The fact that Laurence could summon the whole family to be under one roof in a short amount of time sent a shiver down Susan's spine. She suspected that Laurence had been in touch with the family members.
Laurence, a Longbottom, was the CEO of Longtail group, and the company had established itself in Havenmill for a few years now. If Laurence knew about his history, he must have started planning the moment he set foot in the city.
Well, that would not surprise Susan as much. However, terror gripped her as Laurence might have been interacting with the family members right under her nose.
"We are back in Havenmill. It will take us half an hour to reach home. The traffic is horrible, with some parts of the road in a gridlock."
Tony added, "That's a norm in the city. You know that. Don't panic. Keep your composure. We knew he was coming. So long as he provides the heirlooms, he will be the head of the family.
"So what if he proves to be a Longbottom? Shouldn't he take a DNA test? Though he looks like his father, that doesn't prove that he's the son. Plenty of unrelated people look alike."
"Tony, we can propose that he takes a DNA test to stall for time. His immediate family is dead. He can't test against anyone."
Susan believed it was a way.
She would stop Laurence from securing the position as the head of the family.
“He has all three of the family heirlooms. Even if he can't prove family lineage, the heirlooms are all the family needs for the leadership to take place.”
Tony said grimly, "Stop the pointless struggles. Just take it one step at a time. So what if he assumes power? We still have a lot of chances to strike."
"Very well. Just hurry back."
Susan recalled that they destroyed the head family thirty years ago. Three decades later, they could still vanquish Laurence. At least, Laurence could reunite with his family.
The search for the family heirlooms went on for thirty years. Now that the three items had emerged, the perfect opportunity for Tony's family had presented itself.
Laurence might be powerful, but he was only one person. He had no family, and the closest family members he had were Tony's family.
"I told you that we are on the way. Just hold the fort and keep your mouth shut until we get back."
"Fine."
After the call, Tony was tempted to hurl the phone, but he held it together.
He uttered in spite, “Curse you, Laurence!”
"What's wrong, Grandpa?"
Roxy noticed that color drained from Tony's face when he got the call from Susan.
"Laurence got back to the city ahead of us, and he summoned the whole family to the family residence. The manor is packed."
The family residence was where the head of the family resided. Even though the family head owned many properties, there was only one family residence.
Tony became the acting head after killing the head family. Despite lacking legitimate authority, Tony and his family moved into the residence and enjoyed privileges meant for the head of the family.
Having lived there for thirty years, Tony considered the estate his private property.
Roxy grimaced. "Can he fly? How did he get ahead of us?"
"He must have taken a private jet. The O'Connors own one."
Tony said resentfully, "I failed to anticipate it.
"I can't believe he managed to summon the whole family back. Does he know how many there are?"
There were plenty of people with the last name Longbottom, but not everyone of
them was linked to their family in Havenmill. Still, Laurence managed to track them down.
Laurence was a terrifying and unfathomable force.