Chapter 42 - The Billionaire Triplets Take New York

Speaking with Richard brought her no sense of relief although she finally learned her rival’s name: Avalynn Carlisle. What was more she learned the children were in fact fathered by Silas. The news shocked her but not as much as Richard’s explanation. Apparently Silas’s college roommates played a rather bold trick on him. Hearing the details Jenna had some misgivings but learning Ava’s name connected the dots. How could she have forgotten that incident?

It made sense Silas would want to keep his children close but how in the world did Ava hide them in the first place and why reveal them now. Those were questions Richard couldn’t answer. Knowing Silas often confided in his mother she had gone to Opal hoping to glean more answers. She was thwarted when she discovered Opal and Ava deep in party planning. Jenna was so shocked she couldn’t even speak. Opal never consulted her on anything. Why would the older woman want Ava’s opinion?

Confused and frustrated by her second class status Jenna returned to her room and changed into a swimsuit before heading down to the pool. She was an excellent swimmer even competing on her high school swim team. The activity would also give her plenty of time to think with a clear mind.

The pool was not quite Olympic size but close. The greenhouse structure containing it was surprisingly easy to heat and it had an ample patio with lounge chairs and tables. There was also a large hot tub perfect for winding down after she worked her body with some serious competitive swimming. Though Richard never said as much this addition was built solely for her.

She made three consecutive laps before the door was suddenly flung open and her peace interrupted with an excited shout, “Yeah!”

Startled she stopped in the middle of her lap to tread water. Spinning she saw the three Carlisle spawn cluster around one of the tables. The girl sat down while her brothers quickly pulled off their shirts and kicked off their shoes before running for the pool. Each gave a yell as they jumped and cannonball-ed into the water.

Jenna shrieked as a wave of water overtook her. She came up sputtering with rage to see the boys in the middle of a splash battle. They laughed and scrambled to dunk each other before one broke away racing to the other end. He climbed out and headed to the diving board. Using it to spring higher he aimed his next cannonball at his brother who quickly dove and swam away before impact.

Jenna watched the chaotic scene growing redder and more enraged. When it was clear the boys were willfully ignoring her she climbed out marching to her things. She hurriedly gathered her bag not bothering to dry herself as she departed in a rush. Once Richard heard about the kids’ escapades he would bar them from the pool. She would make sure of it.

* * *

“Well that was easy,” Theo smirked after she had gone.

“Yeah, I thought it would take longer,” Sean agreed as they swam to the edge pulling themselves out of the water.

Snorting laughter they made their way to Alexis where she set her tablet out on the table. Sean immediately started it up holding out his hand. Theo slapped a phone into his brother’s palm before taking a seat.

“You really think you’ll be able to get into her accounts without her password?”

“You kidding?” Sean laughed. “She’s a rich, privileged twenty-something. You honestly think she signs out of any of her accounts? Look at this…she didn’t even have a pin number for the phone set-up.”

Sean shook his head as he connected Jenna’s phone and the tablet. In seconds he had her social media accounts sending himself friend requests to his fake profiles ensuring future access. With the phone paired he copied all the pictures and files she had into the tablet to study later. There was no telling what might be useful.

“I thought for sure she was going to catch you when you swiped the phone,” Sean commented.

“Nah. She was totally zoned out.” Theo shrugged. He slipped in when she started her first lap to snatch her phone before backing off to join his siblings for their grand entrance. The timing had to be perfect but it was simple enough to accomplish.

“So what are we going to do now that we have everything that was on her phone?”

“We need her to make a big mistake, something unforgivable.”

“Meaning we have to make her madder,” Sean said.

“Like today? That should be easy,” Theo shrugged.

“No. We need it to be bigger.” Alexis shook her head. “She’ll probably go to our grandfather to complain and we’ll be barred from the pool. That isn’t enough.”

The brothers shared a look. They weren’t sure what kind of thoughts were running through their sister’s head. This sort of planning was not their forte so it was best to leave it to their sister.

“…We might have to use our father as bait.”

“Use him for bait?” Theo repeated. “You mean like a trap?”

Alexis nodded. She didn’t know the full story between their father and Jenna but she had a few guesses. There was no doubt their grandfather had been planning on them marrying for some time.

The problem was their father had no interest in her or such a marriage. He was in love with their mother. On the outside there was nothing wrong with a union between their parents. Their mother also came from a prominent family and would bring prestige to the marriage. The issue was her family was a rival to their father’s though the kids didn’t know the details. Silas didn’t seem to care so their grandfather really didn’t have the right to object. If he considered Jenna to be the perfect match for their father they had to prove him wrong.

“Have you deep dived Ryker Holdings?” Alexis asked.

“Yep. And let me tell you they are dirty,” Sean nodded as he continued his work with Jenna’s phone.

“Seriously?” Theo perked up.

“They’re practically a Ponzi scheme,” Sean said. “On paper everything looks fine but they are broke.”

“It’s probably why they are so intent on marrying into the Prescotts,” Alexis said. “That’s billions of dollars in capitol for them.”

“Makes sense.”

“And our grandfather seriously doesn’t know?”

“He doesn’t strike me as particularly bright,” Alexis said, “otherwise he would have seen through Jenna’s act in a heartbeat. I’m blind and even I can see through her.”

“So how are we going to set her up?” Theo asked.

Alexis considered their options as Sean suddenly declared, “All done. I got everything on her phone including her text history.”

He handed the phone back to his brother Theo stood preparing to toss it back onto the chair that once held her things. When she missed it she would come looking for it so it was important it looked like no one touched it.

“Wait.”

Theo froze.

“Sean, I need you to change something in her contact list.”

* * *

“Sorry about calling you in,” Thomas said as he held the door open.

“That’s all right,” Duncan said as he stepped inside and surveyed the pristine foyer.

He set down his suitcase with a sigh. Earlier Silas called asking him to pack and come out to the estate. A few hours later Thomas arrived to drive him out. Though he didn’t have all the details it seemed Silas was upset with the service, or lack of service, his family was receiving from the estate staff. Duncan was a little surprised considering Joseph was as experienced as himself in managing a household.

“Ah good, Duncan, you’re here,” Silas said as he came down the stairs.

“Master Silas,” Duncan nodded.

“Sorry for interrupting your holiday.”

“That’s quite all right, sir. Truth be told it’s been rather boring since my family lives across the country.”

“Duncan?” Richard stepped out from another hall with Joseph in close attendance and a whining Jenna trailing after him.

“Master Richard,” Duncan greeted.

“What brings you out here?” Richard asked. “It’s been years.”

“Yes it has, sir. Master Silas asked for my assistance.”

“Did he?”

“Duncan!” Theo exclaimed as the kids trooped in from the pool.

Leaving Sean to guide their sister Theo sprinted forward holding up a fist. With a chuckle Duncan held out his own and the pair performed a somewhat elaborate handshake, bumping fists and slapping palms in different ways. It ended with both pulling back making Hang 10 gestures which they then locked together.

“What brings you here, Duncan?” Alexis asked. “I thought you were staying at the brownstone.”

“Your father called me. Apparently there have been some issues with the staff service.”

“I’ll say!” Theo said as Sean took Duncan’s coat and hung it up. “The cooks can’t cook and the maids don’t clean! They act like it’s such hard work when it’s literally their job. Why the heck did they take a job they don’t want to do? We were going to ask where the vacuum was so we could clean our rooms ourselves.”

“That will be unnecessary, Master Theo,” Duncan said. “I shall see to that first thing.”

“Cool!” Theo picked up Duncan’s bag lugging it along as the trio accompanied the butler. “Will you be cooking dinner too? Mom’s a good cook but we feel bad about asking her all the time.”

Richard and Joseph watched in silence as the triplets and butler walked past chatting amicably. They hadn’t seen the children act so polite before treating Duncan like an old friend. It was clear they were genuinely happy to see him.

“Thanks for bringing him, Thomas,” Silas said.

“Of course.”

“I would like to know what is going on,” Richard said eyeing his son. “Joseph is in charge of the house.”

“Duncan is in charge of my children’s care,” Silas said. “Apparently there is no one in this house I can depend on to take care of them properly so I called someone I can trust. Duncan has been taking care of them for weeks and he has a terrific rapport with them. If anyone around here bothered to take the time to know them they would too.”

“Master Silas…” Joseph hesitantly tired to explain himself but Silas cut him off.

“I don’t care. I suggest you enjoy your job while you still have one,” Silas glared at him. “Once I’m master of this house none of you will be here.”