Chapter 240
Jonathan’s POV
Council Hall
I entered the Council hall along with Veronica beside me.
As we entered the council members and representatives from all jewelry houses were seated.
Alex was one of them.
Our gaze met for a brief moment but I didn’t react to him.
Giving him a reaction would make him feel his presence affects me.
That I will never give to him.
And today was not about me and him.
It was about proving who I am and what authority I hold.
I was feeling nervous, but not because he was here. This nervousness was different. Today I was no longer hiding away from the River name.
I placed a folder before me as I and Veronica took our seats.
As the council members began telling today’s meeting is to officially announce a house’s heir.
Everyone began to gasp Who’s family is announcing their heir p>
Veronica was quiet today as she knew today she may not have to speak up for me.
Of course if she did, she won’t back down.
I smiled at that thought.
It was good that Veronica was also the President of Harmon Designs as bringing her along as a wife is not possible all the time, and her support is crucial for me.
Her presence also reminded me, from here on whatever decision I make will affect her and those around me as well.
I exhaled.
Her presence reminds him that whatever decision comes next will affect the family they built together.
“Let’s begin the meeting then p>
I placed the folder in the middle so the copies could be circulated as I opened my laptop.
I first displayed my birth certificate on the screen.
My parents name was clearly written.
My mother’s maiden name was River, and surname was Rollings.
This was my first official link between me and the River family.
The council members and the house representatives studied the copy as well.
I gave a side glance at Alex and noticed he was staring at the screen.
I should have been nervous about wondering what was going on in his mind, but I felt settled. The identity that my mother hid for so many years, was now out in the open.
“There’s no doubt now that Mr Rollings is the son of Senior Jonathan Rollings and the only child daughter of the River family.” The council head said.
Then I presented my mother’s parents records to confirm she was the only child of the River family.
The representatives began to compare.
“Names align…dates align p>
“Mr Jonathan’s mother’s records are also confirmed p>
“She is the only daughter of the River family and Mr Jonathan’s mother p>
As time went by, I realized hiding my identity as the River and Rolling’s heir was not only to protect me but to make me ready for it as well.
I noticed one of the council members reached for the DNA report so I displayed that next.
The DNA report confirmed my biological connection with my parents.
Now my bloodline was not a matter for assumption.
I didn’t need any story to make anyone believe who I am.
The DNA report established the scientific bond no one could deny.
I glanced and saw Alex was watching from across the room.
But he didn’t say a word.
I felt this was the last time I would have to face any doubt regarding my River bloodline, especially in front of Alex Vale.
“From today onwards the biological connection between Mr Jonathan and the River family is official.” The council member said.
Then I presented some other family records.
A will written by my grandfather, my mother’s father stating his grandson, Jonathan Rollings would be the next heir in line.
Some historical records and some design drafts my mother made back then.
And the transfer documents in which it was clearly written the River vault was transferred to the Rollings House as that’s the heir’s place.
Now each document had been presented that gave the same conclusion p>
I was the River heir.
I wasn’t relying on just one document but a folder full of documents.
My entire history from birth to today was before them.
The council members took the folder and began to examine each document themselves.
Then the River representative also re-examined them.
He compared them to the records the council had with them.
Silence fell in the room as they were busy examining the records.
Alex shifted in his chair as the house representatives watched anxiously.
Finally, the council member closed the folder.
Suddenly my chest tightened with tension as it was at its highest point.
The River representative looked directly towards me.
“Mr Jonathan Rollings is the legal surviving River heir,” the Rover representative said.
“From today onwards no one will question or challenge Mr Rollings lineage p>
I noticed Alex was composed all along, but I could see the frustration in his eyes.
But I was feeling an unexpected sense of peace in my mind as now I was at peace with my bloodlines.
But there was still more.
I exhaled.
“Now that my lineage is clarified p>
“I want to say even if my inheritance has been proved, it does not mean I will accept any pressure related to any of the duties that come my way p>
“As you all know I have become the official River heir, but I still have not taken over the River Treat admin position p>
Silence fell in the room as the council members and the River representative exchanged confused looks.
I felt it was important to separate the fact that I was the River heir from what I have to choose and how.
“Now I am the River and Rolling’s heir,” I continued.
“But I still haven’t accepted the admin position p>
“I want to make my position clear before I accept p>
“Once I do accept the position of the River treaty admin p>
“The vault will not open on the day itself…and not in the coming days as well only because you demand p>
I glanced at every member, including Alex.
“I believe you all know that the treat existed to protect your assets that your ancestors entrusted to the River family p>
“To open the vault exposes the other assets as well p>
“Thus endangering them p>
Then I displayed the list of the attacks my mother and then River family faced because of the Blue Heart.
Gasps filled the air.
“I don’t want what my mother and my grandparents faced because of the vault and the Blue Heart p>
I looked at Veronica as I took hold of her hand.
“My family suffers in the same way p>
“Therefore the vault will only be opened when the purpose is needed and only if I find so p>
“It will never be opened under pressure like you all did this time by coming to my home sending me notices demanding me to open the vault p>
I saw everyone looking down..meant my words carried weight.
“From today onwards Mr Jonathan is the official River heir,” the council member said.
“As for the admin role, he is responsible for the protection of the treaty rules, his own inheritance and that of the jewelry houses kept in the vault p>
“As the admin, he holds full rights regarding the vault p>
“One change I will make p>
I froze on hearing that.
“If any of the current old houses have assets in the vault, and any new house that wants to keep their assets in the vault p>
“A day will be chosen p>
“Mr Rollings will open the vault in private, return the assets requested, and keep the ones given p>
I realized now being the admin was not something that I have to think about but something that is happening.
It is something that I will abide by.
“Mr Rollings will officially take over as the admin of the River treaty p>
“Opening the vault lies only on his decision p>
“The day we will tell is the only day Mr Rollings will listen to us regarding the vault p>
“Mr Rollings do you accept p>
I looked at Veronica for her answer.
I got my answer in her eyes.
The decision was entirely mine.
I nodded.
I realized today I had more power over the houses than I had as only Jonathan Rollings.
Meaning I could better protect my family.
“I accept p>
As I said, Alex rose and quietly left the council.
“Bar Mr Vale’s entry to the council until he clarifies his behaviour p>
“From today onwards disrespecting Mr Rollings is disrespecting the Council p>
Alex’s POV
Outside the Council Hall
I pulled out my phone and made a call.
“Execute plan b NOW!” I yelled into the phone.
“Jonathan now that you’ve proved your lineage,” I said to myself.
“I have no reason to wait p>