Even After Death Novel (Olivia)

Troy turned around and saw his cousin, Graham Fordham.

He hadn't seen him for a few years, and Graham had grown from a young kid to a superstar in the entertainment industry.

The two of them had some bad blood between them. Back in the day, Troy spent one whole year making a wood carving of the Mona Lisa. It was a great project that took great effort for him to accomplish. Graham, who was ten years younger than him, destroyed a part of it when the housekeepers weren't watching out of mischief. His actions caused Troy's work to be incomplete.

Troy had planned to take that piece for a competition, so he reprimanded Graham harshly.

They were family, but everyone had always felt that David doted on his eldest son the most. The others were less loved. David was angry when he found out about that. He caned Graham and locked him in the private chapel for three whole days. That incident sowed the seed of hatred in Graham. Even though Troy later apologized to him, Graham never accepted it. David's siblings, Henley and Emery, got along very well but weren't close with David.

The fourth sibling, Sawyer, had it the worst. He was Janice's childhood friend but was abandoned by her in the end.

The trauma from his unrealized love for her caused him to stay single since then. He never had any offspring.

Troy met Graham's gaze and saw the hint of joy in his eyes.

"When Grandpa was still alive, he said that our family would only grow stronger if we stood united. If we were divided, we'd fall. Now, the family is in trouble, but you're still able to smile?"

Graham lowered his head and grabbed Troy's collar. "Do you know? I've always hated your family. You guys always have that holier-than-thou attitude.

"I don't know what lies you all fed Grandpa for him to treat you so well! We're Fordhams too! It's good that he's dead now. The unfair treatment is finally behind us."

Troy was furious when he heard what Graham said. "You bastard! He was your grandpa too! What the hell are you talking about?"

Graham sneered. "He caned my hands so severely back then and even shut me in the chapel for three whole days. How old was I? I was only seven years old! How could he do that to me?

"Since he never loved me as his grandson, why would I recognize him as my grandfather? Troy, are you angry? Do you want to hit me?

"Unfortunately for you, karma has come back to bite you and crippled your hands. Didn't Grandpa use to say that you had the hands of an artist? You had this coming!"

Troy knew that Graham didn't like him, but he didn't expect Graham to harbor such hatred for him and Douglas. Weren't they family?

"I didn't want to stay in the Fordham family because of you. I'd rather throw myself into the entertainment industry alone than look at your family's disgusting faces."

Graham patted Troy on the cheek. "My dear cousin, your family is doomed! We've prepared a nice present for you."

Troy felt uneasy. "What are you going to do?"

"What am I going to do? Well, you'll soon find out. Troy, this is what you owe me. It's what your father owes the rest of the family!

"Even if Grandpa is dead now, I want him to watch over us and see the price you're going to pay for his unfair treatment."

Troy started to feel afraid. The troubles within the Fordham family were more complicated than he thought.

Graham left with a smile on his face while Troy was gripped with unease and fear.

"What's wrong, Mr. Troy?" Olivia went up to him and asked when she saw the mixed emotions on his face.

"You were right, Dr. Fordham. Brandon Simmons isn't the only suspicious person. There are probably quite a few traitors in the family! So many of our enemies are starting to show themselves after Grandpa's death."