and his only child even though she is illegitimate she hold more power in this family because a Bruno Grigori and zehetti bloodline is more powerful than you will ever know. That child is our future . All you have to do is marry my son and lay down and let him fill your womb with actual zehetti babies . Because we all know laying on your back is a skill you do well." Snapped Gretchen as she wasn't taking no for an answer.

" Very well . We will take Alexander and adopt him." Answered Victoria as she squeezed Rogers shoulder to be silent and not dig his heel in about taking accountability of his actions. " We truly appreciate your option and understanding to make things right on our end. I know this deal will never replace the live of your dearest grandson ,but we understand your terms and accept your offer." Said Victoria knowing this was a better deal than prison time with Regina for the rest of her life.

" Victoria Darling perhaps we should discuss this before hand . You know before agreeing to something that we didn't have time to look into." Protested Roger as Victoria squeezed her grip on his shoulders making him wence in pain.

" Like what Roger? So you can continue to blackmail Regina for Zehetii money that is t hers to touch. You ruined that entire deal when you married that one. All your efforts went out the window over on desperate decision made to get away from Regina. Yes I know about the black mail and about her failing family fortune . How she slept with her half brother and she is the mother to both Regina and Ryder Bruno. I know a lot of things. Like I know you'll do anything to get rid of her . She is like a knat. Always annoying someone until someone squishes her." Said Gretchen as Roger thought there went my extortion plans.

" You traitorous whore. I'm not yours to barter and bargin !" Yelled Regina . She headed to Victoria hand raised as Roger halter her attempt to hit Victoria's face.

" How many times do I have to tell you. You will not hurt my wife. Take the deal you really don't have many options and this mess has gotten too far out of hand already." Said Roger thinking how he thought he bypassed raising a child when he married Victoria to avoid playing house with Regina and her blackmailed threats.

Regina screamed hysterically and pounded Rogers chest as she grew angry he also sold her out . Roger stopped her hands and dragged her to Bryce as he handed her to him .

" Take your bride with you. Thank you for your generosity and understanding ." Said Roger as he didn't see any other solutions to this conversation.

" I will take my own life before I agree to be his wife. His prisoner in another loveless marriage . I'm not cattle to be sold." Protested Regina as she pleaded as a last ditch effort.

" We all know you don't have the strength to make good on your words. Regina accept that this all of this is on you. I will expect a wedding invitation soon I assume. She will make a beautiful bride ." Said Roger as he stepped back as Regina's eyes christened with tears as she lost her freedom and son all in one day.

" Very good. It is a pleasure doing business with you. Mr. And Mrs. Evenburg. Regina's items shall be moved to our estates and we shall close down Gregory's estates until his actual daughter can be of age to claim her proper inheritance. I appreciate your cooperation with this delicate matter. " Said Gretchen rising to her feet as she spoke with Cynthia and said her goodbyes as Roger knew the staff was implanted spies in his home .

Regina was moved to the door to leave." Let me say goodbye to Alexander at least . Please." Pleaded Regina as she was stalling for time.

" I don't think that is necessary. The child didn't look like he cared for you at all . Now is not the time for you to act like an actual mother after you ruined him with your lack of parenting him. Let's go. We have a wedding to plan darling. I won't ask twice." He told her in a warning tone of his roughness towards her as her face was still red with his reminder.

Regina held her head up and straightened herself out as she corrected her posture knowing she was a prisoner in her own life. She took a deep breath and took Bryce's hand and they all walked out the door to the car without Alexander. It took all her strength to not look back at the house where she was forced to leave her child and marched forward to her new life in metaphorical shackles .