Chapter 35

"Stan, what do you have for me?"

"The trace came back, the sedan you saw Sam getting in was one of Alcazar's." Stan answered.

"Thanks." Jason said and closed his phone then climbed out of his SUV.

Jason hated this house, he hated the way it looked and what it stood for. To his grandfather it stood for power and control. To Jason the house stood for self indulgence and overindulgence. He approached the porch and the door was immediately opened by Alice, the maid. Often he would just appear on the terrace but decided that today he'd allow himself to be announced. Of course that gave them many minutes to prepare since the main gate to the house was a mile down the road.

"Mr. Jason, how nice to see you. Who may I ask are you here to see?"

"Edward."

Jason stepped past the stocky maid and folded his hands in front of him. "I will announce your arrival." She said then turned into the den. Jason looked at the large staircase and luxurious chandelier, rolling his eyes as he thought about how cold the house was. Sure his Penthouse was cold and bland but it was also only an apartment. A family did not live there, it was not a home, just a place he'd slept over the years. This mansion was supposed to be a welcoming home but to him it was no more welcoming then the dentist office. Elizabeth's house, however, was warm and inviting. It was the kind of house that you can walk into and not be afraid to touch something. It was his…

"Jason" he heard from behind him.

"Edward." Jason coldly greeted him.

Edward swayed across the foyer, "To what do I owe the pleasure, have you come to announce your child's birth?"

Jason's eyes narrowed, "To you?" he asked sarcastically. "No." He sucked in a deep breath but first things were first, "We received your gift and although it was completely unnecessary and unwanted by me, Elizabeth likes it and is happy to have something that had belonged to Lila."

"Lila was a generous woman and I know that she and you always had a connection."

Jason actually agreed with the old man. "But, do not make my history with Lila a bridge for you to my children."

"That's preposterous."

"Is it? I know that it was you that was feeding the reporter information on my relationship with Elizabeth. What your motivation was is clear, you want your heir. You can be damn sure that my children will never be part of ELQ so back off." He spat, narrowing his eyes at the man.

Edward pointed at Jason and had he not been an old man Jason would've broken the finger in half. "I'm not scared of you and I certainly will not bow to you like some flunky warehouse worker. You obviously are not up on family law in the state of New York. Grandparents have rights."

"You are not my child's grandfather."

Edward chuckled, "No, I am his great-grandfather."

Jason shook his head, "Her great-grandfather is an elitist, selfish…"

Edward interrupted Jason's insult, "A girl?" he asked with a smile.

"Besides, females cannot run ELQ under your twisted thinking."

The silver haired man shook his head, "On the contrary. And I think you underestimate my influence in this town."

"And I think you underestimate mine." Jason challenged.

Edward chuckled.

"Try me." Jason warned, stepping closer for emphasis.

"Jason… Edward, what is going on?" Monica howled as she walked down the steps, Alan following close behind.

"I'm just having a few words with my grandson here."

Jason's eyes narrowed, "I haven't been your grandson for over ten years, that was someone else, a boy."

The two men were in a duel, both refusing to look away. Jason refused to bow before the man that spent his entire life looking out for only himself and his last name. The only exception was Lila, she was the only woman that could put the old man in his place. Other's tried but they could only limit him for so long. So there they stood, each man too stubborn to back down. Edward knew that Jason would never physically hurt him and if it came down to a battle of the wits he was sure he'd win and Jason felt the same.

"Oh father, we are going to be late for the board meeting, let's go." Alan scolded.

When Edward did not move, Monica spoke, "What did you do Edward?" She turned to Jason, "What did he do?"

Knowing the situation was going nowhere, Jason took a step back and looked at Monica. "Uh, he is the one that has been tipping off the reporter about my personal life."

Edward proudly smiled at Jason's words.

"Why would you do something like that?" Alan asked.

Monica rolled her eyes, "Quartermaine heir?" she asked and Jason nodded his head.

"Give me a break." Alan said in a voice that was borderline whiney.

Monica crossed her arms over her chest, "Edward, so help me god, if you as much as breath in Jason, Elizabeth or their families direction without invitation you will be out of this house before you have the chance to grab your coat!"

"You can't kick me out of my house!" Edward howled.

"It is Monica's house and I suggest you respect her wishes." Alan stated matter-of-factly.

Jason was floored, they were on his side. Not sure what to say, he simply turned on his heels and walked out the door, nodding to both Monica and alan as he passed them.

"Oh Em, this is ridiculous, I thought we were coming shopping for you."

Emily placed the designer dress back on the rack and stomped over to where a very pregnant Elizabeth was standing. "We are shopping for me but you are going to need some new clothes for after the baby is born."

"No I don't, I have plenty of clothes."

Emily picked up a beautiful green, v-neck cashmere sweater and held it up to Elizabeth, "But you don't have anything as nice as this."

Elizabeth brushed her hand along the soft fabric, enjoying the feel of it brushing agaist her fingertips, "No… and I never have." She looked at the tag, "And for a hundred and twenty dollars I never will."

"Oh stop with the money stuff, are you telling me that Jason has not given you an open flow of money now that you are married?"

Elizabeth shrugged, "Doesn't mean I'm going to buy something that I don't need."

"Oh, clothes, my dear, you need." Diane added.

Both Emily and Elizabeth turned quickly and saw Diane standing behind them, her arms full of bags from the various designer stores in the plaza. "Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt but I couldn't help but overhear your conversation as I was walking by."

"Hi Diane, how are you?" Elizabeth asked.

"Much better after a little… retail therapy." Diane smiled and lifted the bags in her hands. "So my suggestion is to buy anything your heart desires. You will feel wonderful and trust me when I can say, you can afford it."

"See, I told you." Emily teased.

Elizabeth shook her head, "It isn't me though."

"Well if I buy it as a gift then you'd have to wear it." Emily tested.

"Oh and I suggest a nice pair of shoes to match, I saw a magnificent pair of Jimmy Choos that would match that sweater superbly." Diane added, angling her head.

Elizabeth grunted, grabbed the sweater from Emily and stomped over to the counter, "I'm never going shopping with you two again." she complained as she dug through her purse for the credit card she tossed in there from Jason.

"Oh, you weren't shopping with me, I simply gave you some advise when I saw you contemplating a purchase." Diane recapped.

"And you will go shopping again with me after you have the baby because… you just have to." Emily reasoned.

Diane adjusted the bags in her arms, "Well, I must be going… unless you need so advice on those shoes."

Elizabeth looked over her shoulder and could not help but laugh as she handed the credit card to the sales woman. Diane and Emily were definitely a bad influence on her.