The Billionaire Playboy’s Secret Family
Chapter 20

Marcus sighed as he stepped out of the shower. After dropping off Leonard he headed home and surprised everyone by going to bed...alone. He woke early with a clear head but his mind was muddled. It had nothing to do with alcohol though. No, it had everything to do with the figure who flitted through it.

It was the same figure who haunted him for so long but now it wasn't just her figure, but also her voice that consumed him. He pictured her at his welcome home party as well as at the club. Superimposing the images over one another he was certain she was the same woman but their attitudes were very different. Exactly which one was the real one? Or were they both an act?

He was so confused. She had acted so proper and calm at the party respecting the boundaries of client and server expertly. Yet at the club she was freer. Her voice had a slight sarcastic ring to it as she gently taunted him while still being respectful enough to avoid offence. It was quite a balancing act and he loved the back and forth banter. But which version was really her?

A knock interrupted his circling thoughts. "Come in."

Abraham opened the door and stepped in bowing when he saw Marcus in his towel, "Master Marcus, your grandfather has summoned you. He says to take your time, have breakfast and meet him in the study after." "Right. Thanks."

"Will you be having breakfast in your room or the dining hall?"

"Just coffee. I'm not really hungry at the moment."

Abraham gave him a disapproving look before he headed out. The old man always fussed because he felt Marcus didn't eat right. In the past Marcus usually skipped breakfast because nausea from his hangover made it too difficult to keep anything down. Today, however, his mind was too preoccupied to think about food.

Marcus was just finishing dressing when the elderly butler returned with a small cart not only bearing coffee but a small plate with a generous helping of bacon, eggs, hashbrowns and toast. He shot Abraham an exasperated look but naturally received no answer let alone apology. Quietly pouring a cup of coffee and stirring in cream and sugar the butler arranged everything for him to enjoy a comfortable breakfast before departing.

With a sigh Marcus sat down and obediently ate his prepared meal. When he was younger he once threw a tantrum and tossed his plate on the floor earning quite a talking to by his surrogate father figure. Abraham warned him against wasting food, lecturing him on how lucky he was to have as much as he wanted and reminded him about the hard work the kitchen staff put into making it.

Even if he wasn't hungry he had to respect the work that went into its preparation. To drive the point home Abraham, with his grandfather's approval, imposed a meal rationing. For a week Marcus could only eat what he made himself. It certainly wasn't a pleasant memory and he still couldn't look at a sandwich and not think of that horrid time. But he learned his lesson.

Once Marcus took the first bite his stomach grumbled for more and he finished the meal in a surprisingly short time. Sipping his coffee he couldn't help but smirk at Abraham's stubbornness. With a sigh he stood. He couldn't put off this meeting any longer. Leaving his room he headed down the quiet halls to his grandfather's study. Knocking on the door Marcus let himself in. In the five years he had been gone nothing had changed. The small room contained more books than he could read in five lifetimes. Comfortable chairs were arranged in front of a small fireplace and near the window sat the stately desk that had been there since his great-grandfather's time.

Miles Avery looked up at his grandson's entrance and watched Marcus quietly take a seat across from him. Five years ago he had summoned Marcus to this very room but the man in front of him was very different. Marcus looked rested and calm. He didn't fidget in his seat and was no longer trailed by a cloud of alcohol. His clothes were clean and his eyes clear. It was quite a difference from the manic energy of before.

Though he had received reports from Julius about Marcus's progress seeing it for himself was much different. Miles had long agonized over the idea of sending his grandson away but now he could finally say it had been worth it.

"So how are you feeling?" Miles finally asked.

Marcus shrugged not sure what kind of answer his grandfather wanted or expected, "All right...all things considered."

"That all things include your mother's announcement the other night?"

Marcus scowled, "You didn't have anything to do with that, did you?"

"Course not," Miles shook his head surprised his grandson even thought to ask.

Since the beginning he had been against the match. The Quenn's were a greedy family caring only about prestige and money. They looked at the medical empire the Avery's had built and saw only dollar signs, like apples on a tree waiting to be picked. As a man who proudly served and sacrificed for his country, Miles couldn't stomach that kind of attitude.

Marcus sighed. He hadn't thought so but he wanted to be sure. Unfortunately Elizabeth had made a public announcement and it was already spreading like wildfire through the gossip sites given how many times his phone gave him alerts. He had no idea what to do. "I wouldn't worry about it," Miles said.

Marcus blinked in surprise. How could he not worry about it?

"One word and I'll have it killed," Miles informed.

Since when did his grandfather have a finger on public opinion? Not even the DaLairs could squash the free press no matter their connections.

"For now let's focus on what you will be doing next."

"...All right."

"I'm going to put you in charge of the Children's Hospital on the Lower East Side," Miles said. "You can get your feet wet as it were. It's smaller than the Metropolitan but busy...and I had to fire the previous administrator." "Why is that?"

"His wife caught him cheating...with a nurse. After investigating him myself I found out he propositioned a number of nurses and some of the patients' parents too. It was quite a mess," Miles shook his head. "It's mostly cleaned up now although there still may be some damage control to do."

Marcus grimaced.

"I won't be throwing you to the wolves though," Miles assured him. "Doctor Worthington has been acting administrator since this whole thing began. She can act as your assistant and answer any of your questions once you get there." "Worthington?" Marcus repeated. "As in..."

"Doctor Bernice Worthington," Miles confirmed. "A brilliant doctor, dedicated. And she has her family's business sense so she's a natural."

Marcus nodded trying to recall what the eldest of the Worthington daughters looked like but came up blank. Bernice was never around when he spent time with Ethan and Liam and he had the impression most of the Worthington siblings didn't get along. "I've already informed her of your arrival so she's aware of the situation. She'll be waiting for you."

"Right." Marcus stood.

"Oh, one more thing...I need you to attend a charity event in my stead."

"Charity?"

"Yes, of course. Maintaining proper connections with the community is a must. It will also help build up your reputation...reinvent yourself as it were."

"Right," Marcus sighed. He had enough sense to be embarrassed by his past indiscretions now. It had probably been hard for his grandfather to tolerate the rumors Marcus stirred up with all his exploits. "So what is it?"

"A science fair."

"A...what?"

"I've been sponsoring STEM classroom programs," Miles proudly declared.

"Why?"

"Those children could very well be the next generation of doctors and medical researchers who discover the cures to diseases we currently think impossible," Miles said. "And tomorrow is one of the biggest events: the Spring Science Fair. I want you to go, get some exposure and show everyone you are a changed man."

Marcus sighed, "All right, grandpa. I'll do it."

"Excellent. The fair starts at nine o'clock with judging at noon. And you are one of the judges so be there early. The Anna Silver gymnasium. Got it?" "Got it."